What Do You Desire?
There have been quite a few times lately that I have caught myself examining the desires of my heart. I have often prayed that God would fulfill these desires, if they are in accordance with His will. I guess the deepest desire of my heart is to be known and to know fully that who is my Creator. I know I am known completely by Him, but the second part is more difficult. I am aware that the only way to know God and to know His will is to pursue a personal and committed relationship through prayer and daily reading of His word. However, I am becoming increasingly aware that not everyone who does these things desire the things of God that should come from it. Many times, I have had to stop and ask myself if this is what I want or if it is truly what God intends and is pleasing to Him.
When I turn the channel on the TV and come across people like Benny Hinn, Paula White, Joyce Meyer, and others I can almost tell immediately that what they desire is not what God requires. In essence, they have created a god to suit themselves. One that will approve of their excessive lifestyles and their demands and commands of him. Their god is not one who would require them to sacrifice everything for him. Their god is not one who would take away their health, wealth, and everything else they cling to. People need to be aware that just because a person quotes scripture it doesn't mean the Bible backs them up. We need to look at the Bible in its entirity and not just in part. That's a problem I have with the Purpose Driven Life as well. He quotes many scriptures from many translations and thusly many Christians just assume the Bible is in his corner! The thing we need to be asking ourselves is this: Do we desire to be in God's will or do we want our will to be God's desire?
When I turn the channel on the TV and come across people like Benny Hinn, Paula White, Joyce Meyer, and others I can almost tell immediately that what they desire is not what God requires. In essence, they have created a god to suit themselves. One that will approve of their excessive lifestyles and their demands and commands of him. Their god is not one who would require them to sacrifice everything for him. Their god is not one who would take away their health, wealth, and everything else they cling to. People need to be aware that just because a person quotes scripture it doesn't mean the Bible backs them up. We need to look at the Bible in its entirity and not just in part. That's a problem I have with the Purpose Driven Life as well. He quotes many scriptures from many translations and thusly many Christians just assume the Bible is in his corner! The thing we need to be asking ourselves is this: Do we desire to be in God's will or do we want our will to be God's desire?
posted by Monica at 1:19 PM
2 Comments:
I understand your desire, Monica, but I think you have been hood-winked into believing that good and godly spiritual exercises (prayer, bible reading) are guaranteed to lead you where you want to be.
You have said...
"I am aware that the only way to know God and to know His will is to pursue a personal and committed relationship through prayer and daily reading of His word."
Is this really true? Does the Lord say so? Is this his path set out for us, his to know him? I think not, but that is not to say that those things are not good things to do in their place.
I say it isnt 'the way' because it is very clear in Scripture that many prayed and read, even searched the word, but did not find the Lord. The Jews are a clear example. Again, it is not bad to pray and read but that is not the path to ensure we come to know God deeply, or even at all.
He says, "A humble and contrite heart I will not ignore." Elsewhere, (Micah 6:8) "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
We also see the Psalmist asks (Psalm 15)
"Lord , who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
[ie in God's presence at peace with him]
.... He who ....
has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman, [etc] In reality, the way we come to know him is by not grieving his Spirit for a start, through slandering the saints and casting a slur on their name.
Our life in God is by and through his Spirit, it is his act in communion with our spirit but not against our will. It is within that relationship that we pray in the Spirit and listen to him through his word.
I would encourage you to re-read your posts here, and elsewhere below, and see whether you are acting with contrition and humilty, with mercy and justice.
Even if you are right about these other people, who also most probably "pursue a personal and committed relationship through prayer and daily reading of His word" just like yourself, this forum is not the place to publish your discontent. The Lord is not happy when his people take their fights into the street. To do so is not a just and right thing to do`, it is plainly unmerciful and lacks humility.
I will also encourage you that if you do have some concern about these folk then take your concern to them. Do so firstly in private, as the Scriptures say, and the Lord will be there among you all as you seek his will with humilty and contrition, according to the scriptures. If for practical reasons you cannot do this then simply talk to the Lord about your concerns and leave it at his feet. After all, if it is He who has chosen to have fellowship with them then who are we to trash them before him and the world.
If in the event you think these people you have named are not believers then you need also to say nothing, but leave them up to the Lord, for he says that we are not to stand in judgement on the world, but we are to judge among ourselves. Such judgements within the household of faith have to be conducted within the household and according to God's rules as I mentioned above.
One final thing is this, You or I have no idea what the desires of another person's heart is. Only God can determine that with any assurity and we will do well not to try and do his job for him.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to do his will and honour him and his people in your daily walk before his throne of justice, mercy and grace.
Peter
Just some thoughts as to Pete's comments. First of all the forum is "owned" by Monica and she has a right to state her convictions in any manner that she desires. Second her critique of other "saints"(? the jury is still out on that)is only slander if what she is saying is not true. It takes no special gift of discernment to see that the TBN crowd is far from HIM.
Isaiah 29:13
Third,Jesus' reference to the Scriptures and Moses as the author,(an interesting thing in and of itself) in John 5:39-47,was meant to show them that, as those who knew the scripture they should have recognized Him as the content. The Bible contains the Words that reveal the WORD.
Finally,his refernce to Matthew 18:15-17 as far as going to a brother in private, is very specific in that it only deals with a brother who has sinned against you. The folks that she referred to in a critical way are claiming title and authority and the ability to teach and speak the Word of GOD. Therefore, they are open to being roundly rebuked, as their ministries do not match up with the Scriptures. We all should be speaking out against the false prophets of today, as we are being overwhelmed by these people.
Ultimately, Pete is right as only GOD knows the hearts of men. So he should follow his own counsel and not accuse Monica of being non-contrite,without humility,unmerciful and unjust.
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