HETRICK HOUSE MINISTRIES

Born again, sanctified imagination plants flowers of hope and expectation in the black soil of the garden of disappointment and where the bloom is in the sunshine of the Gospel of the risen Christ.

Take the telescope out of the observatory, then who could see the distant brilliant stars? 
Kill the imagination and who will endeavor to reach the gold streets of the New Jerusalem
author unknown

Thoughts and imaginations have to do with motives, desires and ambitions of the heart but not in an abstract way, because thoughts and imaginations become reality.  God thought of us when He said,   "Let us make man in our image and after our likeness" Gen 1:26  And now here we are - a reality.  I think God even had you, and me in mind when He expressed His thoughts in those marvelous words of Gen 1:26.

Can we then being created in God's image, see our thoughts become reality?  The Bible relates thoughts and imaginations to the heart.

Just before the flood, God looked down on earth --   "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually"  Gen 6:5  But when King David of ancient Israel was turning the kingdom over to his famous son Solomon, David prayed --  "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel, our fathers, keep this (willingness to serve Thee) forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people and prepare their heart unto Thee"  I Chron 29:18

Our motives are more important than what we do; it is better to be wrong with a desire to serve God, than to be right with the wrong motive.  Since our thoughts are so important because they eventually become reality, how do we correct our thoughts?  In Psalm 119:9-11 we are told -- "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.  With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.  We correct our thoughts by seeking God with our "whole heart" in prayer and Bible study.  "For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

David, king of Israel, was greatly favored by God. (see Psalm 89) David prayed these words-- "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

Thoughts are hard to correct because we think that no one knows what we keep secret.  But Romans 2:16 tells us --  "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ."  and eventually our secret thoughts are made known to others on earth according to these verses --  "...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart  brings forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.  Mat 12:34, 35  +++++   
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he... Pro 23:7  
+++++ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Mat 7:20   +++++      Keep your heart (imagination) with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Pro 4:23

Do not underestimate the power of your imagination to change your life and determine your destiny according to your desires.  What we desire is first possessed in our imagination, but it eventually becomes a reality.  The scientific marvels we enjoy, existed first in someone's imagination.  Voltaire, the atheist, desired that all Bibles be destroyed -- he is now in a place where there are no Bibles.

The Bible speaks of imagination as a high and powerful force, and says that imaginations that are exalted against the knowledge of God will be cast down, for even our thoughts must be held captive by our love and obedience to Christ.
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"   II Corinthians 10:5    So we must use this potent power properly to determine a desirable destiny.   "Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart " Psa 37:4 +++++  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind (frame as a picture, imagination) is stayed on Thee; because he trusts in Thee Isa 26:3

We all desire lovely things.  So with our sins washed away in the blood of Jesus, and a sanctified mind, let's imagine a lovely garden, and picture on its lawn of perfect green, arrangements of various beautiful flowers both rare and abundant -- all in full bloom.  Since nothing is impossible to the imagination, we can adorn these alluring blooms with every color of the rainbow, and with an assortment of blending fragrances.

With a very little stretch of the imagination we can call this beautiful happy place Heaven, and step into the very presence of the Creator Himself who has invited us to come boldly to the throne of grace.  Here we can thank Him personally for creating in us desires that he delights to satisfy with enrapturing ecstasy.  We can express our love and thankfulness to the Son of God for dying in our place that we might live forever in a place far more delightful than tongue can tell or mind can imagine.   "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for them that love Him.  But God has revealed them to us by HIS SPIRIT"  I Cor 2:9-10

By the way -- if you have not already guessed, we call this delightful emotional experience "prayer and communion" because it is the desire of the heart that moves the hand of God. (Psa 37:4)  Those who desire Heaven will obtain it, and those who look for Him, will see Him.  When you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you desires He can fulfill both here and hereaafter.  If you think there are pleasures in this world wait till you get to Heaven!     "You (Heavenly Father) will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore  Psa 16:11  Our hearts think about what our affections love, therefore we should do as Col 3:1-2 says  "...seek those things that are above where Christ sits at the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth."

I enjoy imagination so much, that I'm ready to take another Scripture and repeat the process -- are you with me?   "Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"  Phil 4:8

Ephesians 1:17-18  (a prayer)  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; The eyes of your understanding (deep thought, imagination) being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.  Jude 24