32262 Insufficient Vision

Lack of vision is another barrier. We don’t miss what we have never experienced. And if we are unaware that something better is possible, we will never seek it. And that’s the way it is with our relationship with God.

God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. (Psalm 53:2, NIV)

Our Heavenly Father offers us unimaginable joy, delight and completeness through an intimate relationship with Him. And yet, all too often, we are satisfied with only being mere acquaintances. We are ignorant of the incredible privilege and potential we have been granted to know Jesus intimately.

But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23, 24, NLT)

We have been created with an inner need to know God intimately. And even though as humans we have a limited capacity to fully understand His magnificence, the potential of intimacy with God, through His Holy Spirit Who indwells us, far exceeds anything we could ever dream or imagine.

So then isn’t it tragic when we are satisfied to merely observe God from a distance and falsely believe that more is not possible?

Other Barriers to Loving God

Continue to read the next article or check the related contents for more.

32261 Unconfessed Sin and an Unrepentant Heart

Disobedience is a major barrier because it creates distance in our relationship with God. It’s not that God has turned away from us, but rather that we have turned away from Him through our rebellion. You can’t have a closer relationship with God if you don’t respect His boundaries.

Jesus proclaimed,

“The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.” – John 14:21

Our obedience demonstrates our love for Jesus. As we respect God’s rules, He permits us to see more of Him and, as we do, our relationship can become more intimate.

David observed,

“How blessed is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven, whose sin is pardoned. How blessed is the one whose wrongdoing the Lord does not punish, in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I refused to confess my sin, my whole body wasted away, while I groaned in pain all day long. For day and night you tormented me; you tried to destroy me in the intense heat of summer. (Selah) Then I confessed my sin; I no longer covered up my wrongdoing. I said, ‘I will confess my rebellious acts to the Lord.’ And then you forgave my sins. (Selah)” – Psalm 32:1-5

Are you refusing to abandon a sin because it is more valuable to you than having uninhibited fellowship with God? Whatever temporal pleasure or satisfaction is gained through disobedience is not worth the loss of joy and peace that can only come from having a right relationship with your Heavenly Father.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” – Matthew 5:8

32215 A Heart for God

1. Our heart reflects our life.

“As in water the face is reflected as a face, so a person’s heart reflects the person.” – Proverbs 27:19

In the Bible “heart” describes the functions of the soul and human spirit.

HEART

Soul
• Mind • Will • Emotions
Human Spirit
• Conscience

BODY

• Senses • Physical Influences • Drives

2. God looks at our heart.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

“All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates his thoughts.” – Proverbs 21:2

“And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9

“Would not God discover it, for he knows a person’s secret thoughts?” – Psalm 44:21

Our heart is our control center.

Our “heart” is our control center. Let’s analyze some of the different functions of the heart in these various verses.

“Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

“A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

“So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.” – Psalm 90:12

“In my heart I store up your words, so I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11

“Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart.” – Matthew 12:34

“For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.” – Romans 10:10

Why is our heart so important according to these verses?

3. God’s best begins with a change of heart.

Our natural heart is sinful and sentenced to death.

“The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9

“For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” – Matthew 15:19

Death came into the world because of what one man (Adam) did, and it is because of what this other man (Christ) has done that now there is the resurrection from the dead.

“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Disobeying God = Sin = Death

Spiritual Death
Adam and Eve’s union with God was broken immediately and they were separated from Him.

Physical Death
Adam’s sin began a gradual process of aging and disease ending with physical death.

“Throw away all your sins you have committed and fashion yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why should you die, O house of Israel?” – Ezekiel 18:31

Spiritual birth changes our heart.

“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he?’

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, “You must all be born from above.”‘” – John 3:3-7

We are born spiritually when we accept Christ and His payment for our sins.

“For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

“But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children” — John 1:12

We become a new creation through spiritual birth.

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Old Self

Pre-Christian Heart

Human Spirit
(Spiritually Dead = Separated from God)
Soul
• Mind • Will • Emotions

Body

• Senses • Physical Influences • Drives

New Self (in Christ)

‘New Creation’ Christian Heart

Human Spirit (Spiritually Alive in the Holy Spirit)
Soul • Mind • Will • Emotions

BODY

• Senses • Physical Influences • Drives

The Process of Developing a “Heart for God”

1. Adoption
(Related to God)

This Leads To

2. Fellowship
(Open lines of communication with God)

This Leads To

3. Relationship
(The essentials for relational growth with God)

This Leads To

4. Wholeheartedness
(The degree of our love and desire for God)

This Leads To

5. Passion
(The resulting intimacy and heart for God)

1. Adoption.

Spiritual birth

“He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will” – Ephesians 1:5

“The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.” – Romans 8:16-17

Security

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Identity in Christ

• Redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14)

• Member of Christ’s Body (1 Corinthians 12:27)

• Citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

• Saint (Ephesians 1:1)

• Free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)

• Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)

• Seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6)

2. Fellowship.

Our open lines of communication with God:

• May be enjoyed moment by moment.
• May be hindered by sin if we don’t quickly take the steps to correct the “break” in fellowship.

How do you restore a broken fellowship with God that is caused by sin?

Step 1: Repent (1 John 1:9)Confession is agreeing with God about what He has said in His Word about sin. As we obey 1 John 1:9, we confess with an attitude of repentance.
This means that we turn away from the sin and its causes so that the source of temptation and continued sin are dealt with.

Step 2: Resist (James 4:7)We renew our mind by changing our thinking about the sin.
We then resist the enemy by putting our armor back on.
(Ephesians 6:10-16)

Step 3: Rest (Psalm 32:5; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 9:14)
According to 1 John 1:9, God forgives us of all our sin and fellowship is restored. Further condemnation and false guilt comes from Satan.
When we repent of our sin we need to rest in God’s complete forgiveness.

3. Relationship.

There are five important ingredients for building our relationship with God.

A. Knowledge about God— learning about God through the Bible.

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him” – Ephesians 1:17

“If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things.” – Jeremiah 9:24

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.” – 2 Peter 3:18

As you read your Bible what new things are you learning about God?

• His Attributes
What are God’s characteristics?

• His Names
What are God’s roles?

• His Purposes
What are God’s priorities?

• His Ways
What are God’s methods?

• His Blessings
How has God demonstrated His love for you?

• His Requirements
How does God want you to relate to Him?

B. Togetherness with God—being aware of God’s continuous presence.

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16

“And the Lord said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” – Exodus 33:14

Throughout each day, are you conscious of God’s presence? How do you acknowledge Him?
How do you relate to Him?

C. Communication with God— speaking with God about your interests, concerns and desires.

“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

“Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious things that you still do not know about.” – Jeremiah 33:3

“Before they even call out, I will respond; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:24

“The Lord is near all who cry out to him, all who cry out to him sincerely.” – Psalm 145:18

“Constantly pray” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Two-way prayer involves speaking to God and quieting our hearts so we can hear Him speak to us.

During the course of each day, are you honest and transparent with God?
Do you know how to quiet your heart to listen to God?

D. Observation of God— watching God display His character around you.

“But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.” – Psalm 73:28

“You have been taught that the Lord alone is God—there is no other besides him.” – Deuteronomy 4:35

“Recall the miraculous deeds he performed, his mighty acts and the judgments he decreed” – Psalm 105:5

“The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.” – John 14:21

How has God recently demonstrated His love and goodness to you?

  • Did you notice God controlling circumstances?
  • Did God intervene to get you out of a negative situation?
  • Did God provide for a need?
  • Did God protect you from harm or evil?
  • Did you become aware of an answer to a specific prayer?
E. Commitment to God— entrusting yourself into God’s care.

“Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.” – Psalm 9:10

“You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith, for they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

“My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.” – Jeremiah 17:7

What are you willing to commit to God because you trust His character, capabilities, and love for you?

4. Whole-heartedness.

“When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul” – Jeremiah 29:13

“As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! I thirst for God, for the living God. I say, ‘When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?'” – Psalm 42:1-2

“O God, you are my God. I long for you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water… Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself, my lips will praise you…My soul pursues you; your right hand upholds me.” – Psalm 63:1,3,8

“I look for you during the night; my spirit within me seeks you at dawn, for when your judgments come upon the earth, those who live in the world learn about justice.” – Isaiah 26:9

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.” – James 4:8

“How blessed are those who observe his rules, and seek him with all their heart” – Psalm 119:2

“With all my heart I seek you. Do not allow me to stray from your commands.” – Psalm 119:10

“My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O Lord.” – Psalm 27:8

The Process of Developing a “Heart for God”.

1. ADOPTION
(Related to God)

This Leads To
2. FELLOWSHIP
(Open lines of communication with God)

This Leads To
3. RELATIONSHIP
(The essentials for relational growth with God)

This Leads To
4. WHOLE-HEARTEDNESS

➢ What does the term “half-hearted” usually mean?
______________________
______________________
______________________

➢ What does “whole-hearted” mean?
______________________
______________________
______________________

God desires a “whole-hearted” love relationship with us.

“‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ Jesus said to him, ‘”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”‘” – Matthew 22:36-37

5. Passion

A “heart” for God and a “passion” for His purposes, results from pursuing God whole-heartedly.

“After removing him, God raised up David their king. He testified about him: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my heart, who will accomplish everything I want him to do.'” – Acts 13:22

“Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6

“But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

“Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” – Psalm 34:10

“Boast about his holy name. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” – Psalm 105:3

“May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you. May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually, ‘May God be praised!'” – Psalm 70:4

The Process of developing a “heart for God”

1. ADOPTION
(Related to God)

This Leads To
2. FELLOWSHIP
(Open lines of communication with God)

This Leads To
3. RELATIONSHIP
(The essentials for relational growth with God)

This Leads To
4. WHOLE-HEARTEDNESS
(The degree of our love and desire for God)

Where are you in your relationship with God?

32214 A Trust Relationship

Trusting by Faith

God wants us to trust Him by faith. But what does that look like?  And furthermore, what is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 states that “faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see”. It is by faith that we first trust and believe in the Lord, and are saved from eternal punishment. “Namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction” (Romans 3:22).

It is also by faith that we live the Christian life.  Not faith in ourselves, for we are incapable of it, but faith that Christ will manifest Himself in and through us by the power of His Holy Spirit, as we abide in Him. “Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

When we are lacking faith, we begin to fall into patterns of self-reliance, worry and even depression. We may doubt that God is in control, or that He truly cares about us. On the other hand, growing in faith means that we begin to trust God completely in everything. We know that His Word is true, we trust in His righteousness and we know and look forward to spending eternity with Him in heaven.

A. W. Tozer, in his book The Pursuit of God, says “Faith is not in itself a meritorious act; the merit is in the One toward Whom it is directed.  Faith is a redirecting of our sight, a getting out of the focus of our own vision and getting God into focus.”

32213 Experiencing God’s Love

If you are like most followers of Christ, you have heard and believe that God loves you. But somehow that knowledge isn’t permeating your heart and life experience like it should. Why is that? Why are so many believers not consciously aware of God’s overwhelming love that surrounds them every day?

Consider Jesus’ directions to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion:

“Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love” (John 15:9). This is love passing from God to Jesus to His disciples. And His directive is to “Live in My Love.”

In order to experience all God has planned for us, we must first understand the incredible love He has for us. So how can God’s magnificent love become more real to you?

Think about God’s sacrificial love for you.

The holy, almighty Creator of the universe was willing to leave the glorious throne room of Heaven, endure humiliating torture at the hands of His creation, and die a horrific death on a cross so our sin would no longer be a barrier to the love relationship He wants with us.

The Bible explains, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Jesus told His disciples, “No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus wants you to be His friend and was willing to pay the ultimate price to make that possible.

Think about God’s fatherly love for you.

God not only paid the price for your sin, He adopted you into His forever family. He has chosen to be your Heavenly Father and assumes all responsibility and care for you as His beloved child. You now have family privileges.

The apostle John expressed it like this: “See what sort of love the Father has given to us: that we should be called God’s children—and indeed we are! For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know him” (1 John 3:1).

Think about God’s generous love for you.

Our Heavenly Father is not just committed to your well-being. He lavishes His love upon you in a myriad of different ways.  Not only did He design you, He also has mapped out a perfect course for your life that will result in your utmost joy and fulfillment.

The Bible promises, “All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change” (James 1:17).

No person will ever love you more, be as committed to you, or make a greater sacrifice for you than your Heavenly Father. When you understand God’s incredible love for you, it rightly takes your focus off of trying to fill your need for love through human relationships. It helps you to rest in His love regardless of your circumstances. Human love from imperfect beings will often fail you, but God’s love is solid truth that will last forever. And that is the truth!

The Transforming Truth of God’s Love

Jesus told His disciples, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The truth will set you free from a loveless pattern of life. Knowing the truth (and believing it) enables you to enter into a much deeper awareness of the amazing love God has for you.

New Testament Scripture reminds us of this truth. Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Transformation happens when our minds are renewed in truth.

Clearly we will come to see God’s love only when our minds are renewed—when we believe the truth of who God is and what He has done for us. Trying (and failing) to obey rules or good laws will not bring us into the promised land of God’s love.

Go Deeper into God’s Love

Read related contents (below) to go deeper into God’s love.

32212 God Loves You Forever

Do you ever feel like no one cares about you? Or maybe you feel unworthy of being loved because of the way that you are or something that you have done.

Good news! God loves you and wants a love relationship with you. You may ask, “Why would an eternal, holy God care about me?”

The answer: Because God is love. Love permeates His entire being. No person will ever love you more, be as committed to you, or make a greater sacrifice for you than God.

When you understand God’s incredible love for you, it fills your need for love. This revelation helps you rest in His love regardless of your circumstances. Human love from imperfect beings will often fail you, but God’s love is solid truth that will last forever.

God’s Love is Unconditional

God loves you because of who He is, not because of what you have done or not done.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

God’s Love is Unstoppable

No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, you will never be separated from the love God has for you.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38-39

God’s Love is Unfathomable

God’s love for you is so vast that it surpasses anything your mind can even imagine or dream of. But God created you to know, and come fully alive in, His love.

“You will be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God.” — Ephesians 3:18-19

God invites you to enjoy a love relationship with Him.

Step 1. Accept God’s Love

The God who created the universe desires a relationship with you. His very nature is to love and He longs to share Himself with you. God wants you to know Him personally and receive His love, and the life it brings, as a free gift.

Do you desire to begin a personal relationship with the God of love? [Find out more…]

Step 2. See God’s Love

Cultivate your love relationship with God and experience His limitless, transforming love for you. Delight in God’s forever love for you and let it become your constant source of assurance in all you do.

Do you want to become more aware of God’s amazing love for you? [Find out more…]

Step 3. Radiate God’s Love

God created you to be a channel of His love. He desires that His nature of love become your nature and that you radiate that to the world. He wants His love in you to overflow to others.

Do you desire to touch and transform the people around you with God’s love? [Find out more…]

May God bless you in your journey as His Forever Loved.

Go Deeper into God’s Love

Learn more about God’s amazing love with a video and the related contents below.

32211 Our Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Growing Closer to God The Trinity

When we want to have a closer relationship with the God of the Bible, it’s important to understand how He reveals Himself to us. Although God is relational like us, in other ways He is unique and beyond our comprehension.

One of the ways God is beyond our comprehension is that He exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When Jesus left the earth, He referred to the equality of each person in the Godhead.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Theologians call this mystery of one God in three persons the Trinity. Although each person of the Godhead is distinct, they all are equal in their attributes. In other words, each is eternal, holy, loving, infinite omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Each person in the Godhead loves you, indwells you as a believer, and desires you to grow in your relationship with Christ.

  • The Father chose you to be His child prior to creation and has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-5).
  • Jesus, the Son of God lived a perfect life and died for your sins to make it possible for you to have free access to God (Ephesians 2:18).
  • The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, enters your life as the Comforter (John 3:5-6; 15:26), guides you into all truth, and helps you glorify Christ.

Paul admonishes you to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). Walking in the Spirit results in us becoming more like Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:22-23).

So, with God being three persons, how are we to pray? In Ephesians 3:14 Paul petitions the Father that Christ would dwell in our hearts and that we would be strengthened by the Spirit and filled with the fullness of God.

Being filled with God means that Christ dwells in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who seals us until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). In other words, the indwelling Holy Spirit is our guarantee that we are God’s child.

The Scriptural pattern for our prayers modeled by the apostles is to pray to the Father in Jesus’ name and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

However, since each member of the Trinity is God, it is biblical to pray to Jesus or the Holy Spirit directly. For example, when Stephen was being stoned to death he prayed directly to Jesus, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59) Saul (Paul), Ananias and the apostle John in Revelation also prayed directly to Jesus: “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

As you pray in accordance with God’s will, it doesn’t matter which person of the Godhead you address. There is no jealousy in the Trinity, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in purpose: to help you grow in Christ.

Paul tells us how each member of the Trinity is glorified by your growth in Christ.

“I pray to the Father… that he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him…. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Portions of Ephesians 3:14-17, 20-21 NLT).

Isn’t it amazing that we can actually bring glory to God by growing deeper and deeper in our relationship with Christ! May God help you grow in Christ as you continue learning and obeying His Word.

32103 The Truth Cycle

Truth demands action. When we are exposed to truth, it solicits a response — either application or evasion.

Romans 1 illustrates several principles about how to respond to God when He reveals truth to us.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is for ever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural one… Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worth while to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity… Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32, NIV, emphasis added)

Consider the portions of this passage that reveal principles about applying truth and what God does when His truth is ignored.

God made the truth about Himself understandable.

Creation reflects God’s invisible qualities:

  • His eternal power
  • His divine nature

They did not apply this revealed truth.

  • By glorifying Him as God
  • By giving thanks to Him

Instead, they abandoned God.

  • Their thinking became futile (senseless)
  • Their foolish hearts were darkened
  • They became fools who believed they were wise
  • They exchanged the reality of a magnificent God for man-made substitute gods

Therefore God abandoned them to the degrading power of sin.

  • They suppressed the truth so God gave them over to sinful desires for sexual impurity
  • They exchanged the truth for a lie so God gave them over to shameful lusts
  • They did not retain the knowledge of God so He gave them over to a depraved mind

This process is summarized in the Truth Cycle diagram:

The Truth Cycle

The Truth Cycle explained:

  1. As we live in ignorance, the Holy Spirit confronts us with truth and the Truth Cycle begins.
  2. First, we must see the truth.
  3. Second, we must understand the truth.
  4. Third, we must value the truth.
  5. Fourth, we must live the truth.
  6. As a result, we are set free from the deceptions and bondage of sin.
  7. While we are living in wisdom, the Holy Spirit continues to reveal new areas of ignorance and the cycle is repeated.
  8. When someone is exposed to the truth but doesn’t understand it, Satan comes and snatches that truth away so it will not take root later in their life.
  9. It is possible to value the truth but not apply it because we feel it is too difficult or we become distracted by the deceitfulness of wealth, the pursuit of pleasure, or the worries of life.
  10. We must choose the truth over ignorance at each stage within the cycle.

There are four key questions that reveal our heart attitude toward God’s truth:

  1. Am I willing to have my mind opened to the reality of God’s truth?
  2. Am I willing to pursue what a revealed truth means so I can comprehend how it relates to my daily life?
  3. Am I willing to make the truth I understand a priority in my life because I believe what God has revealed is important?
  4. Am I willing to persevere in applying God’s truth so my thought life, speech and behavior will be pleasing to God?

Ask God to open your heart and mind to His truth, and to give you perseverance in choosing truth in every aspect of your life!

32102 Perspective and Perception

What is the Truth?

How can you separate fact from fiction?
What is really going on?
Who can you believe?

Today’s choices are the building blocks of your future.

Supernatural living uses truth as its foundation.

Can you think of a situation you are facing that really concerns you?

Wouldn’t it be great to know your decision making is based on truth instead of presumption?

It all starts with perspective.

Defining the Terms

Perspective

The vantage point that enables you to see or the point of view that enables you to understand.
(physical or mental position)

Perception

What you see or understand.
(physical sight or mental insight)

Comparing Perspective and Perception

  • They are different sides of the same coin.
  • They are like eyes and sight—one is the means and the other is the result.

Comparing Physical and Mental Perspective

  • You select a physical perspective by moving your body to a particular location.
  • You select a mental perspective by adopting core beliefs about life.

Perspective

The starting point of everything.

We all have a natural perspective consisting of core convictions which have been developed by our education, experiences, and circumstances of life.

Perspective is the way we look at life that helps us make sense of it. Perspective is our world view.

Knowledge, Experiences, Circumstances

Perspective Perception

Our perspective is made up of core convictions which establish our point of view.
Perception is the observation of life through this filter of core convictions.

Beliefs/Values

Our perspective is made up of core convictions which establish our point of view.

Decision-Making

Our decisions in life are based on the beliefs and values that we have accepted as true.

Quality of Life

Our choices become the building blocks for our future. Ultimately the quality of our life is determined by the benefits or consequences from decisions we have made.

1. Perspective is a matter of choice.

To change your perception you must first choose a different perspective.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” – Matthew 6:22-23

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is diseased, your body is full of darkness. Therefore see to it that the light in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, with no part in the dark, it will be as full of light as when the light of a lamp shines on you.” – Luke 11:34-36

➢ What is the result of having a good perspective?
➢ What is the result of having a bad perspective?

Light makes physical sight possible so we are able to move and do things without endangering ourselves. Truth is like light for the reasoning process.

➢ Why are we to be careful that the light within us is not darkness?

Are you willing to look at your current situation from God’s perspective and then make decisions based on that reality?

2. Perspective determines perception.

Our perspective dictates what we are able to see and understand.

Perception is dependent upon perspective. You can only see what you focus your eyes on.

Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”

The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so that I can send men and capture him.” The report came back. “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

“Now the king of Syria was at war with Israel. He consulted his advisers, who said, ‘Invade at such and such a place.’ But the prophet sent this message to the king of Israel, ‘Make sure you don’t pass through this place because Syria is invading there.’ So the king of Israel sent a message to the place the prophet had pointed out, warning it to be on its guard. This happened on several occasions. This made the king of Syria upset. So he summoned his advisers and said to them, ‘One of us must be helping the king of Israel.’ One of his advisers said, ‘No, my master, O king. The prophet Elisha who lives in Israel keeps telling the king of Israel the things you say in your bedroom.’ The king ordered, ‘Go, find out where he is, so I can send some men to capture him.’ The king was told, ‘He is in Dothan.’ So he sent horses and chariots there, along with a good-sized army. They arrived during the night and surrounded the city. The prophet’s attendant got up early in the morning. When he went outside there was an army surrounding the city, along with horses and chariots. He said to Elisha, ‘Oh no, my master! What will we do?’ He replied, ‘Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.’ Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he can see.’ The Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
– 2 Kings 6:8-17

Human Perspective

Elisha’s Servant – Aramean Army

➢ How do you think the servant felt when he first saw the Aramean army?

Divine Perspective

Elisha’s Perception -God – Angelic Army – Aramean Army

➢ How do you think the servant felt after God enabled him to see into the spirit realm?

➢ Had the situation changed or just the servant’s perception of the situation? ➢ Why did the servant’s perception change?
➢ From what perspective do you think Elisha was viewing the situation?

Are you asking God to open your eyes so you may see the truth about your current situation?

3. Perception presumes truth.

Seeing is believing even if what we perceive is wrong.

We assume that our viewpoint gives us accurate perceptions of reality.

“When the residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai, they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched. They had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet and dressed in worn-out clothes. All their bread was dry and hard. They came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, ‘We have come from a distant land. Make a treaty with us.’ The men of Israel said to the Hivites, ‘Perhaps you live near us. So how can we make a treaty with you?’ But they said to Joshua, ‘We are willing to be your subjects.’ So Joshua said to them, ‘Who are you and where do you come from?’ They told him, ‘Your subjects have come from a very distant land because of the reputation of the Lord your God, for we have heard the news about all he did in Egypt and all he did to the two Amorite kings on the other side of the Jordan—King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan in Ashtaroth. Our leaders and all who live in our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey and go meet them. Tell them, “We are willing to be your subjects. Make a treaty with us.”’ This bread of ours was warm when we packed it in our homes the day we started out to meet you, but now it is dry and hard. These wineskins we filled were brand new, but look how they have ripped. Our clothes and sandals have worn out because it has been a very long journey.’ The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice. Joshua made a peace treaty with them and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community sealed it with an oath. Three days after they made the treaty with them, the Israelites found out they were from the local area and lived nearby.” – Joshua 9:3-16

➢ What did the Gibeonites do to deceive the Israelites?

➢ What did the Israelites do to determine whether or not the Gibeonites were telling the truth?

➢ What should they have done?

You See Your Situation

Our perspective is limited to appearances and surface issues.

Your Seek God – Your Situation

God wants us to seek His perspective because it is not limited by anything. God sees it all.

Are you being careful to avoid deception by seeking God’s perspective, even on matters that you feel you can evaluate on your own?

4. God’s perspective reveals truth.

True spiritual perspective is only possible by believing God about what He sees and knows.

“Then Pilate said, ‘So you are a king!’ Jesus replied, ‘You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” – John 18:37

“Jesus replied, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

“Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, ‘If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” – John 8:31-32

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come.” – John 16:13

How is God revealing the truth to you about your current situation?

5. Truth demands action.

When we are exposed to truth, it solicits a response—either application or evasion.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless, ruthless. Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.” – Romans 1:18-32

Sequence Outline

Romans 1:18-32

God made the truth about Himself understandable.

Creation reflects God’s invisible qualities:

  • His eternal power
  • His divine nature

They did not apply this revealed truth.

  • By glorifying Him as God
  • By giving thanks to Him

Instead, they abandoned God.

  • Their thinking became futile (senseless)
  • Their foolish hearts were darkened
  • They became fools who believed they were wise
  • They exchanged the reality of a magnificent God for man-made substitute gods

Therefore God abandoned them to the degrading power of sin.

  • They suppressed the truth. So God gave them over to sinful desires for sexual impurity
  • They exchanged the truth for a lie. So God gave them over to shameful lusts
  • They did not retain the knowledge of God. So God gave them over to a depraved mind

32105 Your Situation from God’s Perspective

There is a great story in the Old Testament that demonstrates the importance of looking at your situation from God’s perspective.

Here is the story.

8 Now the king of Syria was at war with Israel. He consulted his advisers, who said, “Invade at such and such a place.” 9 But the prophet sent this message to the king of Israel, “Make sure you don’t pass through this place because Syria is invading there.” 10 So the king of Israel sent a message to the place the prophet had pointed out, warning it to be on its guard. This happened on several occasions. 11 This made the king of Syria upset. So he summoned his advisers and said to them, “One of us must be helping the king of Israel.” 12 One of his advisers said, “No, my master, O king. The prophet Elisha who lives in Israel keeps telling the king of Israel the things you say in your bedroom.” 13 The king ordered, “Go, find out where he is, so I can send some men to capture him.” The king was told, “He is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent horses and chariots there, along with a good-sized army. They arrived during the night and surrounded the city. 15 The prophet’s attendant got up early in the morning. When he went outside there was an army surrounding the city, along with horses and chariots. He said to Elisha, “Oh no, my master! What will we do?” 16 He replied, “Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he can see.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
(2 Kings 6:8-17)

The context of this story is that the king of Syria is at war with Israel. He discovers that there is “a spy”! But it turns out that there is a prophet in Israel to whom God reveals the military strategies of Syria, and thus, Israel continues to outmaneuver the Syrians. The prophet’s name is Elisha.

So, the king of Syria orders to capture Elisha and sends a “good-sized” army to the city of Dothan where Elisha is staying! The army surrounds the city at night.

Elisha’s attendant goes out in the morning to discover that they are now surrounded by the enemy. He freaks out.

Calmly, Elisha responds, “Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.”

What are you talking about, Elisha? We don’t have an army here in Dothan!

What his attendant didn’t see is the spiritual reality. The hill is “full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (v. 17).

When you look around your situation, make sure to seek the Lord first, for your spiritual reality may be exactly the opposite of your physical situation.

“O Lord, open my eyes so I can see!”