Nursing and Rehearsing the Hurts of the Past

Nursing and Rehearsing the Past or Walking in the Wonder of New Life in God?

When we nurse and rehearse the disappointments and hurts of our past we miss what God has for us today. If we, like the man in the Gospels who had been forgiven much by the king are unwilling to forgive those who have hurt or disappointed us and who owe us comparatively little compared to what God forgave us, we are in danger of losing the very freedom Christ died for.

Matt 18: 21-35 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? 22 Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.23 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.26 The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.28 But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me' he demanded.29 His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'30 But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.32 Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.35 This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart. NIV

All of us experience hurt, disappointment and pain at the hands or because of the mouths of people who are acting out of the best intentions. These people may be passionately serving God and due to their own character weakness or lack of wisdom and understanding disappoint or hurt us.

Sometimes the more passionate ones are the most harmful because they act with great force to do what is right. Although we do not want to stifle passion we do want to temper it with wisdom and Godly compassion. I Corinthians 13:4-7 states that love keeps no record of wrongs.4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.NIV

The next time you get to talk to someone or a group of people ask them if they enjoy being around people who are angry, complaining and bitter all of the time. Most people will say NO. Psalm 1:1-2 tells us about the person who sat in the seat of the scornful, Blessed is the manWho walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. NKJV

This was a person who sat at the gate of the city and rehearsed to everyone who would come by his plight. They would nurse their wound by telling everyone how they were wronged and by doing this to gain favor so that their cause would be supported and they would be judged innocent and the one with whom they had complaint would have to act to make things right.When we were transferred out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of the son of God's love Col 1:13-14 we had the penalty and the shame of sin removed from us.13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins NIV

When we refuse to forgive others we sit in the seat of the scornful and bring our lives back into darkness because we shut ourselves off from God's life giving Spirit when we cling to the filthy rags of someone's sin against us. We cannot cling to death and darkness and walk in the light and life God want us to each day.

Today God has given you a wonderful opportunity to live for Him in freedom and experiencing the fullness of His love for you.I am not saying this is easy or that it might not take time and hard work, but we have a choice to make.Are you ready to become to forgive, let go and move onto the life that God desires for you or are you going to rehearse your story and nurse your wounds for all to see that you are unwilling to move on to the new things God has waiting?

Rejecting God's love will not resolve your issues. He is waiting for you to forgive as you have been forgiven!

The Fire of His Presence

The natural inclination of people when we believe we have heard from God about a Vision or plan for ministry is to run out and find the best possible way to build it. There are lots of great sermons and books on developing your dream or vision for ministry. It has been said,
"God has Called, You have Answered, You Have been Preparing, Now Begin to Build it."


This sound like the beginning for a good teaching, but there is a missing element without which this will be us attempting to
fulfill the Supernatural Vision God has given us with the plans and ideas of people. It might even be a good plan, but without the "Fire of God's Presence", it is a plan that will not produce the fruit God has desired!


Throughout the Bible Fire is seen as bringing Purity, representing the Glory of God, or the results of God's Presence. Today we are often so busy 'doing the work of the ministry', that we fail to spend time in God's presence where the Fire of His presence can accomplish its work in making us like Him.
What do I mean by this? The following points will help us in our understanding.
1. When Moses came down from the mountain after spending 40 days in God's presence or Glory his face was aglow 'literally' with the Glow or Glory of God's presence.
2. In the New Testament, the word that is added when speaking about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has within it the the imagery of the dying of a garment or the pickling of a cucumber.
3. There are certain text that speak clearly to the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, but there are additional text which speak about additional or fresh fillings with the Holy Spirit.


From these verses we can say that the more you are filled with His Spirit the More like Him you will become. The more we are in His presence the more we not only become like Him but the more we know His heart and His Mind and ways.
This knowing the Heart of the Father, the Mind of Christ and The Power of the Spirit. Comes as we learn of Him and obey what we see and know Him to do and be.


His Word plays a key role in this but we must be wise in using His Word as it can be a weapon of both life and death.
Prayer plays a important role as well. When we communicate both in communication with him and meditation of His Word and His Ways as evidenced there we build a relationship from which we can know His heart.
Worship, praise and adoration in word, in song and with instruments lift Him up and help us come into proper alignment with Him. We could on on to speak of all of the Spiritual disciplines, but the point is we must have a relationship of our who being, Spirit, Soul (mind, will + emotion) and Body with Him. This relation must be on His terms as declared in His Word (the Bible).


Our relationship with Him must be one in which we begin to realize these two truth:
1. we are in the world but not of it.
2. in Him we live and move and have our being.


It seems that we want a relationship with God that is based on our preferences, but a review of the interactions of God with people in the Bible are varied in many ways. What is never varied is that He is a Supernatural being interacting with His creation.
So, let us seek Him, 'the author and finisher of our faith.'
So, let us make Him and not our labor for Him our number priority.
So, let us spend time in His presence as outlined above.
So, let it be known far and wide that we continue this relationship through out the day and not just in a devotional time or place.


In closing we can have an exciting relationship with Him every day all day without being so 'heavenly Minded that we are no Earthly Good."

The more we are in His presence the easier it is to hear His voice, know His ways and see His power displayed in the lives of people.

Then His plans and Visions for ministry that He gives us will have the Owners authority and Imprint!


Artwork at: Given for You by Graham Braddock http://www.christian-artprints.com/Christian%20art%20-%20Given%20for%20you%20-%20Braddock.htm

God Calls us Clothed in His Glory

God Calls us Clothed in His Glory and Power through the putting on of Christ, Genesis 3:21, Luke 24:49, Gal 3:27

In Genesis 3:7 it says, Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apron like girdles. AMP

In Gen 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. NASU

Prior to this they were covered with the Glory of God because they were made in His likeness and were therefore sinless. When they chose to believe Lucifer and not God the likeness of God was removed and they saw themselves as naked or they saw themselves without the likeness or glory of God and with the nakedness of sin. Because of this they sought to cover themselves with fig leaves. God covered them with the skins of slain animals to show them that He not only cared about their natural lives that would need more than leaves but that He was making a way through the shedding of blood to restore their relationship with Him and would restore the covering of His glory.

When Jesus was praying for the disciples in John 17:22 he said that He had given them the Glory that the father had given Him which is referred to in John 1:14.

John 17:22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;  John 1:14-15 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. NASB

God created us to be clothed in His Glory and to be like Him. In the New covenant we can once again be clothed in His Glory and Power by being clothed with Christ. We see these truths in Luke 24:49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." and Gal 3:27. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NASU

Today ask yourself, “Am I putting on Christ and walking in God’s glory so that my sinfulness is swallowed up in His power and glory?” Remember, that Jesus died and was raised from the dead so that you might live the life God has always intended for you, in His glory and power as you put on Christ.

© Copywrite 2011, Wayne Newcomb

Like God

Like God or In God’s Image, Gen 1:26-27
Names of the Believer part 3

 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. NASU

This is an awesome passage and truth. God said “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. There are many wonderful qualities that we have because we are made in His image. We have free will, we are a three part being, we can create and pro-create. More than all of these we are in His image and likeness. We can look hard to discover the many ways we are like Him, but the easiest is look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith Hebrews 12:2.

In Heb 1:3 we see Jesus as the, ‘He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature.’

3 He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. AMP

What does it mean to be in His image? The starting place may be Gen 1:26 but the practical starting place to see that truth in the flesh is Jesus.

Some people say that because of sin the image of God has been marred in us, and while that may be true Rom 8:29-30 and Col 3:10 tell us that we are renewed and restored or molded into His image.

29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]. AMP

  Col 3:10:  And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.  [Gen 1: AMP

Today begin to be transformed as you bring your life into alignment with these truths so that the image and likeness of God revealed in Jesus who lives in you will be made real in all you do and think and are to the people around you.

(c)Copywrite 2011 wayne Newcomb

http://www.abbasglory.com/

God Proclaims You Very Good

God Proclaims You Very Good, Gen 1:26-31

26 God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. [Ps 104:30; Heb 1:2; 11:3.]

27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Col 3:9,10; James 3:8,9.]

28 And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

29 And God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.

30 And to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the ground — to everything in which there is the breath of life — I have given every green plant for food. And it was so.

31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. AMP

This passage of scripture is so full of what God says about you that we will spend a few weeks examining it. Within this passage God says you are, created in His likeness and Image, you were given dominion over the rest of the creation on earth, and that God was completely satisfied that you were completely approved of by God.

The Actual Hebrew in verse 31 says that God looked on His creation which now included man and woman and said it was Very Good. This week meditate on the wording used by God to pronounce you very good. In fact all of creation was good, but you were proclaimed very good.

Some will say that this was before Adam and Eve sinned and therefore does not count today, but Jesus redeemed you or purchased you back to God and made you justified through His blood, which was shed on your behalf so that you are ‘just as if you never sinned.’

Now when God says He looked at you and found you to be, VERY GOOD, it is worth taking to heart. Remind yourself that when God who created all things looks at you and declares that you are very good you have a reason to smile and a reason to rejoice.

(c) Copywrite 2011, Wayne Newcomb

Receiving the Prophetic Word

Receiving the Prophetic Word

During any fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit and period of New Wine outpouring the gifts of the Spirit and the Five-fold ministry are given fresh to God’s people. It is necessary for those in leadership to train God’s people Biblical principles and practices for receiving and processing Prophetic words given them by those who operate in the gifts of the Spirit. Below are listed several principles which should bring forth God’s intended purpose and fruit from the application of the word given through the prophet or the gift of prophecy. Our goal should be to clearly hear, understand and apply the word to our lives as seen in these three words, Revelation, Interpretation, and Application.

1.       What was the prophetic Word (Revelation)

2.       What does it mean (Interpretation)

3.       How should I apply it? (Application)

What was the word spoken or demonstrated or pictured? It is so important to get this part right. This is where a tape recording, detailed notes, a picture or video come in handy. How shall they run unless the message is clear?

 Hab 2:2-3 Then the LORD answered me and said, Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run.3 "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. NASU

If the person receiving the message does not get a clear understanding of what the message is then they cannot ‘run’ with it. They cannot gain a true understanding nor can they apply it as God would have them to. If the word is not recorded in some way the intended target of the word should seek out the speaker or giver of the word. If that is not possible they should seek out these who were nearby when it was given. If none of these are possible they must seek God carefully before proceeding any further.

There are two examples in scripture I would like to point out of principles regarding a message or word given to God’s people. In Luke 2:19, Mary carefully hid the words of the angel in her heart. In Acts 17:11, It says ‘The believers in Berea gladly received Paul’s preaching and then carefully read the scriptures to see if the things he said were true.’

 What does the prophetic word or message mean? To determine the meaning of a prophetic message or word from the Lord we should first seek to see if the scriptures agree with that which were spoken when the messages was given. Looking at several translations, looking up the Greek or Hebrew word meanings is also useful. Examining the Biblical context of the original message is also useful. Sometime the prophetic massager may be sought out to see if they have additional insight into the meaning. Seeking out experienced and mature leaders or believers who move in the Spirit may also help. Here is where we want to include those we are in covenant with and that we trust. Our spouses, mature believing friends and other wise spiritual leaders should be included. We should be asking how the word or message fits with what God is already doing or the direction He has already given us in the past. In Luke 24:32 the disciples talked with each other about the effect of Jesus speaking to them on the road to Emmaus.

How do I apply this word? Application of the word or message is the final part of the equation or process of receiving a prophetic Word. If we seek to apply a Prophetic word without a clear understanding of it and then do not seek the Biblical Interpretation of it we will be unable to accurately apply it. Often people receive a word and immediately seek to act on it. THIS IS DANGEROUS.

One part of the process of applying a prophetic word is the examination of our own heart. A clean heart and right motive are necessary. This along with seeking wise council and understanding the Biblical truth related to the word helps to insure that the word is applied wisely.

There are additional elements of applying a prophetic word. This is the when, where, how etc. Every phase of this process must be bathed in prayer and soaked in the presence of God. A Word from God never contradicts the Bible. God is not a God of confusion and therefore does not contradict Himself. We do not need to kneel and pray about committing a sin or doing something we know is wrong as we already have God’s Word, the Bible, to tell us what is right and wrong. God would not have us violate one covenant He has given us to obey another.

If we are not willing to go through this process the enemy can use what God intended to be a blessing, encouragement and His leading into a detour away from what God would desire for us. Our own motives must be examined and we must continually be humble before God as we seek Him at these times.

There is however no need to fear, or anxious. If we are willing to hear and willing to wait on God’s timing and direction at each step then the prophetic word or message can be a part of God’s working in our lives.

This is not an exhaustive examination of the process of Receiving of a Prophetic Word but should help you as you seek to understand the process of Receiving a Prophetic Word.

Arsenal Books also has: Receiving the Word of the Lord: Bringing Life to Your Prophetic Word at http://www.arsenalbooks.com/ along with many other good books on the prophetic such as Prophets and Personal Prophecy: God's Prophetic Voice Today by Dr Bill Hamon.

(c) copywrite: Wayne Newcomb 2011, http://www.abbasglory.com/

The Names of the Believer in the Bible

The Names of the Believer in the Bible A Weekly Devotional starts Jan 3rd.

You may have seen studies on the names of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but this is the first study to look at the names of the believer throughout the Bible. In this study you will discover what God says about you. This study will based on original research and be sent out at the beginning of each week so that you may meditate on and dwell in its truth all week and allow it to become a part of your relationship with your Creator-Father. The picture of Who I am in Christ is just a part of the study.

This study is offered as a ministry of  Abba's Glory at www.abbasglory.com and will be offered on the Passionate Participation in God Project group on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=237088564302

This is also sent out by email to those who request it.

The Names in the 'Who I Am in Christ' Poster by Neil T. Anderson is Just A Part of the Study.

A Life of Intimate Fellowship with God

Enoch’s Amazing Walk with God
How We Can Have an Amazing Walk with God Beginning Today

Gen 5:24
And Enoch walked [in close fellowship] with and pleased God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].
Heb 11:5-6
Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been in close (intimate) fellowship with God.
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Amp

Imagine a Walk with God like that which Enoch had

What an amazing thing this is, to be in such a close and pleasing relationship with God that you just walk into heaven with Him without dying. What does this walk look like?

Introduction. A Life of Intimate Fellowship with God
• This Walk, Relationship, Adventure that God is calling us to is greater than the George Lucas’s ‘Star Wars’ Movies, it is greater than J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ series, greater than Homer’s ‘Iliad.’

• It is an Adventure that will never end. Let is capture your heart, let the roots of your life go deep into the soil of God’s love and join Him in Living a Life of Passionate Participation in God.

Wisdom for the Walk• Align yourself with Jesus the Messiah, the Cornerstone. This is why you were created. This is what Adam and Eve had a taste of and cut it short because they doubted God and had faith in Lucifer.

• A ‘Life of walking with God’ is not meant to be a part of your life, it is meant to be your life! God has given us a free will and does not demand that we give Him our all, but invites us into a life, an adventure of intimate fellowship with Him.

• God is calling, He is inviting us to a life without comparison, a life with Him, the author and perfecter of all that was and is and shall ever be. Heb 12:1-2
• Each person’s journey will be different. It will be your own unique adventure with God, but like John Bunyan’s Pilgrim in his book ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ who was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God. ( Heb 11:10 Amp) We were created for more than life on earth, but a life that does not end in death and is much more than life on earth in the flesh without God.

• There is no story ever written or told on video greater than the one God has for you. You however must choose to actively participate with Him in faith.

• BE like Enoch, Live a Life of Passionate Participation in God, walk or live in continuous relationship with Him. THIS is why you were created.

• Chose to walk with God. Do Not just let Him walk with you! Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Operate or live by choosing to continually act in faith by seeking Him out concerning every detail of your life. By doing this your life is lived in active faith as you include God and seek Him concerning every detail and aspect of your life. He is a rewarder of those who genuinely and sincerely seek Him. Heb 11:6

• Your unique life; who you are, how you function, your gifts, heritage education, personality etc. make you the One and only person like you and God wants you to walk in intimate and continual relationship with Him! God love the infinite variety He has created and celebrates every single person. He does not compare you to others. He is not a respecter of one person’s uniqueness over another. He wants an intimate ongoing relationship or walk with you!
Let’s start the adventure by learning more about Enoch’s Amazing Walk With God so that we may Live a Life of Passionately Participating in God.
In our next feature article we will examine the role of faith necessary for this intimate relationship.
Copywrite (c) Wayne Newcomb 2010 Please ask permission to use.

ACCEPTING THE EMBRACE of GOD

I am sending out this article from the web site listed on the ancient practice of Holy Reading or lectio divina. It is new term to me although the concepts taught within it I have seen adapted by other writers in more recent history. It is from a more formal theological background than I am used to but the truth within is worth the read. I hope it will be of value to you as you learn to Meditate on God, His Word and His Ways!

ACCEPTING THE EMBRACE of GOD: THE ANCIENT ART of LECTIO DIVINA by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B.

1. THE PROCESS of LECTIO DIVINA
A VERY ANCIENT art, practiced at one time by all Christians, is the technique known as lectio divina - a slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. This ancient practice has been kept alive in the Christian monastic tradition, and is one of the precious treasures of Benedictine monastics and oblates. Together with the Liturgy and daily manual labor, time set aside in a special way for lectio divina enables us to discover in our daily life an underlying spiritual rhythm. Within this rhythm we discover an increasing ability to offer more of ourselves and our relationships to the Father, and to accept the embrace that God is continuously extending to us in the person of his Son Jesus Christ.

Lectio - reading/listening

THE ART of lectio divina begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts” as St. Benedict encourages us in the Prologue to the Rule. When we read the Scriptures we should try to imitate the prophet Elijah. We should allow ourselves to become women and men who are able to listen for the still, small voice of God (I Kings 19:12); the “faint murmuring sound” which is God's word for us, God's voice touching our hearts. This gentle listening is an “atunement” to the presence of God in that special part of God's creation which is the Scriptures.

THE CRY of the prophets to ancient Israel was the joy-filled command to “Listen!” “Sh'ma Israel: Hear, O Israel!” In lectio divina we, too, heed that command and turn to the Scriptures, knowing that we must “hear” - listen - to the voice of God, which often speaks very softly. In order to hear someone speaking softly we must learn to be silent. We must learn to love silence. If we are constantly speaking or if we are surrounded with noise, we cannot hear gentle sounds. The practice of lectio divina, therefore, requires that we first quiet down in order to hear God's word to us. This is the first step of lectio divina, appropriately called lectio - reading.

THE READING or listening which is the first step in lectio divina is very different from the speed reading which modern Christians apply to newspapers, books and even to the Bible. Lectio is reverential listening; listening both in a spirit of silence and of awe. We are listening for the still, small voice of God that will speak to us personally - not loudly, but intimately. In lectio we read slowly, attentively, gently listening to hear a word or phrase that is God's word for us this day.

Meditatio - meditation

ONCE WE have found a word or a passage in the Scriptures that speaks to us in a personal way, we must take it in and “ruminate” on it. The image of the ruminant animal quietly chewing its cud was used in antiquity as a symbol of the Christian pondering the Word of God. Christians have always seen a scriptural invitation to lectio divina in the example of the Virgin Mary “pondering in her heart” what she saw and heard of Christ (Luke 2:19). For us today these images are a reminder that we must take in the word - that is, memorize it - and while gently repeating it to ourselves, allow it to interact with our thoughts, our hopes, our memories, our desires. This is the second step or stage in lectio divina - meditatio. Through meditatio we allow God's word to become His word for us, a word that touches us and affects us at our deepest levels.

Oratio - prayer

THE THIRD step in lectio divina is oratio - prayer: prayer understood both as dialogue with God, that is, as loving conversation with the One who has invited us into His embrace; and as consecration, prayer as the priestly offering to God of parts of ourselves that we have not previously believed God wants. In this consecration-prayer we allow the word that we have taken in and on which we are pondering to touch and change our deepest selves. Just as a priest consecrates the elements of bread and wine at the Eucharist, God invites us in lectio divina to hold up our most difficult and pain-filled experiences to Him, and to gently recite over them the healing word or phrase He has given us in our lectio and meditatio. In this oratio, this consecration-prayer, we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.

Contemplatio - contemplation

FINALLY, WE simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded that there are moments in loving relationships when words are unnecessary. It is the same in our relationship with God. Wordless, quiet rest in the presence of the One Who loves us has a name in the Christian tradition - contemplatio, contemplation. Once again we practice silence, letting go of our own words; this time simply enjoying the experience of being in the presence of God.

2. THE UNDERLYING RHYTHM of LECTIO DIVINA

IF WE are to practice lectio divina effectively, we must travel back in time to an understanding that today is in danger of being almost completely lost. In the Christian past the words action (or practice, from the Greek praktikos) and contemplation did not describe different kinds of Christians engaging (or not engaging) in different forms of prayer and apostolates. Practice and contemplation were understood as the two poles of our underlying, ongoing spiritual rhythm: a gentle oscillation back and forth between spiritual “activity” with regard to God and “receptivity.”

PRACTICE - spiritual “activity” - referred in ancient times to our active cooperation with God's grace in rooting out vices and allowing the virtues to flourish. The direction of spiritual activity was not outward in the sense of an apostolate, but inward - down into the depths of the soul where the Spirit of God is constantly transforming us, refashioning us in God's image. The active life is thus coming to see who we truly are and allowing ourselves to be remade into what God intends us to become.

IN THE early monastic tradition contemplation was understood in two ways. First was theoria physike, the contemplation of God in creation - God in “the many.” Second was theologia, the contemplation of God in Himself without images or words - God as “The One.” From this perspective lectio divina serves as a training-ground for the contemplation of God in His creation.

IN CONTEMPLATION we cease from interior spiritual doing and learn simply to be, that is to rest in the presence of our loving Father. Just as we constantly move back and forth in our exterior lives between speaking and listening, between questioning and reflecting, so in our spiritual lives we must learn to enjoy the refreshment of simply being in God's presence, an experience that naturally alternates (if we let it!) with our spiritual practice.

IN ANCIENT times contemplation was not regarded as a goal to be achieved through some method of prayer, but was simply accepted with gratitude as God's recurring gift. At intervals the Lord invites us to cease from speaking so that we can simply rest in his embrace. This is the pole of our inner spiritual rhythm called contemplation.

HOW DIFFERENT this ancient understanding is from our modern approach! Instead of recognizing that we all gently oscillate back and forth between spiritual activity and receptivity, between practice and contemplation, we today tend to set contemplation before ourselves as a goal - something we imagine we can achieve through some spiritual technique. We must be willing to sacrifice our “goal-oriented” approach if we are to practice lectio divina, because lectio divina has no other goal than spending time with God through the medium of His word. The amount of time we spend in any aspect of lectio divina, whether it be rumination, consecration or contemplation depends on God's Spirit, not on us. Lectio divina teaches us to savor and delight in all the different flavors of God's presence, whether they be active or receptive modes of experiencing Him.

IN lectio divina we offer ourselves to God; and we are people in motion. In ancient times this inner spiritual motion was described as a helix - an ascending spiral. Viewed in only two dimensions it appears as a circular motion back and forth; seen with the added dimension of time it becomes a helix, an ascending spiral by means of which we are drawn ever closer to God. The whole of our spiritual lives were viewed in this way, as a gentle oscillation between spiritual activity and receptivity by means of which God unites us ever closer to Himself. In just the same way the steps or stages of lectio divina represent an oscillation back and forth between these spiritual poles. In lectio divina we recognize our underlying spiritual rhythm and discover many different ways of experiencing God's presence - many different ways of praying.

3. THE PRACTICE of LECTIO DIVINA

Private Lectio Divina

CHOOSE a text of the Scriptures that you wish to pray. Many Christians use in their daily lectio divina one of the readings from the Eucharistic liturgy for the day; others prefer to slowly work through a particular book of the Bible. It makes no difference which text is chosen, as long as one has no set goal of “covering” a certain amount of text: the amount of text “covered” is in God's hands, not yours.

PLACE YOURSELF in a comfortable position and allow yourself to become silent. Some Christians focus for a few moments on their breathing; other have a beloved “prayer word” or “prayer phrase” they gently recite in order to become interiorly silent. For some the practice known as “centering prayer” makes a good, brief introduction to lectio divina. Use whatever method is best for you and allow yourself to enjoy silence for a few moments.

THEN TURN to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savor each portion of the reading, constantly listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.” Do not expect lightening or ecstasies. In lectio divina God is teaching us to listen to Him, to seek Him in silence. He does not reach out and grab us; rather, He softly, gently invites us ever more deeply into His presence.

NEXT TAKE the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas. Do not be afraid of “distractions.” Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself which, when they rise up during lectio divina, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self. Allow this inner pondering, this rumination, to invite you into dialogue with God.

THEN, SPEAK to God. Whether you use words or ideas or images or all three is not important. Interact with God as you would with one who you know loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in yourself during your experience of meditatio. Experience yourself as the priest that you are. Experience God using the word or phrase that He has given you as a means of blessing, of transforming the ideas and memories, which your pondering on His word has awakened. Give to God what you have found within your heart.

FINALLY, SIMPLY rest in God's embrace. And when He invites you to return to your pondering of His word or to your inner dialogue with Him, do so. Learn to use words when words are helpful, and to let go of words when they no longer are necessary. Rejoice in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

SOMETIMES IN lectio divina one will return several times to the printed text, either to savor the literary context of the word or phrase that God has given, or to seek a new word or phrase to ponder. At other times only a single word or phrase will fill the whole time set aside for lectio divina. It is not necessary to anxiously assess the quality of one's lectio divina as if one were “performing” or seeking some goal: lectio divina has no goal other than that of being in the presence of God by praying the Scriptures.

Lectio Divina as a Group Exercise

THE most authentic and traditional form of Christian lectio divina is the solitary or “private” practice described to this point. In recent years, however, many different forms of so-called “group lectio” have become popular and are now widely-practiced. These group exercises can be very useful means of introducing and encouraging the practice of lectio divina; but they should not become a substitute for an encounter and communion with the Living God that can only take place in that privileged solitude where the biblical Word of God becomes transparent to the Very Word Himself - namely private lectio divina.

IN churches of the Third World where books are rare, a form of corporate lectio divina is becoming common in which a text from the Scriptures is pondered by Christians praying together in a group. The method of group lectio divina described here was introduced at St. Andrew's Abbey by oblates Doug and Norvene Vest: it is used as part of the Benedictine Spirituality for Laity workshops conducted at the Abbey each summer.

THIS FORM of lectio divina works best in a group of between four and eight people. A group leader coordinates the process and facilitates sharing. The same text from the Scriptures is read out three times, followed each time by a period of silence and an opportunity for each member of the group to share the fruit of her or his lectio.

THE FIRST reading (the text is actually read twice on this occasion) is for the purpose of hearing a word or passage that touches the heart. When the word or phrase is found, it is silently taken in, and gently recited and pondered during the silence which follows. After the silence each person shares which word or phrase has touched his or her heart.

THE SECOND reading (by a member of the opposite sex from the first reader) is for the purpose of “hearing” or “seeing” Christ in the text. Each ponders the word that has touched the heart and asks where the word or phrase touches his or her life that day. In other words, how is Christ the Word touching his own experience, his own life? How are the various members of the group seeing or hearing Christ reach out to them through the text? Then, after the silence, each member of the group shares what he or she has “heard” or “seen.”

THE THIRD and final reading is for the purpose of experiencing Christ “calling us forth” into doing or being. Members ask themselves what Christ in the text is calling them to do or to become today or this week. After the silence, each shares for the last time; and the exercise concludes with each person praying for the person on the right.

THOSE WHO who regularly practice this method of praying and sharing the Scriptures regularly find it to be an excellent way of developing trust within a group; it also is an excellent way of consecrating projects and hopes to Christ before more formal group meetings. A summary of this method for group lectio divina is appended at the end of this article.

Lectio Divina on Life

IN THE ancient tradition lectio divina was understood as being one of the most important ways in which Christians experience God in creation. After all, the Scriptures are part of creation! If one is daily growing in the art of finding Christ in the pages of the Bible, one naturally begins to discover Him more clearly in aspects of the other things He has made. This includes, of course, our own personal history.

OUR OWN lives are fit matter for lectio divina. Very often our concerns, our relationships, our hopes and aspirations naturally intertwine with our pondering on the Scriptures, as has been described above. But sometimes it is fitting to simply sit down and “read” the experiences of the last few days or weeks in our hearts, much as we might slowly read and savor the words of Scripture in lectio divina. We can attend “with the ear of our hearts” to our own memories, listening for God's gentle presence in the events of our lives. We thus allow ourselves the joy of experiencing Christ reaching out to us through our own memories. Our own personal story becomes “salvation history.”

FOR THOSE who are new to the practice of lectio divina a group experience of “lectio on life” can provide a helpful introduction. An approach that has been used at workshops at St. Andrew's Priory is detailed at the end of this article. Like the experience of lectio divina shared in community, this group experience of lectio on life can foster relationships in community and enable personal experiences to be consecrated - offered to Christ - in a concrete way.

HOWEVER, UNLIKE scriptural lectio divina shared in community, this group lectio on life contains more silence than sharing. The role of group facilitators or leaders is important, since they will be guiding the group through several periods of silence and reflection without the “interruption” of individual sharing until the end of the exercise. Since the experiences we choose to “read” or “listen to” may be intensely personal, it is important in this group exercise to safeguard privacy by making sharing completely optional.

IN BRIEF, one begins with restful silence, then gently reviews the events of a given period of time. One seeks an event, a memory, which touches the heart just as a word or phrase in scriptural lectio divina does. One then recalls the setting, the circumstances; one seeks to discover how God seemed to be present or absent from the experience. One then offers the event to God and rests for a time in silence. A suggested method for group lectio divina on life is given in the Appendix to this article.

CONCLUSION

LECTIO DIVINA is an ancient spiritual art that is being rediscovered in our day. It is a way of allowing the Scriptures to become again what God intended that they should be - a means of uniting us to Himself. In lectio divina we discover our own underlying spiritual rhythm. We experience God in a gentle oscillation back and forth between spiritual activity and receptivity, in the movement from practice into contemplation and back again into spiritual practice.

LECTIO DIVINA teaches us about the God who truly loves us. In lectio divina we dare to believe that our loving Father continues to extend His embrace to us today. And His embrace is real. In His word we experience ourselves as personally loved by God; as the recipients of a word which He gives uniquely to each of us whenever we turn to Him in the Scriptures.

FINALLY, lectio divina teaches us about ourselves. In lectio divina we discover that there is no place in our hearts, no interior corner or closet that cannot be opened and offered to God. God teaches us in lectio divina what it means to be members of His royal priesthood - a people called to consecrate all of our memories, our hopes and our dreams to Christ.

APPENDIX: TWO APPROACHES to GROUP LECTIO DIVINA

1. Lectio Divina Shared in Community
(A) Listening for the Gentle Touch of Christ the Word
(The Literal Sense)

    1. One person reads aloud (twice) the passage of scripture, as others are attentive to some segment that is especially meaningful to them.
    2. Silence for 1-2 minutes. Each hears and silently repeats a word or phrase that attracts.
    3. Sharing aloud: [A word or phrase that has attracted each person]. A simple statement of one or a few words. No elaboration.

(B) How Christ the Word speaks to ME
(The Allegorical Sense)
4. Second reading of same passage by another person.
5. Silence for 2-3 minutes. Reflect on “Where does the content of this reading touch my life today?”
6. Sharing aloud: Briefly: “I hear, I see...”

(C) What Christ the Word Invites me to DO
(The Moral Sense)
7. Third reading by still another person.
8. Silence for 2-3 minutes. Reflect on “I believe that God wants me to . . . . . . today/this week.”
9. Sharing aloud: at somewhat greater length the results of each one's reflection. [Be especially aware of what is shared by the person to your right.]
10. After full sharing, pray for the person to your right.

Note: Anyone may “pass” at any time. If instead of sharing with the group you prefer to pray silently , simply state this aloud and conclude your silent prayer with Amen.

2. Lectio on Life: Applying Lectio Divina to my personal Salvation History

Purpose: to apply a method of prayerful reflection to a life/work incident (instead of to a scripture passage)

(A) Listening for the Gentle Touch of Christ the Word
(The Literal Sense)
1. Each person quiets the body and mind: relax, sit comfortably but alert, close eyes, attune to breathing...
2. Each person gently reviews events, situations, sights, encounters that have happened since the beginning of the retreat/or during the last month at work.

(B) Gently Ruminating, Reflecting
(Meditatio - Meditation)
3. Each person allows the self to focus on one such offering.
a) Recollect the setting, sensory details, sequence of events, etc.
b) Notice where the greatest energy seemed to be evoked. Was there a turning point or shift?
c) In what ways did God seem to be present? To what extent was I aware then? Now?

(C) Prayerful Consecration, Blessing
(Oratio - Prayer)
4. Use a word or phrase from the Scriptures to inwardly consecrate - to offer up to God in prayer - the incident and interior reflections. Allow God to accept and bless them as your gift.

(D) Accepting Christ's Embrace; Silent Presence to the Lord
(Contemplatio - Contemplation)

5. Remain in silence for some period.
(E) Sharing our Lectio Experience with Each Other

(Operatio - Action; works)
6. Leader calls the group back into “community.”
7. All share briefly (or remain in continuing silence).

The author considers this article to be in the Public Domain. This article may therefore be downloaded, reproduced and distributed without special permission from the author. It was first published in the Spring, 1990 (vol.1, no.1) edition of Valyermo Benedictine. It has subsequently been reprinted as (1) “Appendix 2” in The Art and Vocation of Caring for People in Pain by Karl A. Schultz (Paulist Press, 1993), pp. 98-110; and in (2) An Invitation to Centering Prayer with and Introduction to Lectio Divina, by Basil Pennington and Luke Dysinger (Liguori/Triumph, 2001) @ http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html
_______________________________________

From here you may return to the St. Andrew's Abbey Homepage. This document was last updated on 12/9/05 at 10:30

Artwork: A woman praying on Candlemas Day, by Marianne Stokes,

Inheriting the Kingdom

Inheriting the Kingdom and the Blessings of Redemption
Today and throughout Church history the people of God have dealt with the problem of being at ease in Zion (Amos 6:1). This concept can be stated as follows: God has given us the Kingdom and we no longer must war against evil or fight the good fight of faith (I Tim 6:12). The people of Israel were content in their inherited riches and did not see the need to fight and guard their hearts and lives from the evil around them. Today we hear people say, ‘Jesus has defeated every foe and now we can relax and rest in that completed work as we enjoy our inheritance in Christ.’

There are two key books in the Bible for the study of the Warfare that leads to our inheritance in God. The book of Joshua demonstrates how God defeated the enemies of Israel so that they might possess the land God promised and the letter to the Church in Ephesus teaches us about all that Christ has done for us in the face of the multitude of the dark powers which were present in Ephesus. He shows us how these early believers lived the life He has for us in a city and region completely dominated by the Powers of darkness. Joshua is about Inheriting the Kingdom and Ephesians is about the Blessings of Redemption.

After the death of Joshua Israel turns away from God and (Judges 3:1-4) gives us valuable insight into God’s purposes concerning His people and the inheritance of His promises in their lives.

(Judges 3:1-4)
1 NOW THESE are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not previously experienced war in Canaan;
2 It was only that the generations of the Israelites might know and be taught war, at least those who previously knew nothing of it.
3 The remaining nations are: the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt on Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to the entrance of Hamath.
4 They were for the testing and proving of Israel to know whether Israel would listen and obey the commandments of the Lord, which He commanded their fathers by Moses.

When we become a Christian through the New Birth we begin a life of transformation. We are no longer in Darkness (Col 1:13-14) but have been transferred into the Kingdom of God’s Son. (Col 1:12) says, ‘Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light.’

Since the day of Jesus Ascension up to heaven in a cloud in (Acts 1:6-9) there has raged a struggle within the body of Christ, His people, as to what degree the Kingdom of God has come and how we should operate as a result. Jesus himself said the Kingdom of God is at hand (Matt 4:17). We are told in (Rom 8:17) that we are joint heirs with Christ and that we have every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3).

In this Acts passage we see the very beginning of this debate.
(Acts 1:6-8) So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." NASU.

In the days to come we will explore what the Inheriting of the Kingdom of God means and seek to discover how we align ourselves with God so that it can rule in and through us today, as we participate in the blessings of redemption.