home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
High Voltage Shareware
/
high1.zip
/
high1
/
DIR46
/
ALPHON_2.ZIP
/
CIRCUM.R06
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-10-31
|
8KB
|
156 lines
CIRCUMSTANCES AND GOD
All circumstances are used by the Lord to produce in us a relationship of
trust and rest. They are an opportunity for God to display His grace and
miraculous power on our behalf.
In this lesson we study four keys that, if used in our life, will allow God to
reveal His hand in the midst of trials and circumstances.
1 . HONESTY:
Being honest with ourselves is the first step in seeking God's help in
our life. God is never fooled about a situation. "For the Lord seeth
not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the
Lord looketh on the heart". 1 Samuel 16:7. Read 1 Chronicles 28:9. If
we have such problems in our lives as pride, anger and jealousy, let us
face them, knowing that nothing can separate us from God's love and power.
Romans 8:37-39.
a. Be willing to face the situation as it is now.
b. Do not make excuses.
c. Be willing to accept responsibility for what has happened.
d. Realise the instant provision of God for your situation.
King David showed real heart honesty when he admitted before God that he
had sinned concerning Bathsheba. Dishonesty only made him miserable and
frustrated. Read Psalm 32:1-5; 51:3-13. Release also came to the
prodigal son when he was honest with himself ... "and when he came to himself
he said ... I will arise and go to my father and will say unto him,
father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee". Luke 15:17-21.
We do not have to pay for our sins by suffering from the memory of them -
Christ has already paid the full penalty on the cross. As soon as the
Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, let us immediately bring it to God and
know:
- Instant confession: 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5.
- Instant cleansing: 1 John 1:7; Psalm 103:1 2; Hebrews 9:14.
- Instant restoration: Romans 8:l; Psalm 23:3; Psalm 51:12.
The apostle Paul, speaking to those living in the generation just before
Christ's second coming, says "the night is far spent, the day is at hand
... let us walk honestly, as in the day ... put ye on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and make no provision for the flesh". Romans 13:11-14. If
there is ever a generation in which honesty is needed, it is in this
present age of spiritual darkness. Read 2 Corinthians 8:21; Luke 8:15.
2. PERSPECTIVE.
Perspective is seeing something in relation to the things around it -
that way we see it as it really is. In our Christian walk we need to
see things God's way, not just from our point of view.
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things
above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind
on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have
died and your life is hidden with Christ in God". Colossians 3:1-3.
(NASB)
a. Our position with Christ.
"And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality
and power". Colossians 2: 1 0
b. See God's viewpoint.
"But we have the mind of Christ". 1 Corinthians 2:16
c. Handle the situation from our position in Christ.
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6 Read Eph. 2:5;
Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 4:16.
d. Recognize it is a "spiritual battle '.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world." Ephesians 6:12
e. Know and trust that God is at work in the situation.
"We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their
labour), all things work together and are (fitting into a plan)
for good to those who love God and are called according to (His)
design and purpose". Romans 8:28 (Amp). Read Philippians 2:13.
3. RECEPTIVITY.
Receptivity is willingness to receive God's answer to our situation. On
the basis of Christ's completed work on the cross, we can accept victory
in any circumstances. Read John 19:30; Revelation 1:18.
a. Desire victory and be willing to receive it.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end".
Jeremiah 29:11
If we just let time sort out our circumstances we may have lost
an opportunity through which God can work in our lives to increase
our trust and faith in Him. He will have to teach us the same
lesson again with a new set of circumstances.
b. Be willing to receive God's answer not our own solution.
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him".
Psalm 62:5
C. The basis of victory is not what I'm doing, but what He's done.
It's not my activity: it's my receptivity.
"I have been crucified with Christ ... I have shared His
crucifixion, it is no longer I who live, but Christ ... the life I
now live ... I live by faith ... by complete trust in
the Son of God, who loves me Galatians 2:20 (Amp.)
Read 2 Chronicles 20:15-17; l Samuel 17:47.
d. By an act of our will commit the situation to God and allow Him to
work.
"Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall
bring it to pass". Psalm 37:5. Read Philippians 1:6.
4. TAKING THE BATTLE TO THE ENEMY.
Instead of allowing Satan to control our situation we need to take the
offensive and realize that he is a defeated enemy. His only weapon
against us is the power to deceive, for he is the father of lies (John
8:44). One of the weapons he cannot stand against is the Word of God.
Read Ephesians 6:10-18 for our battle strategy against the enemy.
a. Acknowledge your absolute victory over the enemy.
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Corinthians 15:57. Read Philippians 4:13.
b. Confess the Word of God in the face of all circumstances.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for
He who promised is faithful". Hebrews 10:23 (RSV). Read Philemon
1:6.
c. Know the power of praising God.
"I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth". Psalm 34:1. Read 1 Thessalonians
5:18; Psalm 50:23; Acts 16:25.
d. Rest in the Lord.
"Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him" Psalm 37:7.
Never is there a situation in our lives that God has overlooked: each one is
for a purpose. God's desire is that through accepting victory in every
circumstance we should come into a deeper relationship with Him, becoming His
mature sons.
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the
ear, neither hath the eye seen, 0 God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for
him that waiteth for Him". Isaiah 64:4.
THE END