Category: Meditation

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Godliness

“Godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing in the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7 NASB

Godly contentment seems like a lofty goal since we are plagued with constant messages of volatile markets, and  ever – changing political climates both here and aboard.  The harbingers of doom and gloom-the news and entertainment media fill the airwaves with images of death, destruction, grief, sorrow.  And along with these are the conveyors of every conceivable pleasure laden items, and substances, all waiting to snatch away our peace of mind.  “Vanities of vanities, all is vanity.”  How can one expect to maintain a sense of peace within or achieve Godliness?  1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” NIV

God promised our minds would flow and remain in perfect peace and harmony when we focus on Him.  We will never be content with this world’s vain riches.  Nor can our minds withstand the endless onslaught of messages and images designed to attract and distract us from our divine purpose.  Our soul craves for the living, soothing water of Christ-the Prince of Peace.   It is His message, and His image that establishes contentment and peace. Only with the power and presence of Christ can we place all things and experiences in their proper place.    “The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof.”  Recognizing everything belongs to the Lord, and that we are merely His stewards means freedom.   So let go of the entanglements, and the sin that so easily besets us, and lay hold of the peace and contentment that passes all understanding through Christ, our King.

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Awareness

The recent joy of our niece’s high school graduation was also wrapped in sorrow because of passing of our last uncle.  Family members are experiencing different and varied streams of emotions of joy, sadness, pride, regret, fear, guilt, love and hope.  Life transitions should increase our awareness and reflection, if we are to learn and grow from them.  If not, the law of diminishing returns will activate, and those clanging bells and cymbals will captivate our thoughts like a video game filled with a vortex of fragmented situations and circumstances.

In the midst of the joyous, and the profound, stop, and allow God’s wisdom to guide you.  Hidden within each experience is God.  His presence shining through reminds us that all things are His, and on loan to us. This is His time, His people, His world.

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The Game-Postscript

In my last post I incorrectly quoted from the movie Pollyanna.  The inscription on her necklace was “If you look for the bad in people you shall surely find it”, Abraham Lincoln.    The major theme of the movie was to look for the good, not the bad.  Whatever you look for in people, you will see it.

Philippians 4: 8 [KJV]  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.   Form an opinion of those things which heighten, elevate us and those around us.   People need to see the true, see integrity, see justice, purity, beauty, and the good.  They need to see they are made in the image of God.

The moment we behold [with our soul] as with the clear light of Christ, we are transformed, and so is our world.   Light removes the darkness.  It penetrates the heart and spirit, and take us to the sacred place of forgiveness and love.

Your good eyes shining on the poor soul who has lost their way will be like a drop of water in the dry desert.  Let resolve ourselves to see the good, and share the Good News today.

 

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Purpose

God told the prophet Jeremiah that before he was formed in his mother’s womb He knew the thoughts He had for him. God had set Jeremiah apart to be a prophet. He was purposed for a very particular assignment. An assignment with an expected (good) end. It is amazing to think how much God loves and wants for us. That even before our first heartbeat, God already has the best possible plans for us.

Throughout scripture you find stories of real life people who discovered their purpose. Whether it was to lead a nation, birth a king, warn individuals, provide protection, or bring salvation to the world, there was a specific, glorious purpose. Whether you call it destiny or purpose, you should take comfort in knowing God has it already laid out. His plans for us are the very, very best. Each plan specific and carefully designed only for you.  When you are feeling down, uncertain about the direction of your life, seek the Creator. Ask God, what are your plans for me? Help me to find them, Lord. And also say to God I am willing to do and go wherever. Then re-purposed “you” into the divinely designed vessel by God for an expected end.

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Pursue Unity

No wars, no fighting, no bombs, or guns, military or the need for borders to be protected.  No court systems, or prisons or jails, think of it…a world without the chaos, turmoil devoid of conflict, strife.  A place where people live in harmony working out their differences in ways which respects the inherent value of the other person.  A tall order!  A world where peace reign supreme.  What’s happening in your world today?  Are you pursuing unity?  How about that family member, or co-worker who got on your nerve yesterday or even this morning?  Are you pursuing unity or your position?  Think about the disagreement, or grudge you’ve held for the past days, or months, or years…has it been resolved?  Is the relationship with the other person been restored?  Or are you carrying weight from years of pursuing pain, bitterness, disagreements, fighting?

2 Corinthians 13:11 said  “Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”  Be of one mind, live in peace and God will be with you.   Think of it – God will be with you if you be of one mind-his mind and live in peace with others. We don’t have to spend our lives in constant conflict and turmoil. We don’t have to begin the day in dread and fear because of misunderstandings over some trivial matter or thing, or the important matter of the day.  Someone once asked the question, “Do your words and actions pursue a path of peace?” in a book I read.  I pondered how many times, and often  I personally pursued peace and unity.  When I did, I experienced the peace of God, and my world was filled with more love, joy, peace, happiness than turmoil, strife, and pain.  I also have realized that if I did not pursue unity then I experienced and carried the weight of the alternative.

God wants us to pursue unity with each other, and within ourselves.  Listen to God’s voice, pursue unity today, and experience peace.

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Life Eternal

Life eternal—eternal love. Nicholas of Cusa was a Christian mystic who lived during the 1400s wrote Vision of God. One quote that touched me deeply last night was “Life eternal is nought other than that blessed regard wherewith Thou never ceasest to behold me, yea, even the secret places of my soul. With Thee to behold is to give life; ’tis unceasingly to impart sweetest love of Thee; ’tis to inflame me to love of Thee by love’s imparting, and to feed me by inflaming, and by feeding to kindle my yearning, and by kindling to make me drink of the dew of gladness, and by drinking to infuse in me a fountain of life, and by infusing to make it increase and endure.”

To know love so completely that you glow with the radiant light of the Son. To feel the warm embrace of His loving arms around you in any and all situations. To see His loving reflection in your eyes, and know that all is well with your soul. That is life eternal.

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Gentleness

Galatians 5:22-24 New International Version (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Philippians 4:4-6 New International Version (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossians 3:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Timothy 6:10-12 New International Version (NIV)
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Peter 3:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

The spirit of gentleness is like a shining garment woven with thread of goodness and strength that provides comfort, security, and faith. Pick up the garment of gentleness, wear it well, and then share it with others.

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Thou Shalt Love

We shall love you O God. Dr. Howard Thurman in his book, Meditations of the Heart wrote,… “There must be for me a deep sense of relatedness to God.”  This connection in our soul and spirit should open us up to, as he puts it “more and more springs of energy and power, which will enable me to thread life’s mysteries with life’s clue,” and by doing so you and I give ourselves totally to love in God.  Then loving myself, my neighbor as myself, and loving God creates energy and power.  You become tender without being soft; gracious without being ingratiating; kind without being sentimental, and understanding without being judgmental.  Loving becomes an integral part of you and what you are. You hold onto life with the strings or bands of love that do not contributes to hate or being unloving. You study how to be a reflection of God’s love.  

 Psalm 48:9 reads “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.”

With meditating on Love-Divine, you shall love God, yourself and your neighbor. Amazing,isn’t it?