The Valley of Baca... The Valley of Weeping

The Valley of Baca … 

The Valley of WEEPING

Psalm 84

The Valley of Weeping is a Special Place for the Followers of JESUS. It is a place of sweet Companionship with the Savior+ of our souls.  It is a valley where we walk, one at a time, with our hand in His+ Hand… His+ Nail-pierced Hand.

 

HE+ knows the Way through that valley because, you see, HE+ walked it before we did.  HE+ suffered rejection and loss of family, for even some of His+ half-brothers did not believe HE+ was the Messiah. 

HE+ walked it through slights and taunts and rudeness as the learn-ed ones who knew The Word did not know HIM+, the Living Word+.

 

HE+ walked through that dark Valley when HE+ shared Isaiah 61 with the people HE+ grew up with … who turned on HIM+ in wrath and thrust HIM+ to the edge of the cliff to throw HIM+ head-long down the ravine.

 

The Valley of Weeping was where HE+ laid His+ head.  It was where HE+ opened the eyes of the blind and then rescued him from the Temple Pharisees.  

It was where HE+ healed the diseases and yes, where HE+ raised Lazarus with deep groans in the SPIRIT, heard by The FATHER.

 

 

What happens to our tears, as we walk through the Valley of Baca, with JESUS ?  Listen to the literal Hebrew:

Blessed is the man whose strength

is in THEE+;

in whose heart are the highways,

who passing through the Valley of Baca

make it a fountain;

even with blessings

the early rain covers it.

Our tears draw us to JESUS HIMSELF+.  They water the garden of our heart, right in the midst of the Valley of Baca. In our heart, you see, is the Highway to GOD and at times that Highway takes us through that Valley of Weeping.

 

But as we Weep With JESUS,  a phenomenal thing occurs.  Our tears become a REFRESHING fountain  for  others who must walk through the Valley, sooner or later.  Indeed, out of our belly flow RIVERS of LIVING WATERS !  John 7:38.

The Fountain of our Tears, joined to JESUS, becomes blessings for the strengthening of others,  just like the life-giving early rains for the production of food for mankind. Indeed, it will POUR forth from the Fountain of our Soul, rooted in JESUS.

 

The WORLD cannot give its followers this, in the midst of their sorrows.

 

Our LORD and SAVIOR+ JESUS CHRIST can SANCTIFY our trials and sorrow of heart … and MOST ASSUREDLY does … if we walk Hand in Hand with our LORD.  HE+ wastes nothing that touches our lives. It all is for OUR GOOD … and for others.

Our Companionship with HIM+ grows deeper than a lack of sorrow could ever bring. HE+ brings us to maturity in CHRIST, a maturity that is not possible to achieve without sorrow and grief and hurt.

 

No matter WHAT variety of  sorrow  we face, we have the promise that our SORROW will not last forever… but our joy in JESUS will ! 

+  +  +

Therefore, O LORD,

we praise you even now in the midst of our sorrow,

our hurt, and our weakness. 

 

Yes, we would like this sorrow to lift, 

but we know that YOU+, O LORD ,

have no shadow of turning in THEE+. 

YOU+ are always constant, the same. 

 

So, help us to stay constant in CHRIST. 

Through good times, through sorrow, 

let Your+ Light so shine in us before men,

that they may see our good works

and GLORIFY  YOU,

O Holy FATHER.

+  +  +

Pre-PASSOVER MEDITATION ~ ~ ~ BEHOLD, the TREE+

Photo by The ORDER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD+
Our GOD reigns from the Tree. 

The Invitatory: 

CHRIST our MEDIATOR+ 

ever liveth 

to make intercession for us; 

O Come, Let us Adore HIM+.

  

Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 15:21-26 

Scriptures courtesy of Biblegateway.com

And Miriam answered them, 

Sing ye to the LORD, 

for HE hath triumphed gloriously; 

the horse and his rider hath 

HE thrown into the sea.

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, 

and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; 

and they went three days in the wilderness, 

and found no water.

And when they came to Marah, 

they could not drink of the waters of Marah, 

for they were bitter: 

therefore the name of it was called Marah.

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, 

What shall we drink?

And he cried unto the LORD; 

and the LORD shewed him a TREE 

which when he had cast into the waters,

the waters were made sweet:

there HE made for them a statute 

and an ordinance, 

and there HE proved them,

And said,

If .  .  .

thou wilt diligently hearken 

to the voice of the LORD THY GOD, 

and wilt do that which is right in HIS sight, 

and wilt give ear to HIS commandments, 

and keep all HIS statutes, 

I will put none of these diseases upon thee, 

which I have brought upon the Egyptians: 

for I AM the LORD that healeth thee.

QUIETUDE: 

A time to Reflect about the 

TREE+ that made the bitter sweet.

RESPONSE: 

HOLY is The LAMB+. 

HOLY is The LAMB+. 

HOLY is The LAMB+ that was slain,

Blessing , glory, honor and power 

be unto HIM that sitteth upon the Throne

and unto The LAMB+ 

Amen. 

Lesson from the Epistles: 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

 Scriptures courtesy of Biblegateway.com

For GOD, WHO commanded the Light 

to shine out of darkness, 

hath shined in our hearts, 

to give the light of the knowledge 

of the glory of God 

in the face of JESUS CHRIST.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, 

that the excellency of the power 

may be of GOD and not of us.

We are troubled on every side, 

yet not distressed; 

we are perplexed, 

but not in despair; 

Persecuted, but not forsaken; 

cast down, but not destroyed; 

Always bearing about in the body 

the dying of the LORD JESUS, 

that the life also of JESUS 

might be made manifest

in our body.

QUIETUDE: A time to repent of complaining and murmuring about "our lot" in life. 

RESPONSE:  

LORD JESUS CHRIST,LAMB+ of GOD, 

Who+ taketh away the sin of the world,

have mercy upon us.

LORD JESUS CHRIST, LAMB+ of GOD,

BEARER+ of our sins, 

have mercy upon us.

LORD JESUS CHRIST, LAMB+ of GOD, 

SAVIOR+ of the world,

grant us Thy+ Peace.

AMEN.

The GOSPEL Lesson: John 1:29

The next day John saw JESUS coming toward him and said, 

"Behold! 

The LAMB+ of GOD 

Who+ taketh away 

the sin of the world!"

The WORD of The LORD.  

THANKS BE TO GOD !

Meditation ~ ~ ~

Every heart knows sorrow and bitterness. Some sorrows come from the natural consequences of our own choices; some from the choices of others which affect our life in a troublesome and difficult way. 

Some sorrowful conditions we cannot avoid throughout life, like the loss of a limb, the loss of a child or spouse, or the loss of health.

When bitterness about our condition descends upon our hearts, it only deepens the sorrow. We must look for the TREE+ which changes that bitterness into something sweet.

That TREE+ is the Cross of JESUS. 

HE+ turns all sorrow and all suffering into something sweet, if we cast that Cross of HIS+ into the midst of our troubles and hurts. HE+ is able to turn the bitterness of life into blessings ... for us, for all those around us.... if we continually bring the situation hurting our hearts to HIM+ for His+ Touch.

And the key is this: BEHOLD, The LAMB+ of GOD. We are not told to look at ourselves or even at our problems and trials. 

We are instructed to look at the LAMB+of GOD and pray without ceasing!  

If we neglect to do those two things, then we will surely stumble into sin simply from the pain of the situation.

Our words will be sharp, our patience short. 

Our judgment will be irrational, and our decisions will be fraught with error. Fear and frustration will enter in as the mistakes mount up.  

And bitterness will continue to grow.

Self-pity will rear its ugly head and INCREASE the bitterness even more. 

We try to drown our sorrows and bitterness in a bottle of alcohol... or soda pop. We eat more chocolate and sweets than we ought. We go on shopping binges and NEVER stay home... or stay quiet when we are there. 

Busyness, food, social interactions, even ministry, DOES NOT TAKE AWAY sorrow nor does it deal with bitterness. 

Only coming unto The LAMB+ will heal us... laying it all down at HIS+ feet. Yielding to His+ will... and living to please HIM+, from now on, will bring healing to our souls. 

Just as the Word says. 

Let us pray: 

O Gracious Heavenly FATHER, in the Name of Thy HOLY SON+ JESUS CHRIST,  WHO+ for the joy that was set before HIM+ endured the Cross, I come to THEE, full of hurts and wounds, sorrows and bitterness.

Dear LORD, I have not run to Thy+ Cross when I am upset, angry, or hurt. THOU+ knowest  I have avoided dealing with my un-changeable situation in a Spiritual manner, and I have ignored your invitation to "COME to YOU" with it all. 

Help me to trust THEE+ to navigate me through these dark waters and dark days. 

And I am so sorry for complaining and murmuring about my situation ... to you, to others, and always in my heart. 

Change me by Thy+ Holy power. Help me to be thankful for the Cross+ in my life; I know it will draw me to THEE+... if I embrace it as I ought.

This I pray in The Name of  JESUS CHRIST our LORD, The Eternal SON+ and WORD+ of GOD our FATHER, through the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT. 

Amen.   

   

The GREATEST 3 Days and 3 Nights... The SIGN of JONAH... for Good Friday

His+ 4th Cry from the Cross:

After this JESUS, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled , saith,

I+ thirst.

Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow, like unto My+ sorrow...

His+ 5th Cry from the Cross:

And about the ninth hour, JESUS cried with a loud voice , saying

ELOI, ELOI,

lama sabachthani ?

which is being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast THOU forsaken ME+ ?

Behold and see, if there be any sorrow, like unto My+ sorrow...

O Gracious Heavenly FATHER, Who didst give Thine Only-Begotten SON+ to the death of the cross so that I may live, receive my worship and adoration of THEE and Thy Precious SON+ JESUS CHRIST.

O FATHER, I am so sorry for my sin,  for my wayward ways that have made it necessary for me to have a Paschal LAMB, an unblemished sacrifice, before I could be re-united with THEE ... before I could come home.   

I thank THEE for calling me home to you, unto Thy Heart. I thank THEE for giving Thy dear SON+ JESUS CHRIST for my sin. I am totally unworthy of The LAMB of GOD coming to my dwelling.

I praise THEE, I worship THEE, I give thanks to THEE for Thy great glory, O LORD CHRIST, O LAMB of GOD that taketh away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me.

The GREATEST 3 Days and 3 Nights... The SIGN of JONAH

And even as Jonah was in the belly
of the huge fish
3 days and 3 nights,
so shall the Son of Man +
 be in the heart of the earth
3 days and 3 nights.
Matthew 12:40
Green's Greek Interlinear

Let's count:
Crucifixion occurred on  a "Wednesday" at 9 a.m.; the sky was darkened at noon; the battle was finished at 3 p.m. exactly. Thus, at 3 p.m. Wednesday began ...
the first NIGHT in the heart of the earth:
First DAY in the heart of the earth: "Thursday" day.

Second NIGHT in the heart of the earth: "Thursday" night.
Second DAY in the heart of the earth: "Friday" day.

Third NIGHT in the heart of the earth: "Friday" night.
Third DAY in the heart of the earth: "Saturday" day.

Resurrection: at 3 p.m. exactly, Saturday... Precise to the minute, as GOD always is.

The Sisters did not see HIM+ , however, until early, early Sunday morning , before dawn. They did not see HIM+ at the precise moment of His+ Resurrection; HE+ was already risen ! The stone had already been rolled away when they arrived at the tomb.

CHRIST'S first words from His+ Cross were to His+ FATHER:

"FATHER, forgive them;

for they know not

what they do."

O Holy LAMB of GOD, receive our worship. We love THEE+ for Thy Sacrifice, O Blessed Savior+... Thy+ great sacrifice that covers all of our sins and ignorances.

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto My+ sorrow which is done unto ME+, wherewith The LORD hath afflicted in the day of HIS fierce anger. Lamentations of Jeremiah 1:12.

O Holy LAMB of GOD, we worship THEE+ and praise THY+ Name for bearing such sorrow --- the sin of the world --- for us, miserable sinners all; we bless THEE+ for Thy+ compassion towards mankind, towards us, towards me.

But I+ am a worm , and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Psalm 22:6

O Holy LAMB of GOD, we bless THEE+ for carrying the reproaches that should have fallen upon us from GOD .  We bless THEE+ and love THEE+ for being unjustly despised of the people ... when we should be justly despised by GOD for our sin-filled nature. We thank THEE+, O Holy ONE+.

All they that see ME+ laugh ME+ to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head. HE+ trusted on The LORD that HE would deliver Him+; let HIM deliver Him+, seeing HE delighted in Him+.  Psalm 22: 7, 8 and Matthew 27: 42, 43

O Precious LAMB of GOD, we love THEE+ with all our heart. We do not set THEE+ at nought; nay, we defend THEE+ with everything inside of us. We defend THEE+ before men who speak against THEE+ and before the invisible, unseen beings that try to accuse THEE+. We go against THEE+ in nothing.

We praise THEE+ and we offer praise to Our GREAT HOLY FATHER Who delivered THEE+ with a mightier victory than what mankind could foresee. Amen. 

Passover Meditation #21 for the Lenten Season 2012

~  ~  ~  The Door of the Cross ~  ~  ~

Then said JESUS

unto the twelve,

"Will you,

you also 

go away?"

John 6:67 Green's Greek Interlinear

The LORD'S sorrow was real. HE+ knew the hearts of men. HE+ knew their frame, their weaknesses. HE+ knew their vacillating wills...

HE+ still knows.

HE+ knew how easily they were swayed by their own thoughts and feelings, easily influenced by those around them.

HE+ still knows.

HE+ also knew exactly how abhorrent it would seem to the Jews to think of eating human flesh and drinking human blood. 

HE+ still knows how abhorrent dying to our Self is, how we don't want to join HIM+ in picking up our cross,  how we want HIM+ to do His+ part... and our part too!

Yet, Our LORD persisted in making the path harder, the door higher, the way more narrow for those coming to HIM+ for Eternal Life.

Will you also go away?

Countless others have.

Countless others have, from those who walked with HIM+ in person along with the twelve 2,000 years ago... much to their un-ending sorrow and constant bitterness now... to those who are playing fast and loose with HIM+ today, thinking they can repent fast on their death bed...  if they have a death bed, that is.

Will

you also

go

AWAY

?

Away... to count JESUS a stranger rather than friend... to count JESUS as someone to ignore, to take or leave until a more convenient time.

NOW is the day of Salvation,

while it is called TODAY.

Tomorrow is not promised
for anyone...
neither is a tidy,
orderly death bed.
( Sudden accidents happen daily.) 

Harden not your hearts

as in the day of provocation. 

.

O LORD GOD, Who+ knows our weaknesses and our frame, look upon this Thy+ servant. I bring my Self, kicking and screaming, unto THEE+.

Dear JESUS, I don't want to be a stranger to you anymore. Help THOU+ my unbelief and rebuke the hindering spirit keeping me from THEE+. 

I will to close the gap , O Great REDEEMER+, because THOU+ hast promised to receive sinners and backsliders ... if they repent. I'm sorry I've hurt THEE+, dear JESUS.  

O LAMB+ of GOD I come... I come.

A WORD from The LORD...

The days are close at hand

when sorrow shall fill this land.

MY+ people are drowning

in a sea of goods,

in a sea of lies.

Their hands are filled with pleasures

and their hearts are full of Self.

No-one shall see GOD

if he does not do MY+ Will.

Gadgets, conveniences, eye-pleasures

are consuming the thoughts of MY+ people.

Learn to live simply.

Learn to sit quietly

in MY+ stillness.

I am the TRUE LIFE...

not modern conveniences !

+  +  +

A Word from Sister Judith Hannah:

Throughout the month of July, I have been away from the computer to minister to my Mother, who has been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure.  Although there is no known cure, dietary changes can enable a person to live more active with a better quality of life.

Changing dietary patterns is not a welcome effort, however, amongst the elderly !

I am thankful for the prayer support I had during the time I spent in my childhood home and thus, was kept victoriously during the various spiritual battles that occur in such a setting; my birth family is not saved.  

I glory in The LORD'S  great salvation... so rich and freely given... to every person who humbles himself and repents, whether rich or poor. What a treasure we've been given, in these earthen vessels of ours!

Bless GOD: FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT! Amen.

~ ~ ~

LENTEN MEDITATION 30 ~~~ Through it All

LENTEN MEDITATION 30 ~ ~ ~ The Repair of the Broken

~ ~ ~ or, We Are All Required to Walk
…even in the midst of our difficulties.

Sooner or later, we all have ENORMOUS hurts or difficulties. They come to Christian and non-Christian, alike. Deaths, bodily sickness or injury, divorce, loneliness --- deep, gut-wrenching loneliness--- every human soul knows these heart-aches in one way or another. And then, when joy is finally gone, comes the worst: what is life all about, anyways? And for some, is it worth the struggle?

Our LORD JESUS tells us to walk with HIM+. HE+ does NOT tell us to be joyful. HE+ does tell us to offer up thanksgiving and praise of Who+ HE+ is in the midst of these griefs. Like Job, we recognize His+ Sovereignty at all times and in all circumstances. And then, we are required to walk with HIM+… in as much obedience as if the hurt had not happened.

As we walk with The LORD JESUS through these gut-wrenching sorrows, HE+ comforts us. HE+ also corrects our vision. HE+ corrects where --- or in whom--- we have put our trust. The Psalmist correctly states:

Whom have I in heaven but thee?
and there is none upon earth
that I desire beside thee.
Psalm 73:25

Our LORD JESUS gently but firmly corrects our heart. HE+ corrects the direction we have been leaning. If we have been leaning on things of this life for our happiness, then HE+ will correct that. Temporal things--- earthly security, houses, lands--- are worse than temporary: they are deceitful security… houses built upon the sand.

If we have been leaning on others as the source of our joy, then HE+ corrects that.

Elderly parents, aunts and uncles, will indeed pass away. Brothers and sisters will go at their appointed times. Sometimes spouses are taken. Sometimes the treasures of our hearts, our little ones, are returned home to Their Heavenly FATHER.

We cannot stop these sorrows from occurring.

HE+ wants our primary heart to be with HIM+. There should be nothing greater living in our hearts. HE+ corrects that, in the midst of these common human griefs, and we see our error.


If our job security goes or sickness or disease robs us of our earthly strength, HE+ corrects us here, too. HE+ wants our labor to be in HIM+ and for HIM+. Many a saint has discovered the quietness--- and power--- of the prayer closet while having severe physical limitations to endure daily. With no hope for recovery, they learn to lean on JESUS for their hope. Their strength becomes perfected in their weakness because of JESUS. Their whole identity changes…which is the goal.

HE+ is good at changing our self’s identity from worldling to being CHRIST’S man or woman. HE+ will use whatever means is necessary to do this.


If we walk with HIM+ through these distresses, we discover something grand: we become whole again. HE+ brings healing and joy back into our hearts, no matter what the sorrow, if we walk with HIM+ and remain obedient to His+ Word through these awful human woes.

The LORD JESUS is not unmindful of our sorrow, for HE+ was the king of human sorrow. It is not un-ending comfort and compassion that we need, though; it is healing. Yes, JESUS does have un-ending comfort and compassion for His+ followers, and furthermore, HE+ gives it to us freely and abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it
more abundantly.
John 10:10


But… we must receive His+ correction in order to be healed.



Furthermore, when we go through the healing that obedience to His+ Word brings, His+ love, comfort, compassion, and tremendous JOY will be poured upon us. Yea, His+ very Presence will be there and the sorrowful torments will flee away. We will not have to work at being joyful; HE+ will send it.




As HE+ corrects us, HE+ tells us to bring the needs of our hearts to HIM+ and to HIM+ alone. We take the demands off of others to “be there” for us. We learn to relate to others through CHRIST and for His+ Sake… and for His+ Sake alone.

This is so that they too might come to know CHRIST JESUS our LORD… so that they too might be released from the torments of darkness … so that they too might go forth and bear witness of HIM+ at all times and in all places.

We take to the cross our own emptiness for CHRIST JESUS to fill, not to others. And then, we will be ONE with HIM+.


In the Name of the FATHER, The SON+,

and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Amen.

+ + +