We have all heard the phrase,"Be careful what you wish for". It is a warning that we don't always see all the angles and there could be surprises hidden even in the grandest dream come true. I think we should probably be careful what we pray for. I have been a part of discussions where the leader says,"There are no wrong answers. There are no bad ideas so just speak what is on your mind." I always think that is silly. There are always bad ideas and there are always wrong answers as anyone in that kind of meeting can attest to. The same is true of prayer. There are bad prayers. I have seen people desperate for God to intervene in a situation. They bargain, they claim promises, they recite scripture, and yet the answer turns out to be what they don't want. And they are devastated. I used to think an idol was something like a totem pole or a carved figure in a distant and primitive land. But an idol is anything that is more important to me than God at any given time. It is anything I place my personal value in, anything that gives my life real worth. Idols are not usually bad things. They are very good things that have become ultimate things. An idol can be a sick child, a parent, a loved one, a job, a house, a reputation or anything else that is important to you. I have watched people pray to the true God to save their favorite idol. I am not saying there are not good prayers of quiet desperation out there. But I have seen people pray and then curse God when he does not save what they want saved. They may not actually curse him but they are so mad and disappointed it takes them a long time to recover. I have since been more careful with my prayers. I want to make sure I am not asking God to preserve something I have made an idol. If I am not careful I will use God to turn a god into God. Do you follow? So, today, be careful what you wish for but be even more careful what you pray for.
Friday, June 5, 2009
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13 comments:
Never underestimate God! We turned in a leased van that had at least $2000+ of damage. I have been praying for a month that the bill would be no more than $500 and my husband was praying for no more than $1500(He's a realist) Yesterday I received a $378 check for a monthly overpayment I made for the van and the account is now closed! I called to confirm. WOW - I jumped for joy like no tomorrow and my kids enjoyed watching me praise God for how gracious and surprising He is!!! We don't owe money and He sent us some extra!!! I am glad God chose to bless us that way but I am aware that He is NOT a money tree!
you do not get it!
your van a nd moey are an idol
He is God! Worship Him not your Unpaid bills!
Each one learns and grows at his or her own pace as they seek God and his will and as the Holy Spirit reveals through God's word his truths. Growth is a process. Our job is to come along side of those that are not yet where we are and remember from whence we came in our walk and in grace guide them to what God says in his word not to criticize but to love them in words and deeds.
1) The whole purpose of a blog is to have a springboard for open discussion. Criticizing the critizer shuts down open discussion.
2) Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Pastor Joe, great post! What I love about your posts and your sermons is that you really are getting at the themes that are found THROUGHOUT Scripture. Speaking of Sunday's sermon and themes, you mentioned that all of the Old Testament points to Jesus and you summarized the David & Goliath lesson in a way I had never thought of before. Would you consider doing a sermon series on how Jesus is found all through the Old Testament?
Joe - re: comments above - so what's the deal anyway between praying for needs/wants (doesn't God tell us to?) vs. making something an idol???
Ephesians 4:2&3
" Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit, and so be at peace with one another."
Perhaps saying "you do not get it" above was not the gentlest way to say it. And, yes, we must be mindful of how we communicate our rebuke (the message should be given in love because love covers a multitude of sins). Even so, the (loving) rebuke should still be given - Luke 17:3 "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him."
I want to be clear or at least as clear as I can be. We need to pray for the things that are happening in our lives. The movement from praying in a legitimate way and praying that God would preserve an idol is one that happens in the heart of the pray-er. Many times I can't tell if something is an idol until I get bitter if the prayer is not answered. Keep praying, keep checking your heart, keep loving the One who loves you.
Anonymous (#5) (June 8, 7:15am):
If you have young children, you might consider this book: "The Jesus Storybook Bible."
My wife and I read to our boys from it often. All are stories from the Bible, like David & Goliath, and they all point to Jesus in a wonderful way.
The book of Isaiah (I might add one of my treasured books of the OT) is full to overflowing with references to Jesus. The book also contains the earliest profile of satan.(Chpt. 14:12) A great study on your own that will fill you with knowledge and joy. You might want to get out your highlighter because you will need it for future reference.
Thank you for the suggestion - I definitely will have to pick up The Jesus Storybook Bible. I'm sure my kids will love it and since I feel like the only person who writes on this post who doesn't have a theology degree, it sounds like it'll be right at my level, too. ;o)
I started my journey with Jesus in 1972 with a Bible for high school aged kids written in every day language and I was not a teenager. Your heart to seek God is evident and I am excited for you.
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