TEN PROBLEM SOLVING DEVICES

 

#1—Rebound How ironic that one of the exceptional mysteries in the Christian life is the meaning of and method for attaining spirituality. Spirituality, the absolute status of fellowship with God, is not dependent on pious living, penance, remorse, guilt, confession to others, but is a system of privacy and freedom that depends solely on God’s grace. You can learn in a matter of minutes the uncomplicated procedure for gaining and maintaining spirituality and use it to pursue a lifetime of meaning, purpose, and definition. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 83–90, 136–140)

 

#2—The Filling of the Holy Spirit The biblical mandate “to be filled with the Spirit” is not an order to undergo emotional ecstatics or to raise your consciousness to mystically commune with God. Through rebound every Church Age believer has the privilege and opportunity of being controlled by God the Holy Spirit. He empowers you to reject the sin nature’s control of your life, metabolize the message from the Bible, and grow in the unique spiritual life. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 90–99)

 

#3—The Faith-Rest Drill As a growing but still immature believer, what do you do when difficulty strikes? Do you seek counsel from others, lean on your Christian friends, or just deny the existence of a problem? Learn the technique of clinging to God’s promises until they become more real to you than your emotions, your experience, your circumstances, or your problems. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 99–208)

 

#4—Grace Orientation Arrogance creates problems; humility solves problems. When you grasp God’s grace policy and how little you deserve the inconceivable bounty He provides, your soul is humbled within. Learn humility—the attitude for teachability and problem solving—and build Christian virtue. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 200–277)

 

#5—Doctrinal Orientation How can you concentrate on your obligations and enjoy a relaxed mental attitude when problems intrude on every aspect of your life? Learn to think with the “mind of Christ” and apply that thinking to your circumstances. When you are inculcated with doctrinal norms and standards, you rely on the Lord, make good decisions from a position of strength, and employ the problem-solving devices of spiritual maturity. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 277–325)

 

#6—A Personal Sense of Destiny Do you recognize your personal potential in the plan of God? Do you have a sense of your spiritual destiny? With confidence born from a ripening spiritual maturity you can learn to live in the light of an eternally secure future. Adversity fades in proximity to the spiritual self-esteem generated from a limitless relationship with the Lord. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 326–513)

 

#7—Personal Love for God the Father When you understand God’s perfect essence and orient to His grace and His Word, you become motivated by an attitude of admiration and reverence toward Him. You learn to conform to His precedent of virtue and integrity. This motivational virtue based on absolute confidence in the divine ability to care for you supports and sustains momentum for problem solving and courage in the face of adversity. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 514–517)

 

#8—Impersonal Love for All Mankind What is the most severe test in life? People! Learn to exhibit virtue-love, even toward those who are obnoxious or evil. When you obey and imitate the Lord, you can repay insults with patience and humility, antagonism with compassion and kindness, and reserve the tranquillity in your own soul. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 675–708)

 

#9—Sharing the Happiness of God Does your happiness depend upon people, circumstances, or the details of life? Learn to have an attitude of optimism, confidence, animation, and joy in the face of adversity, stress, and pressure. When your spiritual life takes precedence over circumstances, you carry God’s happiness with you as a constant companion. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 781–790)

 

#10—Occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ Are you always looking for a role model in life? You already have one! During the Incarnation, our Lord displayed impeccable spirituality, faith-rest, grace and doctrinal orientation, fulfillment of His destiny, personal and impersonal love, and the happiness of God. Now, your mental attitude can reflect the ultimate problem-solving perspective through occupation with Him. (Series No. 376, Spiritual Dynamics, lessons 929–930)