Fact`s Of The Matter

[yort]

Troy a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Two Reasons We Resist Times Of Solitude With God

<HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 0.5em; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; WIDTH: 20em; COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The excuse we usually give for failure at spending time with God is time. "There is not enough time." The truth is, that for the most part, time has nothing to do with it! We make time for what is of paramount importance to us. If we want to play 18 holes of golf badly enough, we will find the time!

So why do we resist times of solitude with God? Let me propose two of many reasons:

1. We don't want to change.

If we are brutally honest, we find "a stubbornness within ourselves. A hardheartedness that will not yield to transformation and change." Because exposure to the Word of God in an atmosphere of solitude discloses our corruption, we find ourselves resisting the pain of truth, and the pain of change.

"His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what."(Hebrews 4:12, 13 – The Message)

When we insist on living a marginal Christian existence by dabbling in and out of sin, our appetite for solitude with God can be numbed to the point of revulsion. We do not want Him to get that close!

2. We don't want to give up control.

We are accustomed to being at the center of the action. We seem to need to be around people. Influencing them, managing them, or seeking their approval. We want to feel indispensable! After all, if we are not there for them, they might not grow – or "make it." Remember the parable of the sower? "Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."(Mark 4:27) God brings the growth! Not us! (1 Corinthians 3:6 )

The fact is, God would have us resign as CEO of the universe in order that we might begin to comprehend the truth that our greatest need is not for pleasure, but for intimacy with Him. Is it not the nervous activity of our lives that reveals our little faith while serving to crowd out those much needed times of seclusion with God?

QUESTION: Are you up to the challenge of choosing to become great with God through a regular pattern of solitude with Him? Then, if He so determines, He can make you great in spiritually influencing others. Be assured that the latter will not happen without the former.

—Facts of the Matter. May you have a blessed day.

yort<!--EndFragment-->

 

[xDICEx]

Good one Troy...this is good advise in the council of God...just like sins will make this intamacy fade, so too will this intamacy make sins fade...this is warfare and we are drafted wheather we like it or not...DGB

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[jiggyfly]

2. We don't want to give up control.

We are accustomed to being at the center of the action. We seem to need to be around people. Influencing them, managing them, or seeking their approval. We want to feel indispensable! After all, if we are not there for them, they might not grow – or "make it." Remember the parable of the sower? "Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."(Mark 4:27) God brings the growth! Not us! (1 Corinthians 3:6 )

Great post Yort, this is where religious paradigm, liturgy and activity originate. The flesh wants to stay in control so it will become "good".

 

[Coconut]

The fact is, God would have us resign as CEO of the universe in order that we might begin to comprehend the truth that our greatest need is ... for intimacy with Him.

Love this.....I cant stand myself for needing this reminder over and over again....but love this truth!

I spend a lot of time in solitude...but am not so good at "rest" if that makes sense...maybe a better way to put it would be I dont seem to know how to relax.............does it occur to anyone else that even prayer can be another way of the flesh trying to stay in control?

I read someone saying this the other day ...."you may be a praying man, but you better be doing more listening than talking"

Isa 30:15 For the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, said, In quiet and rest is your salvation: peace and hope are your strength: but you would not have it so.

 

[Kay Shirley]

Good one Troy...this is good advise in the council of God...just like sins will make this intamacy fade, so too will this intamacy make sins fade...this is warfare and we are drafted wheather we like it or not...DGB

Thanks for the heads up!

I like being drafted into this warfare, even if it is difficult...the battle belongs to the Lord and He is for us...not against us.

And this statement is especially comforting to me...that intimacy with the Lord will help to make my sins fade...it is still by His grace tho...Satan fell and he was near God's throne.

 

[Doc]

Troy a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Two Reasons We Resist Times Of Solitude With God


<HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 0.5em; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; WIDTH: 20em; COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The excuse we usually give for failure at spending time with God is time. "There is not enough time." The truth is, that for the most part, time has nothing to do with it! We make time for what is of paramount importance to us. If we want to play 18 holes of golf badly enough, we will find the time!

So why do we resist times of solitude with God? Let me propose two of many reasons:

1. We don't want to change.

If we are brutally honest, we find "a stubbornness within ourselves. A hardheartedness that will not yield to transformation and change." Because exposure to the Word of God in an atmosphere of solitude discloses our corruption, we find ourselves resisting the pain of truth, and the pain of change.

"His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what."(Hebrews 4:12, 13 – The Message)

When we insist on living a marginal Christian existence by dabbling in and out of sin, our appetite for solitude with God can be numbed to the point of revulsion. We do not want Him to get that close!

2. We don't want to give up control.

We are accustomed to being at the center of the action. We seem to need to be around people. Influencing them, managing them, or seeking their approval. We want to feel indispensable! After all, if we are not there for them, they might not grow – or "make it." Remember the parable of the sower? "Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."(Mark 4:27) God brings the growth! Not us! (1 Corinthians 3:6 )

The fact is, God would have us resign as CEO of the universe in order that we might begin to comprehend the truth that our greatest need is not for pleasure, but for intimacy with Him. Is it not the nervous activity of our lives that reveals our little faith while serving to crowd out those much needed times of seclusion with God?

QUESTION: Are you up to the challenge of choosing to become great with God through a regular pattern of solitude with Him? Then, if He so determines, He can make you great in spiritually influencing others. Be assured that the latter will not happen without the former.

—Facts of the Matter. May you have a blessed day.

yort<!--EndFragment-->

Troy, I highly commend you on this post. It is very, very good.

In Philippians 1:21, Paul makes what could be called a summary statement for his life after his conversion. He says, "For to me, to live is Christ..."

I wonder how each one of us would fill in the blank - "For to me to live is _______". I wonder, under the self-examining light of the Holy Spirit, what we would honestly put in that blank. BLESSINGS. Doc :wink: