Daily Bread February 02

Blessings, Service, and Calling
Jeanne Murphy of Glen Carbon, IL, USA


When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.  -Matthew 12:15-18

In 1994 I attended a worship workshop. One of the sessions asked us to remember a significant spiritual experience and share it with one other person there. After the workshop, I wrote these notes:

As I recalled experiences, I realized that what they have in common is my deep need for recognition by God. Whenever I feel God has heard my cry for help, I feel overwhelmed by any response. I think this indicates how deep my belief is that I am not a person worthy of any notice-and even worse-that I am such a bad person that there is no hope for the future.

My lack of self-worth was instilled in me as a child. I have struggled all my life to overcome that teaching. I have had several times when I felt God heard my cry for help, and help came. One of the ways help came to me was through the words of my evangelist blessings. When I was 18, I asked for my blessing; it has been foundational to my adult life. The evangelist named three spiritual gifts that were mine. This was amazing because I didn’t feel gifted. He also said I would have the opportunity to establish a zionic home. This, too, was amazing because I felt jinxed by my dysfunctional family.

I asked for a second evangelist blessing in 2001. My life had changed significantly in the years previous to 2001. This blessing reaffirmed my gifts and spoke about light, hope, and adventure. More importantly it spoke of God’s love.

Life takes unexpected turns; one of those appeared for me in 2014. Then Apostle Stassi Cramm presented my call to the office of evangelist. I had not expected such a call. I thought the circumstances of my early life had firmly closed the door to further ministerial responsibilities. The call to evangelist completely changed my outlook, just as the previous blessings I had received had encouraged me in earlier years.

As an evangelist, I feel particularly led to offer the ministry of “Living Sanctuary” (one of the five areas of evangelist ministry). I have needed that sanctuary myself, and I want to offer it to others so that they do not have to walk alone.

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Breathing God’s Compassion

Light a candle and sit quietly, reflecting on the fire and light of God. Pay attention to your breathing and let it become calmer and deeper as you focus on God’s presence. Ask God to breathe in you. Image each breath carrying the light of God into your lungs, bloodstream, and every cell in your body until God’s Spirit fills you. Now imagine breathing out God’s compassion and grace each time you exhale. Pray to have the Spirit of Christ radiate from your life like the gentle flame of a candle.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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