THINKING OUT LOUD

I just want to "think out loud" today -- and I'm almost afraid to do so!!

Still thinking about yesterday's blog, about having the "fulness of God" within us; about having all we need within us. And I'm still thinking about "mental assent" versus "heart-felt faith."

I'm trying to fit all that in with my favorite Bible verse which I've also used in a recent blog: Ephesians 3:20. He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." And what is that power that works in us? It's the Spirit of God -- that fulness of God we talked about. And that Spirit which dwells and works within us is one great and mighty Spirit!

But let's go back to the words "act or think" in the Ephesians passage. If you let your mind go, just how much can you "think" when it comes to things you'd like to see happen? You think about how wonderful if an unsaved spouse or other relative or friend would become a Christian. You think how marvelous it would be if you could get out from under the load of debt you're facing. You think about what a great thing it would be if you had no problems, no aches, no pains, no sickness or disease. Let your mind go -- what all can you think of? (Now don't get this confused with the "Name It and Claim It Game -- you know, wanting a new Cadillac to miraculously appear in your garage, or an airplane land on your front lawn with your name on it, etc. I'm talking about needs!)

OK -- Ephesians 3:20 says God can do not only whatever we can ask or think, but He can even do MORE, FAR MORE than that! I can't quite grasp that. Can you?

In the light of that Scripture, then why do we have so many needs unmet? Why do we suffer lack? Why are we content to go on being sick? And with that statement, or question, rather, I'm pointing a finger at myself! The only answer I can honestly come up with is -- it's the difference between that Mental Assent and real, true Bible-believing Faith!

I was meditating along these lines the other evening and trying to claim promises regarding healing. Know what? All at once that "Charlie Horse" that had me groaning in pain for days disappeared. All at once the stiffness in my legs disappeared. All at once I was able to walk back and forth through the house normally!

I was ecstatic and thought to myself, "Do you suppose I really have been healed? Better not mention it to my husband in case I really haven't!" And guess what? All my symptoms (except the Charlie Horse) just as suddenly reappeared!!!!

Yep, I might as well face it. My thoughts, or my Mental Assent, if you please, counteracted my Faith and destroyed the power of God. No, it didn't destroy the power of God -- it destroyed the WORKING, or the EFFECTS of the power of God in my life. Nothing, but nothing can destroy the power itself! But our unbelief, our doubts, our questionings, and our Mental Assent can sure negate what the Word says.

Suppose I'll ever learn what real faith is and does? I intend to keep trying. Now, how about you?

Preacher's Kid