Basically, I am a selfish, self-centered person. I have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and He lives in me. Yet, every day of my life, in all the decisions of life, I have to choose whom will I focus my life upon-me or Him.
Even in something as spiritual as my prayer life, I have to intentionally choose to set my gaze upon Him, and my glance upon my requests. Because of my sinful nature which still resides in this redeemed body, I have to conscientiously focus my motives, my actions, and my thoughts upon the Lord rather than upon me. I have to watch myself or I will spend 95% of the time talking about me and my needs, and only 5% on Him and His will.
I have discovered this about prayer- effectual prayer is not me getting what I want from God; but it is God getting what He wants from me. It is not Him doing what I want Him to do; but it is me doing what He wants me to do. It is not me getting Him to see things from my point of view; but Him causing me to see things from His perspective.
James warns us about what I call "sanctified selfishness."
You want something you don't have, and you will do anything to get it. You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won't get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it. Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons. James 4:2-3
I want to be more like my Savior who focused His life, His motives, His prayer, and His actions on the Father. Not my will; but Yours be done.
I read once that "Wisdom is seeing things from God's point of view." I have come to understand that Wisdom comes from constant fellowship with Him.
ReplyDelete"Wisdom is seeing things from God's point of view" really opened my eyes. I live near Raleigh, but I have in the past received your daily devotional books through a friend of mine who is a member of your church. I have learned so much from your teaching. Thanks for first being willing to take your time to help others and for writing in a manner that a person can actually apply the principle. God Bless You--you will never know the lives you have touched.
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