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SITE: Word Definitions (Christian)

♦ CHRISTIAN Transcendence
Both Christianity & Psychology are concerned with answering Qs & discovering As about human actions & functions of the mind, to benefit individuals & society.

There’s truth in Maslow’s theory, which is why it’s been so widely adopted in Western education & business practices.  However, critically thinking Christians understands that his hierarchy ignores our animal instinct is not always noble or good, & that humanity cannot transcend those base reactions without divine help & inspiration.

A truly Christian understanding of human transcendence contradicts Maslow, the humanist, who said that man provides for his own needs – or fails to grow.
Instead – in Luke 12:7 – Christ is saying: “Let everything rest on me. Let our relationship be your balancing point. Let me transcend your hierarchy of needs into something glorious.”  (More…. article #3) and (More….)

♦ SPIRITUAL FOOD
In I Timothy 1:1-19 the Apostle Paul tells us that Sound Doctrine (the Scriptures) is Healthy instruction (teaching).  Heb 5:14 says that “…. But solid food is for adults, that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil.”

The New Testament prescribes a healthy diet of spiritual food made up of:
CHRIST – as our center – “For to me to live is Christ.” Phil. 1:21
LOVE – “….that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:13
GRACE – “the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, I Tim 1:14 ….He hath given us everlasting consolation & good hope by grace …” 2 Thess 2:16
GOSPEL – “the gospel of your salvation, having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” Ephe. 1:13
EDIFICATION (encourage & instruct Truth) “Therefore encourage one another & build up one another…” I Thess 5:11.
“All Scripture is inspired by God & profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” 2 Tim 3:16
(Pyramid)

♦ DISAPPOINTMENTS
Life can be full of disappointments – from people, circumstances …..  which come from our expectations not being met. Then some of us cry out “Why, God, is this happening to me?”

If we make the decision to let disappointment fester, we’ll feel discouraged. If unchecked, it becomes disillusion. The wedge is driven deeper, proceeding to depression… and ultimately we end up defeated.

This is one of the ways the Evil One uses our human weaknesses to :
a. take things personally (very little is about us!!)
b. keep us from taking responsibility for our own actions & desires
c. keep us from believing that “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28

When faced with life’s disappointments, we can choose to focus on them, or on our God. We can choose to be thankful…for something…anything! which turns our attention from our ourselves, no matter what we’re going through. A heart of gratitude will change our attitude! (Pyramid)

 

1. BROAD – We can use this pyramid to make lists of People, Places & Situations to pray for every day – from the bottom up.
Then the next chart deals with one’s personal self-issues.

The 6 parts of the Lord’s Prayer:
a. We benefit by accepting God as our Savior, but this is never forced on anyone
b. Trusting God is not easy – it means giving up control & relying on HP instead of self or other humans
c. God knows what we need, but having free will, we need to decide what we want, & then ask
d. We need food for the body & the soul, but it’s God who provides a sense of deep peace, whether in good times or bad
e. We’re not perfect, & cannot undo our sin nature or sinful behavior – which must be acknowledged to lose their sting
f. When wants define our lives instead of needs, we’re subject to jealousy, greed, & selfishness. The good news is that God will fight for our soul even when we go astray (MORE….)

NEXT: Beliefs #2