Basic HTML Version
influenced , though they don't
know it, by wrong altitudes or
moods from Satan's worki ngs
upon their mind, or by wrong cul–
tural values, or wrong experiences
derived from this devil-led
world.
We recognize we couldn't see
God's ways either except for
God's merey to us. And we real–
ize if we had others' circum–
stances or experiences, our alti–
tudes and problems cou ld be
simi lar or worse. l nstead we have
hope for all who sin in ignorance.
We understand all humanity wi ll
eventually be corrected in God's
own time and plan. Until then, we
are instructed to do good to all
men, not evil.
But true !ove commands us to
go beyond this. We are to pray
for those who hate or abuse us.
We understand we can't argue
anyone into conversion. That call–
ing can only come from God
(John 6:44). We pray that God
will work with an antagonist's
mind according to his will and
wisdom because we can' t always
fu lly understand how to do that
ourselves in the most effective or
best way.
We also pray we won' t set up
stumblingblocks about God's way
by wrong actions, altitudes or
words on our part. These instruc–
tions in living are taught in Mat–
thew 5:43-48, Romans 12:17-21
and Galatians 6:1 O.
When we understand God's
!ove, we realize we also are imper–
fect. We, too, have wrong ideas,
feelings, altitudes and habits to
overcome. We don't exalt our–
selves as great persons. We real–
ize any true good or abi lity in us
has come from God.
But we know God's !ove is also
powerful toward us. Though we
fall shor t in many areas of life–
yes, even succumb to fear and
depression on occasion-we have
God and his mighty spiritual
resources-faith.
hope
and
love- to
help us overcome.
Why don't more experience
that mighty power and help?
The answer is sin, the trans–
gression of God's law ( 1 John
3:4). Sin cuts us off from under–
standing God and utilizing his
April 1981
help. Sin against God and fellow–
man hinders our prayers from
being heard, unless and until we
repent ( l saiah 59: 1-2).
lncredible Relatlonshlp
Most humans have been blinded
to the incred ibl e relationship
totally yielded persons could have
with God.
That awesome relationship is a
loving father-son or father-daugh–
ter relat ionship. "Wherefore
come out from among them [sin–
fui ways] ... and 1 will receive
you, and will be a Father unto
you and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Al–
mighty"
(11
Corinthians 6: 17-18;
see also 1 J ohn 3: 1).
God can be a person's literal
spiritual father. This begettal and
sonship comes after God's calling,
our true repentance and baptism.
"No man can come unto me
except the Father ... draw
him ..." said Jesus (John 6:44).
These called and yielded per–
sons are then in a covenant rela–
tionship, which is also a family
relationship with God. They are
potent ial members of the God
Family!
God's part of the covenant is to
be helper, provider, corrector and
deliverer. That is what his name
means-the Almighty, the All–
Bountiful! The One who leads
and guides! The One who delivers
from evil!
" ... my God shall supply all
your
need
according to his riches
in glory," amplified the apostle
Paul (Philippians 4: 19). God sup–
plies true needs, not wrong wants
or desires- things we shouldn't
have or should wait for.
The converted human's part is
to be obedient to al! of God's
ways, livi ng by faith and
strengthening that faith by asking
God for physical and spi ri tual
needs daily (Matthew 6:7- 15) .
But we must have our priorities
st raight. " ... seek ye
first
the
kingdom of God, and his righ–
teousness: and al l these things
[food, clothing, shelter, etc.] shall
be added unto you." " ... for your
heaven1y Father knoweth that ye
have need of all these things"
(Matthew 6:33, .32).
Millions don't receive answers
to t heir prayers because they
don' t put their
spiritua/
needs
FIRST! They are only concerned
with their own selfish physical
wants and desi res, not in prepar–
ing for God's kingdom or serving
others.
"Have no anxiety about any–
thing , but i n eve r yth ing by
prayer
a nd
supplication
with
thanksgiving
let your requests be
made known to God. And the
peace of God, which passes all
[natural human] understanding,
will keep your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus," instructed the
apostle Paul (Philippians 4:6-7,
RSV) .
Many fail to receive the help
they need because they are
not
thankful
for the blessings they
have. Others fail to salve their
problems and needs because of
lack of a positive attitude and dil–
igent effort.
Jesus taught those who would
yield to God, "Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto
you" (Matthew 7:7).
When one applies the laws of
success- among them d rive, re–
sourcefulness and perseverance–
he will succeed in what really
counts. These laws are explained
in our free booklet
The Seven
Laws of Success,
written by Her–
bert W. Armstrong.
God has immense spi ritual
resources to help you salve your
problems and fears!
God will work t hrough his
Spirit and his Word, the Bible, to
encourage, correct and empower
you to live rightly and solve your
problems- if yo u repent of
breaking his law and totally yield
to him. " ...this is the man to
whom l will look, he that is hum–
ble and contr ite in spirit, and
trembles at my word" (lsaiah
66:2, RSV).
God promises he will liberally
give wisdom and "upbraid not"–
but we must ask in faith, believ–
ing God's promise (Proverbs 2:6,
J ames 1:5).
God knows no one can grow
out of fear and with unforgiven
guilt hanging over their head.
God promises to forgive every sin,
29