July 29, 2018
Luke 10:19
NIV - I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
MSG - See what I've given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you.
Luke 10:19 was brought up by Joyce Meyer in her book The Mind Connection where she talks about why our thoughts are important and connected to our actions, and that controlling and directing our thoughts can give a great big boost to our actions.
I looked up 'authority' to see what the difference was from 'power'. We seem to hear those together in a lot of Bible passages.
Authority is a grant of the right to perform. Power is the ability to perform that action.
Joyce gives a lot of examples of where I, as a Christian, am already given power and authority to control my world.
I (me, myself) have authority to trample and overcome the power of evil. Again, I am missing in the Message version the all important word for me, 'authority'. Safe passage is correct but in the NIV I already have the right to create my own safe passage. I do not have to ask for it. And last week I grasped the promise that He will instruct me and teach me the way I should go. Sounds like it is trail blazing time! Could we add in spiders with the snakes and scorpions? At least the big ones?
I am a coward. I already know that. A chicken, a follower, comfortable with hiding. But that is not what I am being told to do. Trust. Listen. Take the Authority. I am safe. And He will never ask me to do anything that will harm me or my family. Trust. Listen. Go. And I will continue to ask for His counsel and protection.
This week, I am writing the passage on a little piece of paper that can fit in my purse without being folded so I can see the words every time I open my wallet. I hope it will give me a cheer and a nudge when I am not sure I can/should go on. This is how I hope to make this be the Living Word for me.
Please share your experience if this verse says something to you, too!
Love to you all!!
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Psalm 32:8 - The Path
July 22, 2018
What is Lectio Divina
I heard about Lectio Divina while listening to a book by Shauna Niequist (which I recommended to Kirsten, I hope she listens!) I googled it and found two sites so far that I like.
- https://focusoncampus.org/content/do-the-lectio-3-step-an-easy-illustrated-guide-to-praying-lectio-divina This guide gives prayers to use for each step.
- https://www.benedictinecenter.org/sustained-lectio-divina-lecture Because this practice is mostly associated with the Benedictine, I found this short lecture excerpt very helpful.
I hope you are interested in starting this journey with me! 💙
I am reading this with the four steps in mind: Prepare, See, Listen, Do
Psalm 32:8
NIV - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Message - Let me give you some good advice; I'm looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight.
This is my first attempt at Lectio Divina. I had been planning to start this today and had considered a few verses, but Celenna posted this verse this morning and I thought it was a great starting spot. (Prepare)
Here are my experiences today with a first and short interaction with this verse.
My first read through said this was a Father/Parent speaking to his children that are setting off on their own. A lot of my life right now is focused on guiding my son, and of course it said to me that I am to be his guide. To teach, instruct and watch over.
I do like the Message Bible but in this verse it took out that all important "watch over you". Sometimes our kids do not want us to watch over them but as the parent it really isn't a choice. And as God is our Father I suppose it is not a choice for Him either.
My second read through which was to listen, I asked the questions in the focus link above. "So you're telling me ______? You mean to tell me that ______________?" This is supposed to be a conversation with God. I saw in my mind a roadway leading away from home. Mom pointing and the kid fidgeting around, pack on his back, waiting for the parent to say what ever they needed to say before the journey alone begins. But I also can see myself as the one with the pack, already choosing my direction and destination and God tapping me on the shoulder, "I have shown you the way you should go." That is what I might hear but it really says, "I am showing you the way to go." It is future tense, not past.
The Do step was the one that really put this verse into perspective for me. In Shauna's book, she had said that this practice really made the Bible be that living word, piercing sword it is meant to be. So here is how I pictured it. Have you ever tried to have a heart to heart with someone who was hurting? You pulled up a chair so you were knee to knee with them and spoke to them "looking them in the eye," lifting their chin with a gentle finger.
So Jesus pulled up a chair to mine, knee to knee and said, "I will instruct you, teach you, counsel you. And I am giving it to you straight, I watch over you." He shows me I am worthy of His notice, His time, and His attention. And so is my child.
I will keep this verse at the front of my focus this week and see what else it reveals.
I want you to share your experiences with Lectio Divina if you have done it before, and if you chose to follow along with this verse, please share those insights.
Love to you all!!
What is Lectio Divina
I heard about Lectio Divina while listening to a book by Shauna Niequist (which I recommended to Kirsten, I hope she listens!) I googled it and found two sites so far that I like.
- https://focusoncampus.org/content/do-the-lectio-3-step-an-easy-illustrated-guide-to-praying-lectio-divina This guide gives prayers to use for each step.
- https://www.benedictinecenter.org/sustained-lectio-divina-lecture Because this practice is mostly associated with the Benedictine, I found this short lecture excerpt very helpful.
I hope you are interested in starting this journey with me! 💙
I am reading this with the four steps in mind: Prepare, See, Listen, Do
Psalm 32:8
NIV - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Message - Let me give you some good advice; I'm looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight.
This is my first attempt at Lectio Divina. I had been planning to start this today and had considered a few verses, but Celenna posted this verse this morning and I thought it was a great starting spot. (Prepare)
Here are my experiences today with a first and short interaction with this verse.
My first read through said this was a Father/Parent speaking to his children that are setting off on their own. A lot of my life right now is focused on guiding my son, and of course it said to me that I am to be his guide. To teach, instruct and watch over.
I do like the Message Bible but in this verse it took out that all important "watch over you". Sometimes our kids do not want us to watch over them but as the parent it really isn't a choice. And as God is our Father I suppose it is not a choice for Him either.
My second read through which was to listen, I asked the questions in the focus link above. "So you're telling me ______? You mean to tell me that ______________?" This is supposed to be a conversation with God. I saw in my mind a roadway leading away from home. Mom pointing and the kid fidgeting around, pack on his back, waiting for the parent to say what ever they needed to say before the journey alone begins. But I also can see myself as the one with the pack, already choosing my direction and destination and God tapping me on the shoulder, "I have shown you the way you should go." That is what I might hear but it really says, "I am showing you the way to go." It is future tense, not past.
The Do step was the one that really put this verse into perspective for me. In Shauna's book, she had said that this practice really made the Bible be that living word, piercing sword it is meant to be. So here is how I pictured it. Have you ever tried to have a heart to heart with someone who was hurting? You pulled up a chair so you were knee to knee with them and spoke to them "looking them in the eye," lifting their chin with a gentle finger.
So Jesus pulled up a chair to mine, knee to knee and said, "I will instruct you, teach you, counsel you. And I am giving it to you straight, I watch over you." He shows me I am worthy of His notice, His time, and His attention. And so is my child.
I will keep this verse at the front of my focus this week and see what else it reveals.
I want you to share your experiences with Lectio Divina if you have done it before, and if you chose to follow along with this verse, please share those insights.
Love to you all!!
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