| us in this area. "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." This shoots us immediately back to Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." We as a nation have come to expect every thing in the fast lane. Fast food, super markets for everything ( groceries, liquor, lumber, hardware to name a few ), all of these contribute to our unwillingness to search farther than the surface for our answers. For this reason, what was believed true and defended vigorously in the recent past, is laid aside today under the guise of no longer being true. If it was true then, it should still be true today. Our truth is fickle. Had we given the statement more time under meditation, it is possible that it would have debunked itself. How does this apply to our spiritual life? We carry our attitudes and habits from our lives in the world into our spiritual lives. Case in point - consider the controversy over which Bible? I got caught up earlier in this controversy, buying considerable literature on the subject. In my own mind, I made a decision as to which side was right, and took a stand along those lines. This stand put me opposite to others who had a different view. I had considerable scripture to back my position, and I set out to convert everybody who disagreed. I noticed that these discussions would sometimes cause emotional responses that were, in my mind, out of proportion. When this happened, I would regret the discomfort I saw in the other person, but I didn't really reflect too deeply on it until I started meditating over this book. After much meditation and searching I finally realized that Satan totally enjoys this sort of thing. Even though I still feel comfortable with my 49 ______________________________________________________________________________ choice of Bible, I now realize that, if I attempt to convert someone else to my views, I am possibly helping Satan to stir up more contention in the church. When that happens, energies are diverted from the mission that God has as a priority to a mission that man has placed in a high priority. If the Holy Spirit wants that other person's mind changed, he'll direct things so that it happens. It is up to the Holy Spirit, not man to guide and direct. Man should attempt to introduce the other person to God, and then stand aside and let God direct things. What's wrong in our churches? I feel as though I am on the edge of the answer, but ---. In light of what I have just said, if you and I are listening to the same Holy Spirit, then I don't have to tell you. The Holy Spirit will direct you to where you can find the answer. If each of us would not jump at the first answer that we feel we have, then the Holy Spirit can bring us into one accord, through meditation. May you walk forever in His image. 50 ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ |
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