1 Peter 4:12-13
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Lord, I should not have been surprised but I was surprised. With all my acceptance of "East of Eden", I thought I was prepared for anything. But then that which I was not prepared for happened. It did seem strange and unreal to me. It does seem strange and unreal with me. Help me see it as a test me and mature me.
Let me see that my suffering reflects and is similar to the suffering of Messiah Jesus as he lived East of Eden. Help me rejoice that there is a gain in my pain even as there was salvation in the suffering of Messiah Jesus. Let me connect this process with the joy that will come when all the impact of our rebellion will have been redeemed and restored.
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Romans 8:18-23
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Lord, let me have a greater vision of the glory of the kingdom so that I can see that this suffering great as it is, cannot be compared to the goodness and grandeur of that paradise on earth.
Lord, bring your kingdom to earth today. Let the pregnancy of creation and the expectation of our redemption be fulfilled in total completeness and bring the final day to us today. Free us from the curse and rebellion. Set our souls straight in righteousness. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
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John 16:33
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)
Lord, in this world of rebellion, East of Eden we have tribulation, struggle, pain, and grief. Bring to me your words of promise and let me remember that in your suffering and resurrection you have defeated the rebellion and ended the power of the curse. Lord help me now see this truth in the middle of deep tribulation. Lord have mercy. Amen
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Meditation on Psalm 55
Meditation on Psalm 55
Lord, hear me today because of the great grace poured into my life at your sacrifice for my sins on the cross. Let me now come before you due to your unconditional love and mercy alone.
Answer me Lord! I need you!
Defeat the enemy in my life. Take from me the lies of the devil, the temptation of the unbelieving culture to conform, and the unbelief of my own heart.
Lord, I want to escape from the complicated life you have ordained for me to live and be in a simpler and safer place. Circumstances are more than I think I can handle. So let me find in you, my shelter and refuge.
Lord, come and save the culture of the United States. Our society is filled with violence and abuse. Those who seek to spread insanity go around 24/7 to promote immorality and strife. Those weakest are oppressed and lies dominate in the marketplace of ideas. Unless there is a great spiritual awakening then there is no hope. You must break out among us. YOU and YOU alone can save us. Lord have mercy now. Come to us.
Begin this awakening in your Church. The insanity begins with us. We who are called YOUR "friends" are at the root of the problems. We have sided with insanity and supported wrong in the hope it will bring right. Lord, drive from us our dependence upon ungodly means as the way to move towards righteous ends. Without YOUR LIFE bearing fruit in us then nothing of worth can be accomplished.
YOU, will for your glory save your CHURCH. You will redeem us because of YOUR blood that has been shed. LORD, humble us that we may be lifted up. Be with us as we battle for YOUR love in this generation.
Save us from those who would befriend us only to betray us. Who are manipulators and would want to use your Church as a pawn in their game. Save us from such plots.
Lord, the weight of my life. The weight of our times. The weight of the needs. I cast upon YOU who are all powerful and all loving. Carry them for me. Sustain me now this day. Help me not be moved from my faith or love. Lord, sustain me!
Lord, confront those who plot evil in every land. Cripple and convert ISIS. Frustrate the plans of those who plot evil to their families, friends, and communities. Give them a change of mind and heart. Pour out the spirit of repentance upon us. Bring us to our right minds. Bring your prodigals home.
Increase my trust in YOU this day! For your glory, my good, and that I may be of good to others. Amen
Lord, hear me today because of the great grace poured into my life at your sacrifice for my sins on the cross. Let me now come before you due to your unconditional love and mercy alone.
Answer me Lord! I need you!
Defeat the enemy in my life. Take from me the lies of the devil, the temptation of the unbelieving culture to conform, and the unbelief of my own heart.
Lord, I want to escape from the complicated life you have ordained for me to live and be in a simpler and safer place. Circumstances are more than I think I can handle. So let me find in you, my shelter and refuge.
Lord, come and save the culture of the United States. Our society is filled with violence and abuse. Those who seek to spread insanity go around 24/7 to promote immorality and strife. Those weakest are oppressed and lies dominate in the marketplace of ideas. Unless there is a great spiritual awakening then there is no hope. You must break out among us. YOU and YOU alone can save us. Lord have mercy now. Come to us.
Begin this awakening in your Church. The insanity begins with us. We who are called YOUR "friends" are at the root of the problems. We have sided with insanity and supported wrong in the hope it will bring right. Lord, drive from us our dependence upon ungodly means as the way to move towards righteous ends. Without YOUR LIFE bearing fruit in us then nothing of worth can be accomplished.
YOU, will for your glory save your CHURCH. You will redeem us because of YOUR blood that has been shed. LORD, humble us that we may be lifted up. Be with us as we battle for YOUR love in this generation.
Save us from those who would befriend us only to betray us. Who are manipulators and would want to use your Church as a pawn in their game. Save us from such plots.
Lord, the weight of my life. The weight of our times. The weight of the needs. I cast upon YOU who are all powerful and all loving. Carry them for me. Sustain me now this day. Help me not be moved from my faith or love. Lord, sustain me!
Lord, confront those who plot evil in every land. Cripple and convert ISIS. Frustrate the plans of those who plot evil to their families, friends, and communities. Give them a change of mind and heart. Pour out the spirit of repentance upon us. Bring us to our right minds. Bring your prodigals home.
Increase my trust in YOU this day! For your glory, my good, and that I may be of good to others. Amen
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Prayer based on 2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (ESV)
Lord, I would like to see a general revival. One in which masses of people humbled themselves, prayed, began seeking YOU and turning away from vile sins. This would be good. But I can envision that in a very abstract way and one in which I am happy about something that is big but beyond me.
I want today to switch my heart from such a big and grand thing to just seeking inside of me a touch from YOUR spirit that would be a spark of personal revival and renewal in my walk with you.
I begin by calling, crying out, reaching out, and begging you who have all authority in heaven and earth, Messiah of Israel, Creator of the universe, Eternal ONE,
You who are GOOD, You who are GREAT, You who are GRACE, You who are PRESENT with me always, and YOU who make all things work for GOOD. ETERNAL CHESS MASTER, ARTIST, AND COMPASSIONATE PHYSIAN OF SOULS, now hear me as I cry to the one true God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, and Paul. Hear the cry of my heart.
Let me face the reality about myself. Allow me to see the many ways I have failed. Things that seem self-evident now but at the time, I did not see.
How I should have been more in prayer, but was busy working.
How I wasted time when I should have been working.
Should have been more aware of the spiritual danger but felt I had things handled.
So caught up in the crisis of the day that I failed to prepare for the future spiritual good.
I see now how weak, short-sighted, distracted, and proud I have been.
Without you, I can do nothing. Help me finish well.
Give me a greater and greater burden, passion, focus, and desire to pray. Teach me to pray. Show me how to speak to you and hear your voice. Increase my understanding but most important my practice of prayer.
More than prayer put in me a passion, to spend time with you. To hunger and thirst for YOU just to see you more clearly and love you more dearly. Let me seek you just for YOU, and not for what you can do for me.
Lord, help me define and know where I fall short of your will. Where my thinking is not your thinking. Where my ways are not your ways. Transform me and change me. Turn me away from trusting in my sins to win and let me trust in you alone for victory. Give me a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Let me put my energy into seeking YOUR will be done on earth as in heaven.
Hear my cry. For the sake of your sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, now forgive and heal my soul.
Revive me, renew me, restore me, and reform me. Now come and awaken me from my spiritual sleep.
With this work in my soul as a foundation. Now Lord, I also seek a general revival. One in which masses of people humble themselves, pray with passion, began seeking YOU and turning away from vile sins. Lord, have mercy on our times and increase those who have true faith and are true disciples. Lord come to us now! Amen
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (ESV)
Lord, I would like to see a general revival. One in which masses of people humbled themselves, prayed, began seeking YOU and turning away from vile sins. This would be good. But I can envision that in a very abstract way and one in which I am happy about something that is big but beyond me.
I want today to switch my heart from such a big and grand thing to just seeking inside of me a touch from YOUR spirit that would be a spark of personal revival and renewal in my walk with you.
I begin by calling, crying out, reaching out, and begging you who have all authority in heaven and earth, Messiah of Israel, Creator of the universe, Eternal ONE,
You who are GOOD, You who are GREAT, You who are GRACE, You who are PRESENT with me always, and YOU who make all things work for GOOD. ETERNAL CHESS MASTER, ARTIST, AND COMPASSIONATE PHYSIAN OF SOULS, now hear me as I cry to the one true God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, and Paul. Hear the cry of my heart.
Let me face the reality about myself. Allow me to see the many ways I have failed. Things that seem self-evident now but at the time, I did not see.
How I should have been more in prayer, but was busy working.
How I wasted time when I should have been working.
Should have been more aware of the spiritual danger but felt I had things handled.
So caught up in the crisis of the day that I failed to prepare for the future spiritual good.
I see now how weak, short-sighted, distracted, and proud I have been.
Without you, I can do nothing. Help me finish well.
Give me a greater and greater burden, passion, focus, and desire to pray. Teach me to pray. Show me how to speak to you and hear your voice. Increase my understanding but most important my practice of prayer.
More than prayer put in me a passion, to spend time with you. To hunger and thirst for YOU just to see you more clearly and love you more dearly. Let me seek you just for YOU, and not for what you can do for me.
Lord, help me define and know where I fall short of your will. Where my thinking is not your thinking. Where my ways are not your ways. Transform me and change me. Turn me away from trusting in my sins to win and let me trust in you alone for victory. Give me a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Let me put my energy into seeking YOUR will be done on earth as in heaven.
Hear my cry. For the sake of your sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, now forgive and heal my soul.
Revive me, renew me, restore me, and reform me. Now come and awaken me from my spiritual sleep.
With this work in my soul as a foundation. Now Lord, I also seek a general revival. One in which masses of people humble themselves, pray with passion, began seeking YOU and turning away from vile sins. Lord, have mercy on our times and increase those who have true faith and are true disciples. Lord come to us now! Amen
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Prayer based on Mark 11:12-25
Meditation on Mark 11:12-25
Lord, help me bear fruit. Grant your Church to bear fruit. Give to us the life within to bear fruit. Have mercy upon us. Forgive us our sins.
Lord, cleanse my heart even as you cleansed the physical temple. My soul was to be a house of prayer for all nations but I have become distracted and seek to gain my own desires instead of your desire. Lord, renew, revive, restore, and reform my soul now to reflect you will on earth as in heaven.
Lord, give me faith in YOU! Let me believe you have the power to move mountains, shake kingdoms, bring down empires, change the direction of elections, in order to have your kingdom and righteousness to the earth. Let me not doubt your power to do the impossible for nothing is impossible for you. Let my prayers be filled with the faith that you can do as you will upon the earth.
Lord, steal from Isis their power and wealth. Convert their leaders and cripple their efforts to harm. Stop them on every side and frustrate their plans. Help me understand your words and ways. Show me how to pray in true kingdom faith.
Let my heart be filled with grace, mercy, pardon, and forgiveness. May I not stand in self-righteous judgment of others but in the knowledge that I have been forgiven by your grace alone. Lord, let me share the unconditional love you have had on me with others.
Lord have mercy now on me.
Lord, help me bear fruit. Grant your Church to bear fruit. Give to us the life within to bear fruit. Have mercy upon us. Forgive us our sins.
Lord, cleanse my heart even as you cleansed the physical temple. My soul was to be a house of prayer for all nations but I have become distracted and seek to gain my own desires instead of your desire. Lord, renew, revive, restore, and reform my soul now to reflect you will on earth as in heaven.
Lord, give me faith in YOU! Let me believe you have the power to move mountains, shake kingdoms, bring down empires, change the direction of elections, in order to have your kingdom and righteousness to the earth. Let me not doubt your power to do the impossible for nothing is impossible for you. Let my prayers be filled with the faith that you can do as you will upon the earth.
Lord, steal from Isis their power and wealth. Convert their leaders and cripple their efforts to harm. Stop them on every side and frustrate their plans. Help me understand your words and ways. Show me how to pray in true kingdom faith.
Let my heart be filled with grace, mercy, pardon, and forgiveness. May I not stand in self-righteous judgment of others but in the knowledge that I have been forgiven by your grace alone. Lord, let me share the unconditional love you have had on me with others.
Lord have mercy now on me.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Meditation on Zechariah
Zechariah
9:9-12
Humble and great King Jesus, you have come bringing righteousness and salvation. Your blood of the covenant has been shed that we will see your kingdom come to all nations. You have come to set the prisoners free, to restore us, and give us hope.
12:9-11
Pour out on us today the spirit of grace that we may turn to you with sincere pleas of mercy for forgiveness for all that we have done against YOU and your kingdom. Give us tears of repentance this day.
Grant Israel repentance that all Israel may be saved. Provide for them true faith in the true gospel of YOU, LORD Jesus, as their Messiah.
Save Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Irag, Afghanistan, and Iran from the false teaching of Mohammad and open their eyes to the true gospel of YOUR great grace and sacrifice for the sins of believers. Bring a wave of real revival to the Middle East. Fulfill Isaiah 19:19-26 in our times. Lord have mercy. Exalt yourself among the nations.
13:1
LORD Jesus, help me see you as the true fountain that alone can cleanse me from sin and uncleanness. Wash us and make us free of the guilt of our transgressions and the power of rebellion. Lord, revive, renew, restore, and reform us.
13:7-9
Good Shepherd, you were struck down for my sins. Refine us that our impurities will be removed. Grant us the faith and grace to call upon your name in sincerity and truth. Call us your people. LORD Jesus, you are my God.
Lord, revive me. Lord revive your Church. Lord turn back the darkness of lies and bring in the light of your life and truth. Come now and act in our times in ways beyond what we could ever hope.
Lord have mercy. Amen
9:9-12
Humble and great King Jesus, you have come bringing righteousness and salvation. Your blood of the covenant has been shed that we will see your kingdom come to all nations. You have come to set the prisoners free, to restore us, and give us hope.
12:9-11
Pour out on us today the spirit of grace that we may turn to you with sincere pleas of mercy for forgiveness for all that we have done against YOU and your kingdom. Give us tears of repentance this day.
Grant Israel repentance that all Israel may be saved. Provide for them true faith in the true gospel of YOU, LORD Jesus, as their Messiah.
Save Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Irag, Afghanistan, and Iran from the false teaching of Mohammad and open their eyes to the true gospel of YOUR great grace and sacrifice for the sins of believers. Bring a wave of real revival to the Middle East. Fulfill Isaiah 19:19-26 in our times. Lord have mercy. Exalt yourself among the nations.
13:1
LORD Jesus, help me see you as the true fountain that alone can cleanse me from sin and uncleanness. Wash us and make us free of the guilt of our transgressions and the power of rebellion. Lord, revive, renew, restore, and reform us.
13:7-9
Good Shepherd, you were struck down for my sins. Refine us that our impurities will be removed. Grant us the faith and grace to call upon your name in sincerity and truth. Call us your people. LORD Jesus, you are my God.
Lord, revive me. Lord revive your Church. Lord turn back the darkness of lies and bring in the light of your life and truth. Come now and act in our times in ways beyond what we could ever hope.
Lord have mercy. Amen
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Meditation on Luke 24
Meditation on Luke 24
Lord Jesus, you are alive. You have risen on the third day as you said you would. Help us to believe this report and trust in it. Help us marvel at the wonder of such great power and glory, Lord Jesus, open our eyes to your risen glory.
Lord Jesus, let me find you in Moses and all the prophets. Let me be able to read the LAW and see you in its midst. Help me see you as the Joseph who had died and raised up to become king of the world. Allow me see Moses, rejected and buried in the desert only to be raised to become the savior of Israel. Let me see Israel herself dead and buried in the deportation to Babylon and raised to life again by your mighty hand. Open my eyes to see the pattern of death, burial, and resurrection on every hand and see that you have been telling us from the beginning that salvation would come by overcoming death and a rebirth of life from the dead. Lord Jesus, open my heart and mind to see the gospel as always your plan.
Lord Jesus, as we take communion let us see you alive. Reveal your resurrected self to us in the bread and the cup. Let this remembrance come to us and bring us to greater faith. Let us see you more clearly, that we may love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly. Lord have mercy. Revive us and use us to revive others.
Bring the reality of your resurrection to us. Not a story. Not an idea. But a historical and physical reality. Help the impact of that hit us. Lord help me to really and deeply believe that you have risen from the dead and have overcome the curse of the garden. Lord, I believe and help my unbelief.
Holy Spirit fill me and fill your people, around the world, that we might have the power to give clear and real witness of the Messiah Jesus to all nations and call all to repentance. Bring forgiveness to many through our witness. Revive us and allow us to be the means by which others are revived.
Lord Jesus, allow us to worship you this day in spirit and truth. Great High Priest and mediator, pour out the grace of heaven upon us today. Bless us this day and in that blessing transform us into your likeness.
Lord have mercy! Amen
Lord Jesus, you are alive. You have risen on the third day as you said you would. Help us to believe this report and trust in it. Help us marvel at the wonder of such great power and glory, Lord Jesus, open our eyes to your risen glory.
Lord Jesus, let me find you in Moses and all the prophets. Let me be able to read the LAW and see you in its midst. Help me see you as the Joseph who had died and raised up to become king of the world. Allow me see Moses, rejected and buried in the desert only to be raised to become the savior of Israel. Let me see Israel herself dead and buried in the deportation to Babylon and raised to life again by your mighty hand. Open my eyes to see the pattern of death, burial, and resurrection on every hand and see that you have been telling us from the beginning that salvation would come by overcoming death and a rebirth of life from the dead. Lord Jesus, open my heart and mind to see the gospel as always your plan.
Lord Jesus, as we take communion let us see you alive. Reveal your resurrected self to us in the bread and the cup. Let this remembrance come to us and bring us to greater faith. Let us see you more clearly, that we may love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly. Lord have mercy. Revive us and use us to revive others.
Bring the reality of your resurrection to us. Not a story. Not an idea. But a historical and physical reality. Help the impact of that hit us. Lord help me to really and deeply believe that you have risen from the dead and have overcome the curse of the garden. Lord, I believe and help my unbelief.
Holy Spirit fill me and fill your people, around the world, that we might have the power to give clear and real witness of the Messiah Jesus to all nations and call all to repentance. Bring forgiveness to many through our witness. Revive us and allow us to be the means by which others are revived.
Lord Jesus, allow us to worship you this day in spirit and truth. Great High Priest and mediator, pour out the grace of heaven upon us today. Bless us this day and in that blessing transform us into your likeness.
Lord have mercy! Amen
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Prayer based on John 20
Meditation on John 20
Lord, you have risen. You are alive. It is a surprising and hard to believe reality.
Lord, help me have the loyalty and love of Mary Magdalene who still calls you LORD, even when she thinks you have not risen from the dead. Open my eyes this day, as you did for her on the day of your resurrection, that I may see more deeply that you are indeed alive today.
Lord, come to me this day and bless me with your peace in my soul. Help me to see that you have sent me out to continue your mission of living for and telling others of YOUR kingdom of redemptive love.
Help me sense the Holy Spirit who you have sent. Holy Spirit, make me aware of your presence with me and in me. Let me not only have received you but help me bear your fruit this day in all I do. Allow me to share your message of forgiveness to others and comfort those who believe in the gospel that their sins are forgiven.
Bless me with the faith to believe even though I have not seen your wounds or touched your scars. Forgive me for the times that I am a doubting Thomas. Grant me the ability to trust you on even dark days. Let me have a reasonable faith but not a cynical attitude.
LORD Messiah Jesus, give me a full experience of the eternal life you offer those who believe in YOU. Grant that your gospel would indeed provide for me fresh faith and passion for you. Open my eyes to see your great sacrificial love and the power of your resurrection from the dead.
Risen Lord, transform me for your glory. Amen
Lord, you have risen. You are alive. It is a surprising and hard to believe reality.
Lord, help me have the loyalty and love of Mary Magdalene who still calls you LORD, even when she thinks you have not risen from the dead. Open my eyes this day, as you did for her on the day of your resurrection, that I may see more deeply that you are indeed alive today.
Lord, come to me this day and bless me with your peace in my soul. Help me to see that you have sent me out to continue your mission of living for and telling others of YOUR kingdom of redemptive love.
Help me sense the Holy Spirit who you have sent. Holy Spirit, make me aware of your presence with me and in me. Let me not only have received you but help me bear your fruit this day in all I do. Allow me to share your message of forgiveness to others and comfort those who believe in the gospel that their sins are forgiven.
Bless me with the faith to believe even though I have not seen your wounds or touched your scars. Forgive me for the times that I am a doubting Thomas. Grant me the ability to trust you on even dark days. Let me have a reasonable faith but not a cynical attitude.
LORD Messiah Jesus, give me a full experience of the eternal life you offer those who believe in YOU. Grant that your gospel would indeed provide for me fresh faith and passion for you. Open my eyes to see your great sacrificial love and the power of your resurrection from the dead.
Risen Lord, transform me for your glory. Amen
Monday, March 21, 2016
Meditation on Matthew 27
Meditation on Matthew 27
LORD, how is it that we can listen to and act on poor counsel that we give to each other? Sometimes, it should be clear that what we plan is evil, yet because we have found others who agree it seems reasonable at the time. Save us from the dark deception of sin.
LORD, we have rejected you even when you have come to save us. How hurtful to your heart it must be to see us so indifferent to your passionate and pure love for us. Lord, help us to receive and not reject your love this day.
LORD, save me from the foolishness of Judas. So often we see only later that what we have done is insane. Betraying you is insane. Thinking that the money paid to betray you was contaminated and not recognizing that the actual act of giving the money in the first place was the real contamination. Lord how blind we can be. Lord, you have planned to use all things for good even our wildly wicked things but this does not remove from them their evil. Lord have mercy now and help us avoid the way of Judas.
LORD JESUS, you are the Messiah. YOU are the promised redeeming King of Israel. YOU are the hope of the nations.
LORD, Barabbas represents our efforts to through violence and self-reliance defeat our enemies. When given a choice we will choose something or someone who will offer us deliverance now in practical ways that rely on our own strength than the salvation you offer based on divine intervention. Lord, this day let me choose you over Barabbas. Give me a loyalty to you even when the crowds are rejecting you. Win my heart this day.
LORD JESUS, save us from a cynical, mocking, and cruel attitude that will abuse and hurt. Help us not be blasphemous in how we deal with you and save us from a need to make fun of what we don't understand.
LORD JESUS, you died rejected and with your enemies mocking you. Your death was brutal and harsh. Such a great price to pay for my sins. Upon you, the just penalty of my sins was laid.
LORD, your death has caused the way to be open to being in union and communion with the FATHER. The full price has been paid. Truly you are God the Son who has become the Son of God.
LORD, may I be in a fellowship of friends that even during the darkest moments we will seek to serve and honor you. Bless our fellowship with such a bond of seeking and trusting you even in the midst of pain, sorrow, and confusion.
LORD, all the power of humanity cannot stop your plans. Even when we plot to keep your will from getting done, you will overcome it. YOU are in control.
LORD JESUS, thank you for accepting such pain and penalty for my sins. Help me to see more clearly the depth of your love that would take you to the cross. Provide for me new insight into the wonder of your sacrificial and substitutionary death. Allow my vision of your suffering create in me a new love for you. Help me see that you first loved me. LORD COME NOW AND HELP ME MORE DEEPLY BELIEVE IN YOU! AMEN
LORD, how is it that we can listen to and act on poor counsel that we give to each other? Sometimes, it should be clear that what we plan is evil, yet because we have found others who agree it seems reasonable at the time. Save us from the dark deception of sin.
LORD, we have rejected you even when you have come to save us. How hurtful to your heart it must be to see us so indifferent to your passionate and pure love for us. Lord, help us to receive and not reject your love this day.
LORD, save me from the foolishness of Judas. So often we see only later that what we have done is insane. Betraying you is insane. Thinking that the money paid to betray you was contaminated and not recognizing that the actual act of giving the money in the first place was the real contamination. Lord how blind we can be. Lord, you have planned to use all things for good even our wildly wicked things but this does not remove from them their evil. Lord have mercy now and help us avoid the way of Judas.
LORD JESUS, you are the Messiah. YOU are the promised redeeming King of Israel. YOU are the hope of the nations.
LORD, Barabbas represents our efforts to through violence and self-reliance defeat our enemies. When given a choice we will choose something or someone who will offer us deliverance now in practical ways that rely on our own strength than the salvation you offer based on divine intervention. Lord, this day let me choose you over Barabbas. Give me a loyalty to you even when the crowds are rejecting you. Win my heart this day.
LORD JESUS, save us from a cynical, mocking, and cruel attitude that will abuse and hurt. Help us not be blasphemous in how we deal with you and save us from a need to make fun of what we don't understand.
LORD JESUS, you died rejected and with your enemies mocking you. Your death was brutal and harsh. Such a great price to pay for my sins. Upon you, the just penalty of my sins was laid.
LORD, your death has caused the way to be open to being in union and communion with the FATHER. The full price has been paid. Truly you are God the Son who has become the Son of God.
LORD, may I be in a fellowship of friends that even during the darkest moments we will seek to serve and honor you. Bless our fellowship with such a bond of seeking and trusting you even in the midst of pain, sorrow, and confusion.
LORD, all the power of humanity cannot stop your plans. Even when we plot to keep your will from getting done, you will overcome it. YOU are in control.
LORD JESUS, thank you for accepting such pain and penalty for my sins. Help me to see more clearly the depth of your love that would take you to the cross. Provide for me new insight into the wonder of your sacrificial and substitutionary death. Allow my vision of your suffering create in me a new love for you. Help me see that you first loved me. LORD COME NOW AND HELP ME MORE DEEPLY BELIEVE IN YOU! AMEN
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Meditation on Matthew 26
Meditations on Matthew 26
LORD, Jesus it was always your plan to be delivered up to be crucified to pay for my sins. Thank you for determining that you would do this amazing and painful act on my behalf.
LORD, there are people who plot to hurt your cause and witness this day. Help me be prepared for persecution and rejection. Also, let me see through plots that have been planned to hurt your gospel and ministry. Lord, build up and protect your Church.
LORD Jesus, give me a heart that would "waste" my resources in the worship of you. Let me find my "alabaster flask of expensive ointment" and be ready to pour it out upon you in worship. Help me not worry about those who would condemn such sacrifices because they do not see you as worthy of glory and offerings.
Lord, let me not be willing to betray you for any amount of money. Keep the love of money away from my heart. Let me see that I can become a failure by valuing wealth more than I value worshipping you.
LORD Jesus, help me trust that you are always planning my way of service before I get there. Help me be trusting and reliant upon you to be taking me to the right place at the right time.
LORD Jesus, let me never betray you. Keep me from this sin. Let me not fall away and desert YOU or your Truth. Increase my faith, love, and hope in you.
LORD, let me remember the last time I took the communion supper. Help this memory, stir up me the reality of what took place 2000 years ago when you poured out your blood for the covenant of redemption that I have had my sins forgiven and washed away.
LORD, rob me of my pride and self-confidence. Let me see I only stand by your grace. Keep me from boasting about what great things I will do for you and instead, be quietly being careful to do your will in my life, day by day. Keep me from boasting.
LORD, let me not enter into temptation due to a lack of prayer. Allow me to pray diligently so that I may be able to really say from the core of my being, "Not my will, but your will be done!"
LORD, make me ready for the crisis which is your "divine appointment" for a vital moment in my life of faith. May my daily walk with you support me on those darkest days.
LORD JESUS, let me see that your work has to be done in your way. Help me not think I can through my anger or aggression build your kingdom. Help me see that every word of the prophets must be fulfilled. Let me understand and seek your kingdom within the revelation of how you work, in me and others.
LORD Jesus, let me see that you are the one true Messiah of Israel given for the salvation of all nations. Help me anticipate with joy, your return in coming again to fully establish you righteous rule on the earth.
LORD Jesus, let me not fear persecution and have the grace to give a clear and consistent witness of who you are and my relationship of love with you. Keep me from pride and self-reliance, so that I will not fail when I face temptations.
Lord have mercy, Messiah have mercy, Lord have mercy. Amen
LORD, Jesus it was always your plan to be delivered up to be crucified to pay for my sins. Thank you for determining that you would do this amazing and painful act on my behalf.
LORD, there are people who plot to hurt your cause and witness this day. Help me be prepared for persecution and rejection. Also, let me see through plots that have been planned to hurt your gospel and ministry. Lord, build up and protect your Church.
LORD Jesus, give me a heart that would "waste" my resources in the worship of you. Let me find my "alabaster flask of expensive ointment" and be ready to pour it out upon you in worship. Help me not worry about those who would condemn such sacrifices because they do not see you as worthy of glory and offerings.
Lord, let me not be willing to betray you for any amount of money. Keep the love of money away from my heart. Let me see that I can become a failure by valuing wealth more than I value worshipping you.
LORD Jesus, help me trust that you are always planning my way of service before I get there. Help me be trusting and reliant upon you to be taking me to the right place at the right time.
LORD Jesus, let me never betray you. Keep me from this sin. Let me not fall away and desert YOU or your Truth. Increase my faith, love, and hope in you.
LORD, let me remember the last time I took the communion supper. Help this memory, stir up me the reality of what took place 2000 years ago when you poured out your blood for the covenant of redemption that I have had my sins forgiven and washed away.
LORD, rob me of my pride and self-confidence. Let me see I only stand by your grace. Keep me from boasting about what great things I will do for you and instead, be quietly being careful to do your will in my life, day by day. Keep me from boasting.
LORD, let me not enter into temptation due to a lack of prayer. Allow me to pray diligently so that I may be able to really say from the core of my being, "Not my will, but your will be done!"
LORD, make me ready for the crisis which is your "divine appointment" for a vital moment in my life of faith. May my daily walk with you support me on those darkest days.
LORD JESUS, let me see that your work has to be done in your way. Help me not think I can through my anger or aggression build your kingdom. Help me see that every word of the prophets must be fulfilled. Let me understand and seek your kingdom within the revelation of how you work, in me and others.
LORD Jesus, let me see that you are the one true Messiah of Israel given for the salvation of all nations. Help me anticipate with joy, your return in coming again to fully establish you righteous rule on the earth.
LORD Jesus, let me not fear persecution and have the grace to give a clear and consistent witness of who you are and my relationship of love with you. Keep me from pride and self-reliance, so that I will not fail when I face temptations.
Lord have mercy, Messiah have mercy, Lord have mercy. Amen
Friday, March 18, 2016
Meditation on John 17
Meditation on John 17
FATHER, in heaven, allow the awesome truth of the LORD JESUS to be seen and accepted. Grant the true experience of ETERNAL LIFE to us. Grant to us a truly personal relationship in the deep parts of our souls.
FATHER, open my eyes to see your true and wonderful essence in the LORD JESUS. Let me see YOUR love in HIS sacrifice for my sins.
LORD, help me to keep your revealing word. Help me be a keeper, guardian, protector, and one who treasures your WORD. Help me to believe that you have sent the LORD JESUS as the ultimate revelation of your heart and as the answer to my rebellion. FATHER IN HEAVEN, have mercy!
Help me to be one of your true children and help me to know that I am your adopted child in the LORD JESUS.
Help me to be in the culture and not part of the culture. Guard me from the pollutions and contaminations of the society in which I live. Help me to love my brothers and sisters, who are also disciples and grant us unity. Form a community which is full of faith in your TRUTH.
Do not take me out of my culture or society but protect me from the attacks of the dark lord who desires to kill, steal, and destroy my life. Allow me to know your joy, here East of Eden. Allow your WORD to guide me and comfort me.
Help me see that I am not of the unbelieving culture. Grant me a vision that my true citizenship is in heaven. LORD, set me apart by your TRUTH and send me into this culture as one who brings truth and purity. Help me function as salt and light.
Dear FATHER IN HEAVEN, let your people be one in love and truth. Allow your Church to reflect your true character, competence, and compassion to all the societies of the world. May all nations, peoples, and tongues; see YOUR awesome truth of sacrificial love in us. Let us be perfectly ONE in YOU! Allow this witness to convince all the world that the LORD JESUS was sent from heaven to earth to bring healing and hope. FATHER FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE!
FATHER, ANSWER THE PRAYER OF JESUS FOR US IN THIS GENERATION!
LORD, revive, renew, restore, and reform us. Lord help us. Amen
FATHER, in heaven, allow the awesome truth of the LORD JESUS to be seen and accepted. Grant the true experience of ETERNAL LIFE to us. Grant to us a truly personal relationship in the deep parts of our souls.
FATHER, open my eyes to see your true and wonderful essence in the LORD JESUS. Let me see YOUR love in HIS sacrifice for my sins.
LORD, help me to keep your revealing word. Help me be a keeper, guardian, protector, and one who treasures your WORD. Help me to believe that you have sent the LORD JESUS as the ultimate revelation of your heart and as the answer to my rebellion. FATHER IN HEAVEN, have mercy!
Help me to be one of your true children and help me to know that I am your adopted child in the LORD JESUS.
Help me to be in the culture and not part of the culture. Guard me from the pollutions and contaminations of the society in which I live. Help me to love my brothers and sisters, who are also disciples and grant us unity. Form a community which is full of faith in your TRUTH.
Do not take me out of my culture or society but protect me from the attacks of the dark lord who desires to kill, steal, and destroy my life. Allow me to know your joy, here East of Eden. Allow your WORD to guide me and comfort me.
Help me see that I am not of the unbelieving culture. Grant me a vision that my true citizenship is in heaven. LORD, set me apart by your TRUTH and send me into this culture as one who brings truth and purity. Help me function as salt and light.
Dear FATHER IN HEAVEN, let your people be one in love and truth. Allow your Church to reflect your true character, competence, and compassion to all the societies of the world. May all nations, peoples, and tongues; see YOUR awesome truth of sacrificial love in us. Let us be perfectly ONE in YOU! Allow this witness to convince all the world that the LORD JESUS was sent from heaven to earth to bring healing and hope. FATHER FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE!
FATHER, ANSWER THE PRAYER OF JESUS FOR US IN THIS GENERATION!
LORD, revive, renew, restore, and reform us. Lord help us. Amen
The Choice we face today
The Choice We Face Today
In reality, our quest for happiness is driven by a primal urge, an urge as ancient as the first man and woman, an urge that predates postmodernism, modernism, the enlightenment, and Freud.
Like every generation before, we face the same ancient choice, and it’s not a choice between happiness and holiness, but between two different quests for happiness (one evil, one holy).
Quest #1 is a pursuit of the happiness promised by the false securities and comforts and idols of our world, but turns out to be false lies that grieve.
Quest #2 is a true happiness found in God, a genuine delight in him, an eternal and unending treasuring of his glory and holiness above all else.
So there’s the key. The battle for this true holy-happiness is a daily spiritual battle for the faith to choose the right happiness.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Meditation on Romans 1:16-20
Meditation on Romans 1:16-20
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
God's Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
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Lord, help us to not be ashamed of your truth and the story about the love you had for us in YOUR sacrifice and resurrection as the energy that will save us from just condemnation for our immoral acts and the enslavement we have to such unloving lifestyles.
Help us to truly, sincerely, and fully believe in the reality of your actions in history to save us. Help us call upon you in spirit and truth. Help us to live our lives based on trust, dependence, reliance, and faith in the gospel. May our lives be lived in a manner worthy of your great sacrifice on the cross.
Lord, cripple and convert all those forces which reject your truth and promote unloving ways of living. Awaken people to your truth and overcome that which would seek to hide and push away the reality of your love found in the gospel.
Open our eyes to see you all around us. Let your creation sing to us of your character, competence and compassion. Awaken us to your presence in every atom of the universe. That which you have clearly revealed help us not be able to deny we perceive. Lord, our blindness is our fault, but overcome our love of darkness and bring us to your light. Have mercy upon mercy, and open our eyes that we may see your glory in all created things.
Lord, convert those who would promote radical unbelief in our days. Bring them evidence that overcomes their objections. Help your people to give honest answers to honest answers. Provide to your disciples a love of truth and an integrity of intellect which can be seen by the unbelieving world Help us to give a loving, real, and substantial witness to your truth before the watching culture.
Lord, turn back the darkness and bring the light. Amen
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
God's Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
-----
Lord, help us to not be ashamed of your truth and the story about the love you had for us in YOUR sacrifice and resurrection as the energy that will save us from just condemnation for our immoral acts and the enslavement we have to such unloving lifestyles.
Help us to truly, sincerely, and fully believe in the reality of your actions in history to save us. Help us call upon you in spirit and truth. Help us to live our lives based on trust, dependence, reliance, and faith in the gospel. May our lives be lived in a manner worthy of your great sacrifice on the cross.
Lord, cripple and convert all those forces which reject your truth and promote unloving ways of living. Awaken people to your truth and overcome that which would seek to hide and push away the reality of your love found in the gospel.
Open our eyes to see you all around us. Let your creation sing to us of your character, competence and compassion. Awaken us to your presence in every atom of the universe. That which you have clearly revealed help us not be able to deny we perceive. Lord, our blindness is our fault, but overcome our love of darkness and bring us to your light. Have mercy upon mercy, and open our eyes that we may see your glory in all created things.
Lord, convert those who would promote radical unbelief in our days. Bring them evidence that overcomes their objections. Help your people to give honest answers to honest answers. Provide to your disciples a love of truth and an integrity of intellect which can be seen by the unbelieving world Help us to give a loving, real, and substantial witness to your truth before the watching culture.
Lord, turn back the darkness and bring the light. Amen
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Meditation on John 3
Meditation On John 3
LORD, allow the regeneration of our hearts to bring a transformation of our souls. Spirit come now and raise the dead. Grab out of our chests the hearts of stone and put into our core the hearts of flesh.
Divine wind blow on us, on the Church, in our communities, cultures, cities, and nations. Come WIND of life and revive us now.
LORD, open our eyes to see you raised up on the cross taking upon yourself the just curse for our immoral transgressions. Heavenly and eternal SON, speak to us of heavenly things that we might hunger and thirst for your KINGDOM to come.
Your free, unconditional, and infinite love drove you to come from heaven and earth to be our SAVIOR and HOPE. Allow me to trust totally in you and not in myself. Grant true acceptance and faith to be in my heart and soul. Free me from the just condemnation of my sins and allow me to hunger for truth and desire to be free of lies. Help me not flee into darkness but seek your light. Work you work in me for your glory, my good, and the good of all I touch in my life.
Lord, I can see or receive only what is given me from heaven. Be of great grace and let me see clearly. Grant a true revelation of your love before a watching culture. Give to us now true insight into YOU and YOUR kingdom plan.
Lord, grant my faith to allow me to see you more clearly, permit this true vision to create in me a passionate love for you, and from this wildfire within me to produce deeds of obedience and beauty that all may see your glory in me.
Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
Thank you for loving me more than I could ever imagine. Help me to see that nothing can separate me from your love. Lord, now help me to trust in your love on my most difficult of days. Amen
LORD, allow the regeneration of our hearts to bring a transformation of our souls. Spirit come now and raise the dead. Grab out of our chests the hearts of stone and put into our core the hearts of flesh.
Divine wind blow on us, on the Church, in our communities, cultures, cities, and nations. Come WIND of life and revive us now.
LORD, open our eyes to see you raised up on the cross taking upon yourself the just curse for our immoral transgressions. Heavenly and eternal SON, speak to us of heavenly things that we might hunger and thirst for your KINGDOM to come.
Your free, unconditional, and infinite love drove you to come from heaven and earth to be our SAVIOR and HOPE. Allow me to trust totally in you and not in myself. Grant true acceptance and faith to be in my heart and soul. Free me from the just condemnation of my sins and allow me to hunger for truth and desire to be free of lies. Help me not flee into darkness but seek your light. Work you work in me for your glory, my good, and the good of all I touch in my life.
Lord, I can see or receive only what is given me from heaven. Be of great grace and let me see clearly. Grant a true revelation of your love before a watching culture. Give to us now true insight into YOU and YOUR kingdom plan.
Lord, grant my faith to allow me to see you more clearly, permit this true vision to create in me a passionate love for you, and from this wildfire within me to produce deeds of obedience and beauty that all may see your glory in me.
Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
Thank you for loving me more than I could ever imagine. Help me to see that nothing can separate me from your love. Lord, now help me to trust in your love on my most difficult of days. Amen
Monday, March 14, 2016
Prayer of surrender
James 4:7-8
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (ESV)
Lord, I surrender.
I am weak, fragile, just a breath. Give me strength to resist the dark lord and the lies of the darkness. Help me seek you even though I cannot seek you without your grace awakening me and drawing me.
Lord, I come to you. I am in desperate need of you. Come to me now.
Lord, protect me by the power of your sacrifice on the cross and the testimony of your resurrection in power. Defeat the devil and his plans for my life.
Cleanse me, purify me. and focus me to now seek first your kingdom and righteousness. Use me to bring your kingdom to earth as in heaven.
Lord have mercy.
Amen
Lyrics to I Surrender
Here I am
Down on my knees again
Surrendering all
Surrendering all
Find me here
Lord as You draw me near
Desperate for You
Desperate for You
I surrender
Drench my soul
As mercy and grace unfold
I hunger and thirst
I hunger and thirst
With arms stretched wide
I know You hear my cry
Speak to me now
Speak to me now
I surrender
I surrender
I want to know You more
I want to know You more
Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me
Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me
Play "I Surrender"
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Sunday, March 13, 2016
Prayer based on John 4:23,24
John 4: 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Lord, why are the simple things so hard for me. What could be more natural and right than to worship you sincerely and in the fullness of your Spirit? Your Spirit and my spirit in honest communion. Simple, clean, and full of life. Yet, so hard here "East of Eden."
Lord this day teach me to do this simple thing and grant to your people around the world this great gift. Heavenly Father here is the one thing you seek, may you find it today in me. May you find it today among your people.
Lord, you desire for us to worship in a real way based on the reality of who you are and not false concepts of you. A good relationship means that people know each other. YOU know us and you call us to know YOU, for who you are. Take from us false teachings and conceptions about you. Let YOUR revelation in your WORD rightly guide us into the right understanding of YOU in truth. Keep us from false and misleading interpretations of your WORD and world. Make of us a community who loves truth and has true integrity in our seeking after you.
Make all of us, true, passionate, sincere, faithful, and orthodox seekers after an accurate and right vision of YOU that will create in us awe, admiration, wonder, thankfulness, praise, and a hunger to know you more intimately. Show us your LOVE in YOUR sacrifice for our immoral words, actions, attitudes, and feelings on the cross. In light of such unconditional and costly LOVE let us see you in the revelation of amazing grace. Use this vision to break our apathy and indifference. Come now and awaken us to see you more clearly than we have ever seen you before.
LORD, hear our cry. Reform us, revive us, renew us, and restore us. For you glory, our good, and that we may be of some good to others during these desperate times. Amen
Lord, why are the simple things so hard for me. What could be more natural and right than to worship you sincerely and in the fullness of your Spirit? Your Spirit and my spirit in honest communion. Simple, clean, and full of life. Yet, so hard here "East of Eden."
Lord this day teach me to do this simple thing and grant to your people around the world this great gift. Heavenly Father here is the one thing you seek, may you find it today in me. May you find it today among your people.
Lord, you desire for us to worship in a real way based on the reality of who you are and not false concepts of you. A good relationship means that people know each other. YOU know us and you call us to know YOU, for who you are. Take from us false teachings and conceptions about you. Let YOUR revelation in your WORD rightly guide us into the right understanding of YOU in truth. Keep us from false and misleading interpretations of your WORD and world. Make of us a community who loves truth and has true integrity in our seeking after you.
Make all of us, true, passionate, sincere, faithful, and orthodox seekers after an accurate and right vision of YOU that will create in us awe, admiration, wonder, thankfulness, praise, and a hunger to know you more intimately. Show us your LOVE in YOUR sacrifice for our immoral words, actions, attitudes, and feelings on the cross. In light of such unconditional and costly LOVE let us see you in the revelation of amazing grace. Use this vision to break our apathy and indifference. Come now and awaken us to see you more clearly than we have ever seen you before.
LORD, hear our cry. Reform us, revive us, renew us, and restore us. For you glory, our good, and that we may be of some good to others during these desperate times. Amen
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Meditation on Luke 15
Meditation on Luke 15
Lord, help me rejoice in what has been saved and not focus on the things that have been lost.
I have been the prodigal all so often and at times the self-righteous elder brother. My heart has been tempted with lawlessness and with legalism. Two different roads to destruction.
Let me come to my right mind. Change my heart. Let me trust in the Father's great love demonstrated by YOUR suffering for me on the cross. Let me abandon this culture and all of its false values. Help me bottom out so that I know that I can only trust in your grace alone.
Lord, let me see many sinners repent. Let the repentance be deep, true, transforming, and lasting. Give me a reason to rejoice in your great unconditional grace. Awaken the dead and make them alive.
Lord, we are living with the pigs. We don't see it. But that is where we are at this hour. Come now, awaken us to see that to be with the Father in true fellowship is better than all our culture can offer. Give to us a hunger and thirst for YOUR kingdom and righteousness. Amen
Lord, help me rejoice in what has been saved and not focus on the things that have been lost.
I have been the prodigal all so often and at times the self-righteous elder brother. My heart has been tempted with lawlessness and with legalism. Two different roads to destruction.
Let me come to my right mind. Change my heart. Let me trust in the Father's great love demonstrated by YOUR suffering for me on the cross. Let me abandon this culture and all of its false values. Help me bottom out so that I know that I can only trust in your grace alone.
Lord, let me see many sinners repent. Let the repentance be deep, true, transforming, and lasting. Give me a reason to rejoice in your great unconditional grace. Awaken the dead and make them alive.
Lord, we are living with the pigs. We don't see it. But that is where we are at this hour. Come now, awaken us to see that to be with the Father in true fellowship is better than all our culture can offer. Give to us a hunger and thirst for YOUR kingdom and righteousness. Amen
Friday, March 11, 2016
The Four Absolutes Inventory - Seeking to Examine ourselves to prepare for revival
I found this on the internet and edited it. It comes from an old tradition based on the Oxford group. I would urge people to seek out on the internet sources on the Four Absolutes Inventory.
www.fatherhugs.com/.../a_four_absolutes_inventory.doc
A FOUR ABSOLUTES INVENTORY
[1Jo 1:8-10 NASB] 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
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[1Jo 1:8-10 NASB] 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
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When doing this inventory, look at your thoughts, words and deeds as if they are being displayed on a screen for all to see. Then ask yourself, "How would they be generally viewed?"
We will never reach any "absolutes" until we see the Lord Jesus. Also, we should know that any progress we make is only because of the grace of God working in us through the gospel and the Holy Spirit. All our sin we are responsible for and our virtue is the gift of God for which the Lord gets the glory.
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ABSOLUTE HONESTY
The real virtue in honesty lies in the persistent dedicated striving for it both with ourselves and with others, regulated with common sense and kindliness. There is no relaxed "twilight zone", it's either full speed ahead constantly or it's not honesty we seek. And the unrelenting pursuit of truth will set you free, even if you don't quite catch up to it. We need not choose or pursue falsity. All we need is to relax our pursuit of truth, and falsity will find us. Honesty is not a policy. It has to be a constant conscious state of mind.
It is not easy to be absolutely honest with ourselves because of what is called the tendency to rationalization. We set our minds to work not upon the facts as they are, but upon the business of inventing reasons for our courses of conduct. The ego plays tricks on us. We are self-deceived. It is a test of a person's character. And yet how easy it is to lie - even for spiritual people. The willingness to twist a meaning to gain a point, to misquote if the misquotation gains an end, exaggerations to make impressions, a lack of complete truth and misrepresentations in presenting goods for sale. What is at the basis of this looseness with the truth? Is it not often in the fact that we think a lie is sometimes justifiable? Lies are apart from God's Will. If lies are still there, no matter how spiritual we may be, we are still in the old self-defeating life and lower nature.
Please ask yourself, "Is it true or is it false? Are there any conditions under which I will or do tell a lie? Can I be depended on to tell the truth - no matter the cost? Can I be absolutely trusted in money matters? In my work? With other people's reputations? Are there any areas of my life (currently or when thinking about something that's happened in the past) where I'm NOT dealing with reality or the truth?" How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
ABSOLUTE UNSELFISHNESS
We must give of ourselves to others in order to maintain our own spiritual growth. It is the sacrifice of ourselves and our own interests to other people's interests without thought of reward. This is called altruism. To be willing wherever possible to help others who need our help, expecting nothing in return.
Please ask yourself, "What am I living for - myself, my own position, money, place, power? Or are my powers at the disposal of another's need? At the disposal of our Creator's Work?" This test comes to the root of the matter. In the final analysis, what controls my actions - self-interest or God-interest? In the depths of my spirit, who gives the final word? Am I self-directed or God-directed?
How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
ABSOLUTE LOVE
In giving love, we receive it. But the joy of receiving can never match the real thrill of giving. Love is a spiritually poor man's beginning toward God. Love is "giving of yourself" and unless we do, our spiritual progress will be lost. When love is offered, our God in Christ Jesus is there. The will to love is God's Will.
Love is NOT only a feeling, it is a DECISION based on the
life story" that we tell ourselves. Real love is not just a feeling of pleasure but a passion for serving the one loved.
life story" that we tell ourselves. Real love is not just a feeling of pleasure but a passion for serving the one loved.
Consider these definitions: "Love is the will to extend ourselves for the purpose of nurturing our own or another's spiritual growth," or "Love is the active concern for the life and the growth of that which we love."
The Oxford Group defined love thus: "Love endures long and is patient and kind, love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, it does not boast and it is not proud. It does not act unbecomingly, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything without weakening. Love never fails, never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end." (1 Corinthians 13)
Please ask yourself, "Is my love based on faith or fear? Am I easily offended or am I loving? Do I lose my temper? Am I quick to sense slights? Or am I taking the attitude of love which refuses to be offended?" Bad tempered, touchy and quarrelsome spiritual people do as much to hold back our Creator's Work as liars and thieves.
The unexamined life is rarely lived well.
The
How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
ABSOLUTE PURITY
Our problem here is the unrelenting desire to do that which is right. It is flawless quality. Knowing what is right means little until we DO what is right. Were we to contemplate the peace and contentment that a pure conscience would bring to us, and the joy and help that it would bring to others, we would be more determined about our spiritual progress. Giving our all in its constant pursuit will make us free even though we never quite perfect it.
The purity of mind, of the body and of purpose. True wisdom is thinking with the end in mind; it's the perfect combination of knowledge and love. A clean mind in a clean body that embraces clean conduct in business, in work and play, our use of our possessions, our attitudes toward relations with those we're sexually attracted to, friends and acquaintances, as well as in my habits. Purity means we do not manipulate, or seduce, or pre-program, or project hidden agenda's onto anyone or anything.
Please ask yourself, "Is it right or is it wrong? Are my motives pure in all of my affairs? Am I entertaining sexual lusts in acts or in thought?" We may not be in the gutter but is the gutter in us?
How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
[1Jo 1:8-10 NASB] 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Meditation on Matthew 6
Meditation on Matthew 6
LORD, let me strive to live a life with you alone as the audience and not for the praise or recognition of people.
Lord, let me see the need of the needy and give to them because you care for them.
Lord let me pray not to be seen praying but to have you hear my heart.
Help me dear Father in heaven to not just say lots of words as if by magic this would give me some power over your power. Help me know that you already know what I really need. Holy Spirit, intercede for me out of the deepest groanings of my heart.
Dear beloved heavenly DAD.
May your character, compassion, and competence be demonstrated before all nations and all creation.
May you bring your moral rule and will to the earth that the righteousness of heaven would be manifested here on the earth. Give to us a hunger and thirst for your kingdom and righteousness.
Good Father, you know our physical needs, meet them as best fits your kingdom purpose in our lives. Help us to be content in every circumstance with the trust that all things are being controlled by YOU for good purposes. Help us to trust you during the darkness of our hardest days.
Lord, forgive our transgressions which are many based upon your payment for our sins on the cross. Help our hearts be won to loving loyalty to you as we see your infinite sacrifice to save us. Help our own forgiveness seems so vast that we will give forgiveness to those who have abused, betrayed, and hurt us. Give to us forgiving spirits.
Do not bring us into the space where we may be tempted to sin to win. Keep us from putting ourselves in situations that encourage us to do moral evil. Help us hate sin and see it as the poison of our souls.
Lord, defeat the dark lords purposes in our lives. Deliver us from his lies and deceptions. Allow us to see reality clearly and not give in to illusions.
Help us to see that unforgiving spirit in us is a sign of unbelief controlling us. True faith in you leads to having a heart able to give grace and mercy. Save us from bitterness and self-righteousness. Help us give grace as we have received grace.
Lord, teach us to fast as you would have us fast. Help our prayers become more intense. Put passion into our petitions. Give us the faith to believe that you will fervent prayers.
Lord, save us from the materialism and greed which surrounds us on every side in our culture. Every commercial tells us we need more. Our greatest concerns are in what we don't have or may lack in the future.
Provide for us a vision of your provision. Show us that our anxiety and fear do not make us safer or more secure. Help not trust in our worry to save us.
Give to us a heart fully devoted to seeking your kingdom and righteousness in our personal lives and community. Help us see we know nothing about the future and that today has enough challenge in it to keep us fully occupied.
Lord, this day let us live in a sane manner, have an inner stability of soul, and be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT! Come now and control us from the inside out! Manifest your kingdom and rule in us this day!
Revive, renew, restore, and reform us! Awaken us now!
LORD, let me strive to live a life with you alone as the audience and not for the praise or recognition of people.
Lord, let me see the need of the needy and give to them because you care for them.
Lord let me pray not to be seen praying but to have you hear my heart.
Help me dear Father in heaven to not just say lots of words as if by magic this would give me some power over your power. Help me know that you already know what I really need. Holy Spirit, intercede for me out of the deepest groanings of my heart.
Dear beloved heavenly DAD.
May your character, compassion, and competence be demonstrated before all nations and all creation.
May you bring your moral rule and will to the earth that the righteousness of heaven would be manifested here on the earth. Give to us a hunger and thirst for your kingdom and righteousness.
Good Father, you know our physical needs, meet them as best fits your kingdom purpose in our lives. Help us to be content in every circumstance with the trust that all things are being controlled by YOU for good purposes. Help us to trust you during the darkness of our hardest days.
Lord, forgive our transgressions which are many based upon your payment for our sins on the cross. Help our hearts be won to loving loyalty to you as we see your infinite sacrifice to save us. Help our own forgiveness seems so vast that we will give forgiveness to those who have abused, betrayed, and hurt us. Give to us forgiving spirits.
Do not bring us into the space where we may be tempted to sin to win. Keep us from putting ourselves in situations that encourage us to do moral evil. Help us hate sin and see it as the poison of our souls.
Lord, defeat the dark lords purposes in our lives. Deliver us from his lies and deceptions. Allow us to see reality clearly and not give in to illusions.
Help us to see that unforgiving spirit in us is a sign of unbelief controlling us. True faith in you leads to having a heart able to give grace and mercy. Save us from bitterness and self-righteousness. Help us give grace as we have received grace.
Lord, teach us to fast as you would have us fast. Help our prayers become more intense. Put passion into our petitions. Give us the faith to believe that you will fervent prayers.
Lord, save us from the materialism and greed which surrounds us on every side in our culture. Every commercial tells us we need more. Our greatest concerns are in what we don't have or may lack in the future.
Provide for us a vision of your provision. Show us that our anxiety and fear do not make us safer or more secure. Help not trust in our worry to save us.
Give to us a heart fully devoted to seeking your kingdom and righteousness in our personal lives and community. Help us see we know nothing about the future and that today has enough challenge in it to keep us fully occupied.
Lord, this day let us live in a sane manner, have an inner stability of soul, and be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT! Come now and control us from the inside out! Manifest your kingdom and rule in us this day!
Revive, renew, restore, and reform us! Awaken us now!
Thursday, March 10, 2016
A friend struggles with being cynical. What can we tell him?
Matthew 5
Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ESV)
I have a friend who is struggling right now with liking people at all. He sees people make poor and even illogical arguments while thinking that they are better and brighter than others at the time they are making their arguments.
On facebook, he sees people threaten other people with torture, rape, and murder because they disagree about small matters about small things.
In politics, it is hard for him to find any voice that reflects character, competence, and compassion. He finds himself having to vote against things that should never have been considered. For him another demonstration of the lack of people acting logically or morally.
He sees the language that not just used by politicians but by everyone in every day life nearly all the time full of "humbug".
What is "humbug"? A deceptive misrepresentation, short of lying, especially by pretentious word or deed, of somebody’s own thoughts, feelings, or attitudes. (Oxford Dictionary). From my friend's perspective, everyone is attempting to manipulate everyone all the time.
My friend has been lied to by people close to him and has those he respected betray family and friends.
His heart, at the moment, is very cynical but he would see it as being realistic. He is seeing what the prophet Isaiah saw when he wrote.
[Isa 59:14-15 NASB] 14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter. 15 Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.Now the LORD saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.
How could my friend find his way out of all of this? Such a perspective makes it hard to feel good towards people or to risk relationships with them. How can we love them like Jesus sets as a type of ultimate moral standard?
My friends vision of people is a dark vision.
The beginning would be to remember the idea that people have been created in God's image ( Genesis 1:26-28). Designed to be the best reflectors of the beauty, wisdom, character, competence, and love of God into the rest of the universe. God made us reflect the Divine Perfection and Person into physical reality.
This is the true core of our humanity. When we do this we are most human. This is the destiny of the redeemed humanity. This is where we must start when we think about people. We must keep this central. This is true of all people at all times.
To respect a person is to deeply and truly accept them as one created in God's image. This is something that is intrinsic and cannot be lost.
This was one of the significant beliefs that led to our founders stating in the "Declaration of Independence."
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
So, it is vital we begin here. Humans are to be valued and respected for who God has made them for in respecting and valuing them we show honor to God (James 3:1-10).
Practical Exercise to make this real. This was used by Dr. Francis Schaeffer once as he was traveling on the "tube" in London.
As you look at people in some public place or are about to interact with people in any way say to yourself:
"Here is a person sacred and significant! Created in the womb by the king of the universe. This person is part of God's plan. The Maker of all things honors this person as special and unique. I should do the same."
Repeating this outlook often will help us renew our spirits and minds to conform to God's outlook on people.
However, humanity has rebelled. We have fallen into selfishness, self-righteousness, and sin. We love darkness more than light. See more effectiveness in the lie than in the truth. Trust in sin to win more than in righteousness.
This is not what humanity is at its core but it is a deep twisting and corrupting cancer that kills, sickens, and pollutes us. So my friends thought that "everyone" has a problem is universal (Romans 3:11-18)
So does this erase the image of God?
While some think this is the case it does not seem to fit scripture nor does it explain the noble things done by people all around the globe. It would seem at times however imperfectly and twisted people still reflect divine goodness into this life.
An example might be found in the "Righteous Among the Nations" (Hebrew: חסידי אומות העולם, khassidey umot ha-olam "righteous (plural) of the world's nations") is a honorific used by the State of Israel to describe non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis. Here people reflecting God's compassion and being their brother's guardian can be seen.
The image of God could be seen in the middle of a very dark and immoral time.
So my friend would need to see that his observation and experience are expected to be found in one accepting a Christian worldview that admits we now live, "East of Eden".
This is not paradise anymore, nor is it hell. Perhaps the best understanding of our current condition is "Purgatory" for in this place we may find the purging of our moral pollution and find our way back to being true and accurate reflections of God. ( I am using purgatory in a poetic sense and is not endorsing this theological doctrine which I think is not correct).
Practical reality would be to remind ourselves we are "East of Eden" especially when people disappoint us greatly. Remind ourselves that we are no longer in paradise and, therefore, this life will have tribulations, abuse, and hurt come to us through even those we love.
All sinners and we are all sinners, hurt those who love them and who they love. Our deepest wounds will come from those closest to us. Note that even Messiah Jesus was subject to this truth when betrayed by his friend Judas. Lowering our expectations will help us feel less anger and anguish when such betrayals come.
Finally, we must look at the hope of humanity being reborn, renewed, and restored to the intended glory of reflecting God's character, competence, and compassion to the world.
God's plan was to pay the moral penalty for our rebellion against love and logic. God the Son would become the Son of God and be a true hero of love who sacrificially would suffer hell fire on the cross to redeem and renew us. Jesus' resurrection was to give us hope that God would bring the divine kingdom to earth with righteousness ultimately and eternally, win the day.
Now, the Church was to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth from which we could see this redemption and restoration to righteousness. It is here we can most struggle, for while there is a good historical argument to be made for Jesus' resurrection it is harder to argue from history that the Church has been effective in being a center for truth or righteousness.
The Church was to reflect the hope of the world, yet most Chruch history courses would leave us cynical and disappointed. Most of our own lives in contact with local churches have not inspired our seeing the image of God restored but simply people deceptive lives under the cloak of faith.
But Paul, who knew only too well the struggles of the Chruch to be a beacon of love and logic, gives us a prophecy of better days ahead.
[Eph 4:11-13 NASB] 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
This challenges us to become part of the solution. Our failure to consistently have lifestyles are worthy of God's great love shown in Messiah Jesus is one of the main reasons people don't believe Jesus was sent by God. Our hypocrisy, done in the name of Christ, blinds them to the truth of Christ Jesus.
Each of us must strive to become Christians that reflect love and logic. Every church needs to pray to become a community of the King Jesus that is controlled by truth, humility, confession of wrong thinking and living, compassion, and loving care for others. We are to be emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy communities that show that humanity will be transformed.
We must not expect perfection from the Church or Christians, but we should see a substantial, sincere, and progressive improvement that give us hope for a better world with better people.
The only reason we are happy in heaven is because we are holy. Pleasure comes from the environment, but true happiness comes from having a rightly ordered soul. Virtue is what brings victory over futility.
So a practical step her would to review Church history and look for the great moments when the truth of the gospel was lived out in words, actions, and attitudes of faith-filled practical love.
We can also reflect and journal on our personal "church history" which would be to recall the times when the people of God acted to show the love of God into our lives.
This would seem to be the Apostle Paul's suggestion.
"[Phl 4:4-8 NASB] 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
So my friend should use prayer as a way to release the sadness, frustration, anger, bitterness, and cynicism that now governs his emotions. He needs also to make an exhaustive list of all the times he has seen noble things done for the good of others and when people spoke truthfully. Focusing on the glass half/full would be critical to see reality as it truly exists.
But to really answer my friend, will take more than words. Consistent demonstration of the truth of the gospel through a fellowship of people striving to live the gospel is the answer for which the Lord Jesus prayed (John 17:17-23).
May the Lord help me to be a witness to my friend and everyone else that Jesus is risen, HE is risen, indeed.
Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ESV)
I have a friend who is struggling right now with liking people at all. He sees people make poor and even illogical arguments while thinking that they are better and brighter than others at the time they are making their arguments.
On facebook, he sees people threaten other people with torture, rape, and murder because they disagree about small matters about small things.
In politics, it is hard for him to find any voice that reflects character, competence, and compassion. He finds himself having to vote against things that should never have been considered. For him another demonstration of the lack of people acting logically or morally.
He sees the language that not just used by politicians but by everyone in every day life nearly all the time full of "humbug".
What is "humbug"? A deceptive misrepresentation, short of lying, especially by pretentious word or deed, of somebody’s own thoughts, feelings, or attitudes. (Oxford Dictionary). From my friend's perspective, everyone is attempting to manipulate everyone all the time.
My friend has been lied to by people close to him and has those he respected betray family and friends.
His heart, at the moment, is very cynical but he would see it as being realistic. He is seeing what the prophet Isaiah saw when he wrote.
[Isa 59:14-15 NASB] 14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter. 15 Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.Now the LORD saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.
How could my friend find his way out of all of this? Such a perspective makes it hard to feel good towards people or to risk relationships with them. How can we love them like Jesus sets as a type of ultimate moral standard?
My friends vision of people is a dark vision.
The beginning would be to remember the idea that people have been created in God's image ( Genesis 1:26-28). Designed to be the best reflectors of the beauty, wisdom, character, competence, and love of God into the rest of the universe. God made us reflect the Divine Perfection and Person into physical reality.
This is the true core of our humanity. When we do this we are most human. This is the destiny of the redeemed humanity. This is where we must start when we think about people. We must keep this central. This is true of all people at all times.
To respect a person is to deeply and truly accept them as one created in God's image. This is something that is intrinsic and cannot be lost.
This was one of the significant beliefs that led to our founders stating in the "Declaration of Independence."
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
So, it is vital we begin here. Humans are to be valued and respected for who God has made them for in respecting and valuing them we show honor to God (James 3:1-10).
Practical Exercise to make this real. This was used by Dr. Francis Schaeffer once as he was traveling on the "tube" in London.
As you look at people in some public place or are about to interact with people in any way say to yourself:
"Here is a person sacred and significant! Created in the womb by the king of the universe. This person is part of God's plan. The Maker of all things honors this person as special and unique. I should do the same."
Repeating this outlook often will help us renew our spirits and minds to conform to God's outlook on people.
However, humanity has rebelled. We have fallen into selfishness, self-righteousness, and sin. We love darkness more than light. See more effectiveness in the lie than in the truth. Trust in sin to win more than in righteousness.
This is not what humanity is at its core but it is a deep twisting and corrupting cancer that kills, sickens, and pollutes us. So my friends thought that "everyone" has a problem is universal (Romans 3:11-18)
So does this erase the image of God?
While some think this is the case it does not seem to fit scripture nor does it explain the noble things done by people all around the globe. It would seem at times however imperfectly and twisted people still reflect divine goodness into this life.
An example might be found in the "Righteous Among the Nations" (Hebrew: חסידי אומות העולם, khassidey umot ha-olam "righteous (plural) of the world's nations") is a honorific used by the State of Israel to describe non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis. Here people reflecting God's compassion and being their brother's guardian can be seen.
The image of God could be seen in the middle of a very dark and immoral time.
So my friend would need to see that his observation and experience are expected to be found in one accepting a Christian worldview that admits we now live, "East of Eden".
This is not paradise anymore, nor is it hell. Perhaps the best understanding of our current condition is "Purgatory" for in this place we may find the purging of our moral pollution and find our way back to being true and accurate reflections of God. ( I am using purgatory in a poetic sense and is not endorsing this theological doctrine which I think is not correct).
Practical reality would be to remind ourselves we are "East of Eden" especially when people disappoint us greatly. Remind ourselves that we are no longer in paradise and, therefore, this life will have tribulations, abuse, and hurt come to us through even those we love.
All sinners and we are all sinners, hurt those who love them and who they love. Our deepest wounds will come from those closest to us. Note that even Messiah Jesus was subject to this truth when betrayed by his friend Judas. Lowering our expectations will help us feel less anger and anguish when such betrayals come.
Finally, we must look at the hope of humanity being reborn, renewed, and restored to the intended glory of reflecting God's character, competence, and compassion to the world.
God's plan was to pay the moral penalty for our rebellion against love and logic. God the Son would become the Son of God and be a true hero of love who sacrificially would suffer hell fire on the cross to redeem and renew us. Jesus' resurrection was to give us hope that God would bring the divine kingdom to earth with righteousness ultimately and eternally, win the day.
Now, the Church was to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth from which we could see this redemption and restoration to righteousness. It is here we can most struggle, for while there is a good historical argument to be made for Jesus' resurrection it is harder to argue from history that the Church has been effective in being a center for truth or righteousness.
The Church was to reflect the hope of the world, yet most Chruch history courses would leave us cynical and disappointed. Most of our own lives in contact with local churches have not inspired our seeing the image of God restored but simply people deceptive lives under the cloak of faith.
But Paul, who knew only too well the struggles of the Chruch to be a beacon of love and logic, gives us a prophecy of better days ahead.
[Eph 4:11-13 NASB] 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
This challenges us to become part of the solution. Our failure to consistently have lifestyles are worthy of God's great love shown in Messiah Jesus is one of the main reasons people don't believe Jesus was sent by God. Our hypocrisy, done in the name of Christ, blinds them to the truth of Christ Jesus.
Each of us must strive to become Christians that reflect love and logic. Every church needs to pray to become a community of the King Jesus that is controlled by truth, humility, confession of wrong thinking and living, compassion, and loving care for others. We are to be emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy communities that show that humanity will be transformed.
We must not expect perfection from the Church or Christians, but we should see a substantial, sincere, and progressive improvement that give us hope for a better world with better people.
The only reason we are happy in heaven is because we are holy. Pleasure comes from the environment, but true happiness comes from having a rightly ordered soul. Virtue is what brings victory over futility.
So a practical step her would to review Church history and look for the great moments when the truth of the gospel was lived out in words, actions, and attitudes of faith-filled practical love.
We can also reflect and journal on our personal "church history" which would be to recall the times when the people of God acted to show the love of God into our lives.
This would seem to be the Apostle Paul's suggestion.
"[Phl 4:4-8 NASB] 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
So my friend should use prayer as a way to release the sadness, frustration, anger, bitterness, and cynicism that now governs his emotions. He needs also to make an exhaustive list of all the times he has seen noble things done for the good of others and when people spoke truthfully. Focusing on the glass half/full would be critical to see reality as it truly exists.
But to really answer my friend, will take more than words. Consistent demonstration of the truth of the gospel through a fellowship of people striving to live the gospel is the answer for which the Lord Jesus prayed (John 17:17-23).
May the Lord help me to be a witness to my friend and everyone else that Jesus is risen, HE is risen, indeed.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Meditation on Matthew 5
Meditation on Matthew 5
Lord, I need your transforming blessing in my life.
Make me see that I am poor in spirit and need you to make me rich.
Grant me true sorrow over my sins and comfort me with your promises of forgiveness and salvation.
Help me to see myself as I am in my weakness, that you may not resist me in my pride.
Give to me a passion and drive to be holy and a person of virtue that you may make of me a righteous person.
LORD Jesus help me see the great mercy you have shown me by your sacrifice for my sins and create in me a merciful attitude towards others.
Make my heart sincere and simple so that I might understand YOU as YOU really are.
Put into my heart one that seeks to resolve conflicts and redeem relationships so that your saving love might be seen in me.
Prepare me to accept persecution from those who reject both righteousness and reason that I might effectively be restraining force against evil and a source of truth for a lost culture.
Protect me from losing my way and being corrupted by the unbelieving culture.
Lord, help me express my love for you by applying the law and prophets into my lifestyle. Help me do this without becoming self-righteous and proud. Grant me an ability to do your will on earth in humility and motivated by real admiration for YOU.
Help me seek to have peace in the relationships in my life. Help me to have a passion, to set relationships straight. Free me of bitterness and teach me to love those that hurt and oppose me.
Lord, put into me a pure attitude towards all thing sexual. Let me not be drawn into the polluted outlook of my culture. Let me see people as worthy of respect and honor. Watch over my soul and keep every aspect clean from impure thoughts or feelings.
Grant me the power to have integrity in all my speaking. Let my yes, be yes. Allow my no to be no. Let me not use your name in vain to convince people that I have an integrity that I already have because of your grace alive in me.
Lord, fill me with your grace and concern for others. Let me have an attitude of generosity and grace. Let me reflect your love for me in my love for others. Help me become mature and complete in my practice and understanding of love.
Lord, bless your Church in this hour. Awaken us to a new intensity of faith, love, and hope. Act now I pray. Pour out your Spirit upon us anew. Lord, reform, revive, renew, and restore your people in this generation. Start that awakening among the covenant children, those raised in Christian homes but who have strayed away. Touch them in ways they would never imagine they could be touched by you. Act now LORD, we need you. Come to us! Amen
Lord, I need your transforming blessing in my life.
Make me see that I am poor in spirit and need you to make me rich.
Grant me true sorrow over my sins and comfort me with your promises of forgiveness and salvation.
Help me to see myself as I am in my weakness, that you may not resist me in my pride.
Give to me a passion and drive to be holy and a person of virtue that you may make of me a righteous person.
LORD Jesus help me see the great mercy you have shown me by your sacrifice for my sins and create in me a merciful attitude towards others.
Make my heart sincere and simple so that I might understand YOU as YOU really are.
Put into my heart one that seeks to resolve conflicts and redeem relationships so that your saving love might be seen in me.
Prepare me to accept persecution from those who reject both righteousness and reason that I might effectively be restraining force against evil and a source of truth for a lost culture.
Protect me from losing my way and being corrupted by the unbelieving culture.
Lord, help me express my love for you by applying the law and prophets into my lifestyle. Help me do this without becoming self-righteous and proud. Grant me an ability to do your will on earth in humility and motivated by real admiration for YOU.
Help me seek to have peace in the relationships in my life. Help me to have a passion, to set relationships straight. Free me of bitterness and teach me to love those that hurt and oppose me.
Lord, put into me a pure attitude towards all thing sexual. Let me not be drawn into the polluted outlook of my culture. Let me see people as worthy of respect and honor. Watch over my soul and keep every aspect clean from impure thoughts or feelings.
Grant me the power to have integrity in all my speaking. Let my yes, be yes. Allow my no to be no. Let me not use your name in vain to convince people that I have an integrity that I already have because of your grace alive in me.
Lord, fill me with your grace and concern for others. Let me have an attitude of generosity and grace. Let me reflect your love for me in my love for others. Help me become mature and complete in my practice and understanding of love.
Lord, bless your Church in this hour. Awaken us to a new intensity of faith, love, and hope. Act now I pray. Pour out your Spirit upon us anew. Lord, reform, revive, renew, and restore your people in this generation. Start that awakening among the covenant children, those raised in Christian homes but who have strayed away. Touch them in ways they would never imagine they could be touched by you. Act now LORD, we need you. Come to us! Amen
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