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April 11, 2006
James Goll: "A
Tool for Greater Communion with God--Quietness"
The
Combative Lessons on Quieting Our Soul
Mark Virkler is a pastor-teacher based in
Buffalo, New York. Mark has written 30 study manuals in the areas of Bible
survey and spiritual communion and growth. The following thoughts are contained
in his powerful book, Communion with God:
Principles of Communion
If we are going to commune with God, first we must become still. Habakkuk went
to his guard post to pray (Habakkuk 2:1). In
the early morning when it was still dark, Jesus departed to a lonely place to
pray (Mark 1:35). And after a day's
ministry, Jesus went to a mountain to pray.
In order for our inner man to commune with God, we must first remove external
distractions. We must find a place where we can be alone and undisturbed so that
we can center down into our hearts without being distracted by our external
circumstances.
Second, we must learn to quiet our inner being, all the voices and thoughts
within us that are calling for our attention. Until they are quieted, we most
likely will not hear His voice.
Becoming still cannot be hurried or forced. Rather, it must be allowed to
happen. At a point in your stillness, God takes over and you sense His active
flow within you. His spontaneous images begin to flow with a life of their own.
His voice speaks, giving you wisdom and strength. You find that you are "in the
Spirit" (Revelation 1:10).
Quieting Our Own Inner Being
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Write down thoughts of things to do
later
-
Release present tensions and anxieties
to the Lord
-
Focus on Jesus
-
In becoming still, I am not trying to
do anything. I simply want to be in touch with the Divine Lover. I am
centered on this moment of time and experiencing Him in it
-
Removing inner noise (voices, thoughts,
pressures)
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The Battlefield of the Mind--A Perspective
By James Goll
Taking An
Aggressive Posture
(II Corinthians 10:2-6) As I read this set
of scriptures, I envision this "battlefield of the mind" in a specific way. I
see these strongholds or fortresses (verse 4) as
being the ancient wall around our mind. These strongholds are our overall mental
attitude. Next, I envision the arguments or speculations (verse
5) as being the guards on the wall of human reasoning. The high or lofty
things (verse 5) are the high towers on the wall
called pride. Lastly, the thoughts (verse 5) are
the individuals of military might poised for battle with devices of the power of
suggestion.
Taking the Initiative
Our weapons are not carnal but they are mighty in God for the pulling down of
strongholds, casting down of arguments and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of Christ. Through the "Battering Ram" of the name of
Jesus, the blood (Revelation 12:11), and
God's written and spoken Word (Matthew 4:3-10),
we can bring every thought into obedience to Christ Jesus.
Practical Steps
Before we can think on whatsoever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of
a good report, full of virtue and praise (Philippians
4:7-8), we must first cleanse our minds. This does not happen over
night. But for the Christian, it is a part of their destiny.
Some steps to having the mind of Christ might include:
-
Confession - I
John 1:7-9
-
Forgiving -
Proverbs 14:10
-
Forgetting -
Philippians 3:13
-
Removing -
Hebrews 12:1; II Corinthians 6:17
-
Combating & Withstanding -
II Corinthians 10:2-6
-
Building up -
I Peter 1:13; James 1:21; Isaiah 28:10; Jude 1:20
-
Putting On - I
Thessalonians 5:8; Proverbs 16:3; Ephesians 4:17-24
The
Practice of Listening Prayer
Dallas Willard is a professor and past director of the School of Philosophy at
the University of Southern California. Dallas is the author of the penetrating
book, The Spirit of the Disciplines, of which the following is taken:
A discipline for the spiritual life is, when the dust of history is blown away,
nothing but an activity undertaken to bring us into more effective cooperation
with Christ and His Kingdom. As with all disciplines, we should approach the
practice of silence in a prayerful, experimental attitude, confident that we
shall be led into its right use for us. It is a powerful and essential
discipline. Only silence will allow us life-transforming concentration upon God.
It allows us to hear the gentle God, whose only Son shall not strive, nor cry;
neither shall any man hear His voice above the street noise (Matthew
12:19). It is this God who tells us that in quietness and trust is
your strength (Isaiah 30:15).
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Sit Back And Enjoy God's Presence
Mary Swope, author of Are You Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired?,
turns her attention to helping people understand how to hear and discern God's
voice. The following phrases are from her book, Listening Prayer:
Beginning
At the beginning of each period of listening prayer, submit yourself to God and
invite the Holy Spirit to be in control. Learn to "put your mind on the shelf."
If your thoughts begin to seep through, you will block the Holy Spirit's
willingness to speak through your mind.
The Attacks
In addition, Satan will try to distract you. Cast out any interfering thoughts
from the enemy. The clamoring images and mindset of the world will drown out the
quiet inner promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Rest in Him
Sit back and enjoy God's presence. Meditate on His power, His wisdom, His
goodness, His meekness, and His generosity. Let His peace flow through you and
feel the serenity of mind and heart that illuminates and invigorates. His Spirit
gives strength to any task that needs to be accomplished.
Learn to relax and release all tension. Anxiety and strain will evoke only
silence from God. Learn to let go, and let God speak to you. Only those who
retreat to the quietness of heart, mind, and spirit can hear God's voice and
receive direct inspiration.
The Words of Jesus in Matthew 6:5-6 are:
And when you
pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray
in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men.
Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your
room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your
Father who sees in secret will reward you.
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A Closing
Prayer of Application
Father, make these old ways new. Teach me The Lost Art of Practicing Your
Presence. Quiet my Soul that I might know you and your precious Son Jesus
better. Holy Spirit, calm the inner storm that rages. Bring me in to proper
alignment with your Word, Will and Ways. I call forth the Spirit of Revelation
in Jesus name. Lord, I want to know You! Teach me for Your Kingdom's Sake. Amen!
I trust that this message on Quietness has helped you to move forward into
greater communion with the Love of Your Soul. It has truly helped me. After
all--Quietness is the Incubation Bed of Revelation!
Blessings!
James Goll
www.jamesgoll.com
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James and Michal Ann Goll's Itinerary:
April 18, 2006
Lifeline--TV Taping
The Miracle Channel-CJIL Television
450-31 Street North
Lethbridge, Alberta, T1H 3Z3; CANADA
Contact: 403-380-3399;
www.miraclechannel.ca
April 19-22, 2006
Living in the Supernatural Conference
AG-REC Building; 32470 Haida Dr (Gate #2)
Abbotsford, BC, CANADA
Contact: 604-853-9041; www.freshfire.ca
April 20, 2006
Prophetic Intercession
Encounters Ministry Center
2389 Henpeck Lane; Franklin, TN 37064
Contact: 615-599-5552;
www.encountersnetwork.com
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