Vanquish Fear and Shame

God is pure love, and I am His. Hallelujah! I cannot have any basis for fear; I am the beloved of Pure Love!

Meditation Thought: (Suggestion: where you read the word ‘you‘ insert your name instead; the prayer is for you!) “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21)

I am strengthened by God’s might in my inner spirit. Christ dwells in my heart through faith. I am rooted and grounded in love and have power to comprehend everything God desires me to understand. God is able to do far more abundantly than all that I ask or think! Therefore, I shall not be afraid; I shall not be ashamed of myself.

I will trust this Force of Love within me – through my faith and works of faith I can trust my Lord to see me through all the happenings on the way, for we walk together – no, we “shall mount up with wings like eagles, we shall run and not be weary, we shall walk and not faint”.

We walk by faith – in Truth, not by sight of circumstances. God is pure love, and I am His. Hallelujah! I cannot have any basis for fear; I am the beloved of Pure Love!

Vague Longings vs. Realized Hope

Do we imagine so vividly how we think an event should happen that when it takes place in a manner which is different than we pictured, we don’t even recognize that this is what we have waited for?

Meditation Thought: “…I have lived as a Pharisee [believing in resurrection of the dead]. And now I stand here on trial for hope in the promise made by God to our fathers… and for this hope I am accused. Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? (Paul speaking to King Agrippa – Acts 26:5-8)

It is one thing to think and believe in a vague, remote, some-day-it-might-happen attitude and quite another thing to adjust to facts indicating that what was believed for and hoped for is actually real; its time has come.

Are we comforted by vague longings which require little of us – but fearful of what the reality of our longings fulfilled may require of us? And do we imagine so vividly how we think an event should happen that when it takes place in a manner which is different than we pictured, we don’t even recognize that this is what we have waited for?

Although this can – and does – happen frequently, we are blessed in our generation as for us the hope of resurrection, and the whole concept of God is concerned – for we have the record in total of the events that must have been mind-boggling as the actually happened.

Perhaps we need to combine our knowledge that Jesus and Paul spoke truly, and events through history, as well as the Spirit and workings of God in our own lives confirm their contentions, with an imagination that “fires up” our emotions in a way that happened for those who saw Jesus and saw Paul in the flesh.

Then we could realize the significance of the magnitude of that which was hoepd for being fulfilled.

Listening to Wisdom: The Power of Quiet Reflection

It is not wise to share your knowledge indiscriminately: wait for the leading of the Spirit.

Meditation Thought: “…pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.” (Proverbs 5:1-2)

Guarding knowledge is discretion: there is a balance and an order to be kept in the realm of the mind. The more knowledge you have of Truth, the more adequately you are prepared to do My will. But it is not wise to share your knowledge indiscriminately: wait for the leading of the Spirit that it may be most effective in the renewal of minds and the changing of hearts.

It is for this reason that you need to have times of quiet to listen – to receive instruction. The times will vary in length – in fact even a split second’s awareness of the Spirit can guide your thoughts, words and deeds.

Do all you can to develop “Spirit-awareness”: get the Word implanted into your mind; welcome the Spirit into your spirit, embrace Christ in your heart. This is to be attentive to wisdom, incline your ear to wisdom’s understanding, to be discreet, and to use knowledge wisely.

The advice in Proverbs is desirable, it is advantageous – but it cannot be totally comprehended nor fully used without Christ within interpreting the knowledge that it may be used wisely.

Your Path to Wisdom

Only respond.

Meditation Thought: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Trust in your Father rather than your less wise, less informed, less experienced, less competent self.

Trust in your Brother (Jesus) rather than your own incomplete understanding of the Father’s will.

Trust in your Helper (Holy Spirit) rather than your own unclear perception of the way.

How do you actually accomplish the act of trusting Them – of then understanding them – and consequently heeding them?

By the intention of your heart.
By the desires of your heart.
By the will of your spirit.
By the sacrifice of your body to minister to others.
By giving rather than taking.
By forgiving rather reacting.
By creating rather than being passive.

And you do you do those things?

The glory of the Lord shines forth – only lift the veil from your perception of it. By the study of the Word, gain knowledge and wisdom. By listening for the whisper of the Holy Spirit to know the Father’s will. By believing in Jesus as Lord – your personal savior, your personal minister, your enabler.

There are marvelous works to be done, love to be shared, new vistas to be explored.

Only respond.

The results will amaze you, delight you – and do the same for many others too.

Let Your Light Shine: Finding Faith in Darkness

Meditation Thought: “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)

“What has happened has served to advance the gospel” – if ever God worked in a seemingly undesirable situation to bring much good, it was Paul’s imprisonment – a pattern first revealed by Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection: the apparent victory of those who would destroy the Truth of God revealed – and then the blossoming of God’s revelation from the seed of distress.

It almost seems that the very darkness and distress were the nurturing places for the strength and light of God to burst forth in newness of health and visibility and the generation of HIs power as never before. Surely the Holy Spirit working in Jesus and in Paul was the start of the bursting forth of new growth – but the faith of Jesus and Paul – and the faithfulness of their faith nurtured the growth and expanded it once it was started.

So, we too, can allow the Spirit to plant the Truth – to plant God’s love and God’s character in our hearts and so, we too, in faith, can nurture it and cause it to grow ’til it bursts forth wherever we are in what is a prison for us.

Let Your light glow, O Lord,
Within my mind and soul,
So brightly, penetrating, invigorating
That my “prison”
Is transformed
To cozy home
For You and me –
A place where hope, and love and joy
Are evident –
And thus shock
Those who observe
The transformed place
Into awareness
Of Your power, your love, your call and your presence.

Transform Trial into Triumph

You shall be guided, step by step, prayer by prayer, revelation by revelation, to success.

Meditation Thought: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Success! Success is exhilarating, it gives energy and joy and willingness to put forth effort to try new ventures. But ‘success’ can never be achieved unless there is some trial to overcome – something that it takes effort to change.

Do not be discouraged as trials are met – but call upon your knowledge of Truth – that the Word is sure, that Jesus has released the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome every trial in your life.

You shall be guided, step by step, prayer by prayer, revelation by revelation, to success – not by your own power and might, but by the Spirit’s power and might working within your spirit, mind, emotions and body.

The Spirit cannot work, however, without your consent and cooperation to bring success.

Boundless Energy!

I give you more refreshing energy than anything provided by the world. There are depths of Truth, Joy and Fulfillment which you can never exhaust in your lifetime.

Meditation Thought: “So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.” (Acts 19:20)

“The Word grew and prevailed mightily through Paul’s example, through his teaching, and through his ministry – through the power and control of the Holy Spirit. This pattern is precisely the same pattern Jesus has given to you through the Word.

Use the pattern through your faith in Jesus as Lord, as Savior as Spirit living in your spirit, your mind and your body. You have been successful in accomplishing tasks which were unappealing by knowing you were doing them for Jesus dwelling within you in addition to them being for your own benefit. Expand this concept.

Try to respond more quickly as I seek to teach you. You need not feel pressured: just be more content to seek My counsel and to follow it, knowing that I give you more refreshing energy than anything provided by the world.

Do not seek what others seek – seek the kingdom within you. There are depths of Truth, Joy and Fulfillment which you can never exhaust in your lifetime. Dig deeply, dig enthusiastically – for the treasure is within you. You know you uncover treasure every time you spend your energy to look for it. Do not be distracted.

Develop a mind-set and a heart-set that enables you to be digging for treasure every moment, even when you are at the same time doing other tasks. Let these thoughts inspire you to use your moments and your energy to follow the pattern of the Way, the Truth, the Life.

Do not fear: I have called you in love, and sustain you in love, and am your partner in love. I need your thoughts directed to My Word, your emotions embracing My will, and your actions doing My works. But you need these very things as much as I!

Your Soul Finds its Worth

To lift up your soul to Me is not to deprive yourself – but to cause yourself to thrive.

Meditation Thought: “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8)

“Surely you shall know of My love, and I will teach you the way to go. I have sought your soul – ever since I created you, hoping that you would choose to respond to My love – respond so fully that you would “lift up your soul” to Me. How I long to enhance your soul – to make your soul, and thus your total being, beautiful and fruitful. To lift up your soul to Me is not to deprive yourself – but to cause yourself to thrive, to come into a maturity of being that makes visible the bountiful harvest of life. For I cherish your soul; I give your soul all it needs to be its very best. How you can rejoice that you place your soul in My care!

It is this very act which Jesus sought by His sacrifice to bring about. He longed for your soul to be lifted up to Me. Your doing so brings Him great joy. Your doing so lifts Him up also, as He dwells in you. By your act, you express your appreciation to Him and your love for Him. How could you better please Me?

In pleasing Jesus, in pleasing Me, you also please yourself. There is no conflict of interest when a soul is lifted up to Me. Yes, bring your soul to Me that I may care for it. Start each day with lifting your soul up to Me as you lift your body from the bed. You shall not be disappointed with the results – nor shall I, nor anyone whose life you touch.”

Lavish Goodness

Even if others have cause to worry, you do not.

Meditation Thought: “The righteous will surround me,
For You will deal bountifully with me.” (Psalm 142:7)

“I shall deal bountifully with you because I love you. The more clearly you perceive My love, the more effectively I can minister to you – for your joyful acceptance of My love and My care and My guidance is what I need to bless you as I desire to do. To lavish all that is good upon you:
Wisdom
Knowledge
Self-control
Generosity
Grace
Beauty
Peace
Joy
Love
Understanding
Excitement and
Enthusiasm in appreciation of all creation.

Continue to seek My Word and My will. This is the most prolific harvest available: the production of all of the above blessings from your seed of seeking My Word and My will.

My Word, however, is not all that is available to you. Jesus has released “super power” into your spirit that you may may mature more quickly, completely, and more fruitfully.

You have this assurance: In everything I work good for you for you love Me and are called according to My purpose. Even if others have cause to worry, you do not – your strength to cope with anything is unlimited when your spirit is yielded to My Spirit in faith and hope and love.”

Understanding God’s Love and Protection

Come to realize that when you turn your eyes toward me, you are not turning them to a distant point, but inward to your mind, your spirit, your heart, and your body.

Meditation Thought: “For my eyes are toward You, O God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.” (Psalm 141:8)

When your eyes are on me, you have total refuge and total defense. This is because in me you find knowledge, wisdom, guidance and strength.

Come to realize that when you turn your eyes toward me, you are not turning them to a distant point, but inward to your mind, your spirit, your heart, and your body. It is in these places that I’d dwell, through your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior.

The more you comprehend that we are so close together, as arm in arm the more effectively you can perceive my will

You have been conceiving of me as separate from you. Conceive of me as close as anyone can be to you, in body, in mind, in sympathetic understanding of common emotions, in a rapport of having similar character.

In this way, you’ll be able to feel my presence in you, and will be able to live the life of the new creature in Christ.

You are my beloved child, for whom I not only would sacrifice my own life, but I did! This is how much I love you! This is the extent to which I go to ensure you’re having a place of refuge and a sure defense. Now, do you understand the scripture for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind?

This spirit, which I have given you in response to your faith in Jesus as savior is the Holy Spirit: the spirit of power and love and a sound mind.

The purpose of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit is to blend you and me together into such close association that we become as one in thought, in word, and in deed.

No matter the circumstances, no matter the intent of evil, or those who are ignorant, always those who have their eyes on me, and my spirit within, living resurrection out of death, good out of harm, and rescue out of peril, for I am their defense. I am power, I am love, I am sound mind, and no foe can overthrow these.