The Secret Is Out

Linda S. Norwood
Heaven’s Dew Publications


“I think I can I think I can I think can…” said the little engine that could. The Little Engine that Could, also known as The Pony Engine, is a book often used to teach children the value of optimism. It encourages thinking positively so that you can get what you want. (Read The Little Engine that Could, Wikapedia)
This ideal, that we can have or be whatever we think, is permeated throughout our culture. This is evident in a quick search on “self help” at Amazon.com, with the following results:
Books (90,809)
DVD (1,885)
VHS (1,767)
Music (256)
Everything Else (126)

There were over 90,000 book titles on how to “think good thoughts” and make your self better because of it. One of the recently popular titles is The Secret, written by Rhonda Byrne.

This book was released in 2006, and has been discussed on well known talk shows like Oprah and Larry King Live. “The book asserts that our feelings and thoughts attract real events in the world into our lives; from the workings of the cosmos to interactions among individuals in their physical, emotional, and professional affairs. The film suggests that there has been a strong tendency by those in positions of power to keep this central principle hidden from the public” (The Secret, Wikipedia). Plainly put, the basic premise is that if you think positively and ask for what you want you will get it. It also encourages being nice to others so that “niceness” will come back to you etc. (Sound familiar?) It seems to have the recipe for success, happiness and prosperity doesn’t it.

What is interesting to me is that the Word of God, the Bible has always contained all that is needed for a life to be filled with goodness, success, and prosperity. Within its pages the goodness of God unfolds and the principles of His Kingdom which is the way He rules, governs and operates are revealed. Proverbs 23:7 tells us know that as a person thinks in his/her heart that is what they are. Galatians 6:7 says whatever a person sows or gives out, good or bad, is what they will receive in return. Additionally, Matthew 15:18-19 reveals that the things we say and do are a reflection of what is really going on inside of us. It says for from your heart (inner most being) come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things; to rob, lie, and slander others. These and other negative things/sins keep us from moving forward. The teaching of Jesus makes it very clear that it is the condition of our inner most being that affects us and those around us. You see it is the heart of mankind that He came over two thousand years ago to change. This is why He emphasized love. God’s kind of love which is real and true is not based on how you feel at the moment or on sex appeal. That God kind of love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. It isn't selfish or quick tempered and doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. That kind of love never fails! (I Corinthians 13: 4-8) It is willing to hang in there when times get tough.

Many truths and principles have been extracted from the Scriptures and turned into formulas and confessions. Much attention is being turned to the words we say and rightfully so. Again the Bible lets us know how powerful our words actually are. In fact Proverbs 18:21 states that life and death is in the power of the tongue. Another scripture clearly shows that the entire course/direction of our lives can be changed by taking control of our words (James 3:1-5). Isn’t that exciting! The Word of God is rich and is a wonderful solid foundation on which our lives can be built.

However, the most profound difference in the message of such books as The Secret is the exclusion of God. The Author says to ask the Universe for what you want. This idea has its link to the philosophy called Humanism. Humanism is primarily centered on the values, interests, and potential of man. It entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests focusing on man’s capacity for “self-determination” rather than the validity of a higher way of life based upon a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or divinely revealed texts/scriptures. Humanists endorse universal morality based on the commonality of human nature, suggesting that solutions to human social and cultural problems cannot be parochial.” All of this is to say that the power to control our lives and the very world we live in is within each of us. The basic problem with this is that we as human beings can not even explain, without any doubt, how we even got here, how the planet was created, and so on and so on. So how can we presuppose that we in and of ourselves have the power to control something that we can not even explain?

People seem to be looking to themselves for something that can only be found in God. The Bible says,

“The basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-23 the Message


The Harris Poll conducted online by Harris Interactive® between October 4 and 10, 2006 with a nationwide sample of 2,010 U.S. adults found that 73% of US adults are at least somewhat certain that there is a God. So, let’s put this belief into action. I say why ask the universe when you can have a personal relationship with the true and living God the Creator of the universe. Let’s have faith in this God who is the creator of all things.

God has created this universe and everything in it, and He desires for us to know, love and be in relationship with Him. God made this possible through His son Jesus (Romans 3: 25-26). Yes, when anyone invites Jesus into their heart, they enter into divine relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How truly awesome that is! There are so many wonderful things available to the person who loves God and is committed to be led by the Holy Spirit.

The problem is that oftentimes people want the benefits of the principles of God without being accountable to Him. They want to do whatever seems right in their own eyes buying into the lies of the enemy, Satan, through ideas of positive thinking and humanism, that they can control their lives apart from God. The enemy Satan is a counterfeiter. He subtly twists the truth. His demonic influence on people causes them to have a form of godliness but all the while denying the power and authority of God Himself (2 Timothy 3:5). Only the sons and daughters of God can truly enjoy all of the rights and privileges of the Kingdom of God because indeed He has hidden them for us.

Therefore be alert. We are living in the end times and deception is running rampantly, as prophesized. The Lord God Jehovah is the source of true prosperity which encompasses much more than money, but does include it.

If you desire a real relationship with Almighty God which will enable you to experience a love, joy, peace and prosperity that you’ve never known before, give your life to Jesus. Ask Him to come into your heart, that deepest place inside of you, and fill up all the empty spaces. Be willing to allow Him to help you make the changes in your life that you know are necessary.
Receive the Holy Spirit Who is available and willing to lead you into all truth (John 16:13) as you study the Bible.

I am not trying to paint a rosy picture of a trouble free life once you’ve accepted Jesus. There will be difficult times. I am saying that with Jesus as our Savior we have victory over and in spite of the tough times (John 16:33). We will be able to live above the chaos and remain in God’s peace for indeed God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble. (Psalms 46:1).

Be encouraged and refreshed.
Resources

Simplicity

This morning was difficult. Before I even got out of bed, my trying to reason and figure things out began to give me a headache. I got up prayed and remembered how good God has been to me. I felt better and went for a walk. However the thoughts of my circumstances resurfaced and began to overwhelm me. I sat on our deck out back trying not to feel sorry for myself knowing that it is unproductive and that there are others worse off than I. Still I just felt tired. Tired of being strong and tired of the fight. Depression hovered and the tears began to fall. My son came out and said,” you’ll be alright “I responded, “I know. It will pass it always does.” After he went inside I moved to another area of the yard and noticed a little girl playing in the cul-de-sac nearby. She walked up an incline sat in a small contraption with wheels then slid down several times. She found enjoyment in this simple activity. Once she tried sliding down backwards, but stopped. It was too difficult because her balance was off and she couldn’t get the same momentum as when she was facing forward. So she went back up a little ways faced forward and continued having fun. Seeing this helped me. I was reminded from scripture that we are to be as little children in many ways.
Luke 18:17 GNB says,
Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
Romans 14:17 GNB for God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

I had not been experiencing the peace and joy available to me even though I’ve been made righteous through accepting Jesus Christ. Why? Because I had been trying to figure things out and not completely cast my concerns over on the One who can handle all of my stuff. I also realized how important it is to keep moving forward. Looking backward is a hindrance. I have to purpose to really trust God in and for everything. Becoming like a little child doesn’t mean you become irresponsible it just means you do what you can do then leave the rest up to God. You see children with good parents don’t worry. They trust that their parents will take care of them. Children are not complicated. They find joy in simple things like rolling down a hill.
Thank You Lord for the lesson on simplicity!

Who Do You Think You Are?

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see someone blessed and loved by God or do you see an old filthy rag? Do you think you have value? These questions are important because according to Proverbs 23:7, a person is as he/she thinks in his/her heart. You are loved and have value and worth in the eyes of God, not just after you get born again by accepting Jesus as your personal Savior, but in what ever state you find yourself. Please pay close attention to Romans 5:6-8 GNB:
(6) For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose.
(7) It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a righteous person. It may even be that someone might dare to die for a good person.
(8) But God has shown us how much he loves us---it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!

What a wonderful Savior! Clearly, it was out of Gods unconditional love for us that He sent Jesus to die to pay the price for our sins. Remember John 3:16.

But it doesn’t stop there. After receiving Jesus as your Savior, He wipes the slate clean. No matter what sins you’ve committed or how dirty you think you still are because of your past, you are made brand new by the blood of Jesus. Read it for yourself.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Darby
(17) So if any one be in Christ, there is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold all things have become new:
(18) And all things are of the God who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation.

Thank God He’s not holding our past against us. Jesus’ death reconciled us to God and restored our relationship with Him. We no longer belong to Satan but to God.

You might be saying,” I don’t feel like a new person, and sometimes I don’t even feel saved.” First of all salvation is not based on how or what you feel. It is based on Who you believe in. That Who, is Jesus. (Read Romans 10:9)

The truth is that when you get born again it is your spirit man (the real you) that is changed not your physical body. In order to begin to experience changes in how you behave, your attitudes, thoughts and even feelings, you must begin to read and study the word of God to see who you are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:2 GNB
(2) Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

The way to change the outward behavior is to first be changed or transformed inwardly. That happens as your mind is renewed by the word of God.
Therefore it is necessary to have a fresh prayer life daily and to read the Bible, especially focusing and meditating on the scriptures that give you your identity.

So, the next time someone says, “Just who do you think you are?” tell them, without flinching, I am a child of the Most High God. Hallelujah!