bible Archives - Page 17 of 18

Beyond

Kralingse Plas, Rotterdam (Photo: Irene Bom)

“Farther than the possible limit of sight; beyond what one is able to foresee, know, or anticipate.” That’s how the Free Dictionary defines the phrase, ‘beyond the horizon’.

For God, there are no such limitations.

Doxology

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?’
‘Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?’
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory for ever! Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

To Emmaus and back

For the full story, read Luke 24:13-49.

Here is a summary, with some prayer prompts.

Two of Jesus’ disciples are headed for Emmaus, about 2 hours walking distance from Jerusalem. As they walk down this familiar stretch of road their conversation is coloured by a flood of mixed emotions. On the one hand they are reeling from the traumatic events in Jerusalem when their beloved Lord and Master was arrested and killed, and on the other hand there’s the startling testimony of some of their female friends who claim they saw “a vision of angels, who said Jesus was alive” (Luke 24:23).

Pray for vital relationships in your life to share the highs and lows with.

Soon they too would have a startling testimony to share, thanks to a roadside encounter with the risen Lord, who gently but firmly puts them in the picture: “‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)

Pray for time and motivation to study the Scriptures, to get God’s perspective and to make it your own.

At this point, the disciples are completely unaware they are in conversation with Jesus, but their hearts are warmed by his words, and they invite him to stay the night, hungry for more. Later, at table, in the breaking of the bread, they realize they have been in the presence of Jesus, risen from the dead. They can’t wait to tell the others, and head straight back to Jerusalem, where there is a further treat in store for them: They get to see the Risen Lord again when he appears to the whole assembly.

Pray that your personal encounters with Jesus will be a blessing to the wider community.

Did you know?

The hymn, Abide with me, alludes to Luke 24:29: “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.”

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

by Henry Francis Lyte

Emmaus Blessing

Already a blessing
in the walking

already a blessing
on the road

already a blessing
drawing near

already a blessing
in the listening

already a blessing
in the burning hearts

already a blessing
in the almost evening

already a blessing
in the staying

already a blessing
at the table

already a blessing
in the bread

already a blessing
in the breaking

already a blessing
finally known

already a blessing
give us eyes

already a blessing
let us see.

—Jan Richardson
from paintedprayerbook.com

See also walk, run, soar, especially the Millican’s Meaningful Journeys video (walk).

Show me the way

Duizel in het Park Festival, Rotterdam, August 2017 (Photo: Irene Bom)

The theme I’ve selected for August 2017 is “on a journey”.

The word “journey” does not appear much in the psalms, if ever. “Way” or “ways” is very common, though. Especially in Psalm 119, an extended meditation on living in right relationship with God, walking in his ways: “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.” (Psalm 119:1)

Invariably the word “way” expresses more than a particular road, path, or track that you use to go from one place to another. Instead, it reflects the outcome of multiple journeys that have somehow become internalized into a “way of life” (Psalm 84:11, Proverbs 28:18, Jeremiah 21:8).

Here selected verses from Psalm 143 – a prayer for help and direction on “the way I should go” to find relief and release in tricky situations. Sometimes relief comes from unexpected quarters, like in the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37).

1 LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.

7 Answer me quickly, LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD,
for I hide myself in you.

10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

(Psalm 143:1, 7-10)

Reflection

“The biblical psalms have the Lord God talking through the embattled confessions of children adopted by God who are in the grip of God’s Spirit. Yet, in the psalms, God is also talking live to anybody today, worldwide, who will listen.” (Calvin Seerveld, Voicing God’s Psalms, p. xvii)

Body of water

mary and elizabeth, jesus and john Jesus meets John
for the first time

based on
a Christmas card
I made years ago

In the womb

We start out life in the relatively safe confines of our mother’s womb, cushioned by a body of water, until the waters break and it’s time to show our face and let our voice be heard.

When my mother was 8 months pregnant with me, her appendix burst. My father, a recent immigrant to South Africa without any family nearby to provide support, faced the prospect of losing both his wife and unborn child. The medical team opted to leave me in place. I imagine the nuns at St Joseph’s Maternity Hospital, who knew my mother as a nurse and former colleague and now as a prospective mother and patient, prayed us through the crisis. I was born full term a month later.

Herb Lubalin's logo for a magazine that never saw the light of day,
Mother and child (1966) by Herb Lubalin

Fearfully and wonderfully made

Many times I come back to these words from Psalm 139 – a truth beyond comprehension, revealed to affirm us in the body and in the faith:

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIVUK)

In the body

The phrase “body of water” is also a reference to the role water plays in the human body. For more details, check out this educational video, “What would happen if you didn’t drink water?” by Mia Nacamulli:

Prayer

“Lord, you have given me so much; I ask for one more thing – a grateful heart.”

after George Herbert (1593-1633)

This post is one a number on the theme of water, theme of the month for July 2017.

Mightier than the crashing waves

Ocean north of Belfast, en route to Giant's Causeway
North of Belfast, en route to the Giant’s Causeway (photo: Irene Bom)

Theme: Water.

Here is a psalm featuring the majesty of the ocean waves, reminding us that their power is nothing compared with the power that God has to sustain all life and to bring about change.

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
   the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
   indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
   you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, Lord,
   the seas have lifted up their voice;
   the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
   mightier than the breakers of the sea –
   the Lord on high is mighty.

(Psalm 93:1-4, NIVUK)

Song

About 10 years ago I was inspired by the words of Psalm 93 to write this song. I particularly enjoy the sensation of singing the words “crashing waves” and “pound as they sound”.

Recording

Lyrics
So strong, so majestic
The Lord reigns supreme
Ever constant, ever firm
His throne is everlasting.
Mightier than the crashing waves
He is worthy of all praise.

The floods lift up their voice
Hear the waves pound
as they sound out their praise.
The floods lift up their voice
Let us join the refrain:
‘Lord, you reign!’

For notation see website

More food for thought

A. From the “Born Optimistic” Podcast featuring Irish Singer, Wallis Bird (transcript taken from around 06:40 of the recording):

Interviewer: On the days when you find it hard to be positive, how do you cheer yourself up?
Wallis Bird: A little bit of sweating. There’s a lovely phrase: “Salt water is the cure of everything: sweat, the sea or tears.”

B. Water sounds by Bernie Krause

On Writing Prayer-Poems

prayer poems

PDF handout

I confess. I tend to borrow prayers from others. See the prayer sheets, for example, which are collections of prayers on a theme, sourced from books or other websites like re:Worship.

But sometimes you have to stretch yourself, so when I was putting together the series that became “The Gift” (Preparing for Pentecost) I decided to try my hand at writing some original prayers to accompany the Scriptures I had selected.

I’d like to share what I learnt from writing the twelve prayer-poems I wrote for the series. I hope you, in turn, will be inspired to write prayer-poems of your own.

Continue reading “On Writing Prayer-Poems”

From parched to satisfied

my God, I thirst ... satiisfaction

Mid-June our ladies Bible Group group reflected on PSALM 63, with its rich imagery and strong verbs. I was moved by David’s ability to use his physical circumstances (in the Desert of Judah) to inform his poetry. The theme of dry and parched established in the beginning (v.1) finds a resolution in v. 5 where the psalmist speaks of (true) satisfaction. Note that the act of praising God is an important catalyst. It is our connection with our loving, powerful, generous God that gets us through.

Psalm 63

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

1 You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.

11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Follow up #1

Some weeks later we used the words of Psalm 63 (arranged in alphabetical order) in a writing exercise.

This is what I wrote:

Remember being dry
Remember being satisfied
Those who cling to God
find the power to praise him
even when parched
even in the depths

by Irene Bom

Follow up #2

Since last week I have been chalking the word “remember” in different parts of the city of Rotterdam and have inspired and equipped others to do the same in their neighbourhoods.

Further reading
Also on the theme of water (theme of the month): The wells of salvation and Quiet near a little stream

The wells of salvation

Living water Isaiah 12:3 (NIVUK) reads:

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

“wells of salvation” – plural

Many years ago I took time to meditate on this verse. I imagined that some wells have well-trodden paths leading to them and may bring us in direct contact with others as we wait in line for our turn. Other wells will be more exceptional – wells we stumbled upon by ourselves, or that someone else recommended to us. A Bible verse, a book, a role model, awe-inspiring natural beauty, a daring step of faith, a daily practice.

What well of salvation do you need to draw on today to quench your thirst for more of God in your life?

A prayer

Trusting in your goodness
and great mercy, Lord, I come:
sick – I come to my Saviour;
hungry and thirsty – to the well of Life;
needy – to the King of heaven.

Thomas á Kempis (1380-1471)
from Lord, Teach us to Pray by Nicholas Hutchinson, 1999, p. 36

Digging deeper

Two Biblical encounters that took place at a well
– Genesis 24: Eliezer meets Rebekah, future wife of Isaac
– John 4: Jesus in conversation with the Samaritan woman

Further reading
– In the school of prayer with Eddie Askew
– A well blessed woman from paintedprayerbook.com

Song
Youtube video of the 2010 Summer School of Truth in Hualien singing “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water” with gusto.

Word study: Shema

Someone in my congregation sent me a glowing commendation for The Bible Project, especially their video devoted to the first word of the ancient biblical prayer called “The Shema”.

Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

(Deuteronomy 6:4-5, NIVUK)

The whole Shema series is available here: https://thebibleproject.com/explore/shema-listen/

About the series

“For thousands of years Jewish people have daily prayed these words which summarize the Bible’s call for faithfulness and devotion to God. We will explore all of the key words in this prayer and what they meant in their original language and historical context.” (https://thebibleproject.com/product/word-study-shema-listen-2/)

The Gift ||| The ground we covered

The Gift

It was good to reflect with you over a twelve-day period on different aspects of “The Gift” the Father has sent to minister to us and through us as we seek to live as Jesus’ disciples and witness to the new life we have in Christ.

May the Scriptures that were featured in the series continue to bear fruit in our lives as we go forward, led by the Spirit, in step with the Spirit, living by the Spirit (Galatians 5:13, 25).

The Gift #1 : The Holy Spirit ||| Acts 1:4-5 (NIV)
On one occasion, while he was eating with the apostles, Jesus gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

The Gift #2 : For the asking ||| Luke 11:13 (NIV)
Jesus said: ‘If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

The Gift #3 : Re-minder ||| John 14:26 (NIV)
Jesus said: ‘The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’

The Gift #4 : Counsel ||| Luke 12:11-12 (NIV)
Jesus said: ‘When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’

The Gift #5 : Tell me ||| John 15:26 (NIV)
Jesus said: ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father – the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – he will testify about me.’

The Gift #6 : Guidance ||| John 16:13 (NIV)
Jesus said: ‘When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.’

The Gift #7 : Traces ||| Acts 1:8 (NIV)
Jesus said: ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

The Gift #8 : Adoption ||| Romans 8:15 (NIV)
Paul writes, ‘The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”’

The Gift #9 : Joy ||| 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (NIV)
Paul writes, ‘You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.’

The Gift #10 : In us ||| 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (NIV)
Paul writes, ‘What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.’

The Gift #11 : Promised ||| Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
Paul writes, ‘And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.’

The Gift #12 : Recreator ||| Titus 3:3-8 (NIV)
Paul writes: ‘At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.’