Click HERE to view Rev. Richard’s guided meditation during the service.
SUMMARY OF MESSAGE:
This week, Rev. Richard Maraj began a three-week series, “Ignite Your Spirit.” Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” The fire of God is already within us! Igniting our spirit means making our spiritual life a priority, remembering our divine identity, and expressing that truth more fully.
Rev. Richard shared three practices that will help ignite the fire within us and let our lights shine brightly.
1) TURN WITHIN
One of Jesus’ most important teachings was “to seek first His kingdom … and all these things will be added unto you.” God calls us to place our connection with Spirit as the center and priority of our lives. Too often we seek happiness through achievements, possessions, relationships or outside approval. While these experiences can enrich our lives, God is the only true source of lasting peace, joy and fulfillment. Whatever challenges we face—in relationships, finances, healing or purpose—we can turn within to the wisdom and guidance already available to us. Prayer, meditation and self-reflection require patience and consistent effort, but they deepen our awareness of God and create the spiritual foundation from which everything else flows.
2) EMBODY OUR TRUE NATURE
We can get so caught up in the struggles of life that we forget who we really are: eternal spiritual beings with the light and power of God within us. That’s the Christ within—the same divine nature Jesus expressed and taught us that we could express, too! Jesus came to awaken us to that truth and remember our Oneness with God. As we grow spiritually, we begin to let go of the idea that we’re broken, unworthy or not enough. We remember that we already have goodness, strength and wholeness within us. But remembering takes practice, and no one can do that work for us. No one can meditate, forgive, let go, or practice gratitude on our behalf. It’s our journey, and we bring these truths to life through the choices we make every day.
3) RAISE YOUR FREQUENCY
To “raise your frequency” means bringing what we think, say and feel into line with the good we want to experience. If we want more peace, we can practice calming our thoughts. If we want greater abundance, we can appreciate what we have and stay open to more good. Faith means trusting that the Spirit of God within us can help us meet whatever is before us. As we practice that trust, it begins to shape our feelings, our words and the choices we make. Jesus showed us what is possible when we live from that connection with God. He encouraged us to recognize that same divine potential within ourselves, and to believe we can do great things, too!