Category: Faith

An Effective Workout

…the life which is meaningful, purposeful and full of joy.

Meditation Thought: “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;” (1 Peter 1:23)

The living word of God: to live is to grow, to change, to produce. The word of God, as it grows in you changes you and produces the fruits of the Spirit. This is to be “born anew” – into the life which is meaningful, purposeful and full of joy – not due to any person, circumstance or event – but due to the obsession with the Creator of the universe: who He is, who you are as a part of Him, and He of you – who and what is all of creation, particularly as it relates to you – the pursuit of a concept of life that is beyond physical, beyond finite.

If you are focused on long-term ideals and goals, you react entirely differently to daily events than when you are at the total mercy of these events. Do not be at the mercy of events, but of God. God’s mercy overtakes all other mercy – when you are willing to receive it.

How can you be willing to receive it? When you recognize that it is your only hope! When you know that you cannot manage yourself, nor your affairs with any degree of success apart from God’s mercy and grace and power and love!

Would you truly be effective? Then do it through the living and abiding word of God. A “living” word is a word which prompts a response, an action! An “abiding word” is a word which is in residence!

God’s word residing in your mind is then communicated to your spirit, which then touches your emotions, and your emotions set into action your body. And the motion of your body pumps the “living water”, the cleansing, purifying, life-sustaining water, and the cleansing, purifying, life-sustaining blood of the sacrificed Lamb into the parched and starving world!

Do you not realize that to be a primer of the pump, through your faith, and an enthusiastic pumper of good works, pouring out life-sustaining, life-glorifying nourishment is the most exciting, exhilarating, healthy exercise you could have?

Hear. See. Care.

The key to life itself is revealed as we seek to find it it prayer.

Meditation Thought: “ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

Hope is the motivator of patience.
Prayer is the motivator of hope.
Wisdom is the motivator of prayer.
Tribulation is the motivator of wisdom.

As logical, as brilliant as we may be intellectually, we allow circumstances to affect us emotionally in ways that make logic and intellect insufficient to cope with life adequately.

It is in times of tribulation when we most clearly recognize the limitations of our human endeavors. It is in this weakness that we gain strength – for the weakness gives birth to willingness to wait, listen, look for God.

“Our hope does not disappoint us.” Our God is not a promise-breaker, nor a tyrant, nor cruel, nor inconsistent. If we perceive Him as such, then it is our own misconception which robs us of all of the glories which He desires to reveal to us, of all of the love which He desires to bestow upon us, of all of the wisdom with which He would endow us.

If we “read the signs of the times”, we read God’s message to us: Both His ‘general instructions’ in the Word, and His specific instructions in the indwelling Holy Spirit’s revelation to us, whether that be through knowledge of our heart or circumstances.

Armed with His general and specific instructions, we are impervious to despair, we are infinitely patient, we are strategically wise; all of this starts with prayer, which is our acknowledgment of both our relationship to God, and the meaning, the significance of that relationship to us, and to all of creation.

Simple as it may be to state, the complexity of the universe is encompassed in the thought. The key to life itself is revealed as we seek to find it it prayer.

I once was blind, and now I see.
Thank you, Man of Galilee!
I sought not the place,
Knew not the time,
Nor who would heal.
But hope was born,
and when You came,
Truth charged the very air.
Something within cried out –
You heard. You saw. You cared.

Thank you – Thank You!
Now use me, Lord,
That my opened eyes may see.
See truth. See love. See every key to every door in the kingdom.

I walked by those doors,
Never knowing they were there.
But now – NOW – I see!
And enter in I will.
Each one, I view as near I come,
Anticipating what shall be.
Knowing all will please,
For beyond each door
Lies a better view of Thee!

Great Rewards

When you have prayed, when you exercise your faith by believing that all things work together for good, the evidence follows.

Meditation Thought: “ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)

“I realize that it is not easy for you to praise Me, to do good, to share what you have – that is why these are termed “sacrifices”. Do not chastise yourself that these acts are difficult – but rejoice that they are difficult: when you overcome your reluctance to do them, you are “practicing your scales“, and thus bringing glory to Me, fulfilling Christ’s mission, and becoming a “new creature” by the renewing of your mind.

You are closer than you know to the performance of the concert in several areas in your life. The difficulties which appear now are to develop your abilities and thus perfect you. Do not lose heart, but call upon the knowledge of My promises – and the fulfillment of those promises to others and to yourself in the past! “All things work together for good” – repeat this in your mind, in your decisions, in your acts, in your attitude. When you have prayed, when you exercise your faith by believing that all things work together for good, the evidence follows.

My spiritual laws are clear. If you use them rather than ignoring or abusing them, the rewards will be great for you – and your witness shall be great for Me.”

Scales and Concerts

To find your joy in playing the scales as well as in playing the concert is the key to the kingdom.

Meditation Thought: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

“Step back and take a more comprehensive view of your life. You are too involved in the detail of current circumstances. Seek the pattern – the past, the present – and all that you see in the future as Christ-filled. Remember the love of your Creator, the power of your Creator, and the works of your Creator are not apart from you, but part of you. No thought, feeling nor task is unimportant to Me – nor to you, if you have the perspective which is in your best interest (and thus My best interest).

As the seconds make the moments, the moments make the hours – on into a lifetime – so each thought, feeling, act creates the whole of your life. The practice of patience, of gentleness, of humbleness, of sacrifice, of forgiveness, of cheer, may not be pleasant at all times. However, to practice these is it develop a pattern which pleases you, pleases Me, pleases all whose lives you affect. Practicing the scales may not be evidence of the beautiful concert which will develop from them – yet the concert will never be brought forth without the playing of those scales. Like it or not – it is a fact.

To find your joy in playing the scales as well as in playing the concert is the key to the kingdom. This moment is yours – and Mine. The glories of the heaven and the earth are here if only you will observe them. Playing the scales can be a concert for you and for Me if you will realize that it is our practicing anything together that is our fulfillment and our joy. This is the moment you have been waiting for, longing for, anticipating – and are enjoying to the fullest. When every “this” moment is treated in this manner, you have the kingdom within – and though you may hear “scales”, I hear a lovely concert as the joy of your understanding and your obedience is revealed to Me. It is only a brief time, then, until you, too, shall hear even the scales as if they are a concert. Believe – and act on your belief – that My words are your salvation and your fulfillment – your resurrection from a life of plodding scales into a life of inspiring concert. There is abundant evidence to bear Me out. Do not allow your “feelings” to rob you of your concert by distracting you from practicing your scales.”

Soothing Harmony

Leave your fears and your doubts behind.

Meditation Thought: “He went up into the hills to pray.” (Mark 6:46)

“Come to a quiet place where you can hear My voice more clearly. Seek My counsel, and I will guide you surely. Leave your fears and your doubts behind you, and bring your faith to Me. Trust Me, my beloved child. Put your trust in Me, and I will give you peace, joy and direction.

Seek My will in My Word,
Seek My will in service,
Seek My will in prayer.

Let Me blend all of the elements in your life into harmony and beauty of the Spirit-filled life. It is in prayer that the blending takes place: only through blending the elements to Me to blend can you achieve a harmonizing of them. Instead of their being a bombardment of your senses, they will soothe and please you and aid you. Do all as unto Me. This is the binding, all-pervasive base which will unite separate elements into a beautiful whole.”

Do not Yield to Panic

If you, in panic, look to what you see instead of to Me, you will be kept to the natural consequences of the circumstances instead of moving on into supernatural consequences.

Meditation Thought: “Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)

“Through Me, change from human fear to divine faith. I dwell in your heart by your gracious welcome, and My blood enriches your blood, giving you wisdom, vitality, and assurance that whatever the circumstances, they shall be overcome by Word and Spirit: circumstances shall yield to the Good Power, to the Creative Power, to the Power of Grace and Love. But only if you yield the circumstances from human fear to Me to work on them, in faith that I will change them for your good, can I do the necessary manipulations. If you, in panic, look to what you see instead of to Me, you will be kept to the natural consequences of the circumstances instead of moving on into supernatural consequences through My power to change. Believe, and act upon your belief, that the situations in your life will yield to My pressure to make them for your growth into a purer form of Christian.

Think of My molding them as a cast to straighten crooked limbs that the limbs might be stronger and truer than ever. Do not yield to panic as to what has happened, but work to aid Me in getting the proper treatment to heal and strengthen: the more closely we work in harmony, the more rapidly is the healing, strengthening process accomplished.

Think of every day being an opportunity to further the reality of your growing into a ‘new creature in Christ’.

May your spirit glow with love
And your eyes shine in joy
As we go together,
Entwined as one,
Completing the missing part of each other.”

Faith or Fear

Rejoice that each opportunity for fear is also an opportunity to grow.

Meditation Thought: ““Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

“Look not to the storm. Look to Me. The storm will build your faith if you look to Me. The strengthened faith will then be an instrument of good available to Me. Seek My Word, and you find My will; in My will you know your faith, and in your faith shall I merit your trust.

Time after time shall we try together to harmonize our spirits: fret not that this is the pattern of life, but rejoice that each opportunity for fear is also an opportunity to grow in more harmony with My Spirit. The Word moved by My Spirit with your permission calms the storm and produces joy. Peace I give to you: peace in the midst of the storm, for I am a merciful God. I rejoice in your trust in Me and honor it. Believe My Word, and act upon My Word: so shall the storm be calmed, and so shall it serve its purpose.”

Constantly Renewed

You are operating on D.C. (Direct Current from Me).

Meditation Thought: “…for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” (Daniel 3:29)

“Trust, believe, act in the God who is able to deliver you in the midst of the fiery furnace of the Evil One who would destroy you for your refusal to yield to his pressures and threats. You are committed – but how much more is your God committed. Reach out in faith, and the harvest will astound you. Be brave, seek according to the Word – ignoring the advice and jeers of the world.

You are operating on D.C. (Direct Current from Me) – the world operates on A.C. (Alternating Current – sometimes power from Me and sometimes power from Satan). Keep your “distribution station” in proper order so that it will carry My power fully into the people to whom I would have you minister. “Fine tune” every part according to My Operations Manual. Replace weak parts with new conviction of the Truth through the strength of the revelation of the Word renewed constantly; reviewed constantly. The Word expanded in your mind is the Spirit expanded in your heart. The Spirit expanded in your heart is your God delivering as no other god is able.”

Lit Up Open Doors

The gloom of the world shall give way to the joy of the Kingdom.

Meditation Thought: “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” (Daniel 2:47) and “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29)

“I am… the light of the world. Open the doors that have been shut to My light: By your words and actions given in an attitude of loving service, encourage everyone whom you meet to open the door of their heart to My healing, revealing Light. The gloom of the world shall give way to the joy of the Kingdom. Light, light, light the Way, the Truth, the Life: Reveal the reality of the Personality by helping the dark places to be lit by the Word, so that the Spirit is perceived and received in the heart.”

Turn Your Head

When you do not understand, search more deeply, looking to the Word and Spirit.

Meditation Thought: “He is not here, for he has risen” (Matthew 28:6)

“You often look amiss, for you look in the physical, and the truth lies in the spiritual. When you do not understand, search more deeply, looking to the Word and Spirit. I would reveal to you wisdom and the means of power: power to do My will, power to move My works, power to increase love, wisdom and knowledge from the realm of the Kingdom to flow into the realm of the physical and the mind.

Seek more knowledge in the area of the brain and the body, knowing that, as your spirit is encased in your body, that the condition of the body affects the spirit. I would work in you in all areas of your life, and have you share your new-found knowledge to aid others. Believe in Me! Trust Me. Obey Me. Praise Me! Follow Me! The hills and the valleys are Mine, every living thing is Mine if it does not choose to leave Me and deny Me.

Connect yourself to My hand held out to you, and know the power, feel the power of My wisdom, knowledge, Spirit as it flows into you.

Use your imagination: form in your mind and your heart the vision of Christ’s mind within your mind, Christ’s compassionate heart within your heart, Christ’s strong physique within your body, Christ’s Spirit within your spirit, Christ’s faith within your faith, Christ’s prayers within your prayers.

Within – you are included, not excluded. I need you, I desire you, to serve as a repository for My Spirit. Be joyful, be righteous, be wise, be innocent, be compassionate that the flowing of your spirit within My Spirit, and My Spirit within your spirit, becoming mixed into a flowing of two streams into one river, may flow to the accomplishment of My works through you.”