Guidance
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30
STORY
Norman Vincent Peale was an internationally recognized minister and philosopher who made “the power of positive thinking” a household phrase. He spent his tenure as the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City from 1932 until his death in 1984. Peale began his career as a Methodist pastor before becoming a cleric in the Reformed Church in America denomination. He died on Christman Eve in 1993.
Peale was an Ohio-born son of a circuit-riding Methodist preacher. Peale became known as “the minister to millions,” because of his compelling, folksy preaching and motivational lectures, prolific writing and innovative integration of psychology and religion.
Peale wrote more than 40 books. His seminal work, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” was translated into 42 languages and sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. It is one of the all-time best-selling books of nonfiction. Written in 1952 when he was 54, the book became an immediate hit. Although it sparked sharp controversy among Peale’s fellow clerics, it soon became the model for self-help and motivational books that continues even to today.
Peale was a prominent of the theological school known as the prosperity gospel, whose basic tenant is that God will bless believers, especially with financial wealth. Theologians criticized his simplistic message by saying “Paul appealing and Peale appalling.”
Peale and his wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, co-founded the Peale Center for Christian Living and were co-publishers of Guideposts, a monthly inspirational magazine with millions of subscribers across the nation.
Large audiences across the land revered Peale, who traveled an average of 200,000 miles a year to spread his positive-thinking principles. Many of the rich and famous, including presidents from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush, were among his close friends and admirers.
My story for today is that Norman and Ruth Peale shared adjoining offices at the Foundation for Christian Living in Pawling, New York. Mrs. Peale relates that whenever her husband had a problem, he would ask her to come to his office. Then Dr. Peale would simply say, “I think we should ask for help.” Then they would pray, “Lord, You know what this problem is. Guide us in the right direction. Make us receptive to Your will, and thank You for Your help.” Then Dr. and Mrs. Peale would sit quietly, disposed to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
DEVOTION
The Peals were wise enough to understand the truth of Paul’s words when the apostle wrote, “Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God.” We should always be in conversation with God, but especially when we are perplexed. It is in this moment of despair that the comforting presence of our Heavenly Parent is sought; for only the Lord can give us the assurance and guidance that we so desperately seek. Anguished over the day’s events and uncertain about tomorrow, we pray and wait patiently for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Points to Ponder
> From our reading this morning this morning from Norman Vincent Peale’s life, how do you find God’s guidance? How do you ascertain God’s wisdom in your life?
o For me: The Cambridge Dictionary defines wisdom as “the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgements.” I hope that God’s wisdom informs all that I do, though properly discerning this is a watery task. The problem is discerning between what I want and what God wants for me. I must rely on the nudge of the Holy Spirit for it will seldom be a tug, the reading of the scriptures, devotional reading, and the advice of my Christian brethren.
> Do you ask God for advice?
o For me: I am probably too dependent on God. Don’t get me wrong but I probably ask God for guidance in so many trivially things that I can do on my own volition.
> How does God advise you?
o For me: I truly wish that it was easy to discern God’s direction for my life. Sometimes this is very apparent, though most times it is clouded. As I wrote earlier, I am dependent on guidance form “the nudge of the Holy Spirit for it will seldom be a tug, the reading of the scriptures, devotional reading, and the advice of my Christian brethren.”
> A significant part of seeking God’s guidance is your daily prayer list. How does your prayer list reflect your relationship to God?
o For me: For many years my prayer list looked like a Christmas shopping list. I want this. I need that. One day I realized that I needed to acknowledge God’s blessings in my life and answered prayers. So now, I put a pulse (+) sign next to blessings and answered prayer. I make sure that a number of plus (+) signs appear on each of my weekly prayer list. Another problem that I also encountered was how to take an issue or an individual off of my prayer list. I resolved that by deciding that every Saturday morning after my daily devotions I would tear up my list and throw it away, and on Sunday morning start a new list.
Please share other Points to Ponder so I can update my list
Please share your thoughts with me – if you desire I will publish them for others to read anonymously or first name only or your entire name as you choose