Meditations

Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“You and you and you and I do experience fine fresh contact with God sometimes, and do carry, out His will sometimes. One question now to be put to the test is this: Can we have that contact with God all the time? All the time awake, fall asleep in His arms, and awaken in His presence, can we attain that? Can we do His will all the time? Can we think His thoughts all the time?

Or are there periods when business, and pleasures, and crowding companions must necessarily push God out of our thoughts? “Of course, that is self-evident. If one thinks of God all the time, he will never get anything else done.” So I thought too, until now, but I am changing my view. We can keep two things in mind at once. Indeed we cannot keep one thing in mind more than half a second. Mind is a flowing something. It oscillates. Concentration is merely the continuous return to the same problem from a million angles. We do not think of one thing. We always think of the relationship of at least two things, and more often of three or more things simultaneously. So my problem is this: Can I bring God back in my mind-flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind as an after image, shall always be one of the elements in every concept and percept?

I choose to make the rest of my life an experiment in answering this question.

Someone may be saying that this introspection and this struggle to achieve God-consciousness is abnormal and perilous. I am going to take the risks, for somebody ought to do it, in this day when psychological experimentation has given a fresh approach to our spiritual problems. If our religious premises are correct at all then this oneness with God is the most normal condition one can have. It is what made Christ, Christ. It is what St. Augustine meant when he said “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”

I do not invite anybody else to follow this arduous path. I wish many might: We need to know so much which one man alone cannot answer. For example:

“Can a laboring man successfully attain this continuous surrender to God? Can a man working at a machine pray for people all day long, talk with God all day long, and at the same time do His task efficiently?”

“Can a merchant do business, can an accountant keep books, ceaselessly surrendered to God?”

“Can a mother wash dishes, care for the babies, continuously talking to God?”

“Can a politician keep in a state of continuous contact with God, and not lose the following of the crowds?”

“Can little children be taught to talk and listen to God inwardly all day long, and what is the effect upon them?”

Briefly, is this a thing which the entire human race might conceivably aspire to achieve? Do we really mean what we say when we repeat “the highest end of man is to find God and to do His will” all the time?

If you are like myself this has been pretty strong diet this afternoon. It may even prove discouraging. So I will put something simpler and more attainable:

“Any hour of any day may be made perfect by merely choosing. It is perfect if one looks toward God that entire hour, waiting for His leadership all through the hour and trying hard to do every tiny thing exactly as God wishes it done, as perfectly as possible. No emotions are necessary. Just the doing of God’s will perfectly makes the hour a perfect one. And the results of that one perfect hour, I believe, will echo down through eternity.”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Can we think His thoughts all the time?”

I can relate to this as I arrive in Poland today to speak at a conference with pastors and ministry workers from across Europe and then enter Ukraine on Saturday for meetings in many key cities.

In settings where I feel like a proverbial fish out of water I pray continually. Do I do any good for God? As you can imagine, I do my best work when I am attuned to Him. I see God work like in the Book of Acts.

But in my comfort zone, I can function on autopilot. I can easily forget about God or think I can sort the day on my own strength.

But when I pray continuously, I discern by the Holy Spirit when to remain silent, when to speak, and what words to say. I have no agenda but what I sense from the Lord. I feel this on most every trip.

But it can happen in domestic settings. I was watching my granddaughters the other day, which is less familiar than speaking at a conference for me, and God helped me know what to do in the moment.

Most people like to stay in their comfort zone. There our tendency is to trust in ourself to navigate life. We need to get off the couch. Or as I will tell them in Ukraine, get out of the foxhole.

Surrender five minutes or an hour looking to God and offering to doing His will. You might just make your best contributions ever and decide to make it a way of life.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

“Last Thursday night I was listening to a phonograph in Lumbatan and allowing my heart to commune, when something broke within me, and I longed not only to lift my own will up and give it completely to God, but also to lift all the wills in the world up and offer them all in utter surrender to His will. To feel this great longing as I felt it then with all my being, to desire to put one’s shoulder under all the world’s hunger and need, and to carry it all to God, is not this the highest longing one can ever feel? Probably not, but it is the climax of my spiritual experience to this date. God, be the thought within my brain, and be the thought in every brain in the world, so that no thought save the thoughts of God shall take birth in any human mind. And this will be heaven!”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Meeting God soul to soul and face to face.”

I confess, the first time I read this I thought, “What were you listening to on the phonograph?” Then I pondered and something profound came to my awareness. Ponder with me.

What Laubach did that day basically matches what Jesus wants all of us praying every day: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” That’s the heart of the Lord’s prayer. So the giving that comes into view today relates to lifting my own will up and giving it completely to God.

Hang with me a little longer. The implications are huge.

A will of a person is the decision-making part. It’s the part that decides whether we will choose to live generously and serve as a conduit of blessing or not. Jesus gives us insight along these lines. “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” John 6:38

The will drives everything for you and me, including our generosity. This leads me to pray with Laubach.

Father in heaven, I lift all the wills in the world up and offer them all in utter surrender to Your will. I want each one to follow the example of Jesus and do Your will, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else. In your mercy, hear this prayer for the world, in Jesus name. Amen.

And pray for safe travel with my wife Jenni to Poland today and Ukraine by Saturday. Details to follow. Thanks.

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. 2 Corinthians 10:5

“I feel sure now that our thoughts flow around the world even when we do not express them. So I mean to make a contribution with my thoughts every hour. I am making a strenuous effort of will to concentrate upon people, those in my presence and those out of sight in order to send to them my thoughts of Christ.

I propose to think as hard of God as I can when in crowds, in the confidence that really dynamic thought will influence many others. Perhaps you have begun to suspect what tremendous dynamite lies hidden in the idea. If the Christian people, the really Christian people of the world began to comprehend the power of thought, they could use it as a lever to lift the world!”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “A lever to lift the world.”

It’s Easter Monday and the beginning of life after Lent. We have spent a season focusing on in giving, prayer, and fasting and examining our hearts along the way. The season has shaped us to live every moment of like Christ.

Today, Laubach uses two powerful word pictures that link to generosity. First he beckons us to make a contribution with our thoughts. This mirrors the exhortation of the apostle Paul to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.

When we do this, we experience victory. We demolish the spiritual forces of evil with dynamite. We grasp the lever that moves the world. Remember the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us.

Only really Christian people live like they believe this. Do you?

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25

“I feel simply carried along each hour, doing my part in a plan which is far beyond myself. This sense of cooperation with God in little things is what so astonishes me, for I never have felt it this way before. I need something, and turn round to find it waiting for me. I must work, to be sure, but there is God working along with me. To know this gives a sense of security and assurance for the future which is also new to my life. I seem to have to make sure of only one thing now, and every other thing “takes care of itself,” or I prefer to say what is more true, God takes care of all the rest. My part is to live this hour in continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to His will. To make this hour gloriously rich. This seems to be all I need think about.”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Only One Thing Now.”

Happy Easter everyone. I hope you like the new header photo of our tulips covered by a tub and preserved from the blast of a Spring snowstorm. Jesus certainly has everything covered for you and me. Praise the LORD!

The implications of the resurrection of Jesus for humanity are so vast, all the books in the world could not contain them. And I can imagine going a thousand different directions with today’s post.

But I will not. I will keep it simple. On this special day, let’s focus on one thing from the perspective of the man born blind, because we are all just like him. We are all born blind. Only Jesus gives us sight.

This reading from Laubach reminds me of my favorite centering prayer. It came to me from John Stanley who got it from Dolindo Ruotolo. I offer it to you, the Surrender Novena: “Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!”

The only thing that matters today and everyday is living a life of surrender to the risen King, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That takes shape as “continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to His will.”

Wherever He leads I will follow. Whatever He commands I will do. And related to generosity, I have found that He’s not ever trying to rob me but help serve as a conduit of divine blessing and trust Him to care for me when I do that.

Join me in this. “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” I see why I am on this planet. Jesus, help me grow in continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to your will. Amen.

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17

“For the first time in my life I know what I must do off in lonesome Lanao. I know why God left this aching void, for Himself to fill. Off on this mountain I must do three things:

1. I must pursue this voyage of discovery in quest of God’s will. I must because the world needs me to do it.

2. I must plunge into mighty experiments in intercessory prayer, to test my hypothesis that God needs my help to do His will for others, and that my prayer releases His power. I must be His channel, for the world needs me.

3. I must confront these Moros with a divine love which will speak Christ to them though I never use His name. They must see God in me, and I must see God in them. Not to change the name of their religion, but to take their hand and say, “Come, let us look for God.”

…My teacher, Dato Pambaya, told me this week that a good Muslim ought to utter the sacred word for God, every time he begins to do anything, to sleep, or walk, or work, or even turn around. A good Muslim would fill his life with God. I fear there are few good Muslims.

But so would a real Christlike Christian speak to God every time he did anything – and I fear there are few good Christians.”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Boundless joy broken loose.”

The apostle Paul urged the Corinthians (and us) to “live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them.” In Frank Laubach’s case it was lonesome Lanao, a predominantly Muslim province in Mindanao, Philippines.

The same holds true for you, wherever you are in the world, on this Easter Saturday. When we live as a believer we show our faith through our words and deeds and serve as a generous “channel” of blessing to the world.

Laubach determined to discover God’s will, to pray and release God’s power in the world, and to confront people with divine love so they noticed something different and desire to know the God you serve.

Laubach continues by noting that the Muslims don’t do what their faith prescribes and that neither do most Christians. So why don’t we live as believers where God has placed us. Paul states elsewhere that we conform to the world.

Paul urges us in his letter to the Romans not to conform the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That’s my prayer for all of us in life after Easter. That the power of the resurrection will give us a whole new mindset for life.

And as I examine what this looks like practically, I think Laubach is spot on. It requires a perpetual pursuit of the will of God, prayer for God to work, and for us to serve as channels of divine love. Make it so in me, Lord Jesus.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

“The sense of being led by an unseen hand which takes mine while another hand reaches ahead and prepares the way, grows upon me daily. I do not need to strain at all to find opportunity. It plies in upon me as the waves roll over the beach, and yet there is time to do something about each opportunity.

Perhaps a man who has been an ordained minister since 1914 ought to be ashamed to confess that he never before felt the joy of complete, hourly, minute by minute – now what shall I call it? – more than surrender. I had that before. More than listening to God. I tried that before. I cannot find the word that will mean to you or to me what I am now experiencing. It is a will act. I compel my mind to open straight out toward God. I wait and listen with determined sensitiveness. I fix my attention there, and sometimes it requires a long time early in the morning to attain that mental state. I determine not to get out of bed until that mindset, that concentration upon God, is settled.

It also requires determination to keep it there, for I feel as though the words and thoughts of others near me were constantly exerting a drag backward or sidewise. But for the most part recently I have not lost sight of this purpose for long and have soon come back to it. After awhile, perhaps, it will become a habit, and the sense of effort will grow less. But why do I constantly harp upon this inner experience? Because I feel convinced that for me and for you who read there lie ahead undiscovered continents of spiritual living compared with which we are infants in arms. And I must witness that people outside are treating me differently.

Obstacles which I once would have regarded as insurmountable are melting away like a mirage. People are becoming friendly who suspected or neglected me. I feel, I feel like one who has had his violin out of tune with the orchestra and at last is in harmony with the music of the universe.

As for me, I never lived, I was half dead, I was a rotting tree, until I reached the place where I wholly, with utter honesty, resolved and then re-resolved that I would find God’s will, and I would do that will though every fibre in me said no, and I would win the battle in my thoughts. It was as though some deep artesian well had been struck in my soul or
souls and strength came forth.

I do not claim success even for a day yet, in my mind, not complete success all day but some days are close to success, and every day is tingling with the joy of a glorious discovery. That thing is eternal. That thing is undefeatable. You and I shall soon blow away from our bodies. Money, praise, poverty, opposition, these make no difference, for they will all alike be forgotten in a thousand years, but this spirit which comes to a mind set upon continuous surrender, this spirit is timeless life.”

Frank C. Laubach (1884-1970) in Letters By A Modern Mystic (Feedbooks: 2009) letter entitled, “Undiscovered continents of spiritual living.”

I read an excerpt of this classic book a few years ago and posted a quote. My wife, Jenni, enjoyed it recently so I started reading it yesterday. So far, I am loving it. My word for the year is examine so my heart is focused on surrender this year during Holy Week. The posture of the heart of Jesus as He went to the cross for us was continuous surrender.

We tend to think in surrender we lose. Consider two people engaged in a game or wrestling match. When one gives in, they proclaim, “I surrender.” But here Laubach helps us see something deeper. Continuous surrender marks the pathway to perpetual joy. Think about it.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

I was speaking with Jill Turner, fellow author and friend at National Christian Foundation, this week about this joy. We determined that Jesus endured to the cross because He could not wait to be reunited with the Father and take us with Him! But it was only possible through continuous surrender.

Happy Good Friday. Enjoy! “Money, praise, poverty, opposition, these make no difference, for they will all alike be forgotten in a thousand years, but this spirit which comes to a mind set upon continuous surrender, this spirit is timeless life.”

We enjoy eternal life because of the continuous surrender of Jesus. We share that joy generously with others by following in the footsteps of Jesus. Enjoy the counterintuitive gain associated with continuous surrender.

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 1 Kings 17:12-14

“Assure thyself when thou art at the greatest pinch, strength shall come. They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: when the last handful of meal was dressing, then is the prophet sent to keep the widow’s house. When temptation is strong, thy little strength is even spent, and thou ready to yield into the hands of thine enemies, then expect succors from heaven, to enable thee to hold out under the temptation.Thus with Paul, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee,’ i.e. there is power from heaven to raise the siege, and drive away the tempter.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 27) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Today marks the last post from this puritan writing. It contains a significant message. It is perfect for all those who find themselves in a pinch or even the greatest pinch. Don’t be afraid but put your trust in God.

In the Garden of Gethsemane during the Passion Week, the disciples let Jesus down. They could not even pray with Him for an hour without falling asleep. But the God who neither sleeps nor slumbers heard His prayers.

In the greatest pinch in human history, God gave Jesus the grace and strength He needed to bear the cross and horrible suffering. He offers that same grace and strength to us. But we may feel like the widow, bereft of strength and hope and ready to die.

Is that you? Notice that, in her greatest pinch, she gave what she had to God and her flour and oil never ran out. Follow her example, follow the example of Jesus. God does His most generous work when we trust Him in our greatest pinch.

Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” Judges 6:14

“Christian, improve this, when oppressed with the weight of any duty and service, which in thy place and calling lies upon thee. Perhaps thou findest thy duty of thy calling too heavy for thy weak shoulders, make bold by faith to lay the heaviest end of thy burden on God’s shoulder, which is thine (if a believer) as sure as God can make it by promise.

When at any time thou art sick of thy work, and ready to think with Jonah to run from it, encourage thyself with that of God to Gideon, whom he called from the flail to thrash the mountains, ‘Go in this thy might,’ hath not God called thee? Fall to the work God sets thee about, and thou engagest His strength for thee.

The way of the Lord is strength. Run from thy work, and thou engagest God’s strength against thee; Ge will send some storm or other after thee to bring home His runaway servant. How oft hath the coward been killed in a ditch, or under some hedge, when the valiant soldier stood his ground and kept his place got off with safety and honor?

Art thou called to suffer? Flinch not because thou art afraid, thou shalt never be able to bear the cross; God can lay it so even, thou shalt not feel it, though thou shouldst find no succor till thou comest to the prison door, yea, till thou hast one foot on the ladder, or thy neck on the block, despair not… He can give thee so much comfort.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 22) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

God continues to surprise me with the way my reading relates to Holy Week. We is silent Wednesday as we don’t hear much from Jesus. Scholars note that it was likely the day Judas betrayed Jesus, which charted the course of His suffering.

Even as God had a plan for Jonah, Gideon, and Jesus, he has a path marked for you and it likely includes suffering. Go in His strength, friend, and when the way includes suffering, you count on His strength and comfort.

But whatever you do, please, do not allow fear or the desire for comfort and safety to keep you from going. His cross for you – like the cross Jesus bore – is for your good and God’s glory. It’s always the way to go!

You cannot experience the generosity of God to pour out strength and comfort unless you move toward sacrifice and suffering in your living, giving, serving, and loving. Make that your aim this week and in life after Lent.

You’ve got this. God’s got you! And His strength is matchless and comfort is generous.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on His way back to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. Matthew 21:18-19

“Christian, rely upon thy God, and make thy daily applications to the throne of grace for continual supplies of strength; you little think how kindly He takes it, that you will make use of Him, the oftener the better, and the more you come for, the more welcome. Else why would Christ have told His disciples, ‘Hitherto you have asked nothing,’ but to express His large heart in giving? …

Such a bountiful heart thy God hath, while thou art asking a little peace and joy, He bids thee open thy mouth wide and He will fill it. Go and ransack thy heart, Christian, from one end to the other, find out thy wants, acquaint thyself with all thy weaknesses, and set them before the Almighty, as the widow her empty vessels before the prophet; hadst thou more than thou canst bring, thou mayest have them all filled.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 22) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

As I watch Jesus during Holy Week, I see Him wanting us to bear fruit, to ask for what we need, to be the fruitful followers He wants us to be, and to rely upon Him to make it so.

Gurnall would say we need to make “daily applications” to the throne of grace for whatever we need. Notice that He describes our Lord Jesus Christ as having a “large heart in giving.”

Even as He takes the life of the fig tree on this day many, He can give life as well. He can fill us with whatever we need like Elisha filled the empty vessels with the oil that the widow needed.

What do you need to be fruitful for God? Ask Him for it. Make daily applications during Holy Weeks and every week of the year. Do this because we serve a Lord who has a large heart in giving!

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:15

“Christ’s presence and employment in heaven lays a strong engagement on God to bring His whole force and power into the field upon all occasions for His saints’ defense. One special end of His journey to heaven, and abode there, is that He might, as the saints’ solicitor, be ever interceding for such supplies and succors of His Father as their exigencies call for; and the more to assure us of the same before He went, He did, as it were, tell us what heads He meant to go upon His intercession when He should come there; one of which was this, that His Father should keep his children while they were to stay in the world from the evil thereof. Neither doth Christ take upon Him this work of His own head, but hath the same appointment of His Father for what He now prays in heaven, as He did for what He suffered on earth.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 18) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

As we focus on the work of Christ for us this week, we should see it not as an end but a beginning. He did not suffer and stop. He serves as our solicitor to this day.

He never ceases to intercede to the Father for whatever supplies and succors we need. That ranges from provision to protection. Pause to thank Him for that as we enter Holy Week.

His desire for us to live lives of rich Christian generosity find roots in His unending intercession for us. Let this give confidence to the living out of our faith.