Browsing Tag

Communion

Still Small Voice

Oil of Gladness

November 6, 2023
I

have the oil that you need to keep shining bright. Come to Me to buy the oil of gladness, the oil of communion with Me. The oil will keep you lit. The oil will keep you pure. Take from Me what you cannot buy from this world. This oil produces a sweet aroma, a fragrance of deep intimacy. Those who smell this aroma will know your master. They will know we are one. This oil will cost you everything. It will be the most precious commodity for living—more precious than milk and honey and wine. More precious than gold and silver. This oil will last for an eternity because it is produced in intimacy with Me and it will never run out. This oil is priceless yet it costs what you are willing to give—yourself. Give Me your heart and this oil will flow like a river of life.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. — Psalm‬ ‭45‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.” — Psalm‬ ‭45‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” — Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

T

engo el aceite que necesitas para seguir brillando. Ven a Mí a comprar el aceite de la alegría, el aceite de la comunión Conmigo. El aceite te mantendrá encendido. El aceite te mantendrá puro. Toma de Mí lo que no puedes comprar en este mundo. Este aceite produce un aroma dulce, una fragancia de profunda intimidad. Quienes huelan este aroma conocerán a tu maestro. Sabrán que somos uno. Este aceite te costará todo. Será el bien más preciado para vivir—más precioso que la leche, la miel y el vino. Más precioso que el oro y la plata. Este aceite durará una eternidad porque se produce en la intimidad Conmigo y nunca se acabará. Este aceite no tiene precio, pero cuesta lo que estas dispuesto a dar: tu ser. Dame tu corazón y este aceite fluirá como un río de vida.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

“Has amado la justicia y aborrecido la maldad. Por eso Dios, tu Dios, te ha ungido con óleo de alegría más que a tus compañeros; Tus vestidos están todos fragantes con mirra, áloe y casia. — Salmo 45:7-8 NVI

“Toda gloriosa es la princesa en su cámara, con túnicas tejidas de oro. Con túnicas de muchos colores es conducida ante el rey, seguida por sus compañeras vírgenes. Con gozo y alegría son conducidos hasta que entran al palacio del rey”. — Salmo 45:13-15 NVI

“Porque cuando las insensatas tomaron sus lámparas, no llevaron aceite consigo, pero las prudentes tomaron alforjas de aceite con sus lámparas”. — Mateo 25:3-4 NVI

Meditation

Secrets of the Redwood Forest (Strong Roots)

September 6, 2023

Redwoods on a trail along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in Northern California. Photo / Merwyn Sanders II (2022)

 

The coastal redwoods, found mostly in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, are the tallest trees on Earth. The secret that upholds these giant trees is found in their roots. They only go 6-12 feet deep but extend up to 100 feet wide and interlock with neighboring redwood trees.

Imagine a wide root system spread out underground giving it the strength to stand above ground through strong winds, earthquakes, storms, and floods. Their scientific name attests to their durability; sequoia sempervirens, which means “evergreen or everlasting.”

Roots are vitally important because they provide nutrients and stability. This is true in our spiritual life as well. However, they’re only as strong as the source of their strength.

dark night of the soul

Recently, I went through what could be described as a ‘dark night of the soul.’ The build-up of stress at work revealed unresolved trauma from the past and erupted as severe anxiety coupled with depression for over a month. I was off work during that time and ended up making a prayerful decision to resign from a job I was at for 9 years that I viewed more as ministry than work.

However, when mechanisms are not in place to support staff, burnout usually follows. It was one of the hardest experiences I’ve been through. I’m still processing what led me to that place, the loss, the disappointment, but most importantly, discovering new depths in my relationship with God.

There’s always hope when we cry out to the God who loves us and who has promised to never leave us. And this love can reach us in varied ways. One of the ways God comforted and sustained me was through my friends. These friends prayed for me, nurtured me, fed me, listened to me, encouraged me, and presented the light of love in what felt like the darkest of nights, at the time. I know I would’ve made it through even if I were alone, but I wonder how long that would have taken. There is a reason why God once said that it is not good for man to be alone.

fellowship & unity

One of the gifts I discovered from that recent experience is the value and necessity of fellowship with other like-minded believers. Just like the redwoods whose root system is comprised of the interlocked roots of many trees; our strength is found in unity of the faith. There were several key practices, many which were done daily, that contributed to the stability and unity of the early Church that can be a model for us today.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

When you fellowship with other believers, especially around the intimacy of a familial table, you’re taking the time to invest in getting to really know each other and share life’s journey, the good, the bad, and the ugly. You value each other, stir one another to love and good works, build each other up, you worship, pray, and learn together, and you share in the communion of Christ’s death, and meet each other’s needs. From this safe place you venture into ministry. On the other hand, a life lived in isolation breeds hopelessness, loneliness, and weakness.

rooted takeaways

  • We are connected to each other.
  • What we consume affects our brothers/sisters in Christ.
  • If we stay connected, we will get through life together.
  • The source of our strength holds our position and posture.

We’re living in a time when ‘church’ as we’ve known it may change and the call back to small intimate gatherings in homes may be necessary. With this in mind, I encourage you to begin to build some intimate relationships with brothers and sisters and start with a simple dinner around a table. This is what I now value and know to be necessary.