Category: Encourage

Plunge to the Depths

Enjoy your relationship with your Father, enjoy your trust in your Father, enjoy your activities with your Father, and all else will fall into place to bring you assurance and peace.

Meditation Thought: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed… Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life… And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.” (John 5: 19,20,22-24,37-38)

“You can hear the Father’s voice, see His form, and have His Word abiding in you – if you believe Him whom He has sent.

It is belief in My witness to Truth – to the reality of the Father’s existence, to the extent of His grace (in suffering Himself to save His children), and to the glory of His power.

The miracles recorded in the Word are only the ‘tip of the iceberg’. If you will put on your diving gear and plunge beneath the surface, where more than the ordinary perceptions lie – the ‘things’ that are the foundation underlying what is above the surface – you will have a totally new concept of the whole: of what is below (the spiritual truths) and what is above (the expression of those truths visibly in the world).

Once you return to the surface, to deal with life upon the upper part of the iceberg, you can make more knowledgeable decisions, based upon the underlying principles which cause the environment at the top to be as it is.

You know you are dealing with a large, complicated, partially hidden environment that must be understood, appreciated, and respected, and to which you must adapt yourself in order to promote a good, healthy, satisfying life.

To those who have not plunged the depths, your thoughts, your works and your actions will appear foolish and unbalanced. You must accept this – and have faith that, in due time, your actions, your words, and your thoughts will be vindicated and provide the opportunity to encourage others to try diving to observe the depths for themselves, that they may have transformed minds – and be new creations, more adaptable to their environment, and more pleased with it.

You will fail many times to achieve the results you envision as ‘right’ – but if you believe that these results are not final, but part of a scheme more grand, and a purpose more noble than you perceive, then this faith will create a movement toward the fulfillment of the scheme, and the reaching of the goal.

Do not fret that you have merely a child’s understanding of your Father’s creation and your Father’s purpose in that creation. Enjoy your relationship with your Father, enjoy your trust in your Father, enjoy your activities with your Father, and all else will fall into place to bring you assurance and peace.”

Me and Mine

If we sever the link through unbelief or lack of use, we are without supernatural power.

Meditation Thought: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

It is when my mind turns from my own body, my own desires, my own will and seeks communion with God’s mind – His mind as revealed through His Spirit within my mind: residing and available in my mind through my belief that His Spirit is real and is present in me.

As wealth is not beneficial until it is claimed as being real and being possessed, so the Spirit must be recognized as real and possessed to be beneficial.

The Spirit is the connecting link between God’s will and our will. If we sever the link through unbelief or lack of use, we are without supernatural power and living only with human powers – far more limited in scope and effect than when God’s power is flowing freely into us.

I strained and struggled,
Wept in frustration, pain, despair
Perceiving no progress,
Having no hope.
Exhausted, defeated, confused,
I limply lay,
Waiting for whatever would overtake me.

It was Love which came my way:
So intent had I been on me –
On where I chose to go,
What I desired to do,
I ran away
From the very place
That would be my joy.

Only when I stopped,
Unable to travel on
Did Love –
The will of God expressed and received willingly by His Child –
Find me.

I want to always
Be in this place:
The place where comfort, hope, fulfillment
Become real,
Transforming me.

I am no longer “me”,
But “me and mine” –
And “mine” includes
All whom I need
To enable me
To live in the kingdom,
The place which is home,
The shelter,
The comfort,
The joy,
The fulfillment,
Environment

“Me and mine”,
Now in our
Mobile home of Love,
Move on in time,
In space,
Toward our common goal –
To sure, complete,
Perfect understanding
And performance
Of the Father’s will.

Impulse vs. Best Possible Life

It is not “I” who do this – but the “I’m willing, Lord” that does all this.

Meditation Thought:  “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)

My body cannot live without food, my spirit cannot live without the Presence of the Father. It is my mind which instructs my body to partake of food. It is my mind which chooses to allow the Father to enter into my spirit. It is my mind which says “yes” or “no” to the proportions the Father places before me.

Wouldn’t it seem wise to go along with whatever was desired by the One who created me? He must be knowledgeable to do that. And He must know me well – know what will help me thrive and grow, and what will thwart healthy growth.

I must not yield to impulse, but seek to go along with the Father’s plans if I am to have the best possible life.

In the happy frame of mind made possible by a clear conscience, and in the enthusiasm of being a part of a creative activity, I do as the Father requests – and the joy of being in harmony with what I know is right is my food – it is what sustains me, gives me strength and health, vitality and a sense of overcoming – of moving aside any obstacles and producing a great work. It is not “I” who do this – but the “I’m willing, Lord” that does all this.

Increases and Decreases

Thus can I prepare the way not only properly, but with enthusiasm, energy, commitment and a sense of rightness.

Meditation Thought: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

Thoughts: Just as John the Baptist knew that he was to prepare the way for Jesus, so do I. And as John came under the influence of Jesus, he became aware that he must shift the people’s emphasis from himself to Jesus, and so must I.

So many people recorded in the New Testament leave records of success – success in sacrificing self, in sacrificing comforts, in sacrificing the easier ordinary run-of-the mill existence in order to go where they were needed to be a witness to God-come-upon-earth.

I get weary and discouraged at times as I attempt to seek to know more intimately this God-come-upon-the-earth-within-me, and to help others to know He does live and does live to reconcile us to the Father. At times, when the circumstances reveal an exciting work being done, or accomplished, I can rejoice, and all the doubts, fears and frustrations are as nothing… but, so much of the time, I have difficulty keeping up with what I perceive as my earthly duties as I attempt to perform my primary function (as I see it) of preparing the way for Jesus, and of focusing emphasis upon Him.

It’s the old adage, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” What I seek to embrace is to have me willing, and the Spirit strong. Thus can I prepare the way not only properly, but with enthusiasm, energy, commitment and a sense of rightness. And thus can I focus everyone upon Jesus, upon the Holy Spirit He has sent – as I seek to reveal these personalities, and the personality of the Father to others, I become more intimately acquainted with them myself – just as did John with Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to use the talents You gave me to do Your will and Your works in the world. Enable me to perceive in each circumstance what You want me to know, and what You want me to do.

Help me to achieve a balance of spiritual and physical emphases in my life, that You are pleased, I am content, and the world is grateful.

Remove whatever causes my confusion and discouragement.

Help me to not dwell on what I perceive as negative results – but to turn these situations over to You that You may use Your knowledge and power to accomplish all You desire to do in every situation.

I want to do what You need me to do, as Your eyes, ears, mind, hands, feet and energy in the physical world – but I do not desire to take Your place, shutting You out. Please, Lord, teach me how to know Your will and to do it – to Your glory, my fulfillment, and the joy of the world,

In Jesus Precious Name I Pray. Amen.

Filled with Beauty

To be as actively sought and obviously desired by the most awesome, most loving, most wise, most powerful entity existing is mind-boggling; life-changing.

Meditation Thought: “But the Lord has become my stronghold,
    and my God the rock of my refuge.” (Psalm 94:22)

When I am weak, then I am strong – for my weakness is the container for the Lord’s power and His glory.

As an empty vase is not very attractive – nor is it serving its inherent purpose, so am I unattractive and not fulfilling my purpose of life if I am not filled with the lovely Spirit of the Lord. It is the beauty of the Lord which is the primary focus – or should be the primary focus – as others observe my life. If they are more observing of me as the container, then I am not appearing as I should be – for my purpose is to hold up the Lord to be viewed, and to serve as a complimentary, but unobtrusive aid to Him, as He seeks to influence and to minister to the world.

To be even slightly needed by the most awesome, most loving, most wise, most powerful entity existing is mind-boggling – but to be as actively sought and obviously desired and needed as God reveals to me is the case, through His Word, His human witness, and His indwelling Spirit’s revelations and works in my life is to be life-changing: life changing for me and for all whose lives touch mine!

Flourish

Life – not just existence, but life in all its fullness, in its glory.

Meditation Thought: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree
    and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
    they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
    they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
    he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” (Psalm 92:12-15)

The reason that the righteous flourish, grow and produce, even in old age, is that they are watered by the Spirit of the Lord, which brings and sustains life – not just existence, but life in all its fullness, in its glory.

The very fullness and glory are a witness to the Lord who has made them possible – and there is an ongoing reaction which is both satisfying and exciting, as the growth produces fruit, and then the fruit itself produces growth. Some fruit reproduces in kind, and some is used as food to enhance growth in something different than the nature of the fruit itself. This adds zest and an unknown mystical quality to life.

“Variety is the spice of life” must be a reflection of the Father’s philosophy for it is so evident everywhere.

We need to realize that one variety is not ‘better’ than another – and that the difference exists for a particular purpose – that since environments and circumstances are varied, so too do those creatures and things living in various places need to be adaptive to their site.

We need to recognize that although the righteous all flourish as the palm, and grow like a cedar, the forms they take are of infinite variety, and God loves them all, desires all flourish and grow, each according to his particular inheritance and specific site (circumstances) and specific instructions from God as to good ways to grow and flourish.

The Baton is Passed

What trust They have in me!

Meditation Thought: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High… will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him…” (Psalm 91:14)
“ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

The commitment of four personalities is involved in the fulfilling of the Father’s promise to His children:
– I must choose to dwell in the Father’s home which He makes available to me (the kingdom) and to hold fast to Him in love.
– The Father must act as my deliverer and
– The Son as the Father’s message-bearer and instrument by which the Father acts to deliver me from harm,
– The Spirit comes to me in order that I may ‘be in the right place at the right time’, and respond properly to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as they act.

I must also have prepared myself through knowledge of scripture in order that I may perceive accurately just what is taking place. If any of us fail to act responsibly, the process breaks down and the desired result of the Father’s promise to me is not fulfilled.

There is no doubt that there is only one place where the breakdown could occur – that is in myself, for I am the ‘variable’, the one who can choose to accept or reject the Father’s, Son and Holy Spirit’s actions, who can determine the fulfillment of the promise by either taking up the ‘baton’ which They hand over to me for my completion of the ‘race’, or by refusing to accept the baton, or dropping it or refusing to run, I can lose the race for all of us.

What trust They have in me! Can I really disappoint such marvelous Friends? – not friends – Family? Not if I am aware of Who They are in character, and what They desire to do for me through my completion of the race.

Prayer: Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit – thank you for already doing so much of the preliminary preparation for the completion of the race – and then giving me all possible support as I do my own part.

Enable me to have courage strength and fortitude that I may not fail You nor myself. In Jesus Precious Name, and in gratitude for the Father’s love, the Son’s shed blood, the Spirit’s sweet, soft touch, I pray. Amen.

Challenging & Fulfilling

When God’s favor is upon us, what joy this brings!

Meditation Thought:
“Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    and for as many years as we have seen evil.
 Let your work be shown to your servants,
    and your glorious power to their children.
 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
    and establish the work of our hands upon us;
    yes, establish the work of our hands!”
(Psalm 90:15-17)

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us – and establish the work of our hands”: the two could be reversed – for if God establishes our work, then His favor shall be upon us as we do His will. And when God’s favor is upon us, what joy this brings! It’s the kind of joy Paul had – knowing he was doing work established by God, and knowing God was pleased by his work, he could observe, despite terrible persecutions and difficulties, the fruits of his labor. He knew he was not running in vain. His work was challenging – but fulfilling.

Many times he was tired, discouraged, disappointed and in pain physically and in spirit. But he persevered in doing God’s work. And he developed a spirit, an attitude, an outlook, that could claim “whatever state I am in I rejoice.”

Enjoy and Share

I do not expect you to be perfect – I do expect you to be available.

Meditation Thought: “O Lord, God of my salvation,
    I cry out day and night before you.
2 Let my prayer come before you;
    incline your ear to my cry!” (Psalm 88:1-2)

“You have cried and prayed – you shall have your response from your loving Father. Concentrate on the words of encouragement which have been placed in your life. Share them. Believe them. Act as if you believe them.

You can enjoy and share what you have in this kingdom-seeking quest. You have ideas; you have the Word; you have prayer; you have loving family and friends.

The need for human family never subsides – neither does the need for our relationship to be needed by one another subside. Right now you need Me to provide what you are unable to provide: peace of mind about your loved ones, and provision for them. And I need you to provide what I am unable to provide: your trust in Me, your desire to know Me ever more intimately and to please Me even more surely.

Why would I reveal Myself to you if I did not desire to have a relationship with you which is viable? As your heart longs for your family, so My heart longs for you.

Believe this – trust that, whatever the situation may be, nothing is impossible for Me.

But, remember, you are needed, too, to cooperate and implement whatever I would do with you and through you. I do not expect you to be perfect – I do expect you to be available.”

Basis for Decisions

I can use my resources to help the poor, to create jobs, to bring beauty, to inspire generosity.

Meditation Thought: “…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:25)

As a matter of practical living in the realm of the physical, I “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”. But my decisions of how to do this are best based on my “rendering to God the things that are God’s” – namely, devoting time in prayer and meditation, to perceive His will as to the decisions concerning practical physical things which will most reflect the best of “spiritual living” – the decisions which will be most effective in promoting kingdom-characteristics on earth.

I can choose to “bribe Caesar” to do my bidding and to satisfy my selfish, uncaring whims – or I can use my resources to help the poor, to create jobs, to bring beauty, to inspire generosity.

Only by “rendering to God the things that are God’s” am I able to render to Caesar only the things that are Caesar’s. If I choose by myself what I render to Caesar, I give Caesar God’s rightful due. And that causes all kinds of disruptions and harm.

It would be far better to err in the other direction – to give God Caesar’s portion – for God is loving, generous, kind, righteous, and fair – He would give Caesar his due – but Caesar would not give what he has wrongfully received to God, and therefore God would be left with less return than He desires from my “talent” which He has given me to use and protect – and eventually return, that He may judge how many talents I am trustworthy to use for Him.

Response: “My Father, Who is generous beyond my understanding, help me to be wise, prudent and alert to the opportunities presented to me to render to you and to Caesar. I desire to never ‘short-change’ You, and I seek your help in making all in my life a proper balance of rendering to You and rendering to Caesar all that is entrusted to me. According to Your will. Amen.”