Layman's Lounge
The Idea of God.
- Details
- Category: A Deeper Word
- Published: Monday, 21 March 2011 00:41
- Written by Mark Neddeau
- Hits: 1592
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. JOHN 1:1
-and-
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14
Friends, we want to bring to you the concept that will help you focus. The word "WORD" of course comes from LOGOS. It means "thought, concept, or design." But we take it this way: If you are serving God based on your concepts of God, that is the way you view Him instead of the way He views you, you will fail. In prison the idea of God is pretty alluring. Many people have the idea of God as a shovel: designed to dig you out of trouble. Other people have the idea of God as a match-maker: designed to bring you your perfect soul mate. Finally, there is the idea that God is a barterer, do good and he'll give you what you picture for yourself.
God is what God is. Nothing you think of him will change that. I AM THAT I AM. That is the idea of God. God's idea is the one that matters. Circumstantial worship, not consistent worship, is the focus of those who serve the IDEA of God and not God himself. Ask yourself: WHY AM I DOING WHAT I DO? WHAT IS MY MOTIVE? If you cannot say 'BECAUSE HE IS', then you must change your ideas. You must refocus your service. God will continue whether you get what you want, or whether you don't. The idea is to serve him on that basis. HE LOVES YOU, YOU HAVE HIS ATTENTION. Serve him only to serve him. HE IS GOD. His love will become evident to you AS YOU SERVE HIM FOR HIM. The blessings you have been trying to manipulate, the idea you had of doing good to get good will fall by the wayside and the easiness of loving God will become evident. JOY IS IN THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE IDEA OF GOD IS TO SERVE HIM JUST BECAUSE HE IS.
In Love,
Elder Mark and Sister Dana
-and-
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14
Friends, we want to bring to you the concept that will help you focus. The word "WORD" of course comes from LOGOS. It means "thought, concept, or design." But we take it this way: If you are serving God based on your concepts of God, that is the way you view Him instead of the way He views you, you will fail. In prison the idea of God is pretty alluring. Many people have the idea of God as a shovel: designed to dig you out of trouble. Other people have the idea of God as a match-maker: designed to bring you your perfect soul mate. Finally, there is the idea that God is a barterer, do good and he'll give you what you picture for yourself.
God is what God is. Nothing you think of him will change that. I AM THAT I AM. That is the idea of God. God's idea is the one that matters. Circumstantial worship, not consistent worship, is the focus of those who serve the IDEA of God and not God himself. Ask yourself: WHY AM I DOING WHAT I DO? WHAT IS MY MOTIVE? If you cannot say 'BECAUSE HE IS', then you must change your ideas. You must refocus your service. God will continue whether you get what you want, or whether you don't. The idea is to serve him on that basis. HE LOVES YOU, YOU HAVE HIS ATTENTION. Serve him only to serve him. HE IS GOD. His love will become evident to you AS YOU SERVE HIM FOR HIM. The blessings you have been trying to manipulate, the idea you had of doing good to get good will fall by the wayside and the easiness of loving God will become evident. JOY IS IN THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE IDEA OF GOD IS TO SERVE HIM JUST BECAUSE HE IS.
In Love,
Elder Mark and Sister Dana