Tag: jesus

The Miracle of Water

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.                                                                                       Isaiah 44:3-4

Isaiah 44:3-4 talks about the outpouring of water on a thirsty land. The Israelites lived in a semi-arid land, where water often was scarce. People depended on the “early and latter rains” for the crops to have any chance of flourishing. Starvation was possibly one missed late season rainfall away. Water on a thirsty land was a metaphor very close to their hearts. The prophet Isaiah used this analogy to describe the effect of the Spirit of God on his people. He likened the Spirit to the life giving waters in a desert land.

What was true then in ancient Israel is true today. Water is essential for physical life, and the Spirit of God is essential for spiritual life. The Spirit of God was moving over the waters in creation, and the Spirit of God is moving in the hearts of believers. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians that spiritual things can only be discerned with the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. We cannot know God aside from the guidance and direction of His Spirit.

I find “dry” times in my spiritual life at times, just as the desert is dry without the life-giving waters provided by the rain. The Spirit of God is the only one who can refresh my dry spirit. Yet this Spirit, the power of creating the universe, can be quelled by my indifference, my failure to yield, my pride, my sense of entitlement. 

Think of a drink of cool water on a blistering hot day after you have been deprived of water for a while. Like that water we drank as kids from the garden hose after playing in the sun. Remember how refreshing that was?! It renewed your physical body, and you actually were revived. The Holy Spirit of God does that for our souls when we allow him to guide our thoughts and actions.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for your Spirit, whom you have placed in my heart. I know that the Spirit gives life, and it gives my soul refreshment. I will acknowledge His leading today, and I will give you the praise, Amen.

The Miracle of Water

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.                                                                                       Isaiah 44:3-4

Isaiah 44:3-4 talks about the outpouring of water on a thirsty land. The Israelites lived in a semi-arid land, where water often was scarce. People depended on the “early and latter rains” for the crops to have any chance of flourishing. Starvation was possibly one missed late season rainfall away. Water on a thirsty land was a metaphor very close to their hearts. The prophet Isaiah used this analogy to describe the effect of the Spirit of God on his people. He likened the Spirit to the life giving waters in a desert land.

What was true then in ancient Israel is true today. Water is essential for physical life, and the Spirit of God is essential for spiritual life. The Spirit of God was moving over the waters in creation, and the Spirit of God is moving in the hearts of believers. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians that spiritual things can only be discerned with the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. We cannot know God aside from the guidance and direction of His Spirit.

I find “dry” times in my spiritual life at times, just as the desert is dry without the life-giving waters provided by the rain. The Spirit of God is the only one who can refresh my dry spirit. Yet this Spirit, the power of creating the universe, can be quelled by my indifference, my failure to yield, my pride, my sense of entitlement. 

Think of a drink of cool water on a blistering hot day after you have been deprived of water for a while. Like that water we drank as kids from the garden hose after playing in the sun. Remember how refreshing that was?! It renewed your physical body, and you actually were revived. The Holy Spirit of God does that for our souls when we allow him to guide our thoughts and actions.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for your Spirit, whom you have placed in my heart. I know that the Spirit gives life, and it gives my soul refreshment. I will acknowledge His leading today, and I will give you the praise, Amen.

Taking Thoughts Captive

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ                                                   II Corinthians 10:5

The Bible talks about “taking our thoughts captive” in the context of fighting for the truth of the gospel. It discusses tearing down any damaging thoughts that might take us away from the truth of the mission of Jesus in God’s plans.

I discuss with clients the idea of “taking thoughts captive” in a slightly different context. Often when clients are feeling depressed or anxious, they have been beset by irrational thoughts that are often self-defeating. I encourage people to pause when feelings of anxiety or great sadness occupy their mind. In that pause, I ask them to become aware of what their thoughts are. Are they negative and accusing? Are they thoughts filled with dreadful expectations of doom or failure? Are they reminders of past mistakes, now magnified by the passage of time? Are they assurances of future failure, or the belief that others do not like them?

In truth, it can be many things. The idea of a pause is to become aware in the moment, “what am I thinking right now?” When we do this, we are taking cognitive control of a situation that perhaps was going out of control. We ask ourselves in that moment, “Is this thought true?” By doing this we can cast down the myths that anxiety often overwhelms us with. By checking on the truth, we are able to refute the irrational nature of anxiety and depression.

I also suggest often that people write down these truths, indeed to “capture” them on paper. By doing these things, we can assume control of our thinking, and refute the self-defeating notions that our mind might be supplying.   

Breathing a prayer at the time of reckoning can also slow us down, and remind us of the truth that sets us free- God loves us, right in that moment.

Prayer: Lord, we are free when we can see the truth of your love for us, Amen

Taking Thoughts Captive

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ                                                   II Corinthians 10:5

The Bible talks about “taking our thoughts captive” in the context of fighting for the truth of the gospel. It discusses tearing down any damaging thoughts that might take us away from the truth of the mission of Jesus in God’s plans.

I discuss with clients the idea of “taking thoughts captive” in a slightly different context. Often when clients are feeling depressed or anxious, they have been beset by irrational thoughts that are often self-defeating. I encourage people to pause when feelings of anxiety or great sadness occupy their mind. In that pause, I ask them to become aware of what their thoughts are. Are they negative and accusing? Are they thoughts filled with dreadful expectations of doom or failure? Are they reminders of past mistakes, now magnified by the passage of time? Are they assurances of future failure, or the belief that others do not like them?

In truth, it can be many things. The idea of a pause is to become aware in the moment, “what am I thinking right now?” When we do this, we are taking cognitive control of a situation that perhaps was going out of control. We ask ourselves in that moment, “Is this thought true?” By doing this we can cast down the myths that anxiety often overwhelms us with. By checking on the truth, we are able to refute the irrational nature of anxiety and depression.

I also suggest often that people write down these truths, indeed to “capture” them on paper. By doing these things, we can assume control of our thinking, and refute the self-defeating notions that our mind might be supplying.   

Breathing a prayer at the time of reckoning can also slow us down, and remind us of the truth that sets us free- God loves us, right in that moment.

Prayer: Lord, we are free when we can see the truth of your love for us, Amen

Merry Christmas!

As is my tradition, here is Luke’s story of the birth of Jesus from the King James Version, a beautiful and classic rendition…

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

And to my readers around the world…

Merry Christmas!

Hyvää joulua!

Frohe/Fröhliche Weihnachten!

God jul och ett gott nytt år!

Feliz Natal!

Feliz Navidad!

Shubho Borodin!