​​A very helpful way to start the New Year is to start with God...  COMMIT.

Psalm 37:5- Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

He will do what?

Psalm 37:6- He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  

Also, take a look at Proverbs 16:3- Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. 

Some powerful promises stated above.  God guiding your path.  God giving you righteous reward.  God vindicating you.  God establishing your plans. 

Isn't that a wonderful way to start the new year?  This is a path to breathe a sigh of relief, to know you do not walk alone.  But of course, there is always the other option.  Doing it all in your own power.  Choose God!

A Western dictionary defines the word "commit" as pledging oneself to a position and aligning your effort towards achieving that goal.  Aligning YOUR effort, there is no reference to God in that definition.

Western thought views the world through the mind, reasoning through, and in self-effort. 

Whereas God's biblical language is rooted in Eastern culture and dependence upon him. God's wants to be known with help through the 5 senses.  Additionally in God's terms, revelation comes from His Spirit and received by faith, John 16:12-15. 

Our 5 senses can be engaged through meditating upon concrete object references and living scenes God uses.   As a few examples only, when God talks about soul thirst, he inspires King David with an image of a deer panting by streams of water, Psalm 42:1.  When God talks about sending his teachings, he uses imagery of rain falling from Heaven in various forms, Deuteronomy 32:2.  When he talks about His people, he calls them sheep, Isaiah 53:6.  He calls himself the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep, John 10:11.  Each image a scene that comes alive and contains supernatural truths that feed, fill, and guide souls who commit to God.  They are not meant to be quickly read over, processed by the mind alone.  We are meant to linger.  Supernatural spirit revelation required.  The scenes and images are meant to be stopping points for Spirit prayer, holy rest, renewal of mind.

Here is how God defines "commit".          

Hebrew word number H1556, galal- to roll, roll away, roll down, roll together.

To roll is to commit?  Huh?

What to roll?  It's not clear in the definition alone.  But it is if you go into the scripture references.  Most references are about rolling stones as acts of committing to God or responding in His nature.  God references stones in acts of commitment which lead to other scenes to ponder.  As we understand His references, we understand Him and how to trust in His ways.  There is great gain for the soul the more you understand the essence of God.  The pictures behind "commit" are scripture scenes filled with beauty, power, and promise!

To those willing to stay, to those willing to consider the quick fix is not this year's answer, to those willing to give up on a plan of more intense self-effort, you are a candidate who might choose "to roll" with God.  Be curious!  God rewards those who, by faith, earnestly seek him- Hebrews 11:6!

Make 2018 a year of promise and righteous reward!  Starting on Monday, January 1st, a series of 21 images that reference committing your way to God will be posted.  One will be posted per day for 21 days.  You will be able to use them to meditate on God's ways and promise, to pray and worship, to commit.  It is available to those who sign up at the top of the blog page.  The day you sign up is the day you start receiving the images.  (Note: If you sign up after the first day, previous day images will not be sent.)  Curious about how to roll a stone and commit?  Sign up!  Commit 2018 to God!  

Here is a preview of Day 1-

Christmas, a time to reflect on that fact that God sent his Son into a bloody, violent world.  Is that how your Christmas memories have been spent?  Probably not.  We pursue it as a season to dismiss the violence of the world, trying instead to create a miniature world of our own making, filled with laughter, fellowship, family, happy reflection, gifts, good food, and satisfying rest.   All good things, but temporary indeed, unless there is an eternal promise assigned taking us into the world that promises no more tears. 

Yesterday is the 5 year memorial of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting.  Tiny little faces, of an age of innocence, violently taken from this world.  Overwhelming to process or relive.  I think I will go shopping for Christmas gifts instead or scroll quickly past any story that reminds me of this world's ugliness.  That is the easier way, to live in self-created obliviousness as a way to manage trauma I simply can't process.  But denial and staying oblivious to how evil will be dealt with is a dangerous path. 

There is a way to look at wicked acts.  We can mourn with those who mourn, and have peace in the midst of a world prone to darkness and deceit.  We can look at ourselves too.  But that is only possible when you begin by looking at the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths laying in the animal manger.  

There is a tiny little face, who died a violent death, yet not at an age of innocence.  He was 33 when he died a criminal's shameful death on a cross.  While not an age of innocence, he was innocent.  Sinless, without spot.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  

God the Father had specific design for his Son's holy entrance.  He purposed Christ to completely identify with the oppression, rejection, poverty, fear, and violent acts of this world.  The Father sent his Son to die and it was announced as Good News!  What a paradox the shepherds in the field were presented with!  The angles appeared to them, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel told them to not be afraid because they brought good news of great joy for all people.  They were told their Savior, the promised Messiah was born.  They were to discover the sign, a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

What manger?  Where could the manger be found?  What town?  How in the world to find the baby?

Difficult for us to comprehend, but not difficult for those particular shepherds.  They were Hebrew shepherds who were assigned to watch and raise spotless lambs for sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem.  There was a religious significance to Bethlehem, so when Bethlehem was mentioned to those who lived in the area, people naturally associated it as the place of "sacrificial lambs". 1

Pause and think about that.

There is a reference in Micah 4:8 that mentions a "watchtower of the flock".  This watchtower was in Bethlehem and was a protective place to keep sacrificial new born lambs.  They were put in a rock-like manger made of clay and straw.  They were swaddled in cloths, and placed in the manger after birth, so that they could be protected from marks to their flesh; and possibly be used as a holy sacrifice at the temple if they grew to be without spot or blemish. 

The angel who spoke to the shepherds in the field near Bethlehem was speaking their language.  Those shepherds knew exactly what mangers the angels referenced.  The angel was telling them that a perfect sacrifice was sent from above; and would be found like a little lamb wrapped in cloths lying in one of those mangers at the watchtower of the flock!!! 1

Take some time to meditate on the fact that God sent his Son to offer forgiveness in a bloody world.  Look at the baby in the manger that was sent to die.  Let His sacrifice minister to whatever is bleeding within.  The Holy child heals.  His cries were heard.  God watched over him to keep him from all danger until He could grow and fulfill His holy call to die so all may live.  Cry out and ask Him to enter your heart.  He is Good News for all who believe!!!  

And for more reflection, you can read through a FB post I wrote 5 years ago as reaction to Sandy Hook.  Know that God took those children into His everlasting arms.  Believe in the world He promises after this one ends.  There is a home being built, there is a home that evil cannot destroy.  Open that gift this season to relieve your troubled heart.

John 14:1-3- “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Blessings!

1- Harold Smith, article "The Birth Revisited", www.hethathasanear.com
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Facebook post from December 15, 2012- 21 days to x-mas minus 11- Yesterday. I stopped by church to deliver something and while heading to the office, I look down the hall and here come the pre-schoolers, all in a line to go meet their parents. There is just something about watching their innocence at this age that lifts my spirits, so I slowed until they passed by me. One little boy caught my eye because he was marching along in such a happy, high step and smiling brightly. I caught his eye too; and when he walked by he announced loudly (as he put his hand on his lovely friend in front of him), “I’m going to marry her!” So precious! I got what I wanted, an invitation by a child to join him in celebrating his child-like wonder and happy belief. Then, not too many hours later, I heard about the shooting of elementary age children at Sandy Hook.  After over an hour of watching reports of it, I spent a good hour standing in my kitchen overwhelmed and needing silence. I thought about that little boy earlier who lifted my heart. He was only a little younger than the 20 little ones who lost their life violently yesterday. Total dismay and shock. How will people heal? How will people make sense of it? As I thought about what the news reporters and analysts and specialists said, their complete confusion and lack of an answer was obvious. It was also obvious, they so desperately wanted one.

At the risk of sounding far too simple, there is answer of child-like response and it is to "look up". The Christ child, the little One with a North Star that leads you to him…The Lord Jesus is the only light and answer for such a dark place. Why? Because in moments like this we need peace that SURPASSES our human understanding. He promises to give it- Philippians 4:7. That scripture promise also says that Jesus will protect our minds and hearts. Listening to a pastor interviewed in the area last night, I heard him express many people he knew were clutching to Jesus as their only hope to get through the trauma. He said he was very confident based upon what he had already seen in their tight-knit community that people will hold on to God, despite the incomprehensible events, he has already seen and heard many who can partition off evil as evil and hold on to God’s goodness. The hope of Heaven, an eternal life with Him… that is our real life. Sounds crazy but it’s not to those of us with His Spirit in us. He confirms it. He comforts. He consoles. He gives peace that surpasses understanding. If you are in despair, please look up. This Christmas, I am praying that your spirits will be lifted and saved from this dark world. There is a mystery of child-like wonder to seek out, for you can know him, he can live in you and will be with you- ALWAYS.

John 14:16-18- 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you

​Yes.  God descended.  Supernatural rain fell and thirsty souls were quenched.

Most who attended were kind to leave a note about their time with God at the meditation held on November 18th.  The meditation was a time of prayer and processing troubles with God, as well as an earnest pursuit of His presence and wisdom.  With their permission, here are their words to describe their reaction to the experience:

1. “2 hours with guidance to hear the Spirit speak to me is better than 1 hour of “therapy” with a psychologist.  Thank you Gina, for your ministry, much needed!!”
2. “I didn’t know how God would use this time in His presence, but He brought up a long held relationship issue that I had been struggling to resolve.  He gave me clarity of my thoughts, feelings and fears, and direction to move forward.”
3. “Got peace from torment of seeming to wait so long to find and come to God.  Blamed myself for no teachers or leaders consistent to guide me.  One died when I was young, and another was inconsistent.  And a pastor who said he could not help.  This meditation so helped.”
4. “Experienced God’s Spirit, His fresh scent fell upon me!  Freeing me, from burden.  ‘God, you are the burden bearer, I see you are good.’  I know and believe God sees me as good (through Christ).”
5. “This was my first experience with Into the Waters.  I felt a very genuine sense of the Holy Spirit and nothing about this morning felt forced or fabricated.  Very powerful.”
6. “Every time I participate in a prayer meditation session I walk away with more clarity and peace.  I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence every time, which moves me to joyful tears.”
7. “Gina’s spiritual meditation time offers something a Sunday morning at church does not.  A simple, quiet and calm time to connect and reflect with God.  Gina’s gentle leading and focused prayers allowed me to connect with God in a peaceful and quiet setting.”
8. “Heart-warming, relaxing, feeling God’s presence in a relaxed atmosphere, releasing, cleansing, decompressing.  God’s presence in the room, a glow surrounding the room.”

Praise God for His wonderful work in people's minds and hearts!  There is nothing that compares to a personal holy touch from God, by His Spirit!  The Spirit descended, the Spirit searched, the Spirit instructed and renewed.  As promised.

Where is a reference to such a promise?  1 Corinthians 2:9-16.  Over the last many months, this has become a favorite scripture section.  It’s a good one to memorize and practice repeating in a conversational way as though you were saying it to someone else.  There is SO much wisdom, so much promise, so much truth, so much treasure in these scriptures.  Here are verses 9 and 10:

“What no eye has seen,
What no ear has heard,
And what no human mind has conceived” –
The things God has prepared for those who love him-
These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.’’

We are bombarded and continually subject to hearing messages sent through “the spirit of the world”, verse 12.  But, that is not what followers of Christ receive.  We have received the Spirit who is from God; so that we can understand what God has freely given us, verse 12.  So true, as stated in this section, who can know your thoughts except for your own spirit?!  There is no other human who can know your thoughts.  But this scripture section says that God knows your thoughts and you can know His thoughts, if you have His Spirit. 

It also says that those who do not have his Spirit cannot accept the things that come from God and will think His truth foolishness.  They will not understand; nor be able to discern.  This is great wisdom to avoid argument about spiritual things with people who do not have His Spirit.  Spiritual realities are explained with Spirit-taught words, verse 13.  If you want to know, be known, and understand God, you must have His Spirit. 

The biggest promise of interest to me in verses 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 is to have the mind of Christ, verse 16.  Why?  Because in Christ is hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3. 

Hidden.  God has his ways. 

It is the earnest who seek adventure, who dig for treasures of wisdom and knowledge from God.  They are rewarded. 
 
Are you satisfied with the revelations of others about God, from their books, their quotes, their expression of God’s words to you?  Those can be good and have their place; but its easy reach.  Deeper is the call if you have ears to hear. 

Are you guarding yourself against human wisdom?  We easily talk everything out with our human circle, spending little time in prayer, too hurried to wait with God and wrestle with His truths.   One person said above that 2 hours of time with God is better than 1 hour with a psychologist.  Sounds illogical maybe in our time starved days, how double time with God is better than 1 hour with a human counselor.  But not illogical at all… His presence is so satisfying that you lose track of time.  You are meant to escape the tick-tock of the clock and be supernaturally filled. 

Pursue what is hidden from the world; but freely given through the Spirit.  Be in God’s presence.  Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct God, so as to instruct you, Spirit filled believer?  But you have the mind of Christ, verse 1 Corinthians 2:16.  Seek instruction from the Spirit, wisdom from Wonderful Counselor.  Encourage someone to sign up via email to receive blogs which will include notices of future events!