Wholeness - healing

For the remainder of this month we will talk about "Wholeness." To be “whole” is to be well in every dimension of being. To be “whole” is to be well in every dimension of being.
These studies are going to be brief – more teasers than studies really. They are a starting point to get us thinking of the meaning of what we read and not just breeze through scriptures without looking closely. As a warm up to the subject however, we will begin by talking about wholeness as it relates to healing. Our first example then is Joshua 5:8 and for these couple of days let’s read from the Amplified Bible. Here goes: “When they finished circumcising all the males of the nation, they remained in their places in the camp till they were healed.” Remember we are substituting “healed” for “whole.” This event comes right after the death of Moses as Joshua takes over the task of getting the Israelites settled in their new land. All the males born in the wilderness needed to be circumcised in keeping with the covenant. God reminded Joshua to perform this task and naturally, they could not travel immediately afterwards. Why don’t you read the entire chapter by the time we meet again on Wednesday?
In the meantime think about this: Necessary and sometimes God directed tasks are not without their share of pain. ©9/2010

Day 22 The Heart of Worship Psalm 119: 169-176

TAU - Our conversations with God have at least three components – prayer, supplication and thanksgiving. All three are demonstrated in these verses. Verse 169 he prays and ask God to allow his prayers into the Throne Room. We often forget how exalted a privilege we have to simply bow our heads and pray – no sacrifices, no fear or being struck down because of our unworthiness, we just pray. The Psalmist asks for understanding and we know the Holy Spirit gives us understanding so we pray according to the will of the Father.
The he speaks of supplication. What exactly is supplication? Webster’s Online Dictionary gives this definition: A humble petition; an earnest request; an entreaty. One gets the idea this has a lot to do with attitude. Let us never forget when we pray we are God’s beloved children not demanding but believing our prayers will be answered simply because he loves us. This does not mean we always get instantaneous answers. Sometimes we have to “press in” i.e. go against our inclinations to give up or doubt God will answer. We also learn to put our own desires under subjection believing God will always have our best at heart.
Verses 171 and172 talks about giving praise which goes hand in hand with worship. Simply put we praise the worth of our God. Where shall we begin – God’s power in creation as the architect and sustainer of all things? We can speak of salvation, redemption, healing and daily provision – a truly endless list. Here’s a little exercise. The very next night you have trouble sleeping try counting blessings instead of counting sheep. If by chance you run out of things to be thankful for, start praising.
I love the Psalmist because he never gets so engaged in his devotion he forgets his weaknesses. None of us are strong enough to live the Christian life on our own because sheep will always behave like sheep. We wander. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments verse 176. If sheep are always "sheepish" imagine our faithful Shepherd who is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He truly deserves our praise. Copyright 8/2010

Day 21 The Heart of Worship Psalm 119:161-168

SCHIN - Our generation has seen the breakdown of reverence and the loss of awe. The commonplace is exalted and the things deserving of honor are trivialized. Even the word awesome has lost its meaning. Today awesome describes a hamburger or the Aurora Borealis, a new dress or a solar eclipse. Ravaged by both higher and lower criticism the Bible is scandalized and tossed aside as mere words. In moments of kindness it may rank with the works of Aristotle, Plato, Confucius or other wisdom literature of bygone eras.
The writer of Psalm 119 expresses delight in, hunger, thirst and reverence for the Word of God. One cannot have a proper appreciation for the greatness and majesty of God without being in awe of his word. His Word is the revelation of himself as John’s gospel says in chapter 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Stands to reason then, believers of all people, should accord proper reverence to the Bible as if we stood with Moses conversing with God face to face. The very sanctity of life is bound up in the Word as millions have died and continue to die for the preservation of these words. Today millions are enslaved, ostracized, imprisoned, and dispossessed for their love of the Word.
A holy awe, the practice of praise and a love of the Word produce great dividends – peace and stability. A soul stirred by the Word, fortified by praise and living in God’s presence will not stumble or be thrown off balance by every perversion the world presents.Copyright 8/2010

Day 20 The Heart of Worship Psalm 119: 153-160

RESH - We all reach spiritual plateaus. No, not of holiness but a flattening out of our efforts. A place where we have finally done all the real “spiritual” things but still feel a peculiar emptiness. At other times we are deluged by negative circumstance and all our good intentions get swept away by floods of anxiety. At such times discernment dictates we go beyond our selves and seek renewal, a quickening or a coming to life by the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit. The Psalmist prays “quicken me according to your word.” What may some of those words be? I can think of the “fear nots,” one for every day of the year. There is also “be still,” and most powerful of all, “I am.”

We can study the Bible, love God with all our hearts and be model Christians in every area of living. Still, I am powerless to enliven my spirit. I cannot generate a revival through religious calisthenics. Only the Holy Spirit, the one who raised the Son from the dead has that power. As the old hymn says: O Holy Ghost revival comes from thee/Send a revival start the work in me.©8/2010

Day 19 The Heart of Worship Psal 119: 145-152

KOPH - I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy Judgment.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. ______Psalm 119: 145-152

God’s footsteps are so much easier to see before the world awakens and rushes across our path. His gentlest whisper comes with such clear resonance when there is no completion with the strident voice duties and dire emergencies. Nothing starts the day as well as prayer. Our Psalmist (verse 145 and 146) knows this and starts his prayer time before daybreak. Marks Gospel shows Jesus seeking the Father’s presence “A great while before day.” He fortified himself with prayer before meeting the onslaught of needs. Maybe you are wondering, how can I possibly carve out more minutes when my morning already starts earlier than it should? Just remember prayer has no posture except of the heart. Indeed if we are to follow the injunction of praying without ceasing, we will have to develop the habit of praying wherever we are. Tomorrow whether late at night or a great while before dawn, turn your heart to Him in prayer.©8/2010