Starting off the New Year with a reading of Psalm 147…
We admire the strong, the successful, those who can stand on their own. But God is not impressed with human strength, he invites us to receive his strength and walk in the fear of the Lord.
“the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (v.11)
The Lord delights in two things about his people – that they fear him and that they put their hope in his unfailing love. I want to grow in my fear of the Lord and develop my ability to trust and hope in his unfailing love.
“God sends his word and it melts them”… encourages us this morning as we pray for a situation that is calling for a breakthrough from God. Send your word Lord. Speak the truth Lord Jesus. May your word run swiftly and break through the deception and bring humility and healing.
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The contrast is obvious; you can live your life trusting in people and your own plans or put your hope entirely in the Lord. The activity of God is praised by the writer of this Psalm. God is active in many different ways and we are invited to trust in him. If we are going to make plans, it would seem they need to include the help and power of God.
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The title of this journal for listening to God comes directly from Isaiah 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, YOUR EARS WILL HEAR a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” The four words form a promise that is both personal and certain, and have become watchwords of the MARK Centre.
Steve and Evy Klassen have written this workbook together as part of their work as directors of the MARK Centre. They intend to use this resource for their retreats and training experiences, but have also written it for a wider audience. The workbook contains 65 one-page stories of how people have been guided by God, matched by a page with one key question on top, a little coaching, lots of space to write, and a Scripture verse at the bottom.
The book has already received praise from international authors like Paul Hawker, who claims ‘Your Ears Will Hear’ offers a smorgasbord of stories and practices for seekers to draw from as they pursue their quest to hear God’s voice?. In his foreword, Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With A Mission, promises ‘You will enjoy recognizing and listening to the voice of God while working through this book.’
To order this book please contact us at 604.556.7796 or office@markcentre.org
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Psalm 143:11
For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
Preserve my life Lord. Preserve my spiritual well-being. Preserve my relationship with you. Care for me Lord. Protect me. Defend me. Save me. Conserve my life.
“May your kind presence lead me into a level land.” (v.10)
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“Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.”
We enjoyed pondering the fact that David wrote this Psalm from a cave. He wrote in faith and we cried out in faith for Sandy’s full recovery and healing from cancer. Dan was with us and it was sweet to reflect on God’s very present help through this time. Dan is seeing the righteous gather about him and Sandy and it is humbling.
Glory to God.
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4 “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil”
8 “But my eyes are fixed on you”
Fixing my eyes on God and his presence in the day to day grind is how I want to live. My eyes are fixed on the Lord and what he is doing. Day to day there will be things that could draw my heart away from God, away from life-giving things. But I know my heart will be drawn to God as my eyes are fixed on him and how he is working all around me.
What comes out of my mouth reflects the desires of my heart. Guard your mouth Lord. My life comes from God, not from talking about stuff, not from information.
My speech is a fountain. I hope my words are life-giving for others, if not they are better off being damned up in silence.
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We met and reflected on themes of living in God’s presence, experiencing his Sovereign help.
psalm 140
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The intimate presence of God was celebrated.
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Psalm 131 is unique. Yet the message is also very consistent with numerous invitations in Scripture to be still and silent before God. The invite to silence is also an invite to let go and to trust.
Recently on Pender Island I took some time to enjoy the ocean by myself one evening. I sat there as the waves came in and I silently spoke out the word calm. I remember thinking and speaking out loud how the waves were calming me. I wanted to hear something new and fresh from God but it seemed that the waves were like his voice to me that evening. I didn’t need anything else. And the effect was calming. Then a man came to say HI and chat a while. I was relaxed and patient with him, although I was not really in the mood for visiting with him. But as he left me he thanked me for spending time with him and he said this, “Being with you makes me calm…”
I like the fact that this Psalm is written from the perspective of the writer calming himself before God. We can partner with God in this way of listening to him. We can choose to calm and quiet ourselves. In nature, through Scripture, as we write, read, or in lots of different ways, we can become quiet and make space for God. As we calm ourselves, God will bring his peace and calm us.
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