"CLAIMING THE HIGH C'S"
PART IV
THE EARLY VOYAGE
And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God,
to them that are called according to His purpose.
... In all these things
we are more than conquerors
through Him that loved us
(Romans 8:28 and 37, KJV.)
|
CHAPTERS 6-11
COMMUNION - COHESION -
COLLABORATION - CONFIRMATION -
CHANGE - COUPLEHOOD.
|
Voyages can be long and dangerous. In the New Testament we read about the travels of Paul and his shipwrecks. Most people don't want that type of travel. Nor do we want to be blamed for a seeming disaster, like Jonah experienced. Yet such events can be used for good and often bring about radical change... even repentance.
Life is full of watery tempests and furious squalls. It can get so dark and confusing that we don't know where we are or we're going. Often we just try to ride out the storms.
Listen. Even in the buffeting winds and raging seas, can you hear? Can you hear Jesus calling? Just as He came walking upon the water to the apostles... and called Peter to walk with Him, He is calling you. Can you hear Him? Will you step out in faith?
Don't be afraid. Don't sit way back in that dark corner of the boat. Claim what you own. Let God bless you and all your relationships as this voyage begins.
 "Revive Us Again"
We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus who died,
And is now gone above.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory,
Hallelujah! Amen;
Hallelujah! Thine the glory,
Revive us again.
By William P. Mackay
|
CHAPTER 6
COMMUNION
Cat's Paw:
A light air of wind perceived in a calm time,
sweeping the surface of the sea very lightly.1
|
Can you feel the breeze blowing across our land?
Can it be the Holy Spirit has come to revive us?
Will you pray with us for this Breath of God to fill the hearts and minds of all who claim Jesus as their personal Messiah…
Come and enter into sweet communion with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
|
Communion in Many Aspects of Life... |
Another word for communion is intimacy. When Christians "break the bread" and "drink the cup", they are joining with Christ. They are entering into a closer relationship, because there is thought and action. Communion of this kind therefore includes deep sharing; holding something (either an ideal or a physical object) in common; participating together in some activity.
Intimacy is rightly thought of as closeness and caring, but it can be expanded to cover every area of life. And this means even ideas and messages that are sent and received. When intimacy is broken, when routes of communication are not functioning, then communion is lost.
So how can communion be enhanced? What can you do to make it better?
Joyce Meyer, in her book Battlefield of the Mind, instructs the reader to dwell upon God's Word.2 Especially, she notes the importance of His love. She writes that if we don't meditate on His love, if we don't think about it and speak about it, we will never experience it. If we forget or ignore the marvelous promises of God, then our minds are open to whatever is "floating around". Yes, our empty minds will attract and then grab hold of hurtful lies or messages contrary to Truth.
Here is Truth:
"For God so loved the world,
that He sent His only begotten Son."
(John 3:16)
"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,
God lives in him and he in God.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him"
(I John 4:15-16)
The early Church recognized through the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit that communion of the saints was vital for their spiritual and mental health.
As a small group, the Church needed to practice the sacraments that would bind them together. These people needed to remember who Christ was and what He had done for them, but because they were new at this, they also needed to see others believing the same thing.
Communion in the early Church became a very sweet time of people joining together and focusing on Messiah. It can still be the same today.
Claim this High C in all your relationships.
|
CHAPTER SIX NOTES
1 Glossary of Nautical Terms (Circa 1814).
www.psych.edu.au/vbb/woronora/maritime/Glossary.html
2 Meyer, Joyce. 1995. Battle field of the Mind. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Harrison House; pg. 169.
|
|
|
