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TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
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The Adversaries In Me

3/24/2020

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I say to God, my rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I walk about mournfully
    because the enemy oppresses me?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my body,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me continually,
    “Where is your God?”  Psalm 42

Read the news.  Listen to the Cable Network Commentators..    They drone on and on about " a deadly wound" seeking to attack our bodies.  Who is right? Who is wrong? They know the human mind feeds on such reason. Bad new sells, fake or fact, it sells as long as it is poor in spirit. (Matthew 5:3)  

My mind reels!  Like an evil adversary it taunts me. You know it is true.  In spite of all I believe my mind asks, "Where is God?"   


My heart cries, "Reason, you fool,  shame on you!  Look back!  Look back, Reason, and you will see "God is our rock!" Then, Reason cast her vile judgement,, "Where is. your God, now." While I "walk about mournfully because of the enemy oppresses me." 

Hear the Truth Jesus Christ: "Blessed are those who mourn, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."  Humble your mind!  Let your mind bow into the depths of your heart.  Then you shall find your feet standing on the Rock of Salvation.  Your soul knows this Truth.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you not into temptation but deliver you into the glory and power of God's forever and ever mercy, grace, and love.  (Matthew 7:13)

Peace and Health!

One in Christ,
​Robert

Background

I contend the mind operates with logic, reason, and judgement.  It loves to plan the future.  

The human heart operates on empathy, compassion, joy, and sorrow.  It loves to remember the Good Ole Days of the past.

The Psalmist writes with awareness of both.  Read the Psalms and hear the wisdom of heart-awareness and -mind-awareness.  Wisdom holds two seemingly opposed positions together in such a way that the Holy Spirit can led us to experience the salvation of our souls. Friends the word Salvation means to deliver and heal.  IN a Word it is Peace or Love, or Grace. 

Now, consider the mercy of Jesus Christ.  Confession has little to do with beating one's self up with guilt, shame, and blame.  God's  Justice, the mercy of Christ, has nothing to do with letting people off the hook.  Confession of the heart and mind humbles us to name, claim, and face our poverty of spirit.  The poor-spirit creates the mourning/suffering. The poor -spirit knows sin but not the way of mercy, grace, and love.  Friends, hear the Good News!  Jesus suffered, and said "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing." I am not being cruel here, but confession that fails to lead us to forgiveness is selfish, works-rightoues vanity. Faith in self loves to claim that  Jesus' mighty acts of salvation were not enough to free us from sin.  (Consider the Pharisees. They believed in God, but put their faith in themselves. 

The Holy Spirit leads us to confession.  The Holy Spirit points out our sin.  The Holy Spirit leads us to Confession to fulfill the Lord's Prayer in and through our lives.  Confession and forgiveness is an act of Communion between God and Humanity that leads people not into further temptation but delivers us from evil.  Christ's forgiveness delivers us from sin again, and again, and again.  Paul calls this Communion with God sanctification.   

Until we do the hard work of becoming aware of our mind's games, and our heart's focus on the past, we will not have the presence to be still and experience being known by God.  To be known by God is an experience with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Love, peace, patience, and joy are Soul-Games.  Such playfulness is worship in Spirit and Truth.  
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Devotion for Monday, March 23rd, 2020

3/23/2020

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I miss public worship!  Surely you remember when we sang hymns together?  Prayed together?  Not long ago we worshipped together.  My soul gets cast down, how about your's? 

When King David found himself in a place like us, he wrote Psalm 42.  Friends, verse 8 offers words that heal our souls!  By the light of this day "God commands HIs steadfast love, and at night his song is with us."

Face the light of this day with faith in Christ's mercy and grace.  Close your eyes to night and sleep in God's rest. Our souls know these things as prayer and worship.  Our spirit knows this as Truth!  

Peace and Health!

One in Christ,
Robert

Background

God captured my heart and mind with the words "God commands" his steadfast love.  I have never thought of God commanding his love.  Yes, the Great Commandment commands us to love God with heart, soul, and. mind.  But imagine the relationship to be lived in God's mutual command!  

Look again at Jesus in the Garden of  Gethsemane.  Listen to Jesus ask the Father to take the cup!  Now consider Jesus' plea for God's will to be done.  God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven by keeping God's command.  Love fulfills the Law and the Prophets.

My mind loves the Law of Moses.  Let's conserve it.  My heart longs for God's merciful, healing, salvation.  Let's share it with thanksgiving!  My soul is taught to pray by listening to God write his steadfast love on all my heart and mind.  Friends the sound of silence is the soul bowed in prayer with worship.  

Enjoy

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    Author

    Robert Burlingham:  You are invited to join me in God's Word.  Holy Spirit, come open our minds, fill our hearts, and give our souls ears to hear.  In our hearing open our eyes to behold your glory...in us, with us, and reaching through us.  

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