Recently I was doing a study on Ephesians 3:20, one of my favorite verses,

“Now to God Who, by consequence of the action of His power that is at work within you, is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that you dares ask or think, infinitely beyond your highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams. (Amp)

The main phrase in the Greek is more accurately translated “superabundantly above the greatest abundance.”  Let your mind try to fully fathom that concept.  Whatever your need, whatever your desire, God’s power in you is able to do in supernatural levels of abundance beyond the best you can imagine for an answer!

Adams Clarke Commentary explains it well-

We can go beyond the limits of all human descriptions; we can imagine more than even God has specified in His word; and can feel no bounds to our imagination of good: and after all, God is able to do more for us than we can ask or think; His ability here is so necessarily connected with His willingness, that the one indisputably implies the other; for, of what consequence would it be to tell the Church of God that He had power to do so and so, if there were not implied an assurance that He will do what His power can?

Stated more simply, God would not bother to tell you that His power in you can do supernatural levels of abundant provision, intervention, revelation, wisdom, etc., beyond what you can possibly imagine unless He meant that He was willing to do exactly that in whatever area of your life you desire and/or need to be revolutionized.  He is challenging you to ask and believe for exactly that!  

Realizing this, we usually ask and believe far below the power and willingness of the power of God.  William Burkitt says, ”O! how narrow, short, and poor are our prayers, compared with the power of God!”

 Now come back to my original question to you. 

What do you need God to revolutionize in your life now?  What do you desire Him to transform now?  Imagine the highest you can imagine, then by faith realize that God’s power within you is able to do that; He’s told you to dream, believe, and ask it because He delights to give you infinitely beyond it!

A main key in attaining the highest level of spirituality or spiritual life is eliminating religious peripherals to focus on a deeper understanding of God’s person.

Those of us who are spiritually minded desire to go past all the peripherals and live at a depth of spiritual experience that few people ever attain, a level of spirituality that is fulfilling and brings wholeness.

To attain the highest level of spirituality, first become aware of what things are religious peripherals that may be keeping your focus from the depth you really desire.

Let me clarify before explaining this point that I am not minimizing the value of various religious ceremonies, traditions, rites, or liturgy in anyone’s religion. Depending on one’s personality, they can hold great value emotionally as well as aid in spiritual focus and sense of community. What is important here is to have a full realization that religious ceremonies or rites are not “in themselves” the focus of one’s spiritual experience. They are aids or tools. The actual focus is to know God’s person, to daily experience a progression of more deeply and intimately understanding the aspects of His personality. Just as we are spirits in physical bodies, with the spirit being the person that everyone else gets to know, so God is Spirit; your spiritual focus is to progressively grow in your understanding of His person through interactive communication with Him, the same as you grow in relationship with any other sentient person.

The Apostle Paul, well-known for authoring a large part of the New Testament, described this experience of not being distracted by the peripherals of one’s true spiritual focus.

Paul discusses his rich religious heritage which he says, by outward appearances, would give him great spiritual advantage (Philippians 3:4-7), “circumcised at eight days old, of the nation of Israel, a son of Hebrews, of the religious sect of the Pharisees, known for outstanding zeal, and by the standard of the Law of Moses-blameless.” Yet Paul states that these things, though they have value, are not to be one’s main focus in attaining the spirituality we each desire. Paul counts them all as loss compared to the pricelessness of growing in his understanding of God’s person.

This quote very effectively describes how to focus your spiritual passion on attaining an intimate knowledge of God’s person:

I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege – the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth and supreme advantage – of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly…For my determined purpose is that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly. Phil. 3:8,10 Amplified

Notice the 2 steps Paul describes as necessary for true spiritual attainment:

1. Counting everything else as a loss when compared to progressively knowing God’s person.
2. Making it one’s determined purpose, a specifically focused driving purpose, to intimately know and understand God’s person.

Lastly, to implement this concept, realize that even in the spiritual realm, there is a difference between knowing “about” a person and actually “knowing” the person.

One can know about a famous person, all kinds of facts, dates, and experiences that person has had. But that kind of knowledge “about” someone lacks a true intimate knowledge of his or her person. On the other hand, those who daily interact with him or her on a personal level are the ones who progressively develop a true intimate knowledge and understanding of their personality.

Take this mental picture and apply it to your own spiritual experience. Ceremonies, rites, etc. are tools but do not let them become your main focus; if you do, your spiritual experience will lack the living, intimate depth that you desire and can receive. Make it your determined purpose to focus on “progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with God, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person.”

I was reminded today of a quote that clearly describes the Fatherly comfort God desires to bring us.

Visualize the level of comfort that a fearful child receives from being held in the arms of a loving father. Visualize the comfort a grieving person receives in the arms of a loving friend or spouse. Now visualize the comfort that a newborn baby receives when placed in the arms of its mother so that he can hear her heartbeat and know that safety and loving nurturing is still there.

This is the same visual picture God gives of Himself in His relationship with us.

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him. The one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders. (Deut.33:12)

Where is your source of comfort and what is its depth?

God desires that we receive whatever comfort possible from our human relationships, but whether that is available to you or not, nothing can compare to the comfort you can receive from resting in the arms of your loving Father God, resting between His shoulders-a level of closeness in which you can “hear His heartbeat” and know that all His nurturing love and safety is there for you. God does bless our lives with His love through other people, but He also provides a level of comfort that does not exist anywhere else other than by taking time alone with Him in undisturbed meditation, allowing His Spirit to communicate to your mind and spirit His thoughts of love, wisdom, encouragement, comfort, and inspiration. Remember, you can hear His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice.” He would not have said that if God did not speak. Also, He said that God’s Spirit would reveal or disclose to you things of God, things only God knows (Jn. 16:13,14; 1 Cor. 2:9.10)

Comfort and/or peace are a rarity in these days in which we live, yet something most people are desperately longing for. Slow down, listen, take time to hear God’s heartbeat and allow Him to speak comfort to you!

The amount of error and/or hoaxes seen in society by all of us are enough to make one question whether or not God speaks to mankind.

Yet, the level of difficulty in various seasons of life make a person desire someone more powerful, more knowledgeable than himself to look to, interact with, and rely on. I came across a great quote last week regarding this:

Happy, blessed, fortunate, enviable is he who has the God of special revelation for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. (Ps.146:5, Amp)

It is quite fitting, as a person is absolutely happy, blessed, fortunate, and to be envied who has God Almighty providing special revelations of wisdom, insight, and direction to help him through life. The Hebrew word here for “hope” means expectation. Not many of us can say that we live in that state, whose “expectation is in the Lord his God of special revelation.”

Why do most people not expect divine revelation?

Other than the apparent faux pas or hoaxes that bring discredit to the concept of divine revelation, the idea I heard most quoted while growing up in religious circles was this one:

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him… (1 Cor.2:9)

People use this quote to say that God does not speak. This is one of those instances that prove how important it is to study the written Words of God for yourself and not go by what you hear. Notice the “…” at the end of the above quote. It is because it is only part of a sentence. People in religious circles usually never quote the full sentence which goes on to say-

…but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Cor. 2:10)

The concept of us not knowing the plans of God or “will of God” for our lives sounds logical if one only know the first part of that sentence. It is helpful to refer here to another quote from Jn.10:27, which says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Why would Jesus say that those who seek God listen to His voice if God does not speak to mankind? Obviously, God Himself does say that He speaks to mankind of His plans and purposes for our lives.

How does divine revelation come?

We are not solely physical beings; we are physical beings in which lives an eternal spirit created by God. The communication takes place between your spirit and God’s Spirit. God says,

The Spirit will announce and declare to you the things that are to come-that will happen in the future. He will honor and glorify Me; He will take, receive, draw upon what is Mine and will reveal, declare, disclose, transmit it to you. (Jn. 16:13,14 Amp)

The Spirit of Truth will guide you into all truth. (Jn.16:13)

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (Jn. 14:26)

So, yes, God’s Spirit does communicate with your spirit. If you have never thought it possible before, you may have either tuned it out or not recognized it, thinking the ideas were just your own thoughts.

God’s Spirit does speak guidance and wisdom to mankind so that one can live an effective, fulfilling life. Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Again, scriptures emphasize that the Spirit of God does teach you the will of God, i.e. His plans and purposes, for your life. God does also reveal spiritual truths or insights-

We pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the full, deep, and clear knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom, in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God, and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things. (Col. 1:9)

Why does divine revelation appear not to happen for you or others you know?

First, there is the above mentioned point, that if you did not realize that God speaks or reveals truths to mankind, you may have “tuned out” or unintentionally ignored the thoughts, not realizing that they were from God–thinking they were just random thoughts of your own.

Second, there is the aspect of expectation. In the very first quote of this post from Ps. 146:5, it says that the God of special revelation is the help of those whose hope or expectation is in God; in other words, special revelation of the help a person needs comes to those who are expecting it. This is in agreement with a main concept Jesus taught, that “According to your faith it will be done to you (Mt. 9:29).” As in the philosophy of the Law of Attraction, if you are not expecting something good, you will not be aware of the opportunities when they become available. In this case, if you are not expecting God to speak, you would not hear direction from God because your lack of expectation keeps you from listening for it.

How do people get off track with divine revelations?

Your mind can have many “voices” which sometimes can be distracting to the voice of God’s Spirit. It is similar to the term of when one’s “mind is racing.” All kinds of thoughts can run through your mind at once, some being your thoughts, others being the thoughts of family and friends, the voice of God’s Spirit, and even voices of evil.

First, remember that discernment is learned. Jesus said that His sheep know His voice (Jn.10:4). Just as an animal learns the voice of its master through the experience of communication, you learn God’s voice through the experience of communication during prayer and study of the scriptures, God’s written words.

Second, realize that, as God is perfect, He will not and cannot contradict Himself. What He speaks now will not contradict what He has already been spoken. Obviously, there has to be a standard greater than yourself as a guide. Scriptures say in 2 Cor. 10:12, “When they compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” That is why knowledge of the scriptures is key, so you compare what you hear in your spirit to what God has revealed about His character in the written Word. If thoughts in your mind contradict the character of God or His instructions for living, those thoughts are not the result of divine revelation.

Third, divine revelation will have positive, healing, restorative results. Let’s look a little more specifically at this point.

What are the results of divine revelation?

If the thought is not a divine revelation but off track, the results of acting on it will not be positive. These quotes are samples of what God says are the results of acting on divine revelation of God’s will and purposes for you:

Acquaint now yourself with Him, agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will, and be at peace; by that you shall prosper and great good shall come to you. Job 22:21

And all your spiritual children shall be disciples taught by the Lord and obedient to His will, and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. Is.54:13

And know and understand His will and discerningly approve the better things and have a sense of what is vital.. Romans 2:18

I could put many more similar quotes here, but the point is clear that the results of divine revelation will bring peace, prosperity, great good, undisturbed composure, and a discernment of what is best and vital in life. These are results that are in line with the character of God as well as with His written Word.

Does divine revelation take place? Yes, it does. It is the purpose of your spirit, communication with the Spirit of God. If you have never expected it, now is a good time to begin receiving special revelations that bring you a happy, blessed, fortunate, and enviable life!

Joy is usually defined as a lasting contentment or fulfillment in life. It is something we all want. The question is, where do we find it?

Most people would agree that joy must be a matter of the spirit.

Happiness is usually defined as short term enjoyment that comes from positive, surrounding events. This is in contrast to joy, which is considered lasting because it is not derived from circumstances but from your inner self, your spirit. The meaning of the common Greek word for joy–chara-consists of calm delight and exceedingly joyful. The Greek word for complete-pleroo-is usually combined with the term for joy; it literally means to “cram full a net,” or figuratively to “satisfy, fill up, fulfill, supply.” This gives us the visual picture that joy is lasting like a calm delight, yet excessive, like an overflowing fishing net, bringing complete satisfaction and fulfillment to our lives. It supplies completely what we desire most in life, yet it comes from within.

You can find your spirit’s source of joy.

Your spirit, the eternal part of you, comes from the eternal Spirit of God. Since your spirit was created by God, did God intend for your spirit to exist in a state of joy? Absolutely. God describes His desire for your joy this way:

I say these things…so that My joy made be made full and complete and perfect in you and you may experience My delight fulfilled in you, that My enjoyment may be perfected in your own soul, and you may have My gladness within you filling your heart. Jn. 17:13

What is significant in this quote is that God states that He desires the source of our joy, delight, enjoyment, gladness to be derived from His joy, delight, enjoyment, gladness.

What aspects of your spiritual existence are the source of joy?

This is in no way a complete list, but it should give you several points to ponder.

Joy from Receiving

One usually thinks about the joy of giving to others, but God desires that His giving to each of us evokes joy.

Now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy, gladness, delight may be full and complete…For the Father Himself tenderly loves you. Jn. 16:24,27

Joy from Interaction

Seeing God’s interaction in one’s life is a source of joy. Remember, in the quote prior, that God does expect you to ask Him for what you need and/or desire.

For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. Ps. 92:4

Joy from a Loving Relationship

Joy comes from the knowledge of God’s love for you. This knowledge should also be your basis for a healthy, unchangeable self-esteem. This quote below uses the same 2 Greek words again for “joy” and “complete.”

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Jn. 15:9-11

Joy from Trust

The ability to trust in the relationship existing between your spirit and God’s Spirit is another source of joy. The word here translated as trust is the same one usually translated “faith.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. Rom. 15:13

Joy from Guidelines

Even as children feel more safe and secure when raised within a set of guidelines, the guidelines God provides for your life is intended to produce a successful, abundant life, thus being a source of joy.

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Ps. 19:8

Joy from God’s Person

Just as you derive joy from spending time in the presence of an earthly person whom you love, spending time in God’s presence (or with His person as this Greek word implies)-your spirit communicating with His Spirit-also evokes a lasting joy. Two points to notice from this quote: First, it again mentions the benefit of His guidelines as being the paths of life and, second, the phrase “fill me with joy” are the same Greek words mentioned above which are usually translated “complete” and “joy.”

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. Acts 2:28

Joy from Comfort

Amid all the struggles that exist in this life, comfort is necessary to continue in a state of joy. God refers to Himself as the “Father of compassion and the God of ALL comfort, who comforts us in ALL our troubles…(2 Cor. 1:3,4)” In the greatest times of anxiety, look for His comfort to bring continuity to your state of joy.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Ps. 94:19

Greek definitions are from Strong’s Dictionary of New Testament Words.

A new year brings most of us the hope of starting over. We desire to see life be better in various areas of our lives during the new year. To start over, to experience a better life, make the decision to allow your year to be new.

First, forgive yourself of past mistakes.

Self-condemnation has no benefit. Even God desires us to live without the weight of condemnation. Romans 8:1,2 says that there is no condemnation for those who live in Jesus because God’s Spirit has freed them from the laws (the control, the results) of sin and death.

Second, forgive others.

Remember, if you’ve followed the posts this past year, forgiveness does not involve allowing people to mistreat you. There is a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. For reconciliation to take place, it involves both people being willing to have resolution; in many situations, this is impossible. However, forgiveness takes place in your own heart and frees you from being emotionally tied to that person and bad experience for the rest of your life. For a full discussion on this topic, read the post, Forgiveness or Reconciliation: Understanding the Difference.

Third, forget what God forgets.

That may sound strange to someone who, at first thought, believes that God does not forget. Unlike people, God’s forgetfulness is not due to insufficient memory capability; He chooses to forget certain things. God counsels us to be like Him and do the same thing with emotional baggage or bad past experiences. Yes, be reconciled with those who hurt you if possible. Yes, apologize to someone you have offended if possible. But for negative experiences that can never be resolved or undone, it is time to forget.

I heard a great illustration about forgetfulness. I heard Kenneth Copeland talk about a past experience in which he felt self-condemnation. God spoke to his heart and said, “I told you in my Word to forget that.” When Kenneth asked God about why He chooses forget our failures, God spoke to his spirit, “Do you want to remember the bad about your children?” Out of His love for us, so the relationship is reconciled between us and Him, God chooses to forget our failures. As this next quote below explains, we, too, need only to hold to anything beneficial we may have learned from the experience, but then let it go and move on.

Live with expectancy for a better future.

In this quote from Philippians 3:13,14, God tells us to forget the past and look toward a better future.

This one thing I do, forgetting what is behind me, but straining every nerve toward that which lies ahead, I am ever pressing on toward the goal, for the prize of the high purpose of God. (BBE, MNT)

I particularly like this translation of “straining with every nerve” toward to high purposes of God. For you to take advantage of living life in this new year, not only forget the past, but honestly put your energy into keeping focused on experiencing the best life possible, the “high purposes” of God for your life. The very next sentence in this discourse says, “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things (Phil. 3:15).” It is true. Maturity teaches us to forget the failures and bad experiences of the past to look with expectancy for a better future.

Keep in focus that God has in mind even better for you than you can imagine for yourself.

This is a favorite quote I speak over my life.

To Him who by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams. Eph. 3:20 Amp

Along the same line of thought is the Law of Attraction, a philosophy based on the scriptural concept of “according to your faith it will be done to you.” It is essential for you to expect a better year for you to experience the “new” that you desire in this year. When you live in a state of expectancy, your positive attitude will improve the way people respond to you. When you envision a better life for yourself, your mind will be more creative in possibilities to reach your goals. This type of focus then causes your spirit to become aware of right choices, paths, opportunities that you would have otherwise missed if you were not living in expectancy.

Last, make new progress in your spiritual life.

We are spiritual beings in a physical body. Our spirits were created to live in a loving relationship with our Creator, God. The health of one’s spirit affects every aspect of life. Making a decision to learn to live in a loving relationship with God if you have not already done so, or to build on the one you already have, will only prove to bring new, wonderful experiences during the gift of life in this new year. God expresses this thought in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

Therefore, if any one is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun! (TCNT)

God has granted you the gift of a new year to live life. Know Him in increasing measure. Allow God to live this life with you as both of you relish in a new life in this new year!

A detailed list of God’s care for you is shown through His illustration of Himself as a Shepherd.

Many articles have been written about baby boomers and their pets. There is no argument about the deep extent of their love, affection, and attachment to their animals. They vacation with them, sleep with them, involve them in most all aspects of their lives. Their pets are as much a focal point of their lives as other humans. Studies have been done which show that many people are closer to their pets than to humans due to the unconditional love they receive from their pets. Even Scripture says that a righteous person cares for the needs of his animal (Pr. 12:10). Most pet owners go far beyond the level of meeting their pets’ needs and, just as with a child, take great delight in giving them unnecessary things which they think will bring them greater joy. It reminds me of the passage in which God says, “If you, though you are evil in comparison to Me, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will I give good things to those who ask Me? (Mt.7:11)” This brings us to the obvious question, won’t God take better care of us than a responsible pet owner does for his pet, even giving us things we don’t need just because He knows it will bring joy to our hearts?

Though God’s most common illustration of His relationship to us is as a father, several good points are brought out in Scripture from His comparison of Himself to a good shepherd who loves and cares for his animals.

Here is a list of your benefits from God’s “Good Shepherd” heart:

God sees value in you as the individual that you are!

Jesus said, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.” This is part of a story Jesus told of a shepherd who owned 100 sheep searching for 1 that was lost until it was found; He used it to illustrate God’s interest and value in an individual person.

God knows we cannot fully protect and care for ourselves, so He responds in compassion to our needs.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt. 9:36)
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. (Mk. 6:34) Sheep are helpless to protect themselves or have food and shelter without their shepherd. Similarly, Jesus revealed God’s heart and responded to people’s needs by teaching them about what would heal their lives.

God gives you the benefit of His knowledge.

When the shepherd has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (Jn.10:4) Jesus used this illustration to describe His leading of us, like a shepherd does his sheep, so that we will be where we need to be for our needs to be met. Sheep only know the direction for their lives by following the voice of their shepherd.

God knows you personally-knows you by name.

The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (Jn.10:3) Notice in this description of Himself as a shepherd, Jesus mentions that He knows each person “by name.”

God gives you the highest form of love, sacrificial love, a love at the expense of His own well-being.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd risks and even gives his own life for the sake of the sheep.” (Jn.10:11) He, like a good shepherd, is willing to suffer to provide for our well-being.

God’s love for you makes Him protective of you.

The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (Jn.10:12) Again, like a shepherd willing to protect the sheep at all cost, God’s love makes Him protective of you.

Not only God is accessible to you, but He is able to be known by you.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (Jn.10:14)

God watches over your spiritual progress.

For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Pet. 2:25)

God’s shepherd heart causes Him to take an interest in and respond with good to every aspect of your life.

Ps. 23:1 The Lord takes care of me as his sheep; I will not be without any good thing. (The 23rd Psalm is known to most people. I used the Basic English translation here since it provided more clarity.)

God’s desire is that you are with Him every day, forever, completely happy and with every possible need met.

They are before the throne of God, they serve Him day and night in His temple. He who sits on the throne will shelter them in His dwelling. They will never be hungry or thirsty anymore; they will never again be troubled by the burning heat of the sun. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne [a reference to Jesus] shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:15-17) This quote is from the last of the 66 books in Scripture. It is part of a description of heaven and eternity.

There is a simple principle to increase the ability to hear with your spirit. First, however, let’s look at God’s promises to speak both wisdom and direction to us.

(This is an unusual post, but I think you’ll enjoy it.) People often ask me how to hear from God. They want help and direction for their decisions. They desire wisdom and success for their lives. God has promised both:

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of ]the giving God, Who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given you. Jm. 1:5 Amp

God will give us wisdom liberally regardless of our faults. He obviously wants us to have the benefit of His wisdom.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Is. 30:21 Amp

This is a straight forward promise of clear direction for our decisions.

Since God desires us to have the benefit both of His wisdom and clear direction, any lack of receiving it is a matter of our ability to hear it.

Just as with a pet learning the voice of its new master, we learn to hear God’s voice to our spirits through a simple process of repetition.

In helping people understand how to hear the voice of God in their spirits, I have used the illustration of a lost pet recognizing its owner. The organization which has the lost pet can easily tell if a person is the owner of that pet because the pet will instantly recognize and respond to the owner’s voice. The pet, depending on how friendly it is, may respond positively to anyone who approaches to give it attention, but there is a completely unique and obvious response by the pet to the sound of its owner’s voice.

Now let’s back up in the process. Those of you who are pet owners may follow this scenario more fully. When you first got a pet, it did not respond to your voice like it does now that it clearly knows it. When you first get home from work and call to your pet, it joyfully responds to the familiarity of your voice and instantly is reminded of all the good that is associated with you — just by the sound of your voice. How did it happen? The same way it happens with you and God. Your pet came to clearly know and recognize your voice from all other voices, sounds, and input it receives by daily listening to your voice. And not just daily listening, but many times in each day.

We come to clearly know and recognize God’s voice from all the other voices in our lives that run through our minds-our own thoughts, thoughts from TV and other media, thoughts put there by family and friends-through frequent, consistent listening. This is the main principle necessary to improve the ability of your spirit to hear wisdom and direction from God-frequent, consistent listening. You may ask, but how do I distinguish God’s wisdom and direction from all the other input in my mind if I’m just starting out in the listening process? The explanation of a safeguard will answer this question as well.

To begin to recognize God’s wisdom and direction when you aren’t used to hearing it yet in your spirit, and to safeguard yourself, you need to submit to the concept of absolutes.

I have some friends who believe that everything is “relative,” is changeable, that there are no definites in the universe. This has not proved to be a very beneficial concept for them in their practical, daily lives. Though many things do change continually in various aspects of the universe, you safeguard your own spirit by knowing and realizing certain concepts are absolute or unchanging.

For example, the Scriptures reveal God’s nature and aspects of His character, such as His unfailing love, His mercy, etc. They also reveal what type of things, according to God’s character, that He will or will not do. To safeguard your spirit from thinking that you are hearing certain wisdom or direction from God when the thoughts may not be His, it is necessary to know God’s character, His heart, what types of thoughts and actions are typical of His nature and personality. These are revealed to you in Scripture. Since He said of Himself that He does not change, as long as you know the characteristics of His personality or character or mind, however you wish to describe it, then you can judge the wisdom and direction you believe you are hearing in your mind by the absolutes of God’s character; God will not say something that contradicts, or is against, His character or nature. To use an overly obvious example, He will not instruct you to do something that harms yourself or someone else. Learn the absolutes of His character; then, even though you may just be starting out to listen with your spirit for the wisdom and direction of God, you safeguard yourself from error.

Jesus also used the example of animals learning and knowing the voice of their owner as an example of learning and knowing His own voice.

Mk. 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. This verse reveals that He wants us to have the wisdom and direction that come from knowing His voice; since the people were without direction – like a group of sheep without the shepherd to care for them – Jesus responded by teaching them.

Jn. 10:3,4 The sheep listen to the shepherd’s voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. Notice Jesus says that he goes ahead of us so we can follow Him. Another illustration of His desire to lead us and that we have the ability to follow His voice!

Jn. 10:14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

Jn. 10:27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. Amp

Many people struggle with viewing God as compassionate towards them personally.

Much like those who struggle with accepting God’s love, the fear of people that God is not compassionate toward them can stem from an abusive authority figure during childhood or misinformation in religious upbringing. This post is going to have a few brief comments and numerous quotes about God’s compassion, including what God says of Himself on this subject.

God’s Describes Himself as Compassionate

During one of Moses’ extended times seeking God, he asked to see God. God’s response was that a human could not survive seeing God in all His power, but He would allow His glory to pass in front of Moses. As Moses went through this experience, God said of Himself,

And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Ex. 34:6

God Describes His Compassion as Unfailing

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Is. 49:15
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Is. 54:10

Other OT Scriptures frequently repeat this view of God’s Compassion:

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Ps. 86:15
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Ps. 103:8
The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Ps. 145:8
The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Ps. 116:5

God is the Source of Compassion

Just as we speak of someone being the “father” of some invention or of a philosophy, meaning the invention or idea came from that person, Scripture speaks of God as the Source of compassion and comfort.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. 2 Cor. 1:3

God’s Response to a Ruined Life is Compassionate

Jesus told a story to illustrate God‘s response to a person who ruined his/her life. It is usually referred to as the “Prodigal Son” story. The father character in the story represents God. The child (son) represents a person who has ruined his life. The son hoped to be cared for in the household as a servant but the father restored him to a place of honor as his son.

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Lu. 15:20

In various times during the history of the Jewish nation, they had turned from seeking God, only to see their economy, freedom, and families destroyed by their enemies. God’s response is again one of compassion, saying that He will not reject someone who seeks Him, and that all aspects of their lives would be restored to a state of wholeness and wellness.

For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. 2 Chron. 30:9
The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Is. 51:3

God’s Compassion in without Bias or Favoritism

The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. Ps. 145:9

Compassion is a Part of God’s Fatherhood

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who revere Him. Ps. 103:13

God Specifically Expresses Compassion for the Depressed and the Poor

In this next quote, the Hebrew word for “afflicted” is `aniy. It refers to a person who is depressed in mind (emotionally) or in circumstances (poverty).

Shout for joy. For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Is. 49:13

Jesus Lived Out God’s Heart of Compassion on Earth.

Jesus expressed that part of the purpose of His life on earth was to reveal the heart of Father God by the way He lived here. When Philip, one of the 12 disciples asked Jesus to show them Father God, Jesus answered, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (Jn. 14:8).” The following quotes repeatedly show Jesus’ compassionate response to anyone in any type of need, revealing to us that Father God responds with the same compassion to each of us in any type of need.

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Mt. 9:36

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. Mt. 14:14

Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” Mt. 15:32

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him. Mt. 20:34

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Mk. 1:41

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things. Mk. 6:34

As we have mentioned in other articles on replacing harmful thoughts, to remove a fear that God is not compassionate toward you, you must daily replace the harmful thoughts with truth until a new mental pattern is formed. Allow these truths on compassion to fill your mind, bringing the healing that allows you to accept God’s gracious and unfailing compassion for you!

]]> http://receivehealing.com/blog/129/the-compassion-of-god/feed/ 0 http://receivehealing.com/blog/95/forming-a-positive-attitude-and-positive-thinking/ http://receivehealing.com/blog/95/forming-a-positive-attitude-and-positive-thinking/#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:17:55 +0000 R.H. http://receivehealing.com/blog/?p=95 Reading Level: Leisurely

We can implement a simple process to change our thoughts, thus improving the health of our emotions, spirits, and bodies to achieve wellness.

ReceiveHealing.com readers often request info on changing thought patterns or breaking out of ruts; essentially, changing behavior patterns, emotional patterns, or thought patterns all center on the battleground of your thoughts. Prov. 4:23 points us to the key, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (NIV)” or another translation, “Keep watch over your heart with all care so you will have life (BBE).” The “heart” in Jewish literature referred to one’s soul, which consists of the mind, will, and emotions (not one’s eternal spirit). By making a quality decision to “above all else,” or first and foremost, focus on controlling and directing your mind, will, and emotions, you are centering your attention on the successful solution to one’s goal of wellness, or of the most enjoyable level of life possible.

A life-pattern of consistent repetition of thoughts that achieve your goals will bring your desired changes, whether it be positive attitude/thoughts, or emotional, physical, or spiritual healing.

God gave a specific example of this process in Deut. 6. The goal in this quote is “loving God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (v.4) and following His instructions so that you would have a “long, enjoyable life (v.2).” Keep in mind that God’s instruction are not senseless rules but guidelines that keep us from our own patterns of self-destruction. Though this passage is specifically talking about implementing God’s instructions, God’s desire is for your total life to be well and the same process works regardless of which goal of changing thoughts that you are trying to accomplish. The process of keeping His instructions impressed upon your heart (mind, will, and emotions) so you can achieve the goal of a long, enjoyable life is this:

Impress them on your children (v.7). In other words, have positive conversations with family members about your goals for positive attitudes or emotional, physical, spiritual healing.

Now notice the pattern of consistent repetition throughout each day-

• “Talk about them when you sit at home”…Have conversation of positive, goal-achieving thoughts at home.

• “and when you walk along the road”…More of this conversation wherever you are, while going about your business during the day.

• “when you lie down”…Speak and think these thoughts again while resting, before naps and before sleeping at night.

• “and when you get up (all v.7)”… Speak and think these thoughts again, even if just to yourself, immediately at the beginning of your day or when getting up from a nap to go back to responsibilities.

• “Tie them as symbols on your hands”… Have some sentences about what you need to think on constantly in view, just as your hands are always with you, always in plain site.

• “and bind them on your foreheads (v.8)”…Have goal-related notes, pictures, quotes, etc. where other’s will see them and ask you to explain their meaning.

• “Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (v.9).” Put a visual reminder of what you are to think at both the entrance to your property and the entrance to your house.

This pattern of repetition can be altered to fit your daily routine, but it gives a clear idea of how to establish consistent repetition throughout the day of the healing thoughts, whether for spiritual, emotional, or physical wellness, that will keep you positive in perspective and focused on your desired goals.

Lastly, make a clear break from the undisciplined, destructive, or unhealthy routines typical to much of our society.

There is another quote in which God gives us insight into achieving all types of wellness in our lives through positive thoughts, but it makes clear that there is a breaking away from the norm. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is– His good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom. 12:2).” God’s will for any person’s life is complete wellness-physical, emotional, spiritual, and even financial health. These goals can only be reached by making a clear break from the unsuccessful thoughts and habits typical to our society and by renewing our minds with sound instruction from God and others who are gifted with wise counsel.

Making Real Change to Thoughts, Feelings, or Behavior
Take Charge of Your Thoughts, Take Charge of Your Life!
Break Out of the Rut
Break Out of the Rut Part 2