Many people have found it easy to get into the habit of reading their email at least once each day. Not as many are in the habit of spending even a few moments each day in prayer, Bible reading, or meditation. Many Christians would like to spend this time with God, but have not been able to find the time or the place or the method to do so. This does seem to be a more difficult habit to develop.
Emailmeditations provide a convenient way to get into the habit of daily meditation on the Christian faith and life. The place is at your computer or on your phone. The time is whenever you are already reading your email (or checking social media or reading your text messages or waiting in line, etc.). The method is simply to take a few minutes to read that day’s Emailmeditation on the screen ahead of you.
Each day you receive a devotional reading, along with three Bible verses, and a prayer. The three parts will usually be arranged around a common theme, and the various sections will provide a few different opportunities for you to meditate upon what Jesus called “the one thing needful” (Luke 10:41-42 KJV). That ‘one thing needful’ is believing in Jesus– getting to know him, and then, to follow him.
The readings are a hodgepodge of bits and pieces of all sorts– stories, teachings, devotions, prayers, questions and answers; all which may inspire, inform, uplift, or encourage you, a little bit at a time. Following each reading are three Bible verses related to what you just read. Most Christians do not read their Bibles even once a day. Here, you will read at least these three verses. Then, you have the opportunity to spend a few moments in prayer. You do need this every day. This provides an easy method to get into this habit.
It would be best if you could take the time every day for a slow and thoughtful reading of each of the three parts, spending no less than 30 minutes in prayerful meditation. I do realize that this is probably not how most people will begin. But even a quick reading of even one portion of the day’s Emailmeditation can be enough to at least get you started on this necessary habit. You may then do more as time allows and as the Holy Spirit leads. But do begin by at least reading something on the page– a verse or two, the prayer, or a bit of the meditation– setting aside a brief portion of your day to remember the One who gave you the day.
For those who are already in the habit of having daily devotions, this may provide a helpful addition to what you are doing.
The daily Emailmeditation may be devotional, educational, inspirational, or just tell a story. Many of the prayers and readings will be drawn from the lives and writings of great Christians of long ago, and are still being read because they stood the test of time. Each will give you something to ponder, reminding you to open your heart to God; something to make you want to be a better person, and also, to show you how. It is my prayer that whatever the source, everything here will in some small way lift your gaze a little higher, giving you the opportunity to think beyond the concerns of this fleeting life, to hear and to meditate upon a Word from the Lord, and to pay attention to your soul’s eternal destiny. One reader called these meditations a daily “pinch” to remind him of what is most important in life.
Several years ago, a major study of Lutherans in America found that “for many, faith lies dormant, waiting for nudges, inspirations, revelations, and personal experiences to help it develop.” Perhaps this website and these daily meditations could be for you, or for someone you know, such a ‘nudge.’ Many studies have come to the same two conclusions: a) many people want to learn more about God and grow in their faith; and b) a majority of those same people do nothing at all on a daily basis to make that happen. These daily devotions provide a handy opportunity for that. The daily meditations are on a different topic every day and do not provide an organized, step by step introduction to the Christian faith (that you can find elsewhere on the website). However, over time, you will receive a comprehensive knowledge of Christianity. If you take just 5-10 minutes a day to read these emails, over the course of a year, you will read the equivalent of four 200 page books; and, you will “get to know Jesus much better.”
If you find any of this useful, please tell others about it. You may tell them how these emails have helped you in your devotional life, and encourage them to go to the website. Or, you may simply forward an individual reading on to someone who you think might benefit from it. Sharing your faith with others, especially your unbelieving friends, can be difficult. Telling them about a website or forwarding an email is easy. It is easier for you, and easier for them also. Most people are interested in spiritual questions, but hesitant to discuss them, and perhaps even more hesitant to accept an invitation to church. Internet options like Emailmeditations are a convenient, anonymous, and non-threatening way for a seeker to look into who Jesus is, and, find out about the amazing grace that he offers to everyone.
Thank you for reading.