3/03/2016

QUIETUDE: A Hard QUALIFICATION to Meet ... Passover Meditations for the Monastic-At-Heart .... Ephesians 1:19


The QUIETUDE of CHRIST

    
Meditations  for  the Pascha Season
(The Passover Season, 2016)


Now is My+ soul troubled;
and what shall I+ say ...
FATHER,
save ME+
from this hour ?
but for this cause
came I+ unto this hour.

FATHER,
Glorify Thy Name.

Then came there a Voice from Heaven, saying,

I have both glorified IT,
and will glorify IT again.

John12:27-28

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Meditation Verse 
Ephesians 1: 19


The literal Greek of verse 1:18 : 
The eyes of your  HEART   having been  illuminated in order for you all to have SEEN   what is the hope of HIS+ calling, what the abundance of the glory of HIS+ inheritance in the Saints...


And what is the exceeding greatness of HIS power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of HIS mighty power,

The literal Greek of Verse 1:19:

And what the surpassing greatness of HIS inherent capability toward us, the ones believing, according to the  energetic operating power of the mighty strength of His dominion.

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Meditation

The eyes of our heart were enlightened for us to "see" some things, the previous verse tells us.

Verse 19 gives us a glimpse into the MAJESTIC POWER of GOD. There are 5 different Greek words for "power, might, strength" used in this verse.

[ It is difficult to really determine the fine-line of difference in meaning among these 5 words. The Greek writers and readers understood the difference; that is why they selected the different words. Sadly enough, the differences are not very discernible when translating those 5 words into English. ]

Let's look at the POWER of ALMIGHTY GOD .

HE has exceeding, surpassing, super-eminent BIG-ness or GREATness.

HE has duname0s. That is, HE has the inherent ability to perform anything ! English speakers recognize this kind of power in the word "dynamite."

And what the surpassing greatness of HIS inherent capability toward us ...
 
HE uses that dynamic power of HIS for our good, for all of us who entrust HIM with our very lives.

... according to the  energetic operating power

This power of GOD is not passive; it is ENERGIZING !  This operating power will energize us ... if we want it... if we meet the conditions, the requirements, like  CHRIST did. 

... of the mighty strength of His dominion.

Both of these words are ill-translated and do not give a complete picture of GOD'S power.

Mighty strength is the Greek word ischus which some might recognize as STRENGTH.

Dominion is the Greek word kratos , which some might recognize, connecting that with dominion. We recognize it as "Pantokrator," ... ALMIGHTY GOD. It means "the possession of the kind of FORCE bringing supremacy or dominion or control."

All this POWER of GOD comes toward us who believe, at HIS discretion and for HIS purposes in our lives and for the Kingdom of GOD.


Why then are we more constant in  whining  than believing? Why then are we allowing  defeat to shadow our days?

We do not really see this energetic operating power of GOD in our lives, do we ?  NO, we do not.

We do not see it at work in our lives on a daily basis BECAUSE... we have NOT met the conditions, the requirements of GOD, like  CHRIST  our EXAMPLE+ did.

There are QUALIFICATIONS to be met, pre-requisites, if you will, for those who want to see the power of GOD operating in their lives.

The LORD JESUS HIMSELF+ said, "Greater works" than these shall you do because I+ go unto The FATHER." John 14:12

ARE WE DOING THESE ?

NO.

Most of us are doing the best we can simply to hold our ground, clinging to the Cross through the maelstrom of life.

To receive GOD'S power, the requirements are this: to dis-entangle oneself from the pursuit of this life. Hibernate, if you must.

To qualify, one must learn to enter into QUIETUDE... to SIT STILL with GOD. 

Not study, not make supplications, not memorize verses, not make notes ... just SIT STILL with HIM.

His+ energizing, operating power will pour through you AFTER your Quietude.

STILLNESS is not a hard "cross" to pick up. Why aren't we doing it then?

We don't WANT to be quiet.

Then, we do not want His Power, either, because that is the only means to obtain it.


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Let us pray:

O LORD JESUS, we say we want to be like YOU+, but we do not do the things YOU+ did when YOU+ walked this earth as a man.

I am not still; my mind is busy even when my body is still.

Help me to forsake this incessant busy-ness that has engulfed my life. Help me un-entangle my life from all the activity and interaction which only serve to DISTRACT my focus from YOU+.

I call YOU+ "LORD, LORD," but I will not set aside any time in my busy life to sit with YOU+. 

Forgive me and help me re-set my priorities. I will to quiet myself like a weaned child and await Thy+ good pleasure.

Bring Thy+ Stillness into my soul, O LORD, for Thy+ Name's Sake.

Amen.

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Worthy is the LAMB+.

Worthy is The LAMB+
that was slain.

Worthy is the LAMB+,
slain
from the foundation
of the earth.
Revelation 13:8


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PRAISE and THANKSGIVING
be to The FATHER,
and to His Beloved SON+
JESUS CHRIST,
and to
the Blessed RUACH haKADOSH.

ONE GOD:
FATHER,
SON+,
and HOLY SPIRIT,
both now and forever,
world without end.
Amen.



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