In our first meeting, I describe to the new believer how a follower of Jesus sets aside time and space every day. For focused communion with the Lord.
This conversation on abiding continues each time we meet.
We talk about the soul’s need for daily food from the Truth of Scripture.
And how to come before Him with mind and heart open to His Word.
Open hearts
We consider the importance of waiting and listening as we pray.
I share my own prayer. Written multiple times with several variations in my journals.
Simple and basic.
“Lord, open my eyes that I may see. Open my ears that I may hear. Open my heart to obey Your Word today.”
Open hearts make all the difference.
Open response
How refreshing to read the Bible with this new believer. To hear her observations and questions.
We talk about how His Word is ancient and new. Eternal. Mystery. And revelation. Treasure appears no matter how many times we read a passage.
And He teaches us how to apply His Truth in our daily lives.
I show her a simple diagram designed by The Navigators. This tool explains well all the different ways we receive and learn God’s Word.
[NOTE: Their tool is easily reproducible and can be found here. I’ve added “OBEY God’s Word, James 1:22-25” to the palm of the hand.]
Pray and meditate
I share with her an example of one way I pray and meditate through a passage in the Word of God.
It’s meditation. As well as a conversation with Him about His Truth. In free verse form.
Somehow it helps me clarify what I’ve seen and heard.
A meditation on Mark 7:32-37
“Ephphatha,”
You said to the deaf man
with muddled speech.
After
fingers in his ears,
spit on his hindered tongue.
“Be opened.“
And his ears were flung wide
to the sounds of life
on every side.
His tongue was untied,
unlocked from whatever
held it captive.
He began to speak.
Clearly.
His open ears and loosened tongue
a proclamation
of the astonishing
Jesus.
“Tell no one.”
But they did.
“Extremely astonished”
by Your work and Your way.
“He has done everything well.”
Some days
my hearing is dulled,
my tongue is tied.
I don’t speak Your glory
and truth.
Touch my ears,
my lips.
Whisper “Ephphatha” to my heart.
“Be opened.“
That I may truly
listen
and obey,
speaking clearly
Truth
of the astonishing
Jesus.
You do all things well.
susan lafferty
4 February 2014
New Delhi, India
What about you?
How do you make time and space to be alone with the Father every day in your particular life season? What helps you meditate on God’s Word? What helps you remember and apply the Scriptures?
Related
Teach me Your way – Rushing past – Daily abiding – Abiding with little and much – Deeper in – Meditate – God who reveals – Habit – Romans 10:17 – Revelation 1:3 – Acts 17:11 – Psalm 119:9,11 – Psalm 1:2-3 – Matthew 7:24 – Mark 7:32-37 – Navigators Word Hand Illustration –
Note–During the month of August I’m taking my annual break from weekly posting. This was originally published on June 6, 2018.