Examen, part 5: Reconcile and Resolve

Revelation 3:18-20

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
~ Jesus,

Step 5. Reconcile and resolve (with Jesus)
By this point in the EXAMEN process, you will have just finished the review. The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus. STEP 5 may look daunting, but is actually freeing, satisfying, and brings hope to the heart. In this time, you share thoughts regarding your actions, attitudes, feelings, and interactions. You may be led to seek forgiveness, ask for direction, share a concern, express gratitude, etc. Take notes if desired (next page). There may be action being called for. Resolve with Jesus to move forward in action where appropriate. Finish with the Lord’s Prayer or something similar.

For those who went through the book Finding Joy in the Journey, our 30-day joy experience, this is a good time to use Immanuel Journaling and connect with Jesus about what He see, hears, understands, and can do for you (see Jim Wilder’s book Joyful Journey for more info).

Journal Prompt:
Observations from my heart-to-heart with Jesus:

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 32:6-7

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Teaching or Command of God:

John 17:15

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one.
(Jesus praying for his disciples in the Upper Room)

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one.

Pondering Point

Music is a beautiful medium for communicating messages. For the Psalmist, music is a vehicle of praise for God’s awesome deliverance. What content do you like depicted in your spiritual hymns and songs?

Micro-Group Connections:
A Disciple's Lifestyle

Micro-Group Moment:
Considering the life of Jesus as a
case for participating in Micro-Groups:

Let’s visit the Micro-Group relationship Jesus had with the family
of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10, John 11). He
could be found at their house on multiple occasions and spent substantial time there. Lazarus is even described as Jesus’ beloved. They were like a second family to Him. You might recall that Martha asked Jesus to compel Mary help her with preparations, leading to the well-known comment,

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried
and upset about many things, but few things are needed—
or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it
will not be taken away from her.”

Micro-group life is not always pretty. How does this next teaching from Jesus in Matthew 18:19-20 sound as you read about it in the context of a Micro-Group of Jesus followers?

Matthew 18:19-20

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Final thoughts: This section acknowledges that Micro-Groups (any group) can be built around God and yet be unhealthy. Personal offenses or festering issues can pull groups away from a God-centered focus. So can whining, personal agendas, or gossip. Matthew 18 offers a recipe for returning such groups to powerful, Christ-centered gatherings. Let’s finish today by praying for God’s insight over the place of Micro-Groups in your life.

Prayer for the Day

Heavenly Father, open our souls to the possibilities of participating in spiritual micro-groups. Let us see in Jesus the benefits of micro-group life and see You replicate that in our worlds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.