Biblical Meditation

Meditation and Contemplation , we hear a lot about these words and practices lately especially in some circles of Christianity, is it a Pagan practice? Or is it biblical?Is it of the Devil or the Holy Spirit of God?

How does Christian meditation compare with other forms of meditation? There are various forms of meditation in our world, it is important to determine how Christian meditation compares with other forms of meditation. Christian meditation is similar to other forms of meditation in that it involves a deliberate act on our part, in carving out some of our precious time ,to set aside purposefully and with intention to ponder or think. Christian, meditation may arise naturally as we spend time prayerfully studing the Bible. The traditional meditator who often has set a certain time in their day to meditate as a way to free them self from stress and turmoil.There are two major differences, between traditional forms of meditation and Christian meditation.
In traditional forms of meditation, the individual seeks to empty one's self; in Christian meditation the believer seeks, to be filled.
In traditional meditation, the object is self, the higher self as they like to say, whereas in Christian meditation the object is God, who is high above all. During the practice of meditation, the non-christian strives to clear his or her consciousness of all thoughts, concentrating intensely until in a prescribed period of time a bare minimum of thoughts has been allowed or entertained in the consciousness. Often, a tool called a mantra is used which may be a word or a series of sounds that a person repeats continually until they are completely empty. This is supposed to achieve the ultimate relaxation and cessation of stress. When the meditator wants to obtain peace in the midst of a tumultuous situation he or she can just call to mind or repeat the mantra and the desired result is obtained.In Christian meditation, the believer seeks to fill his or her thoughts with truths about God. Christians can achieve this by focusing on the Word of God, as the psalmist said: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night" (Psalms 1:2). Rather than emptying himself, the Christian fills his mind with hope and encouragement from the promises that God has given in His Word or on good things that God has done for them. Or they may simply just think on the wonder and majesty of God. In so doing, the believer is assured of peace."Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things (Philippians 4:8).In seeking to reach one's higher self, the traditional meditator may achieve their goal, but has really achieved a state which has no real value. At the pinnacle of their self every individual is but base and low, since all are sinners. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Therefore there is no perfection to be obtained from within. Paul rightly said in his epistle to the Romans, "I know that nothing good lives in me…" (Romans 7:18).Jesus Christ alone is our source of righteousness and, therefore, peace. Seeking to reach one's higher self is to reach for nothing; it may achieve a state of thoughtlessness and cessation from stress, but the individual will still remain empty and unfulfilled. The only path to peace and fulfillment is through God. If an individual, with purpose and intent, will meditate on God, he will achieve the highest of heights, including joy and peace. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).

The primary difference between pagan disciplines and Christian disciplines is WHO or what is the main focus? Other gods, self, or the One true God, and Jesus Christ? Many Christians become fearful and find fault because they think something that a Christian is doing is Pagan because Pagans do similar things ,which is similar to what is done by some Christians in the Mystical tradition so therefore they think that it is Pagan, and nothing can be further from the truth. Most religions pray to their gods, that does not make it pagan, many light candles or light incense to their gods, that doesn't make it pagan, many Pagans celebrate the seasons, and so do some Christians, that does not make it a Pagan .Many sing songs, and say affirmations , that does not make it Pagan. The difference is , who are they doing this for? Their many gods? Their 'higher self'? That would make it pagan, but when our focus is on the One true God, the Creator of All and Jesus Christ, then that makes it a Christian practice.

Not all meditation is Transcendental Meditation. In fact, the Bible commands us to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God tells us to meditate on His word day and night so we will obey it. The words, "meditate" or "meditation" are mentioned 20 times. But meditation's association with New Age philosophy and Eastern mysticism has frightened off many Christians.In the Old Testament there are two primary Hebrew words for meditation. Haga, which means to utter, groan, meditate, or ponder. Sihach, which means to muse, rehearse in one's mind, or contemplate. These words can also be translated as dwell, diligently consider, and heed.
Meditation: One historic form of meditation that has been used by Christians since at least the 4th century is the lectio divina. It has been traditionally used in monastic religious orders and is enjoying a resurgence today. Lectio divina means "sacred reading" and has four stages: lectio (reading), meditatio (discursive meditation), oratio (effective prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). In the lectio (reading) stage, one finds a passage and reads it deliberately. The next stage, meditatio (discursive meditation), is where one ponders the text. In the oratio (effective prayer) stage, one talks to God about the reading, asking Him to reveal the truth. In the final, contemplatio (contemplation) stage, one simply rests in God's presence.As we can see, meditation is simply pondering or thinking over something. The subject of a person's meditation, and the purpose of the meditation, is what differentiates one kind of meditation from another.What we choose to dwell on and focus our thoughts on make a profound difference in our outlook on life.We need to find out more on how to focus on "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" (Philippians 4:8, NASB.

BENIFITS OF MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION

I have found that Meditation and contemplation of the truths,and promises of the Bible is the BEST way to combat Depression.

Depression happens when we replace healthy thoughts with negative and debilitating thoughts which for the most part are false, and if we let depression get a hold of our minds it will affect our moods and emotions. These destructive thoughts become so embedded in our thinking that they cripple us. The longer depression goes untreated the more debilitating our lives will become. One key factor in overcoming depression is reprogramming your thinking (renewing your mind), but that can be difficult to do when you are so deep in the pit of depression that you can hardly get yourself out of the bed.I know from personal experience that when I am depressed, I don't want to do anything, I become easily bored and even though doing something or anything would alleviate the depressive boredom I can not seem to get myself to do it.How can Biblical meditation help? Christian meditation picks you up out of the pits of despair and gets you moving in the right direction towards healing and recovery. If we make it our practice and consistently meditate on the Word , I know that in many cases of depression that Christian meditation will help you to control your thoughts and renew your mind with God's word. Worry is fear and comes from not trusting God to meet your needs, depression is when we take our focus off of God and Jesus and focus our attention on self and our circumstances. What many do not understand about the process of Salvation is that it is not a one time event but a process that continues progressively until our deaths, and this process is by the continual renewing of our minds from how we use to think about life , and our circumstances and our selves to how God wants us to think and have the mind of Christ. Christian Meditation and contemplating , study, and prayer is the Holy Spirit of God's way that this is done..

In his light

Spring blessings

Endura,

THE PROMISES OF GOD, FOR YOU IS?

Yellow rose begonia, from last year garden.

I was never one to make plans in my life, I usually just reacted to what came my way and went from there. Every time it, would seem to me, that I made plans, specifically more detail plans about what I would do or how I was going to spend my day , some how or other it never went the way I planned. So over the years , if I had to make some kind of plan, I would make what I call non specific plans , just planning the essential details and allowing God to do as He wills. Because of the fickleness of life , life just happens and I just go with the flow. I find it best to say if God wills when making plans, and many times my will and God's will don't seem to line up!!!! but I find it scriptural and best to say when and if I must make some plans I just say , 'If it be His will".

But many believers believe it is always God's will for what ever they decide they want to do or believe , is it?
In some Christian circles , it would seem that they would pick up on a certain scripture, a promise that was spoken to some specific individual in the bible and make it their own, with out the Holy Spirit, placing that particular promise in their spirit , as belonging to them personally. By doing that , it makes for a lot of disappointments when that promise given by the Spirit to someone else does not seem to manifest in their own lives. I know that has happened to me. We can not willy nilly apply any promise in the bible to ourselves unless the Holy Spirit lays it in your spirit . I have found that if a particular verse or promise seems to just jump out of the bible at me, that in order for me to make the connection that it applies to me personally ,I ask the Holy Spirit for another witness to confirm what I had received from Spirit in my Bible reading. For instance recently, as I was reading, a scripture which was speaking about the Pharaoh , and this verse specifically applied to Him , but every time I read it , it seems to me that the Spirit was also telling me that it also applied to me, but in a different way. So I asked the Holy Spirit that if this applies to me, I need a witness or two, so that I know it is mine. The scripture is found in :
Romans 9:17 TNIV
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

As we can see in this scripture and promise, that it was spoken to one individual, it was intended for him, but in actuality it speaks to us all, does it not? But back to my example about the 2 witnesses that I needed so that I knew that God was speaking to me as well but for my good, not as in the case of the Pharaoh who was used negatively for the purpose of God , I left may bible reading that day and went on to read other blogs, or other Christian websites, and on 2 different sites, this scripture came up, and it was unintentional on my part, it just happened that this scripture was sited for various reasons, so I had my 2 witnesses, and I know that in agreement with my own conviction that it applied to me as well , I could then claim that verse to me in that the very purpose of my life is so that God's power may be shown in me, and His name declared or proclaimed in all the earth!

As we can see not all scripture can be applied to our lives unless it is Quickened in us by the Spirit of Truth, and when it is, we must verify it with a witness of some sort, otherwise we go around claiming health and prosperity and all kinds of promises , when it may not apply to us.So we claim it as ours making assumptions on God and when it never comes about we begin to doubt the promises of God and His truth, and we become discouraged. We are told in the Word that through much trial, and tribulation and suffering we enter into the Kingdom of God, and we must remember that.
BUT , we must remember that it is impossible to boldly claim, by faith, a blessing that we are not sure God offers. THE POWER OF GOD CAN BE CLAIMED ONLY WHERE THE WILL OF GOD IS KNOWN.
We could not claim even begin to believe that we are saved and made righteous because of Christ without first knowing that it is so and it is God's will.
If it is not God's will to save everyone and only saves some then we do not ever have any basis for faith unless we have a 'special revelation' that we are among the 'favored' ones.Our faith must rest on the will of God alone and not our desires and wishes.Appropriating faith is not believing that God CAN but that God will.
When it comes to healing, of which I am in great need of I might add, I know that there is no doctrine more clearly taught,that it is God's will to heal ALL who have need of healing so that we all can fulfill the number of our days according to His Promise.I also know that sickness is oppresion from the Devil and not from God, although it is allowed into our lives for a reason. Divine healing and salvation of our souls can go no further than the promise of God. Our God does not promise that we will not physically die but He does say .....in Ex.23:25,26 "I will take sickness away from the midst of thee...the number of thy days I will fulfill." and in Psalm 90:10 TNIV
10 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Psalm 102:24 TNIV
24 So I said: "Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.
If we recall that all those that Jesus called back from the dead were young and they had not lived out their fullness of years..........so if our allotted span for life on earth has not been spent we have a right to claim God's gift of health in our lives especially since there are an abundant amount of scriptural promises of health and healing that apply to all.
We can see in the Old Covenant, and our New Covenant which is much better, that Universal Health in the nation of Israel was continued as long as conditions of God were met, but when they did not meet the conditions they were not given Divine health. In all cases where God's conditions were met they had health, and it always applied to ALL.
In Psalm 91:16 TNIV it says:
16 With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation."
Now the individuals that were healed of Jesus in the Gospels was for them, we can't claim their personal gift of healing but we can claim what was given to ALL on Calvary. It is very clear that all of the instances cited in the Old Covenant , that it was God's will to heal all who met His conditions. Where ever forgiveness was offered, healing was offered.

We know or we should know that Jesus was the full expression of the Father's will. His life was both a revelation and a manifestation of the Love and will of God.Jesus literally acted out the will of God for Adam's race. The healing of the sick by Jesus was done as a revelation of God's will for man." And I might add that up unto His death on the Cross He was still working under the conditions of the First 'OLD' Covenant with the people of Israel. Do I or any believer have to depend on Divine revelation for Healing instead of believing what the promises are in Scriptures on this topic? We have a sure word in scriptures what the Will of God is on Healing in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV it says 13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
If you or I was in those crowds that followed Jesus 2000 years ago and He healed all of them, you and I would have been healed just as they were !
Many people believe that Jesus healed ONLY to make it known that He was of God, but the scriptures clearly teach that this was not always the case many times it says in Matt 12:15-16...."15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him."
Many believed healing was just for people of that time, but we have evidence in the word that healing occurred 30 years later in the last chapter of Acts 28:8-9" 8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed"
The same healing was available after Pentecost that Christ had displayed before!!! The word says that we have been redeemed from the curse of the law Gal.3:13 The curse of the law contains All diseases known and unknown .
Many believe that the suffering we are to go through includes sickness, really? does it say that? IF sickness and disease is of God for us to learn something then why do we go to the Doctor? Aren't we thwarting Gods will for us to be Sick?Does God use sickness and disease to 'chastise' us? Yes when we disobey sickness may be permitted as discipline but God has told us how to avoid and avert this "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world." 1Cor.11:31-32.These chastisements come to save us from final judgement. When we see the cause of the chastising and turn from it God promises it shall be withdrawn.As soon as we judge ourselves and learn our lesson then we are promised that we shall not be judged. By self judgement we may avoid chastening. Divine healing is not unconditionally promised to all Christians regardless of our conduct, it is for those who believe and obey.
Soteria is the Greek word for Salvation and it means or implies deliverance, preservation,healing,health, soundness. It is applied to the soul sometimes and sometimes to the body only. Sozo is Greek for saved and it means healed,made sound, made whole. It means both salvation and saved for our spirits and our bodies . In Ephesians 5:23..... even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."

I don't believe disease and sickness is the 'suffering' that the Christian is to go through, This suffering, the trials and tribulations that we go through is because we are Christian, and is done to us for that reason. Or because of the word, Sickness or what ever else that is permitted because we have allowed something in our lives that is not Gods will for us and so because we have not continuously judged ourselves God allows things to happen in order to get us back on track for the Glory of God, sickness is not holy neither is poverty, but it is permitted because we have allowed it so by not keeping God as our focus in some aspects of our lives. Sickness and poverty does not make us holy, God does, Sickness and poverty does not glorify God, but if we are dealing with them we can glorify God while there, but it would be better not to be there in the first place, you think?I am not saying that we all should walk in health and wealth all the time, but I do know that God created our bodies to heal it self when given the right conditions of nutrients, sunlight, living water , exercise and so forth. I know from my experience that I was more likely not to follow the path of Christ when I was healthy and busy and on the go and I was the main focus ,but then when I got to the point that I no longer could do what I use to because of chronic pain and arthritis and a hip no longer able to handle walking, that Christ became more of my focus, so I know that in my case disease was used to get me back on course.
How much faith does it take to say that the Lord is Able? The devil knows God is able and he knows He is willing.But the fact that God is willing, Satan has deluded us from knowing this. We can magnify the Lord's power but this is not sufficient basis for faith, but that God is compassionate and is willing are a basis for our faith.We must first know that The Lord is Gracious and IS willing to save our bodies as He saves our souls. We must come to know that God is both able and willing to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! Are you aware that Healing is the greatest evangelizing agency that the Lord ever used?
We are not preaching nor are we living the same Gospel/Good News that was preached by Jesus and His Apostles! At least I have not been!!! The Good news, the Gospel did not end with the Apostles, it began , it started then and is ever progressing today until He returns. This Gospel the one Jesus proclaimed, is to be preached in all the world, is it?
The 7 blessings of His covenant are-His Presence, as Provider,Peace/Shalom,Victory,Shepard,Righteousness and as our Physician.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BOLDLY CLAIM BY FAITH A BLESSING THAT WE ARE NOT CERTAIN GOD OFFERS. THE POWER OF GOD CAN BE CLAIMED ONLY WHERE THE WILL OF GOD IS KNOWN.
Our faith begins where the will of God is known, our faith rest on the will of God alone, not our desires or wishes.Appropriating faith is not believing God Can but that He Will. Those who believe in healing or salvation of our souls but only say one word in favor of it but 10 words against it, can not ever produce faith for healing or salvation of our souls.
Faith is expecting God to do what we KNOW it is His will to do.This faith comes by hearing the Word the promises of God to do it.
Acting our faith by praising and thanking God in advance has been throughout history, His appointed way for our appropriation of all His blessings. Heb.13:15 teaches that it is our thanks offering, our sacrifice of praise offered in advance for the blessing God has promised us.Faith is what we have before we are healed or saved, when it is done, it is fact.

So in conclusion, is the promise to someone only spoken of in the Bible?In some cases it is unless God quickens it in our spirit that it is meant for you in that instance, but the promise of salvation is for ALL and we have a sure word on it , that it applies to you and I, and when we know it applies to all, it is ours . When it is for a single individual in the word, we then need a few other witnesses that it is ours, then when we have it, by faith we can have it.
So yes we must suffer, have trials and tribulations, there is no escape from that, but this is for the word sake, and for Christ and for being a Christian that this is mostly talking about , I believe, sickness and disease is not given to us because of our walk as a believer, but may be permitted in our lives because we did not judge ourselves, I am no scholar and I am aware that God is God and what ever is permitted in our lives we must after prayerfully checking in and seeing whether or not we have got off tract, and once we know we must deal with it in light of the Spirit's leading,we can be sure that God knows what is best and needed in our lives and like Paul we need to be content with that and thank God in all circumstances of our lives. So we must always be alert and listen to what God speaks to us from our spirits.
So what do I say to myself, and to others who have not been healed, we need to look at our lives more closely and by the spirit receive what is being said to us in this sickness, did we miss the mark somewhere? We must also come to a place in our walk with God to be steadfast and assured of His promises and know that what ever the reason , God is in control, and that His purpose IS being worked out in our lives , we must be able even when we do not see the answer to stand none the less and be like the 3 faithful witnesses of God mentioned in Daniel 3:16-18 KJV 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Sometimes there is alot of time gap between our prayer of faith and its results, and it is in that time period that our faith is being tested , as the bible gives witness to in the lives of the faithful like Joesph and Abraham and so forth, many years passed between what was promised and it's fulfillment, and so it will be with us as well. Even in Daniel we have 2 instances of his prayers both were answered immediately in spirit, one fulfilled quickly the other took a 21 days.Read Daniel9:20-23 and in 10:11-14. So just because our prayers don't seem to be answered especially as we stand on His promises that we know are ours, we must remember that there are many things behind the scenes that we are not privy to , and so must in faith continue to stand, as is said in Eph.6:13 that after we have done all that we know to do,STAND. What is it we must do, judge ourselves , check and see that we are obeying what we KNOW to do, check the scriptures to know that we are standing on the sure word of truth and that His promise does apply to that situation, pray in faith, and then stand, and praise God for the results!!!!

There is no silver bullet,there's no formula for a miracle and no other criteria for healing except GOD'S WILL for the person. When He speaks it, He brings it to pass, man's sickness is an opportunity to see God's glory. He also heals through doctors, modern medicine, and any other means He chooses to deliver us from what oppresses us.The long and short of healing is that when God speaks it, we are healed; if He doesn't, we're not.The only thing that keeps me sane is knowing God has a purpose for it all, and it will be for our good and His glory.

But although health and wealth would be nice to have, our main focus in life is Seeking our God,Knowing our God and walking with our God, and everything else will be took care of in God's time and in His will and plan.

Blessings in His Name

ENDURA

This Was From Me

Orthodox Holiness
This Was From Me
This Was From Me

The Spiritual Testament of St Seraphim of Vyritsa (1866-1949)

Written to one of the saint's spiritual children, a bishop who had been imprisoned, this testament is in fact addressed to us all.


Have you ever thought that all that concerns you
concerns Me too? For that which concerns you
concerns the apple of My eye.
You are precious in My sight, of great worth,
and I have loved you, and so it is a special joy for Me to feed you.
When temptations rise up against you, when the enemy surges up like the sea,
I want you to know that


This was from Me.

That your infirmity needs My strength
and that your safety consists in you
giving Me the chance to defend you.
Are you in difficult circumstances,
among people, who do not understand you,
who do not consider what is pleasant for you,
who cast you aside, -


This was for Me.

I am your God, Who decides on your circumstances,
and it is not by chance that you are where you are:
it is the very place that I appointed for you.
Did you not ask that I teach you humility?
And behold I have placed you in that very place,
that school where this lesson can be learned.
Those who are around you and those who live with you merely do
My will. Do you have difficulties with money,
is it difficult for you to make ends meet, know that


This was from Me.

For I dispose of your means and I want
you to come running to Me and know that you depend
on Me. My reserves are inexhaustible. I want
you to be convinced of My faithfulness and My pledges.
May they not be able to say to you
in your need: Do not believe in your Lord God.
Have you lived through the night in sorrow?
Are you parted from those who are near and dear to your heart -



This was sent from me to you.

I am the man of sorrows, who has known illnesses,
I permitted this, that you might turn to Me
and find everlasting comfort in Me.
Have you been betrayed by your friend, by one
to whom you had opened your heart, -


This was from Me.

I permitted this disillusionment to touch you,
that you might see that your best friend is the Lord.
I want you to bring all things to Me and speak to Me.
Have you been slandered, leave this to Me
and in your soul cling closer to Me, your refuge,
To shelter from disputing tongues,
I shall reveal your truth like the light
and your destiny like the noonday.
Have your plans come to naught, is your heart weary
And grown tired -


This was from Me.

You made your plans, you had your intentions,
and you brought them to me for Me to bless them.
But I want you to leave Me to decide and guide the circumstances
of your life, for you are only a tool,
and not the leading role.
Unexpected failures in life have come to you
And despondency has taken hold of your heart, know -



This was from Me.

For I want your heart and your soul
always to be aflame in My sight
and to conquer all faint-heartedness through My name.
Have you not received news from people near
and dear to you,
in your faint-heartedness and weakness of faith
have you fallen into murmuring and despair, know -


This was from Me.

For through this weariness of your spirit I am testing
the strength of your faith in the unchangingness of your pledges
and the strength of boldness of your prayer for those near to you,
for was it not you who entrusted your cares for them
to my providential love?
Is it not you who now entrust them to the Protection of My Most Pure Mother?
Has serious illness befallen you,
whether passing or incurable,
and have you been bedridden -


This was from Me.

For I want you to know Me even more deeply
in your bodily infirmities and not to murmur because of this
trial sent down to you,
and not to strive to comprehend My plans
for the salvation of human souls in diverse ways,
but to bow your head without murmur and in submission
beneath My goodness for you.
Did you dream of doing some
Special task for Me
And instead of this did you take to your bed of illness and infirmity -


This was from Me.

For then you were taken up with your affairs,
And I could not draw your thoughts to Me,
but I want to teach you My deepest thoughts
and lessons, that you might be in My service.
I want to teach you to realize that you are nothing without Me.
Some of My finest servants are those
who are cut off from outward activity,
that they may be taught
to wield the weapon of unceasing prayer.
Have you unexpectedly been called to take up a difficult
And responsible position, relying on Me,
I entrust these difficulties to you,
and for this your Lord God will bless you in all your affairs,
in all your ways, in all things
may your Guide and Instructor be your Lord.
This day I have given into your hand, My child,
this vessel of holy oil,
use it freely.
Always remember that every difficulty that arises,
every word that offends you, every vanity and condemnation,
every obstacle in your work
that could vex and disappoint you,
every revelation of your infirmity and inability
will be anointed with this oil -


This was from Me.

Remember that every obstacle is a Divine instruction,
And therefore take to heart My word,
that I have proclaimed to you this day -


This was from Me.

Guard these words, know and remember - always wherever you may be, -
That every pain may be made dull, when you learn
in all things to see Me.
Everything has been sent by Me for the perfection of your soul -


All this was from Me.


(Translation by Fr Andrew, from St Seraphim of Vyritsa, compiled by Alexander Trofimov, Theophania 2004)

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My devotion and prayer today

Psalm 139:7-12 TNIV
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

Are we really aware that Our God is everywhere! We don't need to go anywhere to search for our Maker, for He is everywhere we are. Where ever I go You Lord are there!
Is that nothing but awesome! We go on our daily search to find God, and there He is in all the Creation! For the Creation , the Mountains, the Seas, the Deserts, the Valleys all declare the glory of our Maker, our Divine Parent who visited us in the lowly form of a man and we call His name Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah , Christ, and we need not look no further than Him to understand the love, the compassion, the mercy, the forgiveness, the reconciliation of man to God, and it was all done through the life,crucifixion ,death, and power of the resurrection!
Jesus Christ IS the clearest way to grow , and the only way to be in the presence of God and to be in a personal relationship with God.It is done by the very power of His Spirit who resides within the believer who has accepted the gift of the Grace of God given to us by none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh the power of this knowledge.

Can I join in song with Mary the Mother of Jesus and adore Him!
Mary's Song in Luke1:46-53
46 And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.

I join with Her, for Mary represents to me How I too have been given from the Holy Spirit of the Most High, Jesus Christ within me, who is being formed in me so that when He comes again that I too will be like HIM.Mary , to me represents how we submit and humbly accept His spirit in us so that it will grow and come to full maturity in us. Oh the thought of that.

Psalm 51:1-3 TNIV.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise

As God the lover of my very Soul, cleanses me I can be assured that He is ever with me where ever I may go.

Psalm 23 TNIV
1 The LORD is (truly) my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Let me rest, 0h God, in the thought that all that matters is that I should rejoice to be thy daughter, a child who can never fall out of your loving care, and let me be willing to follow the pathway of Your will in each circumstance that arises without chafing to be here or there or to do this or that.
So, I pray to you My God, bring me to the end of this day without dishonor and to my journey's end in Shalom . Hear me now as I make Intercession for:

FOR President Obama, his wife, and his family.
For those who are working for the peace/shalom of the world.
For all who serve in the Cabinet and in the Senate and House of Representatives.
For all who hold positions of responsibility in universities and colleges.
For all who teach in schools.
For all ministers of the gospel.
For all fathers and mothers and guardians of children.
For all whose written words in books and newspapers influence the thoughts and actions of others.
All who bear responsibility. All who contribute to either peace /shalom or strife.
Grant, 0 Lord, that their influence may be used always to bring peace/shalom to the world, peace/shalom within the
Church, peace/shalom in the life of the home, and peace/shalom in the hearts of men.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.