A Prayer Seeking God
O Lord,
teach me to seek you,
and reveal yourself to me
when I seek you.
For I cannot seek you unless
you first teach me,
nor find you unless
you first reveal yourself to me.
Let me seek you in longing,
and long for you in seeking.
Let me find you in love,
and love you in finding.
--Saint Ambrose of Milan, c. 340 - 397
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/ambrose.html
Pursuit of Feeling Good
I think most of us would agree--if you had a choice between things that make you feel good and things that don't, our natural inclination would be to pursue things which make us feel good. We go to the movies or want to be entertained, with the idea of feeling something positive at the end of the experience. Also, we could choose people, sermons and churches, all designed to make us feel good. In our pursuit of feeling good, we could easily wander into things that may not be the truth or the reality of what the Lord desires for us.
His truth, His reality, may not always feel good, but His way for each of us is excellent. We are all called to hear His voice and follow His truth, and not get caught up in the evangelical humanism that wants to strip us from our destiny in Him. Discerning Mixed Truths
There is a continued trend throughout the western church, of preaching and teaching messages that appeal to our souls, but do little in changing our souls or renewing our minds to His ways. Many times these teachings are contrary to what the Father desires for each of us. There are truths being spoken out of context, which are mixed truths to tickle the ears of man.
Because there are Scriptures attached to false doctrine, many fall into the trap of false reality. Much of it has its root in a muddled "world view" and an uninspired "Word view." Many read the Bible through the eyes of self. They gravitate towards sermons that bring focus to self and the pleasures of this world. They glory in God when things go according to their plans, but often whine or rebel when things go according to His plans. Quoting and Applying Scripture to Our Own Desires1 Chronicles 4:9-10, "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, 'I gave birth to him in pain.' Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."Many have prayed the prayer of Jabez and have expected the same results, not even considering what the Lord may have for His glory in their lives. God granted Jabez his request, because it was according to His plans and His will that Jabez prayed. I do not think Joseph prayed that he would be left for dead by His brothers. I do not think Joseph prayed to be thrown in prison. Yet, it was part of God's divine plan for him. He had dreams of His brothers bowing to him, and certainly did not expect the results he had to endure. The final result was the glory of God being manifested through a servant, who did not live for self, but lived for the glory of God. Just because God granted Jabez his request, does not mean God is going to grant you your request. Think of Joseph reading a copy of the Jabez prayer and believing God to keep him from pain, just before His brothers left him for dead and enduring years of pain. God did expand his territory and did bless him, but it was in God's design and timing. I am not saying to not ask or pray such things, I am saying, be prepared for His will, His timing, and most of all, His glory to come forth. The territory and resources He has for you now, may be all you need to accomplish what He has ordained for you. You can confess, profess, name it, claim it, and get very discouraged that your will did not change His mind. Many people want to be blessed and have their territory expanded, but are not willing to be transformed through death to themselves. Colossians 3:5-6, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."In contrast to the feel good passages of the Bible, we do not see many pray regarding the Scriptures above, or pray as Paul did in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death,"Praise God that our loving Father denies often our selfish requests, so that we live as disciples for His plan for us.We are Here for His Glory We are here for His glory and only His glory. When we are done in this life, we are done for His glory. Have you ever thought of Job's first wife and children? God took them to Himself early for His glory. He did not love the wife and children any less than he loved Job. It did not seem fair. Sovereign God allowed His Son to be crucified for His glory. Stephen was martyred as a young man for His glory! We all know that God could choose to call someone home at the age of 18 or even at 120 years of age. He chooses the time He will allow that to happen. The western church is taught, and tends to gravitate towards Jabez types of prayers, and Jabez types of results that really appeal to the core of our fleshly nature. We shy away from wanting to read, study, or apply the teachings of sacrifice and death to self. Selfless life does not sell in the American church experience. We often quote the feel good Scriptures, but do not gravitate to Job or Joseph realities. There certainly is more desire for a season of harvest over any wilderness experience. We do not want to sacrifice our next meal, let alone a career, a house, or a lifestyle for His Kingdom.
We must embrace the wilderness, suffering, and sacrifice as a part of His plan, in changing us into His image.The Reason and Season is His ChoiceMatthew 11:28-30, "Then Jesus said, 'Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.'"We all like the Scripture above. I am so glad we can rest in Him, and He will carry the burden for us as we follow Him. So hold on to this, but also hold on to the whole counsel of God, the whole Word of God, including the Scriptures below. He has seasons for each of us. Some are sowing, some are reaping, and some may be looking for the farm. Matthew 5:23-25, "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him."
Mark 11:25-26, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses."
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