As I listened to the prayer requests I was reminded of a song I learned long ago. "Jesus said, 'Come to the water stand by my side. I know you are thirsting; you will not be denied. I felt every tear drop, when in darkness you cried. And I stove to remind you that for those tears I died.'"
The longest recorded conversation Jesus had with anyone was based around a request for water. But the strange thing is that Jesus was the one who made the request. The woman to whom Jesus said,"Give me a drink," was someone who probably knew the taste of tears. In exchange for a drink from the well he offered her the gift of living water.
That would not be the only time Jesus offered living water. "On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him,'" (John 7:37)
"Come, everyone who is thirsty,come to the waters; come you without money, come buy, and eat!" (Isaiah 55:1) The living water that Jesus offered did have a price but it was a price that he paid. On the cross Jesus' s strength was dried up like baked clay; his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth and he cried out, "I thirst!" He experienced physical thirst so that he could offer all who would come to him relief from their spiritual thirst.
"'Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation,' With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2,3) So for all who are thirsty hear the invitation of Jesus, "Come to the water stand by my side. I know you are thirsting; you will not be denied. I felt every tear drop when in darkness you cried. And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died."
Monday, August 31, 2015
Saturday, August 29, 2015
With the Eyes of a Dove
"You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble, You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance."(Psalm 32:7) Sometimes I need a hiding place, a place my heart can go when life overwhelms me. This is when I lift my eyes to the One who truly sees me and has promised that with his eyes on me he will give me counsel.
These are the eyes that range throughout the earth to show himself strong for those whose hearts are completely his. His eyes have sought me and found me and my eyes are locked on his eyes. Even though a storm is raging all around me knowing that I have a God who really sees me allows me to experience a peace that I cannot explain because I don't really understand it.
"How beautiful you are, my darling. How beautiful! Your eyes are like doves."(Song of Songs 1:15) Because doves have binocular vision they can only focus on one thing at a time. The One in whom I have chosen to place my trust is also the One on whom I have fixed my gaze. A dove is also a symbol of peace. I have found peace within, regardless of my circumstances, when I keep my eyes on Jesus. He is both the source and the perfecter my peace.
Sometimes I find myself hiding in the clefts of the rock and in the crevices of the cliff waiting for the threatening storms to pass. The storms make me aware of my vulnerability. I am hiding from the things I fear but I am found by the One who looks after me. I look into his eyes and I hear the reassuring voice of the One who loves me calling to me. "Arise, my darling. Come away, my beautiful one. For now the winter is past ; the rain has ended and gone away."(Song of Songs 2:10)
When I was a young girl I used to pray that when God looked on me that he would smile. Now I think that it is a wonder beyond all wonders that God would look on me at all. Yet I have discovered what makes him smile. I have discovered what makes me precious in his eyes. When my spirit is gentled and quieted within me in the midst difficulties of life, when I have found in him my hiding place, a place of refuge where I look on him with the fixed and trusting gaze of a dove. This, this makes him smile.
These are the eyes that range throughout the earth to show himself strong for those whose hearts are completely his. His eyes have sought me and found me and my eyes are locked on his eyes. Even though a storm is raging all around me knowing that I have a God who really sees me allows me to experience a peace that I cannot explain because I don't really understand it.
"How beautiful you are, my darling. How beautiful! Your eyes are like doves."(Song of Songs 1:15) Because doves have binocular vision they can only focus on one thing at a time. The One in whom I have chosen to place my trust is also the One on whom I have fixed my gaze. A dove is also a symbol of peace. I have found peace within, regardless of my circumstances, when I keep my eyes on Jesus. He is both the source and the perfecter my peace.
Sometimes I find myself hiding in the clefts of the rock and in the crevices of the cliff waiting for the threatening storms to pass. The storms make me aware of my vulnerability. I am hiding from the things I fear but I am found by the One who looks after me. I look into his eyes and I hear the reassuring voice of the One who loves me calling to me. "Arise, my darling. Come away, my beautiful one. For now the winter is past ; the rain has ended and gone away."(Song of Songs 2:10)
When I was a young girl I used to pray that when God looked on me that he would smile. Now I think that it is a wonder beyond all wonders that God would look on me at all. Yet I have discovered what makes him smile. I have discovered what makes me precious in his eyes. When my spirit is gentled and quieted within me in the midst difficulties of life, when I have found in him my hiding place, a place of refuge where I look on him with the fixed and trusting gaze of a dove. This, this makes him smile.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
The Gift of Worship
It was dark when I got out of bed and sought refuge on the porch.The day before I had gone to Vanderbilt where they explained the twelve hour brain surgery I was facing and the possible repercussions. This information was hard to process and it made it difficult for me to sleep.
The night sky was black but the blackness of the sky was simply a backdrop for the brightness of the stars. As I sat on the porch gazing into the heavens I released my spirit from the dungeon of darkness and let it soar as I listened to the declaration of God's glory proclaimed in the night sky. The brightness of the stars breathed peace into my troubled heart.
The stars in the heavens are firmly fixed in their place; they are steadfast and immovable. They show the handiwork of their Creator. Sitting on my porch cloaked in the heaviness of the information I had received I needed to hear their message. Starring into the grandeur of the scene before me I heard the God of all creation whisper to my listening heart,"Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord." It was an invitation to trust. It was an invitation to worship.
As the darkness of the sky was illuminated by the celestial light of the stars, the darkness of my heart was illuminated by worship. Worship became a portal through which I encountered God clothed with majesty and splendor. In the quiet of the dark I saw Him wrapped in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, and inviting me to find rest for my soul in His faithful love.
I had been awaken in the night with a deep since of vulnerability but as I opened my heart to hear the message of the heavens I found peace. My heart began to sing an ancient song of praise. "Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the sky. How precious is your steadfast love, O my God! In the darkness of the night you invite me to find refuge in the shadow of your wings. When my heart is heavy you invite me to feast and to drink from the river of your delight. For with you is the fountain of life; and in the darkest night I am able see light in your light." Truly, this is the gift of worship!
The night sky was black but the blackness of the sky was simply a backdrop for the brightness of the stars. As I sat on the porch gazing into the heavens I released my spirit from the dungeon of darkness and let it soar as I listened to the declaration of God's glory proclaimed in the night sky. The brightness of the stars breathed peace into my troubled heart.
The stars in the heavens are firmly fixed in their place; they are steadfast and immovable. They show the handiwork of their Creator. Sitting on my porch cloaked in the heaviness of the information I had received I needed to hear their message. Starring into the grandeur of the scene before me I heard the God of all creation whisper to my listening heart,"Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord." It was an invitation to trust. It was an invitation to worship.
As the darkness of the sky was illuminated by the celestial light of the stars, the darkness of my heart was illuminated by worship. Worship became a portal through which I encountered God clothed with majesty and splendor. In the quiet of the dark I saw Him wrapped in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, and inviting me to find rest for my soul in His faithful love.
I had been awaken in the night with a deep since of vulnerability but as I opened my heart to hear the message of the heavens I found peace. My heart began to sing an ancient song of praise. "Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the sky. How precious is your steadfast love, O my God! In the darkness of the night you invite me to find refuge in the shadow of your wings. When my heart is heavy you invite me to feast and to drink from the river of your delight. For with you is the fountain of life; and in the darkest night I am able see light in your light." Truly, this is the gift of worship!
Saturday, August 22, 2015
When Storm Clouds Gather
There is the threat of a storm on the horizon, foreboding signs that point to unwelcome changes. There are many who are warning that this September will bring with it fearful changes in the economy as well as our security. How should people who have put their trust in the unfailing, faithful love of God respond to an ominous future?
"These are My appointed times," God spoke of seven appointed times in the book of Leviticus the last one will take place this year in September, it is The Festival of Booths. This is a time when God invites His people celebrate the truth God provides for those who put their trust in Him.
For seven days those who celebrate the Festival of Booths will live in temporary dwellings to commemorate the sheltering of the Israelites in the wilderness. During this time God also invites His people to rejoice as they remember how He not only lead them through the wilderness but also provided everything they needed. Every morning He provided bread from Heaven and when they were thirsty He provided water from the rock. Neither thier shoes nor their clothes wore out. God has not changed and even though we face uncertain times one thing has not changed God offers us shelter beneath His faithful wing of protection.
This was a harvest celebration and on the last day of the festival they would have a water-drawing ceremony. In Egypt the Nile was the source of water but in the Promised Land they were dependant on rain from the heavens. They prayed for rain but they didn't beg instead they praised God for His faithfulness; they praised Him for His unfailing love. This was a time of great joy.
They were not only thanking God for providing literal water they were looking forward to the days of messianic redemption when the waters of the Holy Spirit would be poured out. How did Jesus respond to this feast? "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "From his innermost being will flow rivers of living waters. '""(John 7:37-38)
So how should Christians respond to uncertain times? I find the answer in Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is the verse I'm holding onto as I await the coming of September.
"These are My appointed times," God spoke of seven appointed times in the book of Leviticus the last one will take place this year in September, it is The Festival of Booths. This is a time when God invites His people celebrate the truth God provides for those who put their trust in Him.
For seven days those who celebrate the Festival of Booths will live in temporary dwellings to commemorate the sheltering of the Israelites in the wilderness. During this time God also invites His people to rejoice as they remember how He not only lead them through the wilderness but also provided everything they needed. Every morning He provided bread from Heaven and when they were thirsty He provided water from the rock. Neither thier shoes nor their clothes wore out. God has not changed and even though we face uncertain times one thing has not changed God offers us shelter beneath His faithful wing of protection.
This was a harvest celebration and on the last day of the festival they would have a water-drawing ceremony. In Egypt the Nile was the source of water but in the Promised Land they were dependant on rain from the heavens. They prayed for rain but they didn't beg instead they praised God for His faithfulness; they praised Him for His unfailing love. This was a time of great joy.
They were not only thanking God for providing literal water they were looking forward to the days of messianic redemption when the waters of the Holy Spirit would be poured out. How did Jesus respond to this feast? "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "From his innermost being will flow rivers of living waters. '""(John 7:37-38)
So how should Christians respond to uncertain times? I find the answer in Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is the verse I'm holding onto as I await the coming of September.
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