The lord came and stood there as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
This is such a sweet reminder of the way in which the lord continually calls us into prayer with Him. I believe He calls us often, but it is easy for us to get caught up in our own world and miss His voice. This passage says the lord called as at other times, but this time Samuel was listening. And what is Samuel listening for, but the voice of the lord. We long to hear His voice, to know His will.
Prayer is something that can be deeply personal. I thought this morning of what it's like for two friends to sit and have a time of fellowship. There is an intense kind of listening that goes on. Each moment is precious as the two share stories, deeply interested in each other's lives. Perhaps there will be advice given or heartfelt concern for events taking shape. It's amazing to think that we can experience such a time of fellowship with Jesus. And yet it is available to us if we learn to listen for His voice and respond to His call.
"Our modern culture often sees prayer as a migic bullet or as a formula that we can use to get what we want. It isneither. But this we know: God tells us to pray; he gives his Word to guide our prayers."
-One Year Praying Through the Bible
Don't worry about anything,
instead pray about everything;
tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers.
-Phillipians 4:6
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Spirit Stirred
...And the spirit of the Lord began to stir him
-Judges 13:25
...The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.
_1 Samuel 10:6-9
These verses really spoke to me today. I have struggled with my view of the Holy Spirit for years. As a matter of fact when I made a personal decision to commit my life to Christ over thirty years ago, I was really afraid to commit myself totally to being filled with the Holy Spirit. It was a conscious decision on my part. In the words of a beautiful song by Jars of Clay,
"I use one hand to pull closer
The other to push you away."
For the most part that decision was made because of fear of being changed. I didn't want people to think I was a fanatic about my faith. So over the years I have been able to compartmentalize my life. I have had a life of faith in which I followed Christ on my terms and in my own way. It has not been unfulfilling, but it has not been the rich deep experience I longed to have on a daily basis.
Recently I've learned something about myself and my relationship with Christ. This past September I began a Bible study on the book of Acts and I was invited to take an in depth look at the Holy Spirit. I discovered something interesting-that which I had feared was in reality what I desired. For in truth the Holy Spirit does change each and every person who commits themself to Christ. It is what He is designed to do. It is His work and His gift to us. The Holy Spirit transforms us to bring us into a deep, meaningful relationship. He transforms us to make us more like our Savior. Then like Paul and the other disciples we are called testify with a bold heart of the joy and love that comes from knowing Christ.
Today was our last day of the study, but in many ways it is the first day for me. I have been changed and I am free to embrace my faith knowing I can
.... do whatever (my) hand finds
to do, for God is with (me)
-Judges 13:25
...The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.
_1 Samuel 10:6-9
These verses really spoke to me today. I have struggled with my view of the Holy Spirit for years. As a matter of fact when I made a personal decision to commit my life to Christ over thirty years ago, I was really afraid to commit myself totally to being filled with the Holy Spirit. It was a conscious decision on my part. In the words of a beautiful song by Jars of Clay,
"I use one hand to pull closer
The other to push you away."
For the most part that decision was made because of fear of being changed. I didn't want people to think I was a fanatic about my faith. So over the years I have been able to compartmentalize my life. I have had a life of faith in which I followed Christ on my terms and in my own way. It has not been unfulfilling, but it has not been the rich deep experience I longed to have on a daily basis.
Recently I've learned something about myself and my relationship with Christ. This past September I began a Bible study on the book of Acts and I was invited to take an in depth look at the Holy Spirit. I discovered something interesting-that which I had feared was in reality what I desired. For in truth the Holy Spirit does change each and every person who commits themself to Christ. It is what He is designed to do. It is His work and His gift to us. The Holy Spirit transforms us to bring us into a deep, meaningful relationship. He transforms us to make us more like our Savior. Then like Paul and the other disciples we are called testify with a bold heart of the joy and love that comes from knowing Christ.
Today was our last day of the study, but in many ways it is the first day for me. I have been changed and I am free to embrace my faith knowing I can
.... do whatever (my) hand finds
to do, for God is with (me)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
On prayer
"He has designed and initiated prayer as a means of blessing, restoring and helping His people.
.....He calls us into an intimate relationship with Him and chooses to work in this world through our prayers.
...From His throne He dispenses grace, healing, and strength so as we come to Him in prayer as Moses, Aaron and Samuel did we experience His presence and He answers in His way, in His time, and for His glory."
-One Year Praying Through the Bible
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on His name;
they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
_Psalm 99:6
Lately I have been aware that my prayer life is becoming rather shallow. I spend time each morning "in prayer." But most of my time is spent reading scripture and the meditations of other people. Somehow I manage to get my "to do" list in for Him. I ask Him to speak to me through His Word and He never fails. Yet I am beginning to realize that this is not what prayer is about. Today's message from One Year Praying Through the Bible struck a chord. First, that God would choose to initiate prayer as a means of communicating is profound. Our all sufficient God extends Himself to us in prayer. He doesn't need to talk to us-He desires to communicate with us. And since has chosen to work through us, it is vitally important that we understand our call. Prayer therefore, should change me. It should enable me to priortize my life around His leading. My time with Him requires that I quiet my mind and empty myself in order to be filled with His love and Spirit. At the end of my prayer I want to be able to say, 'Lord, use me today. You were broken for me. Now break me open for others so that all who encounter me today will find you. Then filled with your Spirit allow me to meet their needs as you see fit. You will supply the words and the love. You will break my heart for them.'
.....He calls us into an intimate relationship with Him and chooses to work in this world through our prayers.
...From His throne He dispenses grace, healing, and strength so as we come to Him in prayer as Moses, Aaron and Samuel did we experience His presence and He answers in His way, in His time, and for His glory."
-One Year Praying Through the Bible
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on His name;
they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
_Psalm 99:6
Lately I have been aware that my prayer life is becoming rather shallow. I spend time each morning "in prayer." But most of my time is spent reading scripture and the meditations of other people. Somehow I manage to get my "to do" list in for Him. I ask Him to speak to me through His Word and He never fails. Yet I am beginning to realize that this is not what prayer is about. Today's message from One Year Praying Through the Bible struck a chord. First, that God would choose to initiate prayer as a means of communicating is profound. Our all sufficient God extends Himself to us in prayer. He doesn't need to talk to us-He desires to communicate with us. And since has chosen to work through us, it is vitally important that we understand our call. Prayer therefore, should change me. It should enable me to priortize my life around His leading. My time with Him requires that I quiet my mind and empty myself in order to be filled with His love and Spirit. At the end of my prayer I want to be able to say, 'Lord, use me today. You were broken for me. Now break me open for others so that all who encounter me today will find you. Then filled with your Spirit allow me to meet their needs as you see fit. You will supply the words and the love. You will break my heart for them.'
Friday, May 1, 2009
The promise
I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:29
It has come to me this morning that the Holy Spirit has been sent to each of us. It is an answer to our Father's promise. Jesus assured us that He had to leave, but that He would send us a helper, a comforter. Yet, the Holy Spirit must not only be sent, it must be received. Years ago I made a personal and heartfelt decision to follow Christ. But I was afraid to freely receive the gift of the Spirit. This weekend I had a revelation of sorts. I reached into my core being and discovered that there has been nothing to fear. The Spirit has been there all along. He has been my teacher, my helper, my counselor. He is one with my Father and Savior. I was afraid of being changed and yet it is all I've ever really wanted -to be more like Christ and to glorify Him with my life.. That's the work of the Spirit. And as I empty myself He can truly fill me and use me.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2Timothy 2:21
It has come to me this morning that the Holy Spirit has been sent to each of us. It is an answer to our Father's promise. Jesus assured us that He had to leave, but that He would send us a helper, a comforter. Yet, the Holy Spirit must not only be sent, it must be received. Years ago I made a personal and heartfelt decision to follow Christ. But I was afraid to freely receive the gift of the Spirit. This weekend I had a revelation of sorts. I reached into my core being and discovered that there has been nothing to fear. The Spirit has been there all along. He has been my teacher, my helper, my counselor. He is one with my Father and Savior. I was afraid of being changed and yet it is all I've ever really wanted -to be more like Christ and to glorify Him with my life.. That's the work of the Spirit. And as I empty myself He can truly fill me and use me.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2Timothy 2:21
My purpose
The purpose of this blog is to share my thoughts and insights about my journey of faith. This past weekend I attended a retreat in which I took part in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. It was a powerful experience of prayer and reflection. As a result I would like to record some of the experiences and insights I have gained in the course of my thirty year journey with Christ.
It is my desire that those reading this blog might in some way be encouraged as they journey through their own life's path.
It is my desire that those reading this blog might in some way be encouraged as they journey through their own life's path.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)