Faith Based Imagination

Faith Based Imagination

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Last week we closed in prayer time with a song by Elevation Worship called: “With You.” The opening words say: “Beneath the surface of my anxious imagination, beckons a calmness that is found in You alone.
In my morning reading time with God, that phrase “anxious imagination” kept playing over in my mind.

Then I read Psalm 94 and various verses seemed to highlight themselves to me.

Text: Psalms 77:6-13, Psalms 94:19
Ps 94:19 “the multitude of my anxieties”
“Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight.” Passion T

Anxiety = Intense faith in the worst possible outcome.
I think worry is a synonym for anxious imagination.
Where does worry come from? And why am I so prone to go there?
Worry imagines the worst that can happen.
What is the opposite of worry? Faith in God.

One of the reasons I love the verse in Eph 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” - Is because it is an invitation to use my imagination to dream and fantasize with God.

Experiment with sitting down with God and begin to imagine the best possible things that could happen in any hard situation you go through – if God was in charge – If God’s presence was with you in the middle of the issue.
Sit with Him and imagine for a while, then pray His heart over those imaginations.

94:11-13a
The word “instruct” = to discipline, correct, chastise, reform, teach.
GW adds – coach, train, prepare.

When I bend myself to the ways of God, His law, His truth sets me in order so my life is not controlled by other things.
His truth, His presence guides me.

Psa.77:6-13
Passion Translation Ver. 6 Then I remembered the worship songs I used to sing in the night seasons, and my heart began to fill again with thoughts of You. So my spirit went out once more in search of You.

13 It is here in Your presence, in Your sanctuary, where I learn more of Your ways. For Your holiness is revealed in everything You do. Lord, You’re the one and only, the great and glorious God!

Don’t wait for Sunday morning!
Become skilled at going into the presence of God right where you are at.
Close your eyes (unless you are driving) and let your soul, your spirit reach out in search for His presence.

Ps 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.

Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Ps 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.