Uni-verse 290/10,000 For better through verse: How the Lord increases the depth of our experience and understanding
Eze 47:3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
The man that had the reed in his hand and a line of flax to measure is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. Ezekiel wrote that “ he had the appearance of brass.” This is His glorious appearance. His gaze will penetrate into human souls. His words will come as fierce fire. Jesus measures the depth of our faith and He leads us from one level of understanding to another. He takes us through many experiences of His grace, mercy and peace in real-life situations. He draws us out of the waters of many afflictions. In each situation and affliction, He adds grace upon grace, and strength to strength. We are transformed degree by degree into His glory till we can see His radiant appearance, face to face.
He leads us into experiences that are initially only ankle-deep. Then, when He finds we are ready, He leads us into knee-deep levels. Then, into waist-deep water. The water is so deep that no man can cross on his own. The Lord has to part the waters and give us safe passage. A senior officer was describing how in the recent Cyclone Thane that killed more than 30 people, he was almost caught in the storm and he had to hide behind a huge tanker as it hit the area with all its fury. The safest, most peaceful place, he said, is the eye of the storm. Let us pray as many “ storms” of different kinds have been prophesied in this coming year that we will each be seized and kept safe by the “ eye of the Lord.”
The Lord takes us through water and fire experiences and trials. When we come out , we will shine forth as pure gold. The other day the Lord told me in a time of prayer, “ I have taken you through many processes. Now, I am done with you.” Whatever impurities still remain in us, His grace covers it up and gives no hint of any flaw. A life of faith is like a metallurgical process so that we become stainless as steel in His sight.
Prateep V Philip
Showing posts with label process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label process. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Monday, November 28, 2011
UV 259/10,000 Your thoughts become things
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The way we think and what we think is both the first thing and the final thing in a life of faith. The Lord transforms us not by changing our bodies into glorified ones in the twinkling of the eye but He transforms our thoughts by saturating our minds with things of good report. Our thoughts should be such that it can be something we can write home about or talk about in the public domain.
Our minds must be focused on the excellent aspects of our faith and experience. Some may say that this verse is an endorsement for positive thinking and an excuse to ignore the negative in our lives. All through Scripture, thinking about and dealing with the negative in practical ways is equally focused on. We need a bifocal 20-20 vision meaning – we lead from the positive and deal with the negative. For instance, in order ot think of what is true, one has to deal with the lies in his or her life, lies in our thoughts, intentions, desires, relationships and actions. The process of renewing the mind consists of a dual process of seeding and deweeding simultaneously in the human mind: seed and deweed thoughts, emotions, decisions and actions will follow suit. The more we absorb the positive like a sponge, the more we must reject and eject the negative.
Our thoughts itself are a sweet smelling aroma, a sacrifice of righteousness and continual praise and prayer to the Lord. The Lord reads our thoughts constantly though He does not interfere with our freedom to think as we choose to. Very often the Lord has revealed in prayer thoughts in my mind that I had told nobody, using the very words in my mind. Once, I was so astonished and happy to hear, “ My servant Daniel prayed thrice a day at set times. But you are praying all the time.” He was acknowledging that my thoughts directed at Him were acceptable to him as prayer. The Psalmist desired that not just his words but the meditations of his heart are pleasing to the Lord. He sees our thoughts at the deepest level: the motivation for each thought. Hence, he found Cain’s sacrifice unacceptable and Abel’s pleasing.
Prateep V Philip
The way we think and what we think is both the first thing and the final thing in a life of faith. The Lord transforms us not by changing our bodies into glorified ones in the twinkling of the eye but He transforms our thoughts by saturating our minds with things of good report. Our thoughts should be such that it can be something we can write home about or talk about in the public domain.
Our minds must be focused on the excellent aspects of our faith and experience. Some may say that this verse is an endorsement for positive thinking and an excuse to ignore the negative in our lives. All through Scripture, thinking about and dealing with the negative in practical ways is equally focused on. We need a bifocal 20-20 vision meaning – we lead from the positive and deal with the negative. For instance, in order ot think of what is true, one has to deal with the lies in his or her life, lies in our thoughts, intentions, desires, relationships and actions. The process of renewing the mind consists of a dual process of seeding and deweeding simultaneously in the human mind: seed and deweed thoughts, emotions, decisions and actions will follow suit. The more we absorb the positive like a sponge, the more we must reject and eject the negative.
Our thoughts itself are a sweet smelling aroma, a sacrifice of righteousness and continual praise and prayer to the Lord. The Lord reads our thoughts constantly though He does not interfere with our freedom to think as we choose to. Very often the Lord has revealed in prayer thoughts in my mind that I had told nobody, using the very words in my mind. Once, I was so astonished and happy to hear, “ My servant Daniel prayed thrice a day at set times. But you are praying all the time.” He was acknowledging that my thoughts directed at Him were acceptable to him as prayer. The Psalmist desired that not just his words but the meditations of his heart are pleasing to the Lord. He sees our thoughts at the deepest level: the motivation for each thought. Hence, he found Cain’s sacrifice unacceptable and Abel’s pleasing.
Prateep V Philip
UV 259/10,000 Your thoughts become things
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The way we think and what we think is both the first thing and the final thing in a life of faith. The Lord transforms us not by changing our bodies into glorified ones in the twinkling of the eye but He transforms our thoughts by saturating our minds with things of good report. Our thoughts should be such that it can be something we can write home about or talk about in the public domain.
Our minds must be focused on the excellent aspects of our faith and experience. Some may say that this verse is an endorsement for positive thinking and an excuse to ignore the negative in our lives. All through Scripture, thinking about and dealing with the negative in practical ways is equally focused on. We need a bifocal 20-20 vision meaning – we lead from the positive and deal with the negative. For instance, in order ot think of what is true, one has to deal with the lies in his or her life, lies in our thoughts, intentions, desires, relationships and actions. The process of renewing the mind consists of a dual process of seeding and deweeding simultaneously in the human mind: seed and deweed thoughts, emotions, decisions and actions will follow suit. The more we absorb the positive like a sponge, the more we must reject and eject the negative.
Our thoughts itself are a sweet smelling aroma, a sacrifice of righteousness and continual praise and prayer to the Lord. The Lord reads our thoughts constantly though He does not interfere with our freedom to think as we choose to. Very often the Lord has revealed in prayer thoughts in my mind that I had told nobody, using the very words in my mind. Once, I was so astonished and happy to hear, “ My servant Daniel prayed thrice a day at set times. But you are praying all the time.” He was acknowledging that my thoughts directed at Him were acceptable to him as prayer. The Psalmist desired that not just his words but the meditations of his heart are pleasing to the Lord. He sees our thoughts at the deepest level: the motivation for each thought. Hence, he found Cain’s sacrifice unacceptable and Abel’s pleasing.
Prateep V Philip
The way we think and what we think is both the first thing and the final thing in a life of faith. The Lord transforms us not by changing our bodies into glorified ones in the twinkling of the eye but He transforms our thoughts by saturating our minds with things of good report. Our thoughts should be such that it can be something we can write home about or talk about in the public domain.
Our minds must be focused on the excellent aspects of our faith and experience. Some may say that this verse is an endorsement for positive thinking and an excuse to ignore the negative in our lives. All through Scripture, thinking about and dealing with the negative in practical ways is equally focused on. We need a bifocal 20-20 vision meaning – we lead from the positive and deal with the negative. For instance, in order ot think of what is true, one has to deal with the lies in his or her life, lies in our thoughts, intentions, desires, relationships and actions. The process of renewing the mind consists of a dual process of seeding and deweeding simultaneously in the human mind: seed and deweed thoughts, emotions, decisions and actions will follow suit. The more we absorb the positive like a sponge, the more we must reject and eject the negative.
Our thoughts itself are a sweet smelling aroma, a sacrifice of righteousness and continual praise and prayer to the Lord. The Lord reads our thoughts constantly though He does not interfere with our freedom to think as we choose to. Very often the Lord has revealed in prayer thoughts in my mind that I had told nobody, using the very words in my mind. Once, I was so astonished and happy to hear, “ My servant Daniel prayed thrice a day at set times. But you are praying all the time.” He was acknowledging that my thoughts directed at Him were acceptable to him as prayer. The Psalmist desired that not just his words but the meditations of his heart are pleasing to the Lord. He sees our thoughts at the deepest level: the motivation for each thought. Hence, he found Cain’s sacrifice unacceptable and Abel’s pleasing.
Prateep V Philip
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