All posts by Larry

Concepts

Philippians 3:20a For our conversation is in heaven;

Remember the days of the transistor radio? You had to dial in the station. There were no pre-sets. Man invented the radio transmitter and receiver. Over time vast improvements in quality of instruments have been made. Now we have satellite radios where we are never out of range and never have to change stations.

Our conversations with God are in the spirit. We did not invent the transmitter or the receiver, we have no way to improve on the product. God is perfect. The Holy Spirit is perfect. We are flawed. We send out a transmission in the form of prayer and wait to receive an answer. We look to the situation for which we pray for an answer.

This method of fine tuning does not work because it has no way of calibrating the will of God. Worldly eyes and worldly ears cannot answer spiritual questions. We have gotten so used to operating in this fashion that we end up tossing up our prayers and letting the cards fall where they may.

If God wants to use you to be a vessel fit for use in a world needing to see God, do you really think that method will work?

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

“Lead me” requires receiving instruction in the spirit. Given that I am an imperfect receiver, how can I improve reception? Same as you would if you didn’t understand a radio or television which you bought. Read the user’s manual over and over again until you understand it fully. That is fine tuning.

Therapy

Matthew 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Do you know of someone who has had total knee replacement? The physical therapy is painful. The only way to get full use of that leg is to do the therapy. As painful as it is, there is no other way to be fully restored.

John 10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Have you ever thought about spiritual therapy? We were a broken people and now we are expected to walk in newness of life according to Romans 6:4. In that this is a spiritual walk, then one should expect spiritual therapy. The Holy Spirit is our therapist, but He only shows us the exercises, we must perform them. He will hold us up, and cause us to stand, but the walk is ours to do and the pain is ours to bear.

Do you want to give up because it is too painful for you? Therapy cannot be successful if you do not push past the pain and exercise those spiritual legs. The abundant life is yours for the taking. It is there at far end of your therapy.

Mark 6:5-6 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them and he marvelled because of their unbelief.

It wasn’t His fault.