God searches, examines and tests my hidden character and motives. He desires truth in the innermost being. This is what God does to all who dare to call themselves his disciples. These things aren't really done for non-Christians since they are already under universal judgement for sin. However, in the life of the believer, these are the real trials and victories that are symbolized by our "external" trials. In other words, what I perceive as a trail is not really the trial. The trial and response God is looking for is deep inside my subconscious. The purpose of the trial at the deepest level is the help build my inner character. This pleases God. At a superficial level, the purpose of the trail is to trust God to get through it but unless I see the bigger picture here, I am actually missing out on a key understanding.
I realize that God wan't me to be holy as he is holy. I reailize he desires truth in the innermost being. His means for doing that is to first make sure I identify with Him as a disciple - a committed follower. Once I have the courage to do that, then my real character is tested from within continuously. Implied in this is that non-committed Christians or non-christians do not receive the same priveledge. Why is this a prividelege insteasd of an oblibgation or extra burden put upon the godly man? We God care enought about me to make me more like Himself everday. As such, I can become a become a bigger receiver and can handle more of Gods ultimate plan. The only one I hurt by not understanding this process and vision is myself. I cut myself out of God's plan for my own life or I don't get to participate fully. As such I will not be a happy as I can be in life.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Psalm 7 Why I often mistake punishment for discipline
My only protection in life if from you. Everthing else that appears to be security is an illusion.
I undetstand David when He trys to negotiate with You, God. I often will say to God that punish me if I have really done something intential to someone else, otherwise why am I going through this trial? It feels like punishment, yet I know that I am innocent. Some things I have come to recently realize that in situations like this
1) You are not really punishing me, even though it may feel like that to me. It's like a child confusing punishment for discipline.
2) I'm really not so innocent. Though I didn't intend any harm, I don't really know my self well enought to know what my motives were and after learning to see reality, these are not always as pure as I think they are. They are often loss of control or inability to react correctly which results in further anger by the other person.
3) Because these things go on without my knowledge and are a part of how my unique mind operates, you are kind and forgiving and choose to disciple me. The only real way for me to learn is via a trail so I can believe and learn for my self and grow thru the problem.
Now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense. Its just like being a parent. Iniitially, we want to bypass trials and protect our kids from "bad" experiences. As we mature, we realize that they must respond appropriately and find their own way and that takes time and experience in a growth process that we call a trial. As we mature more, we realize that our kids aren't so innocent after all. They may not realize how their mind works and causes unfavorable reactions to life situations and hostile people, however they are still responsible and accountable for their part of the behavior.
These are all freeing thoughts for me this morning as I realize that all of the above can be fixed, although not quickly. Half the solution any problem is to understand the problem and accept the problem first.
I undetstand David when He trys to negotiate with You, God. I often will say to God that punish me if I have really done something intential to someone else, otherwise why am I going through this trial? It feels like punishment, yet I know that I am innocent. Some things I have come to recently realize that in situations like this
1) You are not really punishing me, even though it may feel like that to me. It's like a child confusing punishment for discipline.
2) I'm really not so innocent. Though I didn't intend any harm, I don't really know my self well enought to know what my motives were and after learning to see reality, these are not always as pure as I think they are. They are often loss of control or inability to react correctly which results in further anger by the other person.
3) Because these things go on without my knowledge and are a part of how my unique mind operates, you are kind and forgiving and choose to disciple me. The only real way for me to learn is via a trail so I can believe and learn for my self and grow thru the problem.
Now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense. Its just like being a parent. Iniitially, we want to bypass trials and protect our kids from "bad" experiences. As we mature, we realize that they must respond appropriately and find their own way and that takes time and experience in a growth process that we call a trial. As we mature more, we realize that our kids aren't so innocent after all. They may not realize how their mind works and causes unfavorable reactions to life situations and hostile people, however they are still responsible and accountable for their part of the behavior.
These are all freeing thoughts for me this morning as I realize that all of the above can be fixed, although not quickly. Half the solution any problem is to understand the problem and accept the problem first.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Psalm 6 - Reason Forgivess is Important, Proper way to request things from God
Thank you that when I do blow it and sin you don't hold it against me. I realize that when I ask your forgiveness and humble myself before you, then I receive the healing of your forgiveness and can go on with my life. That is why the process of making peace with you and others is important. I am always forgiven for my sin because of Your promise even if I don't pray or ask for forgiveness. But unless I make peace with you and others via confession, I myself will not FEEL forgiven, nor BEHAVE like I am forgiven. The process was masterfully created for me as a PRACTICAL means of going on and not as a THEOLOGICAL means for me to be back in your good graces.
I have misunderstood this most of my life. Thank you for reveling this to me during the reading of your word this morning.
Persistence and humility in praying and asking You for things is a winning combination and better it is your prescribed means of requesting something from You O Lord. Help me to ask for things in your prescribed way and not in the way I think I should be doing. As such I repeat my prayer this morning for success at my work and ask for a spirit of humility to overcome the pride as my prayer is answered. Your name O Lord will be glorified to those around me as long as I don't interfere with the process or attempt to take credit for the process. My job is to relax, enjoy the ride and let the Holy Spirit give me the wisdom to move me closer and closer to the character you want me to be.
I have misunderstood this most of my life. Thank you for reveling this to me during the reading of your word this morning.
Persistence and humility in praying and asking You for things is a winning combination and better it is your prescribed means of requesting something from You O Lord. Help me to ask for things in your prescribed way and not in the way I think I should be doing. As such I repeat my prayer this morning for success at my work and ask for a spirit of humility to overcome the pride as my prayer is answered. Your name O Lord will be glorified to those around me as long as I don't interfere with the process or attempt to take credit for the process. My job is to relax, enjoy the ride and let the Holy Spirit give me the wisdom to move me closer and closer to the character you want me to be.
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