Going Deeper
by Pat Russell
by Pat Russell
“Life with God” – Psalm 63:1-7
Pastor Bruce Spear
With this sermon we are going to
explore some ways to answer Pastor Bruce’s question: “YBH =Yes But How?”
How do we develop a life with God; how do we earnestly seek Him; how do we feel
our hunger, thirst, and desire for him? Much of the answer to those
questions is about putting yourself in a place where you are open to meeting
with God. He does not force himself on you; he waits for you to open invite
his presence. So, let’s take the scripture passage from today and do just
that…
Suggestion one: Psalm 63:1-7 expresses the
psalmist’s deep desire for God. Read the psalm over slowly. Let yourself
feel the words in your body. There are many lovely feeling words in this
psalm. For instance, remember what it felt like for you to “earnestly
seek” someone or something. Now let yourself earnestly seek God. Sit
quietly. When you sense that you are finished with one phrase, move on to
another.
Suggestion two: Read the psalm to
familiarize yourself with it. Read it again slowly. See if there is
a phrase to which you are particularly drawn. Hold that phrase in your
mind and spirit as a quiet prayer. Simply be still with those words.
Don’t try to analyze them, but if you have a picture come to mind, enjoy that
picture. After you are finished, maybe you would like to journal what God
put in your mind and heart. Or draw a picture. Or sing a song. Or take a
walk.
Suggestion three: Pastor Bruce talked about
ways to help with a distracted mind. Pick one of his suggestions and
experiment with it as you are spending time with God.
1. When
you get distracted, say the “Jesus Prayer” over and over or say even a small
part of it, like his name –“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.” You
could create your own “Jesus Prayer.”
2. Pick
a Fruit of the Spirit and dwell on it – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. When you realize that
you are distracted, immediately go to your word. Imagine hungering for this “fruit.”
3. Carry
a piece of hard candy or a raisin with you into your time with him. When
you get distracted, pop that raisin into your mouth. Slowly repeat this series of words from I Corinthians
13 – faith, hope, love; faith, hope, love while you suck on the sweetness in
your mouth. Let the words become the “sweetness” of Jesus in you.
Suggestion four: Make your sacred space
where you can meet God on a regular basis – a favorite chair, in front of a
certain window, a closet space, in front of a picture or a candle, while
walking. Then plan a time when you best meet with God. Go to your
sacred space like going to a coffee shop to meet with your dearest friend. Talk
to him; listen to him; wait for him; simply be with him.
In all of these suggestions
remember what Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it shall be given you;
search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.” He wants
to meet you, sometimes simply to be with you, not to always tell you what to do
or say. Simply BE with him.
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