This week Ortberg’s Soul-Keeping book reminds us that the soul needs a future and needs to be with God. While it is true that God is present with us all the time, it does not follow automatically that we operate consciously in this truth. But it’s a good place to strive toward. Here is Monday’s excerpt:

If you read through the Bible, you get a sense that the soul was designed to search for God. The Hebrew Scriptures - which might be thought of as the great Soul-Book of human literature -- are almost obsessed with this thought.

The soul thirsts for the Mighty One (Ps. 63:1). It thirsts for him like parched land thirsts for water (Ps.143:6). Like a laser it focuses the full intensity of its desires on him (Ps. 33:20). It lifts itself up to him (Ps. 25:1), it blesses him (Ps. 103:1-2, 22). It clings to him (Ps. 63:8) and it waits for him in silence (Ps. 62:1).

Indeed, the soul lives in God... For the soul to be well, it needs to be with God.
-- Soul Keeping, John Ortberg, pages. 116-117

Psalm 143:6

I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.

Invoking God onto our Week

We step into this week celebrating You, Father, who made our souls to thrive in You;

We celebrate You, Jesus, who quenches the thirst of our souls as we abide in You;

We celebrate You, Spirit, for continuing to feed our souls with the very Word of God;

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

John 1:12-13

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

What jumps out at you from this Bible reading? Ask God why…

Dallas Willard put it like this: you are an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God's great universe. He used to encourage me to write this down and read it out loud as a reminder of my true identity.
-- Soul Keeping, Ortberg, page 111

All Who Are Thirsty

Benton Brown

All who are thirsty, All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries out to deep
Come Lord Jesus come

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Now in Jesus we get a little glimpse of what this "with God" life is like. Not just that, Jesus makes this staggering claim in John 15: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

I am the vine you are the branches.

Bearing fruit means that we will do wonderful things in our lives for God and his kingdom, but we don't really have to try all that hard. Instead we are to make sure that we are "with God." That's what it means to abide in the vine - live intimately with Jesus from one moment to the next.
-- Soul Keeping, Ortberg, p.118

Remember: Take five to ten minutes a day to stop and listen, to connect with God in music. Let the Holy Spirit use it to feed your soul.

Acts 2:42-43

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

Jesus began this grand experiment with his twelve followers. They are like his pilot group... [They] change the world because they are with God through Jesus. Then there is what has come to be called the Acts 2 community - the first attempt at church. Jesus has returned to be with his Father, but he is still present through his Holy Spirit. Though he is not physically present, his followers find another way of doing life. They devote themselves every day to what Jesus taught: to prayer, to fellowship, to breaking of bread together. They shared what they owned, they served each other's needs. Ethnic barriers came down as they became known by the way they loved each other. It's a different community, devoted to a Jesus way of life with God.
-- Soul Keeping, John Ortberg, p. 118, 119

Relating With Others

At least once a week, connect with a group of people (2-3, 4-15) to share life, including what you’re learning or are wrestling with in God’s Word. Encourage, admonish, strengthen, and love each other in these get-togethers. It’s the third component by which God matures his people, so don’t ignore it.

Lord Jesus, help me – help us to discern what it looks like to follow you in today’s world – being devoted to you and your teachings about prayer, fellowship, breaking bread together – about life in you. 

I want to be one of your disciples and I realize that this means taking part in a group as well. Your disciples always seemed to be grouped together or at least paired up. 

Let your Holy Sprit show me how to participate in your (my) faith community; 

Amen

John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
~ Jesus,

The "with God" life is not a life of more religious activities or devotions or trying to be good. It is a life of inner peace and contentment for your soul with the maker and manager of the universe. The "without God" life is the opposite. It is death. It will kill your soul.
-- Soul Keeping, John Ortberg, p. 121

Father God, who doesn’t want inner peace and contentment? And yet many of us live without it – or experience it only intermittently. 

I desire to live life on your terms, knowing that you have promised way more than I can ever manufacture on my own. But I get diverted easily -- sidetracked. 

I pray that your Holy Spirit keeps me engaged fully in my spirit, enabling me to live life to the fullest – the very thing Jesus came to bring for me and all people. In Jesus’ name I pray this,

Amen.

Brother Lawrence (c.1614-1691)

Originally named Nicholas Herman, Brother Lawrence’s commitment to a life with God started while reflecting on the nature of a barren tree in winter and God’s care for it. 

In that “dead” tree, he saw himself – and saw hope for himself in God. His approach to God in prayer has been documented in the book Practicing the Presence of God (said to be the most-read book after the bible). It was put together by friends gleaning material from letters and conversations with the monk. 

Brother Lawrence’s role in the monastery was kitchen service, and so he became renowned for turning even the most mundane and menial chores into deep spiritual activities, making washing dishes a sacred act. 

His goal was to see God in any and every experience, and focus on Him in it. While acknowledging that it wasn’t easy, he saw it to be worth it.

Make it your study, before taking up any task, to look to God, be it only for a moment.
~Brother Lawrence

Psalm 86:11-12

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Many Christians expend so much energy and worry trying not to sin. The goal is not to try to sin less. In all your efforts to keep from sinning, what are you focusing on? Sin.

God wants you to focus on him. To be with him. "Abide in me." Just relax and learn to enjoy his presence.

Every day is a collection of moments, 86,400 seconds in a day. How many of them can you live with God?

Start where you are and grow from there.
-- Soul Keeping, John Ortberg, p. 122

2 Corinthians 5:16a

From now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
-- Apostle Paul

Take time to read verses 5:14-21 to see what a blessing you could be.

People will look different when I see them with God. People are a huge part of the "with God" life, because we have to live with people. We have to interact with them. How we get along with people says a lot about where our soul rests. When we are living with God, we will see people as God sees them. If I'm aware God is here with me, and God is looking at you in the same moment I'm looking at you, it will change how I respond to you... Imagine how your church would change if you saw each other through God's eyes. Imagine how the world would respond if Christians saw people the way God sees them.
-- Soul Keeping, John Ortberg, pages 124, 125

Thank you, Father God, for the blessings of being newly created through Jesus Christ my Lord. I pray that His love compels me to see others through the eyes of Christ’s love. 

As you seek to reconcile the world to yourself, I know that you are seeking ‘ambassadors’ to represent you as you reach out to the world. 

Use me. 

I want to help. I am so blessed to already be reconciled to you, and I am grateful. Show me how I can help. 

I ask this in Jesus’ name,

Amen.