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Newsletter -- Winter 2007 Edition, Vol. 3 Content:
A Drop of Meditation Posted on Mar. 1, 2007 "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
This is where Zechariah prophesizes the coming of the Messiah after the dedication of the temple they had just rebuilt. Many Christians would picture Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
However, for Christ it was the entrance for death on the cross, through which the sins of those who believe in Christ would be forgiven. This was not what the crowd of people, who one day escorted Christ on a donkey through the city gate, were expecting from Him. They were following Christ expecting the manifestation of His power, not really because of their love for Him as a “person.”
Do “we” follow Him because of what He can do for us, or simply because we are in love with His person and want, above all things, to be with Him? If our motive is grounded in love, we follow and rejoice in Him even when His ways go in directions that differ from what we might otherwise expect.
"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!" No matter how the "reality" in front of our eyes might appear, we need to trust that the Will of the Almighty King, who loves us dearly, will be accomplished. ~S.H.~
Prayer Tips: Prayer Exercise by Spiritual Type Posted on Mar. 1, 2007 "Pray As You Are: #2"
The previous issue of this newsletter suggested that prayer is something that many of us consider a difficult thing to do, and that it could be because many of us believe prayer must be conducted a certain way. Those who’ve taken the spiritual test might have discovered a personal style in approaching the walk with Christ.
This time I’d like to introduce you to a site (MethodX) where you can practice prayers specifically designed for your spiritual type. Click the link below to read the introduction and try out the exercise. This offers an opportunity to experience prayer in the manner of four spiritual types: Sage, Lover, Mystic and Prophet. MethodX suggests that we try all four exercises in order to determine our own, unique style of prayer. Our prayer is that, even in this life, everyone can live in and savor the taste of Heaven twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year! • Praying the Lover Way
• Praying the Mystic Way
• Praying the Prophet Way
• Praying the Way You Pray
* Note: If you have a problem accessing or practicing the exercise, please feel free to contact Snow Hirose.
Step by Step Posted on Mar. 1, 2007 "Order my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."
Psalm 119:133 (KJV)
When I was a child my parents tried to teach me what was right and what was wrong. But I didn’t always do the right thing, and at times I was disciplined for my disobedience. Then, suddenly I was grown up, and when a question of right or wrong arose I had to make the decision myself. Even in adulthood I found that one could suffer the consequences for choosing the wrong path. More and more, as I developed as a Christian, I found it best to ask God to order my steps. I found it best to depend upon him for guidance. When my steps were ordered by the Lord, I found my life was happier and more complete. You too will find this is so.
CHRIST’S POWER IN OUR LIVES Posted on Mar. 1, 2007
Are you content in any situation you face? The Bible teaches us how to be content whether we have an abundance or very little. Do you have great needs, or are you discontented because you don’t have what you want? Whatever the situation or the reason, you can rely on God’s Promise and Christ’s Power, for therein you will find contentment. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment in every situation. He will supply all your needs, and always in the way He knows is best for you.
When we are content it is because we can see life not simply from our worldly perspective but from God’s point of view. Suddenly we are able to focus on what we’re supposed to be, not what we feel we should have. If we have our priorities straight, we’ll experience gratitude for everything that God gives to us. Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill a void in one’s life. For example, what is it you blame when you experience feelings of emptiness? The question, then, is how one can find true contentment. The answer lies in your perspective, your priorities and your source of power. By leaving your own worldly perspective and trusting in the power of Christ, the Son of God, your priorities will return to the goal of being and living true to that being. You’ll view yourself with more compassion and understanding, and you’ll see others that way too.
We can trust that God will always meet our needs, but we must remember that He might not supply them all in this life. Christians suffer and die, and God doesn’t always intervene to spare them. However, in the new heaven and the new earth [Rev. 21:1-3]—from which sin is forever banished--our wants and needs will be abundantly supplied for eternity.
All Christians today are linked to others across cultural, economic and social barriers. That’s the blessing of our common bond and unity in Christ. We are family, and all believers are truly brothers and sisters in Christ. Our congregation is made up of many different kinds of people who are learning to work together in unity. Problems will of course emerge on occasion, but we must be prepared for such difficulties. We must learn the true secret of contentment, joy and peace – which we achieve by emulating Christ and serving others. By focusing our minds on Christ we will learn unity, humility, contentment, joy and peace. We must read the Word of God and pray. We must ask him to help us focus our minds on what is good and pure. By doing this we will be motivated to live for him. We can live confidently for him, because we have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with our spirit (Philippians 4:23, NLT).
Ultimate contentment and joy comes from Christ, who dwells within us. "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT) ~By Charlene Williams~
The editorial services of this newsletter is provided by TransPros.Net
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