Chew on each line (from The Message Bible):
Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there. If you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.
0 Comments
Chew on each line (from The Message Bible):
God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God. "Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matt. 13:12 (NIV)
Take a few minutes, and write down every good thing you have in your life. Every day for the next week or two, take one item on your list, and mentally hold it up to God. Just hold it before God in your mind, be focused in your thought on this one thing, and be grateful and feel grateful in your heart. Your blessings will expand. You will get even more. If at anytime you find yourself focusing on what you don't want, remember to switch your thoughts back to these things for which you are grateful. Focus on them in your mind and feel it in your heart - ask God to meet with you as you do so - and to expand His Presence in you. Elmer Towns & Lee Frederickson published "The Bible by Jesus, Let me tell you my story" (2017)
It is a pleasant read and tells the gospel as a first person narrative. It includes an interesting paraphrase of the Lord's prayer that I found myself effortlessly meditating upon, and Jesus was explaining to his followers that he had to go, and the Holy Spirit would come. He then prayed for us, and stated: "And this is the way to have eternal life—by knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth!" Close your eyes, relax your body, and focus your mind on desiring an actual, experiential, encounter with the Source of All. Still your mind and body and ASK for this relationship. When distracting thoughts come into your mind, notice them and go back to concentrating on waiting on God, in stillness. Ask the Holy Spirit to let you experience His presence. Ask God to make your next thought His thought. Wait in silence as He gently speaks truths or gives impressions or pictures into your mind and heart. Thank the Holy Spirit for his presence and for his closeness to you. Close your eyes, relax your body, focus your mind and repeat this blessing over and over (in your mind or aloud). If you thoughts wonder, notice them, then return to your meditation on these words, Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. God will put His Presence upon you with this prayer. To have it sung over you in Hebrew click on:
|
be stillInvite the Holy Spirit into your being. Ask God to commune with you. Then pay attention. Archives
July 2020
Categories |