Six Common Idols

Charles Stanley continues Chapter 3 of Waiting on God by identifying and describing six common idols, or subtle strongholds, that we often hold too tightly.  The first two common idols are discussed today.

1.  Our own understanding.  When adversity comes, we often don’t understand what is going on or why God allowed it to happen in the first place.  Certain puzzle pieces are missing.  Yet, we repeatedly analyze our situation from every conceivable angle because our finite minds cannot fully comprehend what is happening.

Our incessant scrutinizing only leaves us discouraged, disillusioned, and even more insecure.  This, however, is no reason to reject our Lord.  Rather, it’s a reason to depend on Him all the more and be intentional in seeking His good purposes.  We do not and cannot know all the details of our adversity.  But the Father does.

2.  A sense of security.  Dr. Stanley emphasizes that we don’t like losing control or trusting our future to One we cannot see.  We’d rather have a steady source of income and predictable results- that is, tangible security.  Dr. Stanley acknowledges that having goals is a good thing provided we’re seeking the Lord’s guidance.  Often, though, we’re seeking to create security through our own efforts instead of depending on God.

Today’s question: Prior to your vocation loss, how much did your career define you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Goals, dreams, and relationships”

Six Common Idols

Strongholds in our lives

In Chapter 3 of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley builds on God’s testing of Abraham by asking the following question: Who or what is on the throne of your heart?  Idolatry is a stronghold that stealthily slips into our lives.  We may not even be aware it has taken hold.  Dr. Stanley asks three questions to help us determine if idolatry is a problem:

a.  Even though God has instructed you to trust Him, do you spend your time and energy trying to figure out what will happen?

b.  Although you have the Father’s assurance He’s making a way for you, are you frustrated and disheartened by your circumstances?

c.  Do you lash out at God in anger when a particular option is closed to you?

Dr. Stanley then gives three reasons why it is difficult for believers to admit their idolatry.

1.  We want to believe we’re good enough to merit our salvation and the blessing God gives us.  Confessing there are strongholds in our lives would be to admit our imperfection.  Out of pride, we want to measure up to what Jesus expects of us.

2.  We realize that admitting we have strongholds means acknowledging we have to change.  We’re afraid to allow the Lord to transform our lives because we’d have to give up longstanding patterns and behaviors.  We’d rather live the same defeated status quo than experience God’s extraordinary plan for our lives.

3.  We are trying to meet a need only God can fulfill.  The object or person we want represents more to us than what they actually are.  For example, we try to find our identity in our profession rather than in Christ.

Today’s question: Who or what is a stronghold in your life?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Six Common Idols”

Strongholds in our lives

Anticipated blessing

Charles Stanley continues Chapter 3 of Waiting on God as he concludes his discussion of Abraham’s responses to God’s promises.

2.  The temptation to speed the plan along.  Especially when the anticipated blessing is important to us, time has a way of wearing on even the strongest faith.  The temptation to take matters into our own hands becomes great.  Our focus is on the obstacles instead of the Lord’s ability to overcome them.  Like Abraham and Sarah, every time we get ahead of God or try to wrestle control from His hands, we make a mess.  Nothing good ever will come of it.

3.  The test to prove what really rules your heart.  Dr. Stanley notes that twenty-five years elapsed between the time Abraham received God’s promise and its fulfillment.  Certainly Isaac was very precious to Abraham and Sarah.  Yet the Lord tested Abraham by telling Him to sacrifice Isaac.

Dr. Stanley states that the Hebrew word for “tested is nasah, meaning “to try, assay, or prove.”  The word often is used when referring to examining the quality of weapons.  Here God demonstrated the quality of Abraham’s faith and what truly ruled his heart.  God already knew everything that was in Abraham.  Abraham need to make the choice, in the process recognizing that God indeed came first.

Submitting to God’s command wasn’t easy for this man of faith.  It certainly was downright agonizing.  While we aren’t privy to Abraham’s thoughts, we do know what he did.  He obeyed anyway.

Today’s question: What promises of God have strengthened your faith following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Strongholds in our lives”

 

 

Anticipated blessing

Human logic versus divine plan

In Chapter 3 (“Surrendering Your Focus”) of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley notes that an inherent battle occurs when we wait on God.  As our delay stretches to weeks, months, and even years, we struggle to decide whether our desire is aligned with His will.  Dr. Stanley observes that we sense an inherent conflict between what we pray for and what God has planned for us because our prayers go unanswered.

Although we try to have faith, despair gets the upper hand in our hearts despite our best intentions.  Dr. Stanley explains our problem:

” . . . our problem is that we focus on our questions far more than on the Father’s desire to answer them.  And the more we think about the desire of our heart instead of God, the more frustrated we become and the more tempted we are to take matters into our own hands.”

Even Abraham, a great man of faith, attempted to get ahead of God by trying to figure out His plan or somehow speed it along. Then Abraham faced the ultimate test.  Dr. Stanley addresses each of these aspects of human logic versus divine plan.  The first is covered today.

1.  The need to figure it out.  Just like Abraham, we allow the circumstances of our life to overcome our faith in God.  When there is no tangible evidence of God’s working, we use logic in our attempt to figure out what God would do.  Human logic cannot discern God’s divine plan.  When we spend time in the Lord’s presence, He will comfort and rescue us.

Today’s question: What Bible verses sustain your focus on God’s divine plan rather than human logic?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Anticipated blessing”

New addition to the Crown Jewels: “Genie or Jesus?”

 

Human logic versus divine plan

Our great potential

Today Charles Stanley concludes his discussion of ten powerful assurances from God.

5.  He will discipline you when needed for your own good.  God disciplines us so that we can be free from behaviors or thoughts that ultimately would destroy us, that don’t fit us as a child of God.  He helps us become all we were created to be.

6.  He will limit the pressure of your trials and temptations to what you can bear.  God knows our great potential- if we will learn to trust Him despite feeling that our trial is beyond our endurance.  Adversity strengthens our faith and refines our character.

7.  He will forgive your sins.  Not only that, the Lord will reveal what is causing us to sin if we listen carefully.  He will also help us to overcome our sins.

8.  He will always keep His promises to you.  Dr. Stanley states there should be absolutely no question in our mind whether or not God will do what He says.  God will keep His word, although it may be in a different way than we are anticipating.

9.  He will keep you eternally secure.  Dr. Stanley comments that “the great blessing of your salvation is that it is based entirely upon the love and provision of Christ.”

10.  He has prepared an eternal home in heaven for you.  Heaven will be the most joyful, peaceful, fulfilling home imaginable.  We will be in Christ’s presence.

Today’s question: Which of the ten assurances are most comforting at this time? Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Human logic versus divine plan”

Our great potential

Perfect, unconditional love

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”- 1 John 4:8

Charles Stanley concludes Chapter 2 of Waiting on God by stating that we can be certain God will help us because of His perfect, unconditional love.  Dr. Stanley contrasts God’s love and human love:

“. . . God’s love for you is not like most human love- moody, unpredictable, self-serving, and contingent upon your response.  His tenderness toward you is based on His holy character- which is unwavering, sacrificial, unchanging, completely trustworthy, and committed to providing the very best for you.”

The author describes ten powerful assurances we can count on God to give us every day of our life.  The first four assurances are discussed today.

1.  His lovingkindness and compassion are yours every day.  God never will leave or forsake us.  We can know with certainty that He is always working on our behalf.

2.  He is a solid, unshakable foundation for you.  The Lord is not given to sudden or volatile alterations in His behavior.  He operates on fixed, timeless principles that we can count on.  The Lord will hold us steady and secure if we focus on Him.

3.  He will guide you in the way you should go.  God faithfully leads us on the best path for our life or to what we are waiting for.  As long as we keep our eyes on Him, we are assured we’re on the right track.

4.  Whatever He requires of you, He will enable you to accomplish.  Dr. Stanley states the Lord has a supernatural way of “multiplying your time, talents, strength, wisdom, and supply when you trust in Him.”

Today’s question: Which of the first four assurances are most meaningful to you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Our great potential”

Perfect, unconditional love

Omnipresence and omnipotence

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 2 of Waiting on God, he focuses on God’s omnipresence and omnipotence.  Dr. Stanley states that God’s omnipresence is comforting because we can be totally assured that we always are with God’s reach.  Romans 8:38-39 reminds us that we never can be separated from God’s love.  It doesn’t matter where we are or what may be threatening us.

Dr. Stanley observes that it is “even more accurate to say that everything is in the Lord’s presence.”  This signifies that the Lord is where we cannot be, accomplishing what is of concern to us.  We may have no earthly idea where the Lord is raising up an answer to our ministry downsizing or vocation loss- but He is.  And the Lord is so intimately in tune with every aspect of our being that He is providing for our needs even before we’re aware of them.

The author also stresses that, during seasons of waiting, it is crucial to remember that God is omnipotent.  He is all-powerful and stronger than any forces opposing us.  Dr. Stanley explains:

“And because He is all-powerful, even the obstacles and trials in your life that seem to impede or thwart God’s plan are actually tools He uses to fulfill His purposes when you keep your focus on Him.”

Today’s question: How do God’s omnipresence and omnipotence comfort/strengthen you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Perfect, unconditional love”

Omnipresence and omnipotence