Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Let us live life “without murmuring and arguing, so that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, that we may shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 1:15

• Two Rochester teens, ages 14 and 16, who allegedly set man on fire in apartment now face murder charges.
• State governor facing calls to resign after multiple sexual harassment claims
• 21-year-old man takes responsibility for killing eight people in Atlanta.

A.W. Tozer asked a pertinent question a generation ago that is still relevant today Tozer wrote, “were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” We might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Were we able to know exactly what our most influential religious leaders think of God today, we might be able with some precision to foretell where the church will stand tomorrow.”

Jesus said in Matthew, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.” (15:18-19)

The tragedy of the three bulleted headlines above could have been so different if each person would have asked themselves this simple, profound question “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” The results of their actions could have been life-giving instead of life-taking.

What comes to mind when we think about God is one of the most important questions we must answer. Our answer will determine the course of our spiritual life as well as our natural life. We can answer in the way of the world or we can offer an answer similar to Psalm 86:15, “But you, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

We could answer like Peter in Luke 9:18 and respond, “The Messiah of God.” Or similarly to Paul in I Corinthians 1:18 “for the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

What came to John’s mind when he thought about God in I John 4 was, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them.” (16) For James, “every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” James (1:17)

Satan’s accusation against Job was that Job’s only thoughts about God were related to what Job could get for himself. Satan challenges God when he says, “Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” (Job 1: 10) Satan goes on to confront God saying that if He would only, “stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has,” then the reaction of Job thinking about God will be “he will curse you to your face.” (1:11) However, Job didn’t curse God because he had spent time over the years thinking about God.

What comes to mind when we think about God? The answer will come from what we have allowed to be planted in our hearts and souls. “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

“From the beginning, God’s desire was that we would exist in an everlasting relationship with him. Sin gets in the way of that relationship, especially laziness that sidelines praise and prayer. May we never be too busy for both.” (Brennan Manning)

How will you answer, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?”

Father, I confess my often-lazy attitude for life, prayer and praise, letting sin harbor thoughts that prevent fellowship with you. Restore again the joy of prayer and praise that will permeate every fiber of my heart, mind and soul for you.

God is great,

Pastor Lynn