BEHOLD, the LAMB+ ... #5

Preparation for the Passover Season

Photo by www.flickr.com

Guided Meditations

Guided Meditations bring you into worship... private, individual communion with The LORD JESUS CHRIST.  If focused on The WORD and if the The Word of GOD is employed during the meditations, then you will enter into a closeness with The LORD that cannot be duplicated.  It is an intensely personal time... a time that exists between you and HIM+ alone.

Outline for Guided Meditations

Now, do remember that this is 

• 1) not Bible-study time, 
• 2) not Bible reading time 
• 3) not simply "prayer" time, and 
• 4) not even "quiet" time. 

Guided Meditation IS a time of worship, a time of LIVELY-THOUGH-QUIET (!) contemplation of The LORD:  Who+ HE+ is, His+ character, and Who+ HE+ is in relationship to you. 

In essence, through Guided Meditation time, you enter INTO HIS+ PRESENCE+. And there, you will be refreshed and have the restoration of your soul. 

Here is a schedule for a Guided Meditation. There are many ways to do it; this is only one schedule. 

1. OPENING PRAISES

(see previous posts for details)

• Bless GOD: FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT, and blessed be HIS Kingdom both now and forever. Amen 
• In the Name of The FATHER, 
  HIS HOLY SON+ JESUS, 
  The LAMB+ of GOD,
  And the blessed HOLY SPIRIT. 
• Worthies: i.e., Worthy is the LAMB+
• Psalm 93: The LORD reigneth ! HE is clothed with majesty... ( continuing to the end of it )

+ + +

2.  INVITATORY 

(see previous posts for details)

• Come Unto ME+, all ye who labor and are heavy laden...
• or... Psalm 95

+ + +

3.  SUPPLICATIONS*

+ + +

4.  AFFIRMATIONS*

+ + +

5.  THREE PSALMS

• Psalm 23
• Psalm 27
• Psalm 116

+ + +

6. AGNUS DEI ( see previous posts for details)

+ + +

7. The BREASTPLATE of St. Patrick

+ + +

8.  The RENUNCIATIONS*

+ + +

9.  The BEATITUDES from Matthew 5

+ + +

10.  WORDS of CHRIST from John, chapter 14 
(all the words spoken by Our LORD but not the narrative spoken by others) 

+ + +

11.  The DISCIPLES' PRAYER ( otherwise known as The LORD'S Prayer or the Our FATHER... ) 

+ + +

12. THANKSGIVING*

During Guided Meditation time do these items of worship slowly and prayerfully, emptying your mind and quieting your soul. Refuse to think of anything else while you are with CHRIST JESUS The LORD during this time. I find I need to repeat each item 3 x in order for it to still my soul.

If you should not have the time to finish, DO NOT RUSH TO DO SO... just prayerfully end your meditation and proceed to the pressing demands of the clock; HE+ knows your schedule better than you do ! Plan to have more time to do them tomorrow.

And lastly, in between items, short LAUDS, such as "Worthy is the LAMB+" , O Come, let us adore HIM+, O Great is THY+ faithfulness!,  should be said. 

During the Passover Preparation ( LENT) season, we do not use HalleluJAH, Alleluia, or Glory in our praises. 

I will post the details of the verses for those items which are starred. 

In the Name of The FATHER, 

HIS HOLY SON+ JESUS, 

The LAMB+ of GOD,

And the blessed HOLY SPIRIT. 

Amen.  

WORMWOOD....

PHOTO from abcnews.go.com

HEAR, O ISRAEL !

from the 7 Trumpet Judgments

of the Angels sent to earth

in Revelation chapter 8

⁸ And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

⁹ And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

¹⁰ And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

¹¹ And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

No, the meteorite that terrorized and injured people in Chelyabinsk, Russia on 2-15-13 was NOT The Wormwood in Revelation 8. 

But YES, 

it was a warning sent 

unto the souls and spirits of men:

Photo of Chelyabinsk Meteorite
by www.examiner.com

TODAY

is the Day of Salvation; 

harden not your hearts 

as in the day of provocation. 

While all eyes were upon the fly-by meteor that was roughly 3 x as large as the Chelyabinsk meteorite, The  LORD sent HIS+ sign to all... to change the focus of our worship: 

REPENT

for the Kingdom of Heaven

 is at hand...

And we ALL KNOW

what will happen 

when The JUDGE+ 

of the whole earth

shall appear.

Remember: There is NO HIDING PLACE outside of The LORD, The JUDGE+ of the whole earth.

How will HE+ judge ? 

HE+ told us how: 

He that rejecteth ME+, 

and receiveth not My+ Words, 

hath one that judgeth him:  

The WORD 

that I+ have spoken, 

the same 

shall judge him 

in the last day.

+ +  +  

Photo by WWW.Ibtimes.com

This WORMWOOD that falls from the Heavens is aptly named. On earth, it is a bitter herb spoken of throughout the Scriptures and is usually coupled with GALL.  Wormwood repels parasites in the human body, among other things.  

Even more interesting is the botanical name of that herb: artemisia absinthium.  

Artemis was a Greek "goddess", equivalent to the Roman's Diana... not a wholesome character, to say the least.   

The absinthium is cited back to the Pre-Greek Pelasgian to mean : UN-enjoyable... perhaps due to the bitter taste of the herb when used medicinally. [ Information from Wikipedia: artemisia absinthium .] 

A Roman philosopher and poet, Lucretius, ( from the same article ) , spoke of tricking children to drink the bitter herb by rimming the cup with honey... which is similar to the Proverbs 7 chapter about the harlot who sweetens her bed to trap the man void of understanding.

In this grossly immoral society which extends around the globe, the society  we call "civilization" ... a civilization where school children are subjected to behavior that is even IN-APPROPRIATE for adults, in its wickedness ... we can see the appropriateness of the WORMWOOD judgment.

+  +  +

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

And they that be wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever. 

Daniel 12:2, 3 

+  +  +

Behold, The LAMB+ .... #3

Preparation for the Passover Season

Photo by Sonomachristianhome. com

Rubric: 

During "Guided Meditation" times, RESPONSES appropriate for the Passover Preparation Season, ( known as Lent ), are said in between the Psalms, Scriptures, and spiritual songs.  These are mini-phrases of worship.

It is customary during the Passover Preparation Season to omit the words "glory" or "HalleluJAH" in the praises. They are added back into the Christian praises on Resurrection Day. 

Here are a few responses appropriate for the season to add to your "Guided Meditation" booklet. It is good to memorize these responses and use them after Psalms, Scripture readings, or after rising from prayers or other items of worship.

Our GOD reigneth from the Tree*, 

O Come, let us adore HIM+ ! 

And the Government shall be 

upon His+ Shoulders, 

O Come, let us adore HIM+ ! 

Worthy is the LAMB+!

 Worthy is the LAMB+ 

that was slain!
O Come, let us adore HIM+ !

( or the longer version: )

 Worthy is the LAMB+!

 Worthy is the LAMB+ 

that was slain!

  Worthy is the LAMB+ 

that was slain 

to receive power 

and riches 

and wisdom 

and strength 

and honor 

and glory 

and blessing !

Rubric: 

The Gloria is not used during this Passover or Lenten season. In its place, one can start the "Guided Meditation" with this opening, before the guided meditation begins:

Blessed be GOD: 

FATHER, 

SON+, 

and HOLY SPIRIT;

and Blessed be HIS Kingdom, 

for ever and ever. 

Amen.

+ + + 

 * ... "reigneth from the Tree" was in the original verse of Psalm 96:10, according to the early Christian writer, Justin Martyr, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, chapter 73, "Dialogue With Trypho."  

Behold, The LAMB+ ... #2

Preparation for the Passover Season

Behold the LAMB+ of GOD 

that taketh away the sin of the world !

Photo by    Sonomachristianhome.com

The Invitatory

Come unto ME+, 

all ye that labor and are heavy laden

and I+ will give you rest, 

Take My+ yoke upon you 

and learn of me;

For I+ am meek and lowly

in heart.

And ye shall find rest

unto your souls.  

For My+ yoke is easy

and My+ burden is light. 

Matthew 11

Rubric:  

This is the Invitation to Come to CHRIST and sit with HIM+ in stillness and quietness of heart. 

Pray this aloud, very slowly, with pauses between the phrases. 

Do this 3 x until His+ Invitation becomes REAL to you. 

During this part of your daily Guided Meditation,  lay down your burdens and your yokes of bondage, and see CHRIST HIMSELF+. 

Since it is an invitation, do this near the beginning of your Guided Meditation time this Passover Season, to start out your Time with CHRIST in stillness. 

Behold, The LAMB+ .... #1

Preparations for the Passover Season...

Photo by Sonomachristianhome.com

During this Lenten Season we will be focusing on WORSHIP during times of Private, Individual Meditation... in order to draw near to The LAMB+ of GOD Who+ taketh away the sin of the word. 

In order to do this, we will learn to practice "Guided Meditation" during Quiet times of prayer. Recommended Quiet Times are early in the morning, 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. ( the hours of the Crucifixion ) and  / or 6 p.m. 

During this season, it is GOOD to practice fasting of some sort: fast some sleep times, some entertainments, some foods or days, fast from temporal activities and normal friendly "interaction" via emails or phone... in order to MAKE IT A PRIORITY to sit quietly with HIM+ Who+ is the LAMB+ of GOD. 

Thus, during this particular Season of the Preparation for Passover,  the posts will be about how to come into worship during devotional times within the individual prayer closet. 

The Guided Meditations may be printed out and made into a personal prayer booklet.  Each one is MOST effective if prayed aloud, very slowly, meditating on Who+ HE+ is. 

It is recommended that each Guided Meditation will be prayed through, contemplatively, 3 times. Spontaneous prayer, worship, and most likely, tears of healing will follow such a Meditation.

Psalms or other Scripture verses can be added at will. 

So, on this Ash Wednesday, our first Guided Meditation will be the familiar "spiritual song"... 

Agnus Dei... The LAMB+ of GOD. 

O  LAMB+ of GOD,  

LORD JESUS CHRIST, 

Who+ taketh away the sin of the world...

have mercy upon us. 

O LAMB+ of GOD, 

LORD JESUS CHRIST, 

Bearer of our sins... 

have mercy upon us. 

O LAMB+ of GOD, 

LORD JESUS CHRIST, 

SAVIOR of the world... 

grant us Thy+ Peace.

Rubrics: 

This is to be repeated 2 X, slowly and reverently, pausing between the phrases, in order to become quieted enough to be aware of  His+ Presence.+  

The 3rd time through, replace US with "me",  OUR with "my" or your name. 

In The Name of The FATHER, 

HIS HOLY SON+, 

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST, 

and The Blessed 

HOLY SPIRIT. 

Amen.  

ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE

Photo courtesy of  PDPhoto.org

Ireland

St. Patrick’s BREASTPLATE

Amended words*  or verses *by

The Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+

Year of Our LORD

1.24.2013

I bind unto myself today 

the strong name of The TRINITY.

By invocation of the same

the Three in ONE ~ and ONE in Three.

The BLOOD of JESUS covers me,

The BLOOD of JESUS covers me.

CHRIST be with me, CHRIST within me,

CHRIST behind me, CHRIST before me,

CHRIST beside me, CHRIST to win me;

CHRIST to comfort and defend* me.

I bind unto my self today 

the strong name of The TRINITY… 

( repeat stanza 1 )

CHRIST beneath me, CHRIST above me,

CHRIST in safety, CHRIST in danger* ;

CHRIST in hearts of all who love me,

CHRIST in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto my self today 

the strong name of The TRINITY… 

( repeat stanza 1 )

Against the demon snares of sin

   the vice that gives temptation force

   the fantasies*  that war within…

   hostile spirits+ that mar my course.

I bind unto my self today 

the strong name of The TRINITY… 

( repeat stanza 1 ) 

Few* or many, far or nigh,

in every place and in all hours

Against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me GOD’S*  Holy Powers.

 I bind unto my self today 

the strong name of The TRINITY… 

( repeat stanza 1 )

  

Against all satan’s spells and lies*

Against false words of heresy,

Against the doubt that causes fear*…

The cries of self I will not hear.

I bind myself unto The LORD*

The BLOOD of  JESUS, The Living WORD,

By invocation of HIS+ Name

Eternal SON+, ever the same.

                 

Against the wizard’s evil craft

Against the death wound and the burning,

The choking wave, the poisoned shaft…

Protect me, CHRIST, till Thy+ returning.

I bind myself unto The LORD*

The BLOOD of JESUS, The Living WORD,

By invocation of His+ Name

Eternal SON+,  ever the same.

+  +  + 

Season of the EPIPHANY ... Frankincense

Where IS HE+...

The ONE+ born

King of the Jews?

Frankincense... that fragrant herb...

also from the resin...

which helps the bitternesss of the myrrh.

MEDITATION

Our dear Heavenly FATHER, we thank THEE for always bringing enough frankincense to mix with the bitter myrrh.

We pray, O dear FATHER, that THOU canst see JESUS when THOU lookest upon our hearts.

We pray for THY FATHERLY goodness to rest upon us during our trials ... that we may bring glory unto THEE.

Sanctify our trials and make them a sweet savor unto THEE, O LORD OUR GOD.

O LORD GOD, let it never be said, when THOU lookest upon me, "Where IS HE+?Have you hidden your light under a bushel? "

Remember, O MY+ child: If you deny ME+ before men, I +  will deny you before MY+ FATHER and before the Heavenly Angels.

Where IS  HE+,

in your life,

MY child ?  



The Season of the EPIPHANY.... Myrrh



Photo of teardrop of resin of myrrh
from essentialhealth.com



The Gift of Myrrh.... that bitter herb   ...  amber teardrops of resin from gashes in the bark of that rough shrub, which grows in stony, unforgiving ground.

This gift of Divine Sorrow and Suffering was given to Our LORD JESUS as HE+ lay in the manger, for there was no room for HIM+ in the inn.

 




 

MEDITATION

Dear LORD JESUS, O THOU+ Who+ wast sent to earth to suffer for mankind, receive the suffering of our hearts.

O LORD, we know our suffering has been caused by humans... others and our own selves... humans who have not followed THEE+.

O MASTER of All-Suffering, hear our cry.

Heal my heart of the wounds lodged in my soul. Heal those who have been wounded by me, when I walked in darkness and ignorance of THEE+.

I thank THEE+ for the suffering of Thy+ heart and Thy+ body that THOU+ hast carried for me... before I even knew THEE+.

May I never forget Thy+ teardrops, O LORD. Let them reside in the cup of my heart.

Glory be to THEE+ O Great Redeemer; Glory be to THEE+.

Season of the EPIPHANY... The Day Star+

Where IS HE+...

This JESUS,

the ONE+ born

KING+ of the Jews ?

For we have seen

the Day Star+ arise

in our hearts...

And have come

to worship HIM+

with our :

GOLD

Does our worship of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST extend into our piles of gold ?  Does our worship of Our LORD JESUS control our mammon, our money, our funds ? 

Would others

KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS

by how we spend 

the funds

The LORD, in HIS+ goodness,

has entrusted to us ?

Does our witness

for CHRIST JESUS 

extend

into our pocketbooks?

our purses ?

our wallets?

Do we avoid beggars or people with signs, asking for money or work ?

WOULD OUR LORD AVOID THEM ?

Do we collect aluminum cans for CHRIST and crush them to sell ...  in order to donate pennies to missionaries ...  while sitting on thousands in the bank, collecting interest ?

As the good Bishop said in Les Miserables, when observing a wealthy man dropping a penny into the alms box:   " Ah, there is the richest man in the province... buying a PENNY'S worth of Heaven ! " 

What we REALLY VALUE is what we scrimp and save for, where we spend the MAJORITY of our monies. 

Are we telling GOD that we want only one-tenth of HIS goodness, with our giving ?

JESUS paid it ALL...

all to HIM+ I owe.

Sin has left a crimson stain.

HE+ washed it white as snow.

MEDITATION

O LORD GOD, THOU has made the Heavens and the earth and all the things therein; THOU+ hast need of nothing of mine. 

Heavenly FATHER, I have need of THEE. I have all need of Thy+ SON+ JESUS operating in me.

Help me manifest CHRIST JESUS with my monies.

I have need for THEE+ to control every penny that comes in my door... so Mammon does not control me through love of it ...or through fear.

I know, O my SAVIOR, that I cannot out-give THEE+.

Make me willing and un-afraid to turn the control over my funds unto THEE+.

Smite the fear, smite my worldly-wisdom, un-clog my deaf ears and re-kindle Thy+ zeal in my dull and fearful heart, for THOU+ doest all things well. 

For  Thy+ glory help me use the monies THOU+ hast given into my stewardship in a more sanctified way. 

This I pray, to the glory of GOD our FATHER; in the Name of Our Manifested SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Amen.