Which One Are You Praying For Most?

[marks]

Cite the scripture you are basing the above on, and let's discuss it!

I'll come back to this . . . There's a real chunk of meat here!

:)

Well that's my contention, yes. Imagine it as though the Lord wants us to conform ourselves as fully to His image as possible (Philippians 2:5-8), and those who fully express a desire for this, knowing what they are asking, are pleasing in His sight for doing so (Matthew 20:20-23).

I don't really see myself as 'conforming myself' to His image. I see this as the work of the Holy Spirit. My part is to trust in Jesus, and do as I believe He wants me to do, whatever that may be. And of course this is greatly informed by Scripture.

But what I do see in your words I find in Peter,

1 Peter 4:1-2
1) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

I don't seek to suffer, I'm really clear about that. I want a life of peace, wellbeing. Just the same, I've learned the sorts of things God accomplishes with suffering, and I'm prepared to suffer however God sees fit.

I really like how it puts it there, "arm yourselves likewise with the same mind". Jesus set Himself towards the cross, we set ourselves towards doing His will, armed with the resolution to suffer in the flesh to be glorified in the spirit.


Much love!

 

[marks]

THAT sounds like a lot of work, LoL.

I suggest if the Lord calls you to it, maybe write up a piece on how much of it aligns (not sure how much of it does). If so, tag me, and I'll do what I can to try and respond.

I've thought about how to adapt the chart I made to a post, but after several false starts I stopped. This was a study I did like 20 years ago, but I remember there being a really clear pattern across all of these.

Much love!

 

[Hidden In Him]

I don't really see myself as 'conforming myself' to His image. I see this as the work of the Holy Spirit. My part is to trust in Jesus, and do as I believe He wants me to do, whatever that may be. And of course this is greatly informed by Scripture.

Ah! We could at least discuss this then! The text in Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

"Be ye conformed that ye may prove" sounds awfully self-generated to me, albeit by the Spirit of God within us. You agree or no?

 

[Hidden In Him]

I've thought about how to adapt the chart I made to a post, but after several false starts I stopped. This was a study I did like 20 years ago, but I remember there being a really clear pattern across all of these.

Much love!

Sounds like He is talking to you and you might wanna consider finishing the job. Whenever something like that won't go away for me, it's always God.

 

[tsr]

• Confession of your sins (1 John 1:9)
• Asking for forgiveness (Matthew 6:12)
• Asking for a pure heart (Psalm 51:10)
• Your honest feelings about your circumstances (including anger, despair, hopelessness and more). ...
• His love for you (Psalm 52:8)

 

[marks]

Ah! We could at least discuss this then! The text in Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

"Be ye conformed that ye may prove" sounds awfully self-generated to me, albeit by the Spirit of God within us. You agree or no?

Be not conformed (active voice) to this world but be transformed (passive voice) by the renewing of your mind.

Either we are conforming ourselves according the schematic of this world, or we are being transformed.

Leading to the next question, what exactly is our part in being transformed?

Colossians 3:9-10
9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Much love!

 

[marks]

Sounds like He is talking to you and you might wanna consider finishing the job. Whenever something like that won't go away for me, it's always God.

It remains on the back burner . . .

:)

 

[marks]

"Be ye conformed that ye may prove" sounds awfully self-generated to me, albeit by the Spirit of God within us.

That ye may prove, this part, I can see this two ways, one being that I'm testing God's will, determining what it is, the other being that I am the proof of the goodness of God's will.

Your thoughts?

Much love!

 

[quietthinker]

To be honest...my prayer mostly is to just make it through the day.

soooo my dear.....what are you saying when you're not honest? :)

 

[Hidden In Him]

Be not conformed (active voice) to this world but be transformed (passive voice) by the renewing of your mind.

Either we are conforming ourselves according the schematic of this world, or we are being transformed.

Leading to the next question, what exactly is our part in being transformed?

Colossians 3:9-10
9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Much love!

Good catch! Not sure if it sways me off my position, but it does make my use of the second half of that verse a bit dubious, LoL.

 

[Hidden In Him]

That ye may prove, this part, I can see this two ways, one being that I'm testing God's will, determining what it is, the other being that I am the proof of the goodness of God's will.

Your thoughts?

I go with the second. Yours?

 

[marks]

I go with the second. Yours?

I agree with you.

My offering myself to God for His use will allow Him to demonstrate His perfect plan by what He turns me into.

Much love!

 

[stredaleve]

Well good for you, stredaleve, LoL.

I hope you indeed have, and I hope the Lord answers you, and you enter the kingdom rich in all spiritual things.

Thank you for the post.
- H

i did but not all at the same time it took years or months before i asked for the other but i am not sure it will be given because when i ask i am just like a little child who seem to not really know if i am doing it right or if i am asking for the right thing "double minded" this comes to mind

 

[Brakelite]

Be ye conformed that ye may prove" sounds awfully self-generated to me, albeit by the Spirit of God within us. You agree or no?

I think there is a powerful sense of cooperation. It isn't us who is actually doing the doing, so to speak, but it must certainly be us who does the agreeing... The receiving... And the wanting it or desiring of the process. God does nothing in our lives without our consent (that's another debate) and our hunger and thirst for righteousness.

 

[Brakelite]

That we have to live this life not knowing for certain if there is reward in the afterlife or not, but just trusting God in faith, out of love for Him, and being trained unto obedience

Not knowing for certain there's an afterlife,? Are you meaning this in reference to yourself, or someone else?

 

[Hidden In Him]

I think there is a powerful sense of cooperation. It isn't us who is actually doing the doing, so to speak, but it must certainly be us who does the agreeing... The receiving... And the wanting it or desiring of the process. God does nothing in our lives without our consent (that's another debate) and our hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Amen.

Not knowing for certain there's an afterlife,? Are you meaning this in reference to yourself, or someone else?

Not knowing if there is a reward in the afterlife (sort of a step up). In other words, that there will be a recompense for all the things we endured in this life and yet remained faithful to Him.

 

[soul man]

That's an interesting thought... I don't think seeing everything He sees is necessary, no. so maybe in a way I agree with you.

Yes, and I didn't mean to insinuate that was what you were saying as well.

 

[soul man]

To be honest...my prayer mostly is to just make it through the day.

That is coming from a seasoned pro :-) I know it's like that sometimes.

 

[charity]

I found it a very interesting study to examine the language in each of the 7 letters, and to compare with . . .

• 7 kingdom parables
  
• 7 periods in Israel's history
• 7 letters from Paul
• 7 phases in the life of a church
• 7 periods of christendom

I've found very interesting alignments in each of these.

Much love!

Hello @marks,

I would also, like @Hidden In Him, be interested in hearing your findings.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris