Hi Randy & Peggy (and all),
This business of being carnal beasts is certainly humbling but when we were blessed with this self realization from Christ's Spirit so many things begin to fall into place. You know the scriptures compare us to lumps of clay, I have imagined what a piece of clay might feel like if it had nerve endings, pain sensors and a sense of self.
The clay is peacefully, blissfully ignorant of what is going on above and below it as it lays in the ground, then along comes the Potter and snatches it out of it's comfort zone and begins to knead it, shape it, form it, that lump has no clue as to what is going on, where it is headed and what is in store for it so of course it is not terribly happy or content in it's present state outside the ground it was plucked from as the pain of having everything inside it turned upside down and inside out is at times quite excruciating.
Then the Potter brings in this incomplete work to His shop and the clay sees this magnificent Vessel displayed on a shelf at the very top of a display, brightly colored, perfectly formed and it is so wonderful the clay can't even comprehend what it might be, how it got there and how could this impossibly beautiful thing even exist? The Potter knows what his raw barely formed clay is thinking and reveals to it that it too will be as the Vessel it was admiring although there is yet more work to be done, this work may be painful at times especially when it is being burnished in the kiln.
The rest of the forming experience while still uncomfortable, even painful at times is no longer quite the hopeless or uncertain, strange and bizarre journey it had been, even through the painful stages of this work of being created there is a certain joy within the clay as it knows step by step, day by day it is that much closer to finally being like that magnificent Vessel that was so overwhelmingly beautiful and perfect.
As one lump of clay to another I must say that the following portion of "Praying By God's Rules" is a very critical bit of spiritual wisdom, knowing that we are incomplete and beastly but with a promise more incredible than we can fully comprehend is the beginning of our real journey, accessing our Creator all along the way is an absolute necessity as we run the race and yearn for the prize.
SO WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY FOR?
Anything you desire that accords with God’s will, and accords with "what must be." God had met my physical needs of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. What I pray about are qualities of godliness—love, faith, courage, knowledge & understanding, wisdom, patience, self-control, thankfulness. I am a firm believer that if we think about the right things; we will then pray about the right things. I pray all day about everything and anything that is strongly on my mind. Why shouldn’t we, seeing that God is our Father and Jesus is our Saviour and Elder Brother. God wants to hear from us. Talk to your God. Anything important enough for you to think about or be concerned about is worthy of talking with God about.
Periodically I thank God for everything I have—I mean everything. Including the many things that most people take for granted. You have heard of counting sheep to fall asleep? Well I fall asleep many nights thanking God for all of my blessings. I start where I am—on my comfortable mattress and pillow, next to my wife, in an air-conditioned room.
You heard me right, I start by thanking God for my pillow and my comfortable bed. How many people in the history of the world have ever had a bed as comfortable as mine? Not even one percent. I thank God for my wife lying next to me. I thank God for my children. I thank God for our great little feline companions. I thank God for air conditioning in the summer and central heating in the winter. I thank God for our home, my office, our large living room for Bible Studies, our television that enables me to see the major news events of the world instantly, and documentaries (I watch a fair amount of the Science Channel, National Geographic, the History Channel, etc.).
I thank God especially for our refrigerator. Do you have any idea how much kings and queens of the past would have given for a refrigerator? And add to that, a plethora of fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, and ice cold water. I never take my refrigerator or all that is in it, for granted. I thank God for indoor plumbing. Most of the world does not have indoor plumbing or even good drinking water. How many in the world drink warm, muddy water? How blessed we are.
I thank God for all of my friends, and all those coming to our Conferences, and for all who read bible-truths.com and participate in our Discussion Forum. I thank God for the Truths that He has given me to share with all these people. I thank God for the miracles of electronic email (which takes up a great deal of my life).
I thank God that I don’t need to live in a war zone, for the protection of our civil authorities, and for emergency services.
I thank God for being such a great and loving God and for giving us the secrets of His plan and purpose, His kingdom, and our eternal destiny with Him. I thank God for His Word. I even thank God for our tribulations and ask only that He gives us the strength to endure and the spiritual understanding to see the purpose and value in all God does. There is so much to be thankful for, and God wants us to be thankful. Notice how little it took for Paul to be content with God’s dealing with him: "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (I Tim. 6:8).
Anyway, I often pray myself to sleep just giving God thanks for my many blessings. Here is one of my favorite Scriptures, and it just happens to be on proper prayer and meditation:
"Be rejoicing in the Lord always! Again, I will declare, be rejoicing! Let your lenience be known to all men: The Lord is near. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus.
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is grave, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is agreeable, whatever is renowned—if there be any virtue, and if any applause, be taking these into account. What you learned also, and accepted and hear and perceived in me, these be putting into practice, and the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4-9, Concordant Literal N.T.).
Ah, yes, "the God of peace will be with you." What more do we want? Really: what more do we want? I can swap war stories regarding my past life with the best of you, but to now know that "the God of peace will be with you" is the thing that makes it all worth it. Don’t hesitate to thank God for your trials and tribulations and persecutions—they are qualifying you for the incorruptible and immortal Kingdom of God. Answered prayer is a major proof that God exists and that God loves. Obey God’s rules governing prayer, and you too will begin to experience God’s intervention into your life. And finally, the second shortest verse in the Bible:
"Pray without ceasing" (I Thes. 5:17)!
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
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Topic: Easily Distracted (Read 12366 times)