Beside Still Waters

The spiritual decline has a standard template and is etched throughout the pages of holy writ. It begins with a departure from the living God and runs the natural course of profaning ourselves, then the things that are holy in the sight of God.

The popular notion is that we can create the life of our dreams by practicing the Law of Attraction.  You've undoubtedly heard about "putting a thought or words into the universe." Is there merit to this philosophy? This podcast examines the core beliefs contrasted: Answered prayer in response to seeking God's presence juxtaposed to the adherence to the Law of Attraction

Just as there are learning models that categorize the stages people pass through in skills development, so too in spiritual development. Christians pass from infancy - needing the "milk" of the word to maturity - actively walking in the Spirit. There is corresponding conduct that flows from each stage of development, hence the need to pursue Christlikeness.

God's Presence is the "Jewel" of the spiritual life! Yet, God uses "impossible" crises, driving us into his presence, so we might experience his ability to do exceedingly above all we could ever ask. By His grace, embrace the trial as a divinely ordained circumstance for good and for a blessing!

Eternal life; Faith in God; Being holy as He is holy; Loving the brotherhood. All imply a “covenant relationship.” If believers breach the covenant terms they made with God, what recourse does the Almighty have?

 

The "Saints" have lost the sense of the high notion of the Glory of God. What is the result of a diminished view of God's glory? We experience a reduced need to be holy, fearlessness in offending a Holy God, and lives bearing thorns, thistles, & weeds, and calling it "fruit."

When you've strayed from The Path and God's Presence, the way back is to repent of the works that offended God and man, return to the first works which pleased God, and return to the "first love" of your soul's deliverance from eternal loss

Flawed reasoning concerning God's sacred and holy things leads us down the path of rebellion. God, in His mercy, shows us the "red flags" of disobedience, compromise, and self-will so that we can avoid spiritual danger and continue on the right path in the Presence of God.

Wholesome convictions drive us towards what is right and good if guided by the scriptures. Conversely, convictions may also pull us away from the very goals we aspire to achieve because they lull us into a false sense of invincibility.

The question "Why is this happening to me?" is important because the trial contains a growth opportunity. We fail to grasp the "Will of God" because our efforts are centered on escaping the challenge instead of discerning God's purpose for us. This podcast is about a man who knew God's will, but time and neglect resulted in a missed opportunity for deeper intimacy with God.