Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 28
Sunday


SHOWING UP

READ:
Psalm 116
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Because He has
inclined His ear to
me, therefore I will
call upon Him as long
as I live.
__Psalm 116:2
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Leonardo da Vinci spent 10 years drawing ears, elbows, hands, and other parts of the body in many different aspects. Then one day he set aside the exercises and painted what he saw. Likewise, athletes and musicians never become great without regular practice.

For years I resisted a regular routine of prayer, believing that communication with God should be spontaneous and free. But I found that I needed the discipline of regularity to make possible those exceptional times of free communication with God. Eventually I learned that spontaneity often flows from discipline.

The writer Nancy Mairs says she attends church in the same spirit she goes to her desk every morning to write, so that if an idea comes she'll be there to receive it. I approach prayer the same way. I keep on whether it feels like I am profiting or not. I show up in hopes of getting to know God better, perhaps hearing from Him in ways accessible only through solitude.

The English word meditate derives from a latin word that means "to rehearse." Often my prayers seem like a kind of rehearsal. I go over basic notes (the Lord's Prayer), practice familiar pieces (the Psalms), and try out a few new tunes. Mainly, I show up. __Philip Yancey
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``````````````````Prayer is the simplest form of speech````````````
`````````````````````````That infant's lips can try;```````````````
````````````````````Prayer the sublimest strains that reach`````````
``````````````````````The Majety on high. __Montgomery`````````
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Prayer is an intimate conversation with our God.

*****************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 116*************

1 I love the LORD, because
he has heard my voice and
my supplications. 2 Because
he has inclined His ear to
me, therefore I will call upon
Him as long as I live.

3 The pains of death
surrounded me, and the
pangs of Sheol laid hold of
me; I found trouble and
sorow. 4 Then I called upon
the name of the LORD: "O
LORD, I implore You, deliver
my soul!"

5 Gracious is the LORD, and
righteous; yes, our God is
mercful. 6 The LORD
preserves the simple; I was
brought low, and He saved
me. 7 Return to your rest, O
my soul, for the LORD has
dealt bountifully with you.

8 For You have delivered
my soul from death, my eyes
from tears, and my feet from
falling....

12 What shall I render to the
LORD for all His benefits
toward me? 13 I will take up
the cup of salvation, and call
upon the name of the
LORD....

15 Precious in the sight of
the LORD is the death of His
saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am
Your servant; I am Your
servant, the son of Your
maidservant; you have
loosed my bonds. 17 I will
offer to You the sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and will call
upon the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the
LORD now in the presence of
all His people, 19 in the
courts of the LORD's house,
in the midst of you, O
Jerusalem, Praise the LORD!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In this Psalm, the unnamed psalmist thanked God for delivering him
from a certain death (vv.3,8). In response, the psalmist dedicated
his "extended" years to a life of service (vv.12,17-18). Hezekiah and
Jonah had such near-death experiences and offered similar prayers
(Isa. 38:10-20, jonah 2:1-9). __Sim Kay Tee