Listening at Compline

By Melanie Hoover

Compline is the final devotion of the day in the ancient Daily Office of Christian prayers.

When a stroke changed her husband's life in 2014, Melanie Hoover had just begun a new season of ministry as a writer. She had published a series of Bible studies and two romance novels. Suddenly a change of focus was forced on her. Devoting long hours to Bible study and writing became a luxury she could no longer enjoy. She was constantly going over her "to do" list to make certain she forgot nothing important. Only at the end of each tiring day, and in an effort to unwind from stress, did she sit at her computer for a few minutes to post updates for friends.

She set herself a goal of writing something to encourage others, and to build up her own faith in Jesus. Her nightly postings were like sharing a Compline prayer time with others who were also somewhat alone and isolated. Over 100 of these are now gathered in her new book.

This collection reflects the ups and downs of this season of life. It will encourage you to trust the Lord daily and find comfort in Him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pelican Wings
• Release date: Dec 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463334737

Melanie Hoover

Melanie Hoover is a Bible teacher from Florida who posts "opinionary" at her blog.

Book preview

I had to share. So glad you listen to the heart of Christ. — a reader

LISTENING at COMPLINE

Light at the End of the Day

A collection of devotional encouragements

Melanie Hoover

© Copyright 2018 by Melanie Hoover

I have credited other writers for a few short quotes throughout.

Bible texts are based on the King James Version with my own

casual updating of Shakesperian-era spelling and grammar

to a more modern American English style.

All other original material herein may be quoted freely

without further request for my permission.

Published by Pelican Wings

Smashwords Edition

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Contents

Introduction

Emcouragements starting at 01

10 20 30 40

50 60 70 80

90 100 110 120

Afterword

Books by Melanie

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Introduction

Compline is an unfamiliar word for Christians not raised with historical church traditions and heritage. I practice it, but didn’t really know the definition until I joined a church that had received what older generations handed down. It’s been a really good spiritual discipline that I’ve come to value in the last few years.

Compline is a liturgy of evening prayers forming part of the daily Divine Office of the Western Christian Church. It is traditionally said (or chanted), in groups (for instance, in monasteries) or privately, before retiring for the night. (I find additional definitions that mention listening starting here and referring to the work carried on in my heart and mind throughout the day.)

I have been writing a sort of informal compline and posting it online each evening for several years. This year for Christmas my dear husband, Rick, decided that, since shopping is outside his reach, he wanted to make a compilation of my evening notes of encouragement and make it available online in ebook form for my Christmas gift.

As we’ve gotten older, figuring out what to give as Christmas gifts has gotten harder. We have all that we need and are cared for well, more than we can ever express in words. Our bodies are aging but our hearts are full and grateful. SO this is his gift and mine for you this Christmas 2018. We pray it will encourage your heart in the tough times and delight you in the good times. We all have them.

Melanie Hoover

December 2018

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The Encouragements

[1]

Are you ready for Christmas? is often code for, Do you have all your shopping done?

As Christians we prepare our hearts to receive the gift of the Holy God come down to man. God came to walk among us as He had not done since Adam in the garden. God came to restore relationship in His time and at His choosing.

God gave Mary a gift: a pregnancy, the promise of a son, a Savior named Jesus. Mary didn’t really have much she could give to God but what she did have she gave. The only thing she had to offer was her life. Look at Luke 1:38, I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you said. Her gift-giving involved two things.

1) Voluntary servanthood. A servant knows no rights of ownership. Mary is saying that she is the property of God.

2) Submissive obedience. This is radical commitment. Whatever God wants her to do, she is willing to do.

What is our commitment level when we read the Bible? What about when we hear the Word of the Lord telling us how to live? Are we listening, serving and submitting to God’s will?

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[2]

We must work at our soul health, walk with the Lord, and get wisdom so we can have a word of encouragement from the Lord to share with others. We endeavor to share His faithfulness to us regularly. When we are faithful, others are blessed and we make a difference.

While working at our soul health, we also work at our physical health. Today we had our physicals. We had blood work done last week. We have AGE, but our bodies are healthy, just aging. Both of us were told our blood work was within range. Even our blood pressures were good. We got there at 9 and were home by 10.

BUT the most fun part xame as we were leaving the clinic. We ran into old friends, dear friends, and I actually cried for joy. This is the second time that's happened. Joy coinciding with a doctors visit. God is so good to us.

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[3]

Mark 16:15 He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

How can we give them what we don’t know? It behooves us to learn what God has said in His Word and pass that on. But what we do is as important as what we say. Do our words and actions show that we belong to Jesus Christ?

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[4]

Our biggest problem comes from how we THINK about our difficult (or even good) ‘circumstances’, or how we PERCEIVE them.

We do not have the God’s-eye view if we are not familiar with Scripture. We must know what God has said about His children and the provision He has made for us in Christ. All things that come to us as believers are for our benefit and the benefit of God’s Kingdom right where we live.

If we move across country to avoid our problems, we take them along. God is the only source of provision and our redemption. If we do not know Him and continually seek His face and listen for His Voice in all of our circumstances we will be found wanting.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Psalm 23, and other places, we are assured that God is with us, forgiving and giving and we should have no WANT. If we WANT Jesus more than anything, we will have all we need and have no want beyond that.

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[5]

This was the first line of my thought for the day last evening.

Our biggest problem comes from how we THINK about our difficult (or even good) circumstances, or how we PERCEIVE them.

I live by a very tight and rigid schedule. As a caregiver and not a well one most days, it keeps me sane and everything gets done. Problem #1, I was living in a perceived circumstance.

This week God did the wink-thing for me. Saturdays are the most taxing days generally, clean sheets, extra laundry, showers, etc. On Friday morning Rick got up and took his pillowcases off and put his