Sometimes we are not even aware of what the long view should be. Most of the time, and most of what we think or do, we do not consider the long view or big picture. The only think about what we need or what right now.
Since the writer in Psalm 63 is writing from a "dry and worn out land" this may suggest a-frame of mind of trying to endure through hard times because better times are coming. An example is exercising when I do not want to because I know I will be better off if I do. And it's not because I can "feel Noble" that I've done the exercise; it is better because it really does have a different, and more gratifying reward. Perhaps every spiritual discipline will be the same way.
Psalm 33:9 speaks of God creating something from nothing. Having this in mind, maybe it is acceptable to ask God to do what seems impossible. We ask him during what seems to us an impossible situation, to create something from nothing, to supply resources where there are none. We ask God to give us that desire. In our asking God to establish our desires for us, we should not lose sight of the long view - what is God's will in this the matter and how will this have meaning in God's Kingdom in the future.
Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”
Friday, July 26, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
SAY IT, MAKE IT
I've read how a person, call him Leroy, writes down what he wants to accomplish repeatedly many times a day. He says that he has attained things, even things over which he could not have control. My question is, is this a good technique, or is it something “New Age” that I should avoid? Does it really provide power over the uncontrollable? More important, is it a technique God would want me to use, or want me to avoid?
The act of writing, "Leroy will become a dedicated Christian", and believing that the writing of the phrase over and over will make it come to pass seems to border on faith theology. "I write, I believe, therefore it will happen." Where is God in all this? If we can write and make it happen who needs God? What if someone else writes, "Leroy will become a dedicated Satanist", will it cancel out what the Christian writes? What if there are 10 Satanists and 2 Christians writing, but the Christians are writing in fervent belief? What will happen to Leroy? It seems to me that if either thinks that the writing itself will accomplish the task they have made the step of using this technique as faith theology. They have attributed to this technique a power in, and of, itself. The man does not have the power, God does not have the power, Satin does not have the power; the technique has the power.
A positive reason for the technique is it would keep important things before the consciousness. I could use it for my planning for the day. Or is this crowding out some thinking or method of doing something that God would rather me do? I should always direct my life according to God’s view. As I make my plans I should ask, "Is this according to God's will"? If written, these things must be in harmony with the Kingdom of God. I should pray, “Lord, if there is any power in this technique please let it be your power, or at least let it be a power that you will use for your benefit in My life. Please protect me from harming either you, or my family, or myself.”
So how should a Christian use the technique? He should use it to refresh his mind about items of real worth. He could concentrate his mind on the details of the items. The technique could rise the items as matters of prayer: both to bring before the Lord and to hear from the Lord.
If one would pick up a paper upon which I had written, would he be able to say, "These are noble and godly things that are helpful and promote God’s Kingdom"?
The act of writing, "Leroy will become a dedicated Christian", and believing that the writing of the phrase over and over will make it come to pass seems to border on faith theology. "I write, I believe, therefore it will happen." Where is God in all this? If we can write and make it happen who needs God? What if someone else writes, "Leroy will become a dedicated Satanist", will it cancel out what the Christian writes? What if there are 10 Satanists and 2 Christians writing, but the Christians are writing in fervent belief? What will happen to Leroy? It seems to me that if either thinks that the writing itself will accomplish the task they have made the step of using this technique as faith theology. They have attributed to this technique a power in, and of, itself. The man does not have the power, God does not have the power, Satin does not have the power; the technique has the power.
A positive reason for the technique is it would keep important things before the consciousness. I could use it for my planning for the day. Or is this crowding out some thinking or method of doing something that God would rather me do? I should always direct my life according to God’s view. As I make my plans I should ask, "Is this according to God's will"? If written, these things must be in harmony with the Kingdom of God. I should pray, “Lord, if there is any power in this technique please let it be your power, or at least let it be a power that you will use for your benefit in My life. Please protect me from harming either you, or my family, or myself.”
So how should a Christian use the technique? He should use it to refresh his mind about items of real worth. He could concentrate his mind on the details of the items. The technique could rise the items as matters of prayer: both to bring before the Lord and to hear from the Lord.
If one would pick up a paper upon which I had written, would he be able to say, "These are noble and godly things that are helpful and promote God’s Kingdom"?
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