Problem-solving device #1: Rebound

Rebound means, “to bounce back” into fellowship with God by naming, admitting, acknowledging, or citing known sins to Him.  When we name or admit our known sins to God, He not only forgives us those sins, He purifies us from all wrongdoing (sins we did not know were sins and sins we have forgotten).  We are then restored to fellowship with Him and once again under the control of the Holy Spirit.  This is the Biblical means of being spiritual.  Spirituality is not dependent on a system of overt activities, avoidance of certain taboos, penance, sorrow, or confession of sin to another person. Rebound solves the problems of 1] being out of fellowship with God, 2] being controlled by the sin nature, and 3] quenching or grieving the Holy Spirit. (I John 1:7-9)

Problem-solving device #2: Filling of the Holy Spirit

The Filling of the Holy Spirit means to be controlled by and guided by the Holy Spirit.  It is NOT an overt or emotional experience; it is a fact stated in God’s Word for us to believe.  It is the empowerment that we need to learn and apply His Word, reject the sin nature control of our lives and execute the Victorious Christian Way of Life.  The filling of the Holy Spirit is an absolute.  You are either 100% controlled by the Holy Spirit or 100% controlled by your sin nature. The filling of the Holy Spirit is the means whereby the believer can produce the character of Jesus Christ in his life.  The filling of the Spirit solves the problem of being controlled by the sin nature and the lack of power to execute the Christian Way of Life.  (Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 5:18; I John 1:5-10; I Corinthians 2:9-16)

The Greek word for “filling” is “pleroo”, which has four meanings that all apply to the filling ministry of the Holy Spirit.

1. To fill up a deficiency – Without the power and control of the Holy Spirit, the believer has no ability to learn and apply Bible doctrine.  In other words, he is deficient of the doctrinal information necessary to execute the Christian Way of Life.(Colossians 1:25; I John 4:4)
2. To be fully possessed – Since God the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in this Age, the potential exists for him to be fully controlled by God’s supernatural power.  This means that the believer can reside in God’s plan by utilizing God’s system. (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
3. To be fully influenced – If the Holy Spirit is allowed to fill the deficiency and fully possess the believer’s life, then every area of that life will be influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit.  If the power of the Holy Spirit is rejected, the believer is going to be fully influenced by Satan’s cosmic system. (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18)
4. To be filled with a certain quality – There is no higher quality that the integrity of God.  It is this quality that becomes resident in the soul of the believer as the Holy Spirit is allowed to control, possess and influence the soul.  It is also this quality that leads a believer to spiritual maturity.(Ephesians 3:19, 4:10; Philippians 1:11; I John 1:4; Revelation 3:2) 

Problem-solving device #3: Faith-Rest Technique

The Faith-Rest Technique is mixing the promises of God with your faith (belief), applying accurate doctrine and reaching the correct doctrinal conclusion.  Rather than seeking counsel from others or going into denial, we need to learn to claim the promises of God by faith.  This means that the promises of God should be more real to us that our experiences, our emotions, our problems, or our circumstances.  This technique, when properly used, results in a relaxed mental attitude about everything in life.  The Faith-Rest Technique solves the problem of mental attitude sins such as fear, worry and anxiety. (Hebrews 4:1-3)

Problem-solving device #4: Grace Orientation

Grace Orientation means becoming familiar with God’s grace policy toward the believer at salvation, for the spiritual life, and the fantastic blessings that accompany each.  Grace Orientation is the realization that everything we have is due to God’s grace.  It also means, learning to apply God’s grace policies to every situation.  Learning humility – the attitude for teachability and problem solving – is a part of this doctrine.  Grace Orientation solves the problem of human merit for salvation and for spirituality.  It solves the problem of becoming legalistic or self-righteous, as well.  (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 4:6)

Problem-solving device #5: Doctrinal Orientation

Doctrinal Orientation means learning and applying Bible doctrine (the mind of Christ), which results in Divine Viewpoint Thinking.  Learning to think as Christ thinks and applying that thinking to your circumstances is Doctrinal Orientation.   Bible doctrine learned and believed changes the norms and standards of the believer from human to divine, which enables you to trust the Lord for everything, make good decisions and use the Problem-Solving Devices constantly.  Doctrinal Orientation solves the problem of not knowing God, His mandates and His perfect will for our lives.  It also solves the problem of Human Viewpoint Thinking, human norms and standards, and reliance upon self. (Romans 12:1-2)

Problem-solving device #6: A Personal Sense of Destiny

A Personal Sense of Destiny is understanding who you are, and what you have, as a result of being in union with Christ.  It is recognizing the potential that you have for fulfilling God’s plan and living your spiritual life in light of eternity.  A Personal Sense of Destiny is the development of spiritual self-esteem, which changes the way we talk to self, to others and to God.  Learning and applying this problem-solving device is the first stage of spiritual adulthood.  It is the place where you realize all that God has done for you, is doing for you and is going to do for you.  This doctrine solves the problem of not knowing our importance to God and His individual plan for our lives, both now and in the future.  (Philippians 1:21; I Peter 1:3-5)

Problem-solving device #7: Personal Love for God

Personal Love for God means we have learned to love God.  You can love God only if you know Him through the study of His Word.  We learn about God by learning about His character and His attributes.  Personal love depends on the object of our love not on the subject. Personal love for God is based on our thinking, not our emotions.  Love for God motivates the believer to develop integrity and virtue in his soul.  It develops confidence in God’s plan to sustain you as you execute the Christian Way of Life.  Personal Love for God solves the problem of lack of gratitude regarding all of God’s provisions and the lack of motivation to execute His plan. (Deuteronomy 6:5; I Peter 1:8)

Problem-solving device #8: Impersonal Love for All Mankind

Impersonal Love for all Mankind means we are to love the entire human race. This is possible only with virtue and integrity in our souls.  This is a relaxed mental attitude that exhibits the character of Christ towards everyone.  It is unconditional love, because it does not depend on the object of your love; it depends on the integrity in your soul.  Impersonal love is not what we normally think of as “love”: it is how we treat others.  When we have developed impersonal love, we treat others with kindness, patience, forgiveness and respect.  This means setting aside our “pet prejudices” regarding race, social status, ability, appearance or what they can or cannot do for us.  This Problem-Solving Device solves the problem of your relationship with and attitude toward people. (James 2:8)

Problem-solving device #9: Sharing the Happiness of God

Sharing the Happiness of God means that we tap into God’s happiness by following His predesigned plan for us, which produces a permanent contentment in the soul.  We must first create an environment in our souls for happiness.  God’s happiness is based on the truth of His Word.  Therefore, we can share His happiness only if we have truth (Bible doctrine) stored in our souls.  Sharing God’s happiness is not for the weak, uninformed novice believer.  You can’t share in something you know nothing about.  As we abide in Christ, and His Word abides in us, we share His joy (happiness).  This means that our happiness does not depend on people or circumstances.  God’s happiness replaces the conditional, temporary, false happiness of the world.  It solves the problems of unhappiness, pessimism, worry, complaining and lack of confidence. (John 15:11)

Problem-solving device #10: Occupation With Christ

Occupation with Christ means that we follow His example (our perfect role model) by learning to think in the same manner that He thinks (Divine Viewpoint Thinking), by obeying divine mandates as He did, by making good decisions from a position of strength as He did and by using the Problem-Solving Devices as He did.  Christ used eight of the ten problem solving devices to always maintain a perfect mental attitude (He didn’t need Rebound or Occupation with Christ) and to live an impeccable life.  It is impossible to be occupied with someone that you do not know personally.  You can get to know the Lord Jesus Christ only by learning, believing and applying the truth of His Word and by understanding His uniqueness.  Jesus Christ is the God-Man that voluntarily became a man, restricting the use of His deity. He executed the spiritual life while perfectly fulfilling God the Father’s plan for Him.  Occupation with Christ solves the problem of self-deception, self-justification and self-absorption (total preoccupation with self). (Ephesians 3:19; Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 2:5)

Conclusion

A perfect God has a perfect plan for you.  It is God’s desire that every believer live a happy, successful and victorious life.  All the solutions to life’s problems are wrapped up in the Problem-Solving Device System.  God knew everything that would ever happen to each one of us, and has made provision for each one.  From the Rebound recovery system to the control of the Holy Spirit to Occupation with Christ, God did not forget to provide us with all the necessary tools to glorify Him.  No one, not even God, can force you to tap into this divine system.  You must make that choice for yourself.  (Isaiah 30:18; Matthew 6:33; I Thessalonians 1:11-12; I Peter 3:18)