autumn series: joy & thanksgiving

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
September 1st, 2021
​By: Aaron Babyar

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​WELCOME! We're so glad you're here. 
This is our very first post in our new Autumn Devotional Series. We hope that you find it meaningful, refreshing, and that it blesses you. Every Wednesday, we'll post a new devotional video and brief guided meditation on scripture. We hope that you come back every Wednesday.  

Intro and explanation: Our hope is that this guided time of reflection and devotion will be powerful, but simple enough that you can replicate it for the remainder of your life. We'll begin each post with the scripture passage as well as the practice of slowing down, allowing our savior to speak to us through His word.This "slowing down" is based off of a form of reading, prayer, and meditation that has been around for centuries called Lectio Divina. This simple, yet powerful way of reading scripture (and meditating on it), is helpful for connecting us to the word of God. Then, we'll move on to a video and devotion written by an Exago staff member. Let's get started...

​SLOWING DOWN:

1. Breath in, slowly, for 5 seconds.
2. Hold it for 5 seconds and THANK the Lord for being near and always with you.
3. Breath out, slowly, for 5 seconds.
4. Repeat this as much as you would like, always thanking the Lord for whatever He puts on your heart, or brings to your mind.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:

• Today we'll focus on Thankfulness and Joy.
• Slowly, read the passage of scripture three times before moving on.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18

• What is the Lord revealing to you today in this passage? Write it down.

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DEVOTION OF THE DAY:

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By: Aaron Babyar
September 1st, 2021

Wow…2/3 of 2021 is already over! How did that happen so fast? For those of us in the U.S., we are starting the season commonly referred to as Fall, or Autumn. This is a time when the leaves start changing, the air gets cooler, and we have traditions like gathering around a fire and cooking s'mores. 

Simultaneously, Exago is starting a simple Autumn Series of short devotionals to encourage you in your effort to follow Jesus, and this is the first one. Whether you are having a spectacular season of life and ministry, or you are in a time of great difficulty, suffering, or loss…I encourage you to find joy in this season. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

We want you to lean more into Christ and find JOY! Not in the external, or a fake and pretend “everybody be happy” sort of thing, but find joy in that which is your only true hope... Christ Jesus. The reality is, if you’re called to ministry, God doesn’t NEED you, but He LOVES YOU, and He’s invited you to rest in Him and to find joy in Him. ​

Our hope is that you'll join us every Wednesday, right here on the blog and on social media, as we journey through this devotional series together.