Tuesday, July 20, 2010

ASK, BELIEVE, RECEIVE

Earlier this year, I read a book called 'The Secret'. It isn't a Christian book; but it used christian principles to explain some theories.
The book talks about the creative process and explains that this theory was taken from the New Testament in the Bible. The creative process is an easy guideline to create what you want in three simple steps:

Step 1: ASK
'The Secret' states that you must be clear about what you want. If you're not clear, then you will not get want you want.You don't have to ask over and over again. After all, you don't order something from a catalogue over and over again. You order once, so ask once.

STEP 2: BELIEVE
The book says that once you have asked, you must believe that you have received. You must know that what you want is yours the moment you ask. You must have complete and utter faith.

"See the things that you want as already yours. Know that they will come to you at need. Don't fret and worry about them. Don't think about your lack of them. Think of them as yours, as belonging to you, as already in your possession." (Robert Collier 1885-1950)

How your prayers will be answered is not your concern or job. When you wonder about the how, you're just exhibiting a lack of faith.

STEP 3: RECEIVE
Feel and act as though you have received it. Begin to feel wonderful about it. Feel the way it will feel once it arrives.

I have listened to a wide range of sermons preached on this topic, especially sermons on faith. Immediately after listening to such sermons, I apply these principles to everything, but after a while I forget, and I become preoccupied with other things.

However, when I read this book which is clearly not a christian book, it struck me that more and more non christians are tapping into christian principles and are using them to prosper and forge ahead in life.

Meanwhile, a lot of us christians have become so fearful and so devil focussed that we have missed the plot. We are not using the guidelines given to us in the Bible to live our lives.

I read this book over and over again, and decided that I would apply these principles all the time - in and out of season. As a result, I have worked harder this year than I have worked in a long time. I know that I won't get what I want by lying on my bed all day dreaming about all my answered prayers; but it doesn't feel like work because I am acting to receive.

"And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and (really) believing , you will receive." (Mathew 21:22 Amp)

"For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident)that it is granted to you, and you will (get it)". (Mark 11:24 Amp.)

Remember that Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. (Gen 15:6)