Tag: contemplative prayer

Christian

Unveiling David’s Secret: Loving and Cherishing God’s Word

Cindy Dawson

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22

There are no words I would rather hear from the Lord than “She is a woman after my own heart; she will do everything I want her to do.”

I sought to understand how David did this. How was he able to do everything God wanted him to do? How did he know and do God’s will? How was he so different than others that God would say such a beautiful thing about him?

The answer is found in Psalm 119. David repeatedly proclaims how much he loves God’s Word. Here are a few important verses, but I urge you to read the entire Psalm HERE. Notice that this man whom God called “a man after my own heart” loved and cherished God’s Holy Word.

“I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
 for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.” Psalm 119:46-47

I think David is saying, “I will not be intimidated by anyone’s status. I will speak God’s Truth.”

“The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” vs. 72

If we want to be a woman (or man) “after God’s own heart”, we must be a lover of His Word. This is how we will do “everything He wants us to do.” There is no other way.

New Age-influenced “Bible teachers” have taught a way to pray called contemplative prayer. This method teaches Christians to have a conversation or dialog with God. They say, “God said this. I said that. Then God said…” etc.

There is nothing in the Bible to back this up. This is New Age mysticism. The Bible is our treasure. Why must we always search for something more? (Read a brief description of contemplative prayer HERE, or an in-depth description HERE.)

If we want to know God’s will, we must read and study the Word of God: the Bible. Then we must obey what it says.

This may not always be easy. Social pressure to go along with the world is tremendous. But the person who does God’s will is the person who knows His Word and obeys it.

“The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

This verse tells me that God’s Word can and should be trusted. It will make even the simple person wise. But contemplative prayer seeks more than what is written in God’s Word. The person engaging in contemplative prayer seeks a supernatural experience. But God’s Word is sufficient.

“Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.” Psalm 119:43 NIV

“Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.” vs.53

“I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.” vs. 125

“Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.” vs. 136

“My zeal wears me out,
    for my enemies ignore your words.” vs. 139

These proclamations by David reveal his heart, his love for, and his respect for God’s Word. Remember, it is God’s Word that equips you for service.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (emphasis mine)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

All Scripture references are NIV.

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Christian

Is Knowing God a Mystical Experience ?

Cindy Dawson

I was once deceived by false teachers. Now I realize that the Word of God is my greatest treasure because knowing God’s Word is our protection against deception. If you know the Bible well you will recognize false teaching when you hear it.

That’s why I warn others to read the Bible before reading books about the Bible. That’s exactly how I was led astray by false teaching: by reading books written by false teachers. Of course, I didn’t know they were false at the time, but in my enthusiasm to learn, I was led astray. And so were many others.

Learning God’s Word takes time and discipline, but it is essential for knowing the only true God. If you want to know God, turn to His Word. Can you imagine how many pages of notes it would take to write down everything the Bible teaches us about God, His attributes, and character?

Countless books have been written about how to intimately know God. Unfortunately, many of these books refer to mystical practices, such as contemplative prayer. But these practices are based on New Age, Hindu, and Buddhist beliefs. I come across these books or quotes by New Age teachers all the time.

If you don’t know the person being quoted, try this. Google: “Is ______ a false teacher?” If a discernment ministry has researched this person it will pop up. This is how I have discovered that several “Christian” writers were in fact steeped in occult beliefs. Of course, you must evaluate what is said and use discernment.

Pagan practices may result in a “feeling” of supernatural power which some mistake for the presence of God. One example is to repeat a mantra, to empty your mind, and to listen for God to speak. However, you will find this nowhere in the Bible. In fact, this is a dangerous practice based on the occult which the Bible warns us against.

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1

People want to experience the supernatural. They look for it and are enticed by it.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly].” Philippians 3:10 AMPC

But Paul also said this, “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” 2 Corinthians 11:4

That tells me that some will come preaching a different Jesus, calling on a different spirit, and proclaiming a different gospel. This is not the Jesus we want to know. We want to know the only true and living God and Jesus His Son.

What is this different Jesus? It is one who doesn’t proclaim the truth of Scripture and is often in conflict with Scripture. It might be enticing and sound exciting but don’t be fooled by your emotions. Our emotions can lead us to believe what we want to be true instead of what IS true.

In these perilous times and in the days ahead, the truth of God’s Word is our most precious treasure and protection against evil. Do not look to mystics or pagan religions, like Buddhism or Hinduism, to learn how to know God. The Bible will teach you everything you need to know.

You can learn more about the dangers of contemplative prayer here.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

Photo by Tim Riesner on Unsplash

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Christian, God

Listening Prayer: What It Is And Why You Need to Know

Cindy Dawson

When you listen to a Bible teacher, do you ask yourself, “Is this taught in the Bible?” Or is this someone’s insight or opinion? There is a lot of “Bible teaching” that is not based on Scripture but based on the individual’s own learning and insights. Ask yourself, “Where did they learn this? Who do they learn from?”

Sometimes you can learn a lot from researching who they follow. You may discover that this “Bible teacher” is learning from some unbiblical sources. You would be surprised how many well-known “Bible teachers” subscribe to New Age thought. This is very dangerous.

One such teaching is “Listening Prayer”. GotQuestions.org has an excellent article on this topic. I urge you to read it. What is Listening Prayer?

Another great source to learn more about this topic and where it came from is the video Wide Is The Gate 2 (5 of 5) The Emerging New Christianity: The Contemplative Mystical Movement. Watch it here.

You can learn more about Caryl Matrisclana and Wide Is the Gate at Bruce Cooper’s excellent blog, Reasoned Cases for Christ here.

Jesus prayed to the Father for us,

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV

He taught us how to pray,

 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13 NASB

The Bible, God’s Word, is our only source of Truth. This is how God speaks to His children. Read it every day.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

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