“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.; A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches Light. It was the first creative, supernatural act of God. Genesis 1:3- And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. What was the light God created on day 1? It was not the sun, the moon, or the stars. Those were lights, i.e. luminaries in the sky that God created on Day 4. What was the light God created on day 1? What do your picture in your mind? Whatever you picture, the earth cannot be part of your imagined image. For in the beginning the earth was without form and totally void, Genesis 1:2 . Yet two elements were in existence in the beginning. What were they? 1) 2) Reference Genesis 1:2. Did you guess correctly? Can you picture in your mind, the Spirit of God hovering over that deep, that darkness, the face of those tumultuous waters? It’s a challenge to imagine. The One executing that awesome moment was the Spirit. He was hovering. For us to picture that, I’ve mentioned in previous posts it has a Hebrew meaning to brood over tenderly, a soft and relaxed moving upon the object of His loving intent. It is likened to an action of a hen brooding on her eggs, a mother soothing her child. From within that darkness, upon God’s command and under the moving of the Spirit, suddenly light appears and takes up a portion of darkness in such a way there is a separation between darkness and light. It’s a light not of the sun, nor of the moon, nor of the stars. The light is its own light. God commanded in love, the Spirit executed it. And there was light. When I picture what that initial light might have looked like, I think that scripture leads me to NOT think of it as a spotlight . In other words, it’s not some bright light shining into the darkness. God completely separated them; suddenly there were two completely different and opposing elements. It would seem that God took some portion of darkness and supernaturally transformed it to be light everywhere diffused. Light everywhere diffused is the definition for the type of light God created in the beginning.[i] Yet at the same time, darkness was allowed to remain, with light being the distinguishing and contrasting element. God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night. Did you know science “discovered” a type of light in 1965 that by their admission, states its source is not of the earth, not of the sun, not even of our galaxy! It’s a light they say permeates everything! This wavelength of light has its own noise, is more powerful than they can measure, and is evenly spread over the sky. They had to work very hard to isolate its wavelength and go to extended lengths to remove all interference. (Hmmmm. Sounds a lot like tuning into God in prayer.) To top it off they have concluded this wave of light comes from outside our galaxy! How wild is that? It’s called cosmic microwave background radiation[ii]. Scientists believe this radiation was left over from the “Big Bang”, that moment in time where there was this sudden explosion which was the beginning of the earth’s existence. I am one who believes the Big Bang was when God said, “Let there be light and there was light.” He is omnipresent. It corroborates with their conclusion. As the Hebrew definition states, that light was a light that permeates everything, so is CMBR light. And as scripture says God created this light on day 1 before He created the sun, before the moon, before the stars; and indeed He is the light source from outside our galaxy. Seems to me as if worldly science is closer to the truth than they realize! Even more interesting is that this cosmic microwave background radiation has a spectrum of light that is both visible and invisible, can be heard, can penetrate and take internal pictures, and has the power to destroy[iii] There is a portion of the wavelength of this light that is perceptible in terms we have knowingly experienced:
Who is the light that is heard? Who is the light that can be seen? Who is the light that can be felt? Who is the light who penetrates darkness and sees inside? Who is the light that overcomes the darkness? Who is the light that gives life? Who is the eternal light of glory over all time? Who is outside our galaxy? Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.- Ephesians 5:14. Any new thoughts on the light God created on Day 1? I hope so! Be awestruck by the God who merely spoke and the Heavens were created! He breathed the word, and all the stars were born (Psalm 33:6)!!! Jesus gave a new definition for day 1 when He came. He expanded upon what was day and what was night. He said that he must work the works of him that sent him while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. He also said, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (see John 9:4-5) A time is coming when the light will no longer be permeating everything. Night is coming. Make sure the light in you is not darkness. Those who believe in Christ and are filled with His Spirit; these make up the light of the world. His light is in us. We are to let our light shine before others, Matthew 5:14-16. Once we were darkness; but now we are light in the Lord. We are to live as children of the light, Ephesians 5:8. Once we no longer shine, night has come. In a supernatural act of God’s loving grace, light shone in your heart (darkness). There was an abyss God was interested in from the beginning of time, the abyss of tumultuous waters within the darkness of our hearts. From within, by the indwelling presence of the Spirit, He fills with light. Thank Him for setting you apart, for separating you out. Ask Him for more light of the knowledge of God’s glory. Ask Him to more clearly see his light, hear his light, be penetrated by His light, feel his presence, for his light to remove darkness in you, to fill you up with His light that brings life, and sing to the eternal light who is coming back for you! Note: Mark your calendar for Saturday November 18th from 10am to 12pm. A time to refresh in God’s presence and think upon Him with a scriptural meditation I will lead. It will be held at Webster Recreation Center at 1350 Chiyoda Drive, Room 302. More detail to come! [i] Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon Definition for light from Genesis 1:3, H216- from H215; light everywhere diffused, such as that of the day, and the sun which is properly that which affords light, and thus it can take the plural number. [ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_of_cosmic_microwave_background_radiation [iii] http://www.astro.ubc.ca/people/scott/faq_basic.html
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(Picture above- This lone creature entered the quiet cove where I was finishing up time with God. She entered without me knowing. She was standing quite still looking at the water when I looked up and realized she was there. I take her as a sweet unexpected ending of the labor of my time with the Lord that started last night and took a good portion of the morning. He will reward you too, because he promises to reward those who diligently seek him, Hebrews 11:6. Blessings on this blog reading and meditation...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- These last couple of weeks have brought some heart break, intense pressure, suffering, regret and moments of being at the absolute end of myself. Yesterday brought things to a head, and I felt so much internal upset after a disappointing encounter. I didn't know what to do to settle my heart. I was panting internally, in a distressing way. I couldn't find a place of rest. I guess instinctively because I felt like it simply would not work for me to try and "be quiet" and go into prayer, I walked. I went to the lake and walked in the sand by the shore. When it got dark, I went to a school and walked the track. It helped. It made me want to return to the lake this morning and find that sigh that brings soul rest that I wrote about in the last blog. Experiencing "quiet time" is very challenging for many people. I have heard enough comments in various ways to know people struggle with meditating, saying they can't quiet themselves enough. However, being quiet throughout an entire meditation is NOT the method. It is not even close to the meaning of meditation. If you visit that link attached to the word meditation, you will see meditation means to moan, growl, mutter, devise, consider, plot, speak, mourn, imagine, sing, etc. How many of those are all about silence? They are mostly vocal, involving engaging with mind and heart to express oneself. To believe otherwise sets many up to expect failure in meditative prayer. You are not supposed to quiet your mind and empty yourself of all thought in meditation, you are to engage it. Neither must you be physically still. Walking. Jesus walked with his disciples a lot. He used that time to offer amazing introductions and revelations to disciples, Luke 24:15, Mark 1:16-20. Walking was a primary mode of transportation in the first century in which Jesus lived. So, as a suggestion for those troubled in heart, having difficulty settling in, work out some physical energy in a walking session with God. Consider using a simple, repetitive phrase of "Help me God" or just moan and get yourself to a pace of deep breathing to get negative feelings verbalized in forcing breath out, if you can sing with worship songs while walking that's a great meditation!. Other suggestions below. After my walking last night, I decided to get up this morning and return to the lake. You know how you search for that perfect spot, set up, and then decide its not the right spot, so you move a little and then its still not the right spot, so you move again and possibly even again? This was me for the first 15 minutes. What was bothering me was the "short range view". The band of jumbled up mess of dried up sticks and gunk that had washed ashore. I didn't have a view that didn't contain it. I did not want a tangled up mess in front of me. I much preferred the softer edge of smooth sand and shiny rocks just before the water washed ashore and the expansive view of the calm lake and morning horizon. I realized as I stared at the short range view that this was a metaphor of being consumed with only what is right in front of me. All the problems, all the mess, all the ugly, all disappointment, all the unresolved "stuff". So that is what begins the mediation for the rest of this blog. I took some pictures and a video to help you go through a process of going from the upsetting short range view of current challenges to the next step and then the next step and then the final wading into the waters. Grab a pen and paper and find a spot without interruption, or grab your walking shoes, and meditate with God. Video begin- Take 2 minutes to breathe deep breaths while inviting the Holy Spirit to renew your mind. As the video plays, say whatever feels true to you. Examples- "God please help me." "God are you real?" "Jesus please walk with me right now." "Spirit of God renew me."Next- You've taken breaths to help quiet your soul and invite God's help, now we are going to take a look at some things that need God's touch and help. God will help you sort through it. The image below represents a limited, short term view of issues right in front of you. It's the garbage that has washed ashore, broken pieces of formerly whole things, things that are out of order, gnats that are bothering and torturing your thoughts, the ugly of life. Based upon visual #1 above- What comes to mind? What problems, upset, disorder, confusion is consuming your thoughts and feelings? What personal habits, words, or choices are causing disorder? God is merciful. Confess those weaknesses. What negative things are you focusing on? Write them down. You now have a soul burden to carry further for supernatural intervention. (If you are someone who wants to further process this part in a good brisk walk, you are encouraged to do so. Have a good talk with God on the walk, if there is confusion and upset about who He is or how He seems distant, talk to him about it. But come back and take the next step below.) Based on Visual #2 above- This is the view just beyond the washed up muck. This is where the water has brought forth a collection of different rocks on smoothed out the sand. I want you to imagine it as a resting place. These rocks are people of which you need to be included. God does not intend for you to be alone in your problem, stuck in the gunk. He wants you to have a safe place of sharing and caring. (As an example, this week I asked for prayer and got it from 3 different people- one by phone, one in person, one in email. I looked beyond the consuming view and had hope beyond, to the view of not being alone in seeking God's intervention.) Seeing yourself as one within that collection of others is to share your burdens with someone else, who would that be? Do you have someone who is grounded in Christ's love who will pray for you? Are you in a place where you are gathered with God's children to hear the Word of God and let it breathe life into you? Are you open to it? Write down your heart desire for a safe place and share it with Jesus right now.
Visual #3 above- This is the view beyond the smooth sand and collected rocks. You're at the place of stepping into the waters. Where Jesus calls people to trust him at deeper levels of supernatural life. What is a step of deeper trust you need to take to step into the waters and believe God will enable you to walk ON the waters? In His supernatural power? With His help? With God nothing shall be impossible, Luke 18:27. If you were to ask God for supernatural help for areas where you have no hope or help, what are they? Write it down. Luke 14:31- Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith," he said, “why did you doubt?" Congratulations, you've just meditated as God intends! Maybe as a creative excursion, go and find a beautiful place outside that helps you be alone with God. Gather some stones, run your fingers through some sand, smell the air, listen to the wind in the trees, watch the birds, sit by water, walk a trail. Celebrate beauty and give God praise. He will reward you. Blessings!
Have you ever had to make a camel kneel down and rest? Turns out it can be quite a process. They battle. They groan. They yank against the tug of its handler. They stubbornly resist the one attempting to get them to rest. Hmmmm… a beast of burden that requires assistance from its handler to lie down and rest. How far of a stretch is it for you to relate to your struggles in prayer? The image and visuals of a camel came about when I looked up the word rest from Isaiah 11:2. Isaiah 11:2-3 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord-- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. Rest is to settle down, lay, remain in a place of quiet from burdens, work, or enemies. The Brown-Driver-Briggs definition also references the camel as a picture of rest for Hebrew word #5117, to make a camel lie down on his breast and the resting place of a camel. Related to promises of God, what is so exceptional and misunderstood about God is that He brings rest to anyone who willingly responds to the visitation of His Spirit. His rest comes to us! The Spirit of the LORD comes and settles down, lays, remains, indwells within for a continual lifting of burdens, relief from striving, and protection from all enemies. He is a Holy Spirit that comes in the fullness of Jesus; you need not do anything except give in to the Holy Handler and repose in God’s presence in Christ's name. Yet, far too often we respond to the handlers who are the external and rough forces burdening us with expectations or tempting us to satisfy flesh. Before we know it, we run around like chickens with our heads cut off. All the while the Spirit of Jesus says, “Come with me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”, Matthew 11:28. “Come, I will give you”, Jesus says. Rest is a supernatural gift Christ gives. You do not find your own sustaining rest. God alone gives continual rest. Psalm 23:2- He makes me lie down in green pastures… Phrase of emphasis- HE makes me If only people realized how much God wants to bring relief from the burdens of the daily grind of this life, and especially from the burdens of our soul. Read Isaiah 11:2-3 again and look what He gives when He rests upon you by His Spirit. Supernatural wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, healthy reverent awe invoking fear of the LORD leading to delight in Him. None of those can be purchased or acquired by any human effort. It is Holy gift. Isaiah 11:2-3 is one of the first scriptures I memorized 21 years ago, the year I initially became a Christian. I prayed it over myself constantly, and use it very often when praying for others. Try it, pray it over yourself- May the Spirit of the LORD be upon me, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD, that my delight should be in the fear of the LORD. If you don’t know God or if there is another who does not know God, pray this scripture over them also. The nature of the Spirit of God is to hover, speak, and create. It is what the Holy Spirit did in the beginning at the command of God. Genesis 1:2- “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters”. Hovering over the waters… The Holy Spirit is still hovering to create by speaking, “Let there be light.” Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is not just active in believers, but in the world to convict all people of sin, righteous, and judgment. Do you know what that means? What is great sin #1? #2? Who stands condemned? Check to see if your answers line up with Jesus in slides below, and read end of blog below- So the rest God offers will never come from our effort. God is good and offers supernatural rest that He alone provides. How much energy are you wasting with "How come this, and how come that?" Those aren't prayers that lead to rest!
True rest leads to sighs, sighs of relief. You are to experience a response of the soul that is deep with conviction, deep in comfort and repose by the help of the Holy Spirit. When you spend time with God may you regularly have deep soul sighs. Listen for them. Listen to the sigh of burden. Is it transformed to relief in God's presence? Initially our sighs should often be a sigh that communicates we are heavily burdened. Maybe we are sorry about something we said or did, maybe we regret something that can't be undone. It's good and healing to feel sorry, to regret! The Lord can work with a soul that wants mercy! That is the place He will come and rest! Unburden and tell Him, ask for tender mercy. Be transformed by the LORD’s grace and mercy. Then that precious sigh of relief, of comfort, of supernatural, inexplicable consolation comes and you rest in His presence. He knows we are merely dust, find rest in Him. Blessings! Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. |
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