Unity
What a beautiful day for getting some outside things done, Father! Thank You for the sunshine and the companionship, as well!
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One thing that I pray for is unity amongst followers of Jesus. Our witness to those who don’t believe is greatly weakened because we who do believe do not see eye to eye on many things.
Unity – oneness – was something for which Jesus prayed. As a part of this High Priestly Prayer following the Last Supper, He is recorded as saying in John 17:22-23 (and for clarification here, “I” is Jesus, “them” is His disciples – us included, and “You” is the Heavenly Father.)
I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me. AMP
If we would live out Jesus’ prayer, oh, what a different world we would find ourselves in!
What got me thinking along these lines was the preface of my book The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, written by editor and compiler, Arthur Bennett, when it was published in 1975.
Unbeknownst to me, there is a substantial and largely forgotten deposit of Puritan spiritual exercises, meditations and aspirations.
They are by no means a run-of-the-mill collection of prayers but as he said, they testify to the richness and colour of evangelical thought and language that animated vital piety in an important stream of English religious life.
The Puritan Movement was a religious phenomenon of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (i.e., the 1500-1600s). The way they went about following God wasn’t well accepted in England, but they pushed ahead in their diligence of personal devoutness. While the opposition they experienced tapered off in 1660 – and here is the particular part of the preface that impacted me – its theological ground-swell carried forward distinct forms of practical religion for many decades, particularly family worship and private devotion. In these spheres, and in that of the authority of Scripture over the whole of life, New England Presbyterians and Congregationalists were at one with English Dissenters and Anglican evangelicals in a close-knit union that transcended differences of worship, discipline and polity. They spoke the same spiritual language, shared the same code of values, adopted the same attitude towards the Christian religion, and breathed out the same God-centred aspirations in a manner that makes it impossible to distinguish the voice of conformist from that of non-conformist. Thus, this book of Puritan prayers has a unity not often found in similar works. The strength of Puritan character and life lay in the practice of prayer and meditation. (emphasis mine)
Now I realize a simple book isn’t the answer to our prayers, but all those who truly believe know that Jesus is!
Lord Jesus, help us to seek out that common ground that is found only in You. Our own mindsets and devices, which we hold so tightly to as “truth” pale in reality when held up to Your perfection. May our goal be to also speak the same spiritual language, share the same code of values, adopt the same attitude towards our faith, and lastly, breathe out the same God-centered aspirations! Amen!
Aug 18th, 2022, Thurs, 7:52 pm
I Told You So!
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
….but to your name goes all the glory
….for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 NLT
Acts 27:13-25 (<<click here to read the passage)
Being the human beings we are, most of us are quick to spout off, “I told you so!” if we advised someone against doing something which we thought would not turn out well. There is usually a tug-of-war where one party is bent on doing something that the other party believes to be a bad idea. In some instances, it is foolishness to act, while other times there is a risk no matter what and a fairly equal chance of success or failure.
It’s easy to make sure the “I told you so!” comes through loud and clear. But it may be far more prudent, when things turn sour, to refrain and console instead. And beyond prudent, it is probably much more kind and loving in our response and not add insult to injury, as they say.
As we continue with the saga of Paul’s story, when he speaks to all aboard regarding the circumstances in which they find themselves, we might be tempted to think that this is an “I told you so” moment, but in reality, it is more of a “take heart” moment. Paul is spelling it out very clearly that the God to whom [he] belong[s] and whom [he] serves is truly almighty and all-knowing. And though they did not heed His direction earlier, He in His goodness…granted safety to everyone on board. vs23 and 24
I can’t get past verse 25. The God who had warned them – this God who has the whole world in His hands was with them. I can see Paul amidst the storm standing tall and without one bit of hesitation proclaiming, “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” NLT
There are storms all around us. Cancer. Illness. Aging bodies not functioning in ways we are used to. Mental degradation. Insurmountable financial circumstances. Schisms and seemingly irreparable damage in families and relationships. Serious, polarizing political controversies. Violence on every hand. We may cling to family or science or our own determination, but the only sure thing we can hang on to…is God. For those of us who have given ourselves over to Him, even if the storm takes us, we have the unshakeable assurance that as God has been with us, we will be with Him! “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” Amen!
Aug 17th, 2022, Wed, 9:06 pm
Whisper To the Ears of My Heart
Blessed be the name of the Lord
….now and forever.
Everywhere—from east to west—
….praise the name of the Lord. Psalm 113:2-3 NLT
Acts 27:1-12 (<<click here to read the passage)
A regular occurrence in my life is hearing that still small voice giving direction. Some would say it is my conscience, but I believe it is the Holy Spirit. We all have to deal with temptation in our lives. Sometimes they are temptations regarding big things that will bring us down in a hurry if we yield to them. And other times they are very small things, that in and of themselves are almost nothing. But I have found that even those very small temptations if yielded to, can gang up on me and once accumulated, take me down just as hard.
If we have sought Jesus’ forgiveness, the Holy Spirit is a part of who we are. He is with us night and day, guiding and inspiring us along our way. And if we are listening, He is that still small voice that warns us of impending dangers for our souls. At least in my experience, He doesn’t yell or smack me upside the head – though there are probably times when that might get me to pay more attention to Him! But, no, His ways with me in these circumstances, are to whisper to the ears of my heart. He whispers that I should turn and not yield to the temptation. No matter how appealing they might seem, they will surely lead me down a dangerous path.
In today’s passage, it is obvious that Paul was listening to that still small voice. He was attuned to the Holy Spirit speaking to him and shared what he felt was a prudent message to the powers that be.
“Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” v10
Paul heard the still small voice,
But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. v11 NLT
Trouble was brewing for sure! But, in this case, the temptation of greater comfort in a “better” harbor led them down a very dangerous course!
You would think their journey thus far would have been enough to back up Paul’s dire warning…but it wasn’t.
Early on they had encountered strong headwinds that made it difficult to keep the ship on course v4
They changed ships and verses 7-9 clearly pointed to a foreboding future.
They had several days of slow sailing… the wind was against them, and they struggled along the coast with great difficulty… They had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall…
Their foolishness in following their own heart’s desires would bring ruin upon them…but more on that soon.
Lord Jesus, may we take to heart Your Spirit’s words which He faithfully whispers into the ears of our hearts. May our heart’s desire be to hear and obey. Amen.
Aug 16th, 2022, Tues, 8:05 pm
Let Jesus Deal with Sin
A wonderful day with my favorite gal in the whole world! It started with a visit to the doctor, but it went on to be a fun day running around. We made it a “vacation” day! Thank You, Father, for blessings beyond measure!
Acts 26:24-32 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the biggest hurdles that Christians strive to get over is sharing the Gospel and all that it puts on the line, without being hateful, self-righteous, and loathsome in regard to those who do not know Jesus.
Paul did not shy away from boldly proclaiming the truth the some of the most powerful people in his world at that time. He said he obeyed what Jesus had commanded him to do. He preached to Jews and Gentiles alike that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. v20b NLT
The Amplified Bible puts it this way, they should repent [change their inner self—their old way of thinking] and turn to God, doing deeds and living lives which are consistent with repentance. v20b AMP
Sin is sin and repentance is absolutely necessary. But I don’t see condemnation. I don’t see hate, self-righteousness, or loathing. He knew he was speaking to sinners (Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, were brother and sister!) but he didn’t lay them out, speaking of their sin. Instead, he laid the truth out.
Paul proclaimed nothing except what the Prophets and Moses said would come to pass—that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) was to suffer, and that He by being the first to rise from the dead [with an incorruptible body] would proclaim light (salvation) both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” vs22b-23 AMP
He desired to bring them to Jesus, and He – that is, Jesus, not Paul – would deal with their sin. And Paul came so close to making that introduction for verse 28 reads,
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time [and with so little effort] you [almost] persuade me to become a Christian.” AMP
It seems he was speaking sarcastically, but I’ve always held that there’s a little bit of truth in everything we say…whether we want to admit it or not. Agrippa could not escape the truth, he had heard it and understood. The only thing was he didn’t embrace and accept it.
Boldly share the truth of the Gospel with whoever will listen but leave the judging and turning…let Jesus deal with their sin.
(Regarding today’s picture: Jesus’ response to the self-righteous men judging a woman caught in the act of adultery – “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you? …Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11 NLT)
Aug 15th, 2022, Mon, 9:03 pm
Step Out of the Shallows
Praise the Lord!
Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
….Praise the name of the Lord! Psalm 113:1 NLT
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A couple of weeks ago I quoted a prayer from a book a dear friend had loaned me a few years back and this week another dear friend brought me a copy! It was very thoughtful of her to do so, and I am eager to delve into its words once again.
(If you’d be interested in obtaining a copy, here is the title and it is linked to Amazon with all the particulars – The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.)
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I don’t know about you, but I far too often struggle with my humanity. I’ve gone for lengths of time in my life, with a clear vision of God before me and my greatest intent is to follow and abide in His presence and by his directives. But over time it seems my resolve softens, and those times are looked back upon fondly, yet not enough to move me to return to the determination I once espoused.
When I began journaling back in 2015, it was at a point of transition in my life. The mindsets that controlled me were worn and no longer fulfilling. It was like wandering through the shallows in my relationship with God, being unwilling to throw myself headlong into the depths of His love, wisdom, and mastery over my life. But at that point in my life, I had had enough and jumped in with all the vim, vigor, and resolve that I could muster. I believe it is time to do so once more.
I would pray that you would be moved to join me. Step out of the shallows with me, won’t you?
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The preface of the book is challenging in and of itself but, today, we’ll look at the introductory prayer from which the book gets its name – The Valley of Vision. I would encourage you to not hurriedly read through it but to resolutely read each line. It might even be helpful to pray a prayer before you read it asking God to open your heart and mind to what He would have you glean from it.
THE VALLEY OF VISION
LORD, HIGH AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
….where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
….hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
….that the way down is the way up,
….that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart,
….that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
….that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
….that to have nothing is to possess all,
….that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
….that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
….and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
…………………thy life in my death,
…………………thy joy in my sorrow,
…………………thy grace in my sin,
…………………thy riches in my poverty,
…………………thy glory in my valley.
Aug 14th, 2022, Sun, 7:14 pm