Christmas during the pandemic will be different in some ways for each of us. We may not be with loved ones, we may not be participating in joyful live worship services, and we may not be having many people into our homes.
We hope and pray this will be over, but for now, might God be leading us into our best Christmas ever? If so, how?
Together, we are going to practice the art of Holy Contemplation. This is the secret that caused the saints of old to experience the presence of God so vividly that their hearts burned within them! I also see this happening to women who become believers in prison. Everything is stripped from them and they press into God in contemplation and have a joy believers on the outside often do not.
Here is how the great poet William Cowper expressed it:
Sometimes a light surprises
the Christian while he sings;
it is the Lord who rises
with healing in His wings;
when comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
a season of clear shining,
to clear it after rain.
In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
the theme of God’s salvation,
and find it ever new…
Sometimes A Light Surprises
Here is Cowper’s song done so beautifully by Stillwater Music:
Tim Keller says that most Christians miss the step between Bible study and prayer that might lead to experiencing the presence of God. I will explain the basics of how to do this, but I do recommend purchasing the whole sermon to prepare you for this series. Here is the link:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/knowing-we-know-three-tests-5759/
You may be surprised how short our passages are. But this is so we can truly practice holy contemplation. This week and next will be passages on which “Sometimes A Light Surprises” is based since it is our foundational contemplation song. Then we will use Christmas songs saturated with Scripture and focus on those passages. The combination of great music, His Word, and humble hearts may indeed open the door to the best Advent ever — experiencing the presence of God. And then, we can share it with one another, and our joy will be doubled.
After your regular study of finding out what God is saying, which you cannot skip, then you will contemplate 5 questions from Keller which I will keep giving you. But here they are if you’d like to print them off and keep them in your Bible.
In the last month, I’ve been struggling in a relationship with a dear friend. Though I love her, I found myself being passive-aggressive with her — a clear warning sign of darkness in me. It wasn’t until I applied these contemplation questions to 1 John 1 that resolution came. His Word went from my head to my heart and I saw her as He did, rather than the distorted way my sin and the father of lies was causing me to see her.
Fellowship with her and with God was restored.
Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while she contemplates His living Word.
Sunday: Getting Started
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Listen carefully to Cowper’s song and share any phrases that become radioactive and why.
Monday/Tuesday: It is the Lord Who Rises
Sometimes a light surprises
the Christian while he sings;
it is the Lord who rises
with healing in His wings;
when comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
a season of clear shining,
to clear it after rain.
3. The above opening verse of Cowper’s Hymn is based on Malachi 4:1-2. Read and then go through the steps.
For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Part I: Study this by looking for commands, promises, word pictures, and finally, summarize what God is saying in a sentence. Remember, this is from the very last chapter of the Old Testament before 400 years of silence. This is significant. Write down your observations, thoughts, and questions here:
Part 2: Holy Contemplation
Some of you have wondered what part of these to share and what part to keep private. Do as you feel led — some may be helpful for others, some, if kept private, may help you be more authentic.
- How can I praise Him on the basis of this text?
- How can I confess my sins on the basis of this text?
- If this is really true what wrong behavior, what harmful emotions, and what false attitudes happen when I forget this?
- What should I be aspiring to — reaching for?
- Why are You telling me this today?
Part 3: Prayer. Use what you’ve been shown as a springboard for prayer. To close, sing the 3rd verse of Hark the Herald Angels, for I do believe Wesley was inspired by Malachi 4:2.
Wednesday/Thursday: Salvation Ever New
In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation,
and find it ever new;
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say —
E’en let the unknown morrow
bring with it what it may.
Salvation becomes ever new when we realize how big it is: We are saved from the penalty of sin, are being saved from the power of sin, and will be saved from the presence of sin. I’ve been going through a commentary by Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 6 that is certainly making this theme ever new. He concentrates on how we can be delivered from the power of sin. Being justified is on the basis of faith alone. Being sanctified flows from this but it is a battle, and there are secrets in this passage we will contemplate.
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master because you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart, that form of doctrine that was delivered to you.
Romans 6:13-17
Completely optional: Lloyd-Jones sermon on Romans 6:13-14
4. Read Romans 6:13-17 and then go through the steps.
Part I. Make observations by noting commands, reasons, contrasts.
When you get to the last verse, beginning with “But God be thanked…” Lloyd Jones says this verse is one of the clearest definitions of what it means to be a genuine Christian. See first if you can find the phrases that describe these 3 characteristics:
A. There is change — what was once true of you is not anymore. (See context for help)
B. How can you see that this change, this repentance, affects every part of you? What parts would he mean? How can you see a definition of true repentance in verse 17?
C. A truth or doctrine has been poured into you by God that resulted in this change. What phrase shows this in verse 17? Jones says the above is the best translation of Romans 6:17 for it carries the idea of being delivered, like poured into a mold. It is not our doing. A true Christian cannot keep on in the direction of sin for God’s seed is in him, growing.
What questions arise from your study?
Can you describe a true Christian using this passage?
Part 2: Holy Contemplation (on both passages)
- How can I praise Him on the basis of this text?
- How can I confess my sins on the basis of this text?
- If this is really true what wrong behavior, what harmful emotions, and what false attitudes happen when I forget this?
- What should I be aspiring to — reaching for?
- Why are You telling me this today?
Part 3: Prayer. Use what you’ve been shown as a springboard for prayer. You may want to incorporate this:
Friday/Saturday: Catch Up and Share Impact
5. How did this week impact you?
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4. Part 1
When you get to the last verse, beginning with “But God be thanked…” Lloyd Jones says this verse is one of the clearest definitions of what it means to be a genuine Christian. See first if you can find the phrases that describe these 3 characteristics:
There is change — what was once true of you is not anymore. (See context for help)
Once you were slaves to sin.
B. How can you see that this change, this repentance, affects every part of you? What parts would he mean? How can you see a definition of true repentance in verse 17?
From the heart or “wholeheartedly.” I suppose he means every bit of you; your heart, mind, soul, body, etc. If you change from one to another in your ways, then you had to have repented to be that new being.
C. A truth or doctrine has been poured into you by God that resulted in this change. What phrase shows this in verse 17? Jones says the above is the best translation of Romans 6:17 for it carries the idea of being delivered, like poured into a mold. It is not our doing. A true Christian cannot keep on in the direction of sin for God’s seed is in him, growing.
The phrase that mentions the “teaching” received by the person; the doctrine learned by the people is the reason for the change.
What questions arise from your study?
How come I can know this in my heart, but my actions don’t reflect it? How do I get to that point?
Can you describe a true Christian using this passage?
A Christian is someone who is different than others; not the norm. A Christian knows the “ways” of Christ and strives to be like Him in all ways. By knowing these characteristics, a person who is a Christian changes his way to reflect that Christ-like heart to others, for others to see.
Part 3: Prayer. Use what you’ve been shown as a springboard for prayer.
Oh Dearest Jesus. Thank you for my friends and acquaintances who care enough for me to pray for me and my family. It has been a hard few weeks, and as one such person put it, I am exhausted. What’s worse is that I had to have it pointed out to me that because I had so many responses to a prayer request I should know You are near. Duh…I am self-centered to a fault these days. Please forgive me. Sin runs deep in me, and yet I know the right way to behave in my mind. I just can’t seem to get it immersed into my body through my actions. Please help me with this. Perhaps I am battling between body, mind, and soul? Maybe I am not truly Yours yet? I have not had the “penny drop” as Keller says? Maybe I am “faking it until I make it?” I’m not authentic? Wow. I hadn’t considered that at all, but my actions sure don’t match with being a true Christian. I guess I still wonder how to get all the parts working in synchronicity. I suppose that would be my hope today, that You would help me know how to give myself (all parts) to You so I can be truly Yours forever. In Christ’s name. Amen.
I love your prayer, Laura. I find what Martyn Lloyd Jones stresses helpful — that we should see incremental change, but not sinless perfection. I so see change in you from when you first began with us, and I see it continuing. Don’t you?
I need to listen to that sermon! Thanks for that idea 😉
Hugs, Laura! You are so authentic and God honors that! I so admire your persistence here, even when you don’t feel like it! God, help Laura find peace in you in the midst of her storm!
Oh Laura,
Yes I love your prayer too. You are genuine and like Dee says we see the change in you. I memorized these verses a couple of years ago and then began saying them to myself every time I began to have a battle in my mind. What has amazed me is the power in God’s Word because I have found very real peace many times by reciting them in my heart and mind. There is nothing magical about the words but God’s Word is alive because of Him. His Spirit empowers us in our weakness. We can do nothing in and of ourselves. We have to let go and He supply’s what we need when we need it. Also like Dee says change is incremental. It’s a work of time. God’s time.
I chose these in the KJV because I liked the particular wording. Hope it encourages you too.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Bev, I was just struck by the verse that you shared here with Laura. It is the very verse that came to mind when Laura shared her recent struggles. Laura, my love to you and prayers for the Word of God to penetrate your heart and that any carnal strongholds will be pulled down by the power of God. Keep reading His Word. It will not come back void. Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” The important thing is for you to continue going to Him with your questions and doubts. We are here for you and He is near.
Oh Bev, that verse is good. This is the second time someone has mentioned it…I need to add it to my fridge and be praying it. Thank you!!!
Praying for you, Laura. It can be so hard to recognize Him at work within us when all we see is what is yet to be done. Lord Jesus, I pray that You would break through to Laura, even today. In Your great creativity and matchless tenderness, bring her into Your presence. Touch her with Your truth. Not just the intellectual truth of Your word, but with the experiential truth of Your being. Wrap her in Your arms and give her a taste of the banquet to come…
Hugs, Laura. Oh how I empathize with that exhaustion. And as a teacher: kudos to you! That is one HARD job right now especially!!
BTW I wrote this prayer for myself that I would love to gift you also. I pray it blesses you. Prayer is after all an invitation we give Jesus to speak through us through His Spirit. He did to me through writing this and I pray He does you too:
Father, thank You that You are for me and not against me. Thank You for the cleansing waters of Your love washing over me, for carrying away my sin and my shame. Thank You for the jealous flames of Your love burning away my own stoney heart, to unveil your new healthy heart of flesh in its place.
Thank You, precious Jesus, that You defend Your dwelling place. I declare that I am Yours. I have been bought with a price. You are my true heartbeat, my pure breath of life and the strong walls of salvation protecting me.
Forgive me for shaming myself – Your creation- and for blaming others You love so much also, for inflicting the very wounds that are becoming my healing. Thank You for lifting my burden of guilt and pain that I have clung to for so long as my just deserves. Thank You that even though I do not deserve Your mercy, You have chosen to clothe me in it to Your glory. Thank You for Your tender mercy, Your longsuffering and compassion toward me.
Thank You that when I am so weak, YOU are so very strong. Help me to keep pouring out my heart to You and to listen for Your Word to me. Help me to resist the devil that he may flee from me.
Father, thank You, that hidden in Christ, I can count it all joy, when I meet trials of various kinds, for I know that the testing of my faith produces steadfastness. Help me to let steadfastness have its full effect, that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Cause me to stand firm in You, that the light of Your face may draw not just me, but many out of darkness into Your glorious light. In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.
Love and hugs. So thankful for your genuine sharing and Christ’s heart of gold in you.
Part 2: Holy Contemplation
Some of you have wondered what part of these to share and what part to keep private. Do as you feel led — some may be helpful for others, some, if kept private, may help you be more authentic.
1. How can I praise Him on the basis of this text?
Lord, praise you that one day, I shall be totally healed inwardly and shall become my authentic self, the way you planned me to be. All who love you shall be healed and shall rejoice with a joy that causes us to leap for joy with an exuberance that knows no bounds.
2. How can I confess my sins on the basis of this text?
Father, I confess that I in myself am a twisted soul with only glimpses of joy and goodness. I deserve to be burned like stubble with other wicked people. Have mercy and save me, Lord.
3. If this is really true what wrong behavior, what harmful emotions, and what false attitudes happen when I forget this?
Daily, hourly, minute I forget to rest in you, I forget that I have been rescued and I shrink into a self-loathing, approval-of-men seeking, frightened person, who forgets joy and stumbles in the dark.
4. What should I be aspiring to — reaching for?
I should be aspiring to be my authentic self – totally known and totally loved and forgiven by the King of Kings; fully joyful in God my Savior.
5. Why are You telling me this today?
Lord, you want to wake me up, to help me see that things are not as they seem, that the Lord has come and will come and heal me and heal the nations. We have HOPE and must not give up. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel.
Oh Diane. Praying this all with you. So much my heart’s cry too. Praise Him that when we are unfaithful He remains so faithful because He can’t deny HIS presence inside of us. Oh what blessed assurance in His Word to us.
1. How did this week impact you?
Singing these Christmas songs in light of what you shared here, Dee, made me contemplate the words more and bring their meaning from just word on my tongue deep into my mind and heart.
“light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in his wings”
“cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.”
I love that, Bing!
My impact for the week is that I am a new creature in Jesus Christ, I will immerse myself in what He has done for me and like the calf leaping out of the stall, I will leap for joy knowing that I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, the life I live now in the flesh, this mortal body, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me. How awesome is that…Thank You Lord !
Amen! Praise You, Jesus for glorious new life and hope everlasting in YOU.
I posted this afternoon and when I hit submit, our internet crashed! My husband just got it working again, but I’m too tired to rewrite everything. I will say I am gleaning by slowing down with using the steps.
May God fill you with His strength, Susan. No fun having it all crash on you. BTW maybe what you had to share was radioactive for us…maybe the enemy is working overtime to hide the beauty you have to share. If that’s it, I pray Jesus helps you to share what He wants here and blesses you in doing it.
Anna, when that happens, I just remind myself that most important is the time I put into doing the lesson and the time spent reading and conversing with God!
Yes. So true. Love of God first. All else follows.
5. How did this week impact you?
God used it to plough my hardened heart and to reveal HIS desires at work in me: His love, grace, forgiveness, clarity and unity in Spirit. It has been so humbling, so freeing, bringing fresh clarity and momentum forward. And I am discovering an even greater depth to God’s love and mercy for me personally.
There are two opportunities I was closing the door on that literally dropped in my lap. But thank God for this group, His reminders and His Word that have caused me to open my hands again and be obedient, trusting in His provision and purpose. And additionally He has given me the green light and clarity to open a ministry for families my heart burns with a passion for, at the start of next year. That much desired clarity came, right around the time God dissolved my bitterness and unforgiveness. Praise Him for His protection.