The Daily Meditation: "Empowered to Speak" for Friday, 8 June 2018 from The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto Ontario Canada

The Daily Meditation: "Empowered to Speak" for Friday, 8 June 2018 from The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto Ontario Canada

 

DAILY MEDITATION: "Empowered to Speak" for Friday, 8 June 2018

Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com

The Spirit that Jesus gives us empowers us to speak. Often when we are expected to speak in front of people who intimidate us, we are nervous and self-conscious. But if we live in the Spirit, we don't have to worry about what to say. We will find ourselves ready to speak when the need is there. "When they take you before ... authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say" (Luke 12:11-12).
We waste much of our time in anxious preparation. Let's claim the truth that the Spirit that Jesus gave us will speak in us and speak convincingly.

For further reflection...
Moses said to the Lord, "Oh Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who gave a person their mouth? ...Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4: 10-12 (NIV))
Your response...
Where do you need the Spirit's empowerment today in speaking? Comment on this Daily Meditation.

Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus".
***
The Daily Meditation: "The Power of the Spirit" for Thursday, 7 June 2018 from The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto Ontario Canada

 

DAILY MEDITATION: "The Power of the Spirit" for Thursday, 7 June 2018

Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com

In and through Jesus we come to know God as a powerless God, who becomes dependent on us. But it is precisely in this powerlessness that God's power reveals itself. This is not the power that controls, dictates, and commands. It is the power that heals, reconciles, and unites. It is the power of the Spirit. When Jesus appeared people wanted to be close to him and touch him because "power came out of him" (Luke 6:19).
It is this power of the divine Spirit that Jesus wants to give us. The Spirit indeed empowers us and allows us to be healing presences. When we are filled with that Spirit, we cannot be other than healers.

For further reflection...
"You show that you are a letter from Christ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts... for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3: 3,6 (NIV))
Your response...
Where can you be a healing presence by the power of the Spirit? Comment on this Daily Meditation.

Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Wounded Healer".
Visit our Bookstore:

United States | Canada | United Kingdom

Consider our monthly giving program to sustain the ability to extend Henri's legacy and make his work available to those who seek spiritual formation and nourishment. Click here to sign up today.
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.

STAY CONNECTED:

The Henri Nouwen Society

214 - 95 Saint Joseph Street

Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada

***