Commune with God

This quote from Andrew Murray is one I read last week and it touched my heart.

The first and chief need of our Christian life is fellowship with God. The Divine life within us comes from God, and is entirely dependent upon Him. As I need every moment afresh the air to breathe, as the sun every moment afresh sends down its light, so it is only in direct living communication with God that my soul can be strong. The manna of one day was corrupt when the next day came. I must every day have fresh grace from heaven, and I obtain it only in direct waiting upon God Himself. Begin each day by tarrying before God, and letting Him touch you. Take time to meet God.
Andrew Murray
The Deeper Christian Life (an aid to its attainment)

Elaboration on Psalm 23

While I was reading the book entitled “Grand Weaver” by Ravi Zacharias, I found a very interesting elaboration on Psalm 23. He used it to show how the Psalms are used by the Lord to show us how He is supplies us all our needs.

From “Grand Weaver” by Ravi Zacharias, page 50-51

The Lord is my Shepherd - that's relationship!
I shall not be in want - that's supply!
He makes me lie down in green pastures - that's rest!
He leads me beside quiet waters - that's refreshment!
He restores my soul - that's healing!
He guides me in the paths of righteousness - that's guidance!
For His name's sake - that's purpose!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - that's testing!
I will fear no evil - that's protection!
For you are with me - that's faithfulness!
Your rod and the staff, they comfort me - that's discipline!
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies - that’s hope!
You anoint my head with oil - that's consecration!
My cup overflows - that's abundance!
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life -
that's blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - that's security!
Forever - that's eternity!

AUTHOR OF ELABORATED MATERIAL UNKNOWN

From "Searching For God Knows What"

My recommendation for a book to read shown in the right column is one I have been enjoying for the last week or so. I will share the thesis and some points in the near future, but wanted to share a quote which ‘leapt’ off the page at me last night.

From Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller, p. 46-47

“. . . if the gospel of Jesus is relational: that is, if our brokenness will be fixed, not by our understanding of theology, but by God telling us who we are, then this would require a kind of intimacy of which only heaven knows. Imagine, a Being with a mind as great as God’s, with feet like trees and a voice like a rushing wind, telling you that you are His cherished creation.
. . . God’s love, God’s voice and presence, would instill our souls with such affirmation we would need nothing more and would cause us to love other people so much we would be willing to die for them. Perhaps this is what the apostles stumbled upon.” Amen!!

Why 2BNormal?

I have enjoyed reading Watchman Nee's books over the years and his book 'The Normal Christian Life' was instrumental in providing me an 'epiphany' in my Christian growth (story for a later post). In the first sentence of this book he asks, "What is the normal Christian life?" His answer is developed over the rest of the book, but the verse at the heading of this blog provides the short answer.
Nee writes, "The apostle Paul gives us his own definition of the Christian life in Galations 2:20. It is 'no longer I, but Christ'. Here he is not starting something special or peculiar - a high level of Christianity. He is, we believe, presenting God's normal for a Christian, which can be summarized in the words: I live no longer, but Christ lives His life in me."

My prayer for myself and others is for us '2BNormal' by God's definition of what a Christian is!!