Brother Lawrence - Embrace the Abundance

Brother Lawrence is a life that every believer should model. His ability to embrace such a life of experiencing the presence of God is truly the abundant life in every walk of life. Richard Foster states: "Brother Lawrence abandoned 'all forms of devotions and set prayers' because he wanted all his life, not simply an hour here and there, to be life in an attitude of prayer." There is a place that structure is needed to attain such a life, but the true goal is to live our daily devotions and prayers in every aspect of our lives.

When I was an undergrad student at Pacific Christian College, I was given a small little 20 page booklet written by Don DeWelt titled, "Sweet Hour of Prayer." I took a year to read, meditated, journal and pray through that little booklet at least five times a week for a year. It was a simple guide yet difficult in making the commitment. It was worth it. During that time I came to a new awareness of God in my life and God in my surroundings. It always took me to a place to pray beyond the hour of the exercises to a place of praying short prayers throughout the day.

Practicing the presence of God helps me in understanding that my relationship with God is truly a relationship. Many worship leaders will start a worship service by declaring that we are about to enter into the presence of God. Dr. Wayne Shaw of Lincoln Christian University and I had a conversation a few years ago about how believers should never leave the presence of God. In reality, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Brother Lawrence was able to grasp the reality of this truth and journey this life with the destination of transformation in mind. In corporate worship we enter into a time of conscience awareness and recognition of God's presence within our lives. This fact does not diminish the fact that God is with us always and that a believer never exits the presence of God.

Although, I am lacking in my ability, the action of practicing the presence of God brings order to the chaos. The priority of practicing God's presence restores my heart, mind, soul, and strength to a place that God intended in my creation. That I would know God has he is to be known restores my essence to find order in the harsh reality of living with a sinful heart. For me, this is the ultimate goal of transformation. When I get to heaven and Jesus transforms me from glory to glory so as to replace my sinful heart is the "thing" I most look forward to in heaven. I will no longer have the sinful nature nor will I have the desire to separate from God. I will know sin in the past tense and the practice of God's presence will no longer be a need. I will be in God's presence.

What I find most glorious is that I can practice the presence of God while living in my fallen flesh and experience what is to come. The experience is the opportunity to embrace the abundance of life. The abundance of life through practicing God's presence in the ordinary daily life is but a glimpse of what is ahead of us in the future.

Thank You Brother Lawrence. You know I love ya, Don

Tough Times? Or preparation for the next life?

Let’s look through the book of Matthew and see what He was willing to bear.

He was willing to bear temptation after temptation with out sinning. (Matthew 4:4-11)
He was willing to bear the fact he had no where to lay His head. (Matthew 8:20)
He was willing to bear how little faith His disciples had. (Matthew 8:26)
He was willing to bear evil thoughts against Him. (Matthew 9:3-4)
He was willing to bear insults being called a glutton, a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. (Matthew 11:19)
He was willing to bear being accused of breaking the law on a Sabbath. (Matthew 12:2)
He was willing to bear being accused of being Beelzebub after casting out demons. (Matthew 12:24)
He was willing to bear no honor from his own country and his own home. (Matthew 13:57)
He was willing to bear the fault-finding Pharisees. (Matthew 15:1-2)
He was willing to bear the slowness of His disciples in understanding. (Matthew 15:16)
He was willing to bear the great multitudes that came to Him for healing. (Matthew 15:29-31)
He was willing to bear His disciples lack of faith. (Matthew 16:8-12)
He was willing to bear Peter’s rebuke. (Matthew 16:22-23)
He was willing to bear Peter’s nonsense about building three alters when He was transfigured. (Matthew 17:4)
He was willing to bear His disciples constant questions. (Matthew 17:10)
He was willing to bear the Pharisees who came to test Him. (Matthew 19:3-6)
He was willing to bear the mother of Zebedee’s sons foolish request to have her sons sit at His right and left hand when they came into His kingdom. (Matthew 20:20-23)
He was willing to bear Peter, James and John sleeping instead of praying and watching while He prayed in the garden. (Matthew 26:36-46)
He was willing to bear false testimony against Him. (Matthew 26:59-63)
He was willing to bear being spit on and struck in the face. (Matthew 26:67)
He was willing to bear Peter’s triple denial. (Matthew 26:75)
He was willing to bear being humiliated, tortured and crucified. (Matthew 27:27-37)
He was willing to bear being blasphemed and taunted at while hanging on the cross. (Matthew 27:39-44) (Think on it devotions)

What are we willing to bear? "Lord Jesus, thank you for your patience with us. Thank you for being willing to bear what you did in order to save us from our sin and give us life with you eternally. In your name. Amen."

Romans 5:3-5, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Bearing it together and encouraging each of us to press on! - You know I love ya - Don