Category: Hope

Extraordinary Results

You cannot diminish your treasure of Myself through sharing – you diminish it only by ignoring it, which has the effect of not possessing it at all.

Meditation Thought: “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1)

“Look to Me – look to Me – not to circumstances, or to people, or to possessions, or to your own understanding.

I am the source of all good, all wisdom and knowledge, all righteousness and mercy, all the power that you will ever need – to overcome all obstacles, to reach our goals, to help others to know Me.

Realize that when you seek Me you will find Me: do not have doubts, or wait for ‘lightening in the sky’ revelations.

All I require is an earnest desire to know Me, to love Me, and to obey Me. Once you have this desire and are truly attempting to fulfill it, allow yourself to get caught up in an excitement and trust of forging ahead toward the bringing of the kingdom ever more surely into your life.

You are aware of the essential principles of spiritual search and spiritual life. Apply them. Rely on them. Enjoy the living wonder of them. This is the secret of Jesus’ joy, Peter’s joy, Paul’s joy – the joy of millions who have chosen the Way of the cross.

Obedience and discipline are often difficult – but to adhere to these ‘rules of conduct’ will bring rewards which will multiply and compound to the extent that not only will they bring joy to you, but will be the very base of enabling others to come to know the Way and to choose to follow it.

Do not strain to follow the Way, relying on your own works. Simply follow the principles, experimenting with every new bit of knowledge gleaned along the journey, attempting to apply it specifically to your own person and situation – always remaining in the Light of My Presence through ingesting the Word, through communication in prayer, through loving, unselfish ministry, through faith in My character and My promises and My faithfulness to keeping these promises to those who have gone before you in history.

Do not fear – or more accurately, when fear thrusts itself into your life, send it quickly far away through your trust in Me as stronger than any other power, and trust that I shall use this power to guide, protect, enhance and bring good for My beloved, obedient and dependent, responsive child.

In order for you to have extraordinary results you must make extraordinary effort, use extraordinary strength, have extraordinary wisdom and knowledge. It is obvious where these are to become available to you. It is obvious that when they are made available you should take advantage of them. I shall do all in My power to place My power where it can be attached to your movements. But you must make the final connection by choosing to attach your faith and trust and love, your thoughts, your words and your deeds to My proffered power. You can do this only through following the example of the once I sent to teach you the necessary steps to making a firm connection with My power:
– Know the Word
– Turn to Me in prayer
– Do as I ask: willingly if possible – reluctantly if necessary.

Where your treasure is there is your heart also. If I am the treasure of your life, you are rich indeed, and your heart shall rejoice, for no one can steal your treasure; you cannot lose it; it will not rust away – it is eternal, ever-present, everything you long for a treasure to be.

Your treasure is of the most pleasure to you as it is shared – this doubles your joy, for to give is the very essence of your inheritance from Me.

Never is your treasure diminished when it is Myself: the more of My love you give away, the more love I produce. You cannot diminish your treasure of Myself through sharing – you diminish it only by ignoring it, which has the effect of not possessing it at all.

Who would choose to not possess treasure? Who would choose to lose a treasure once possessed?

You have been given all authority in heaven and on earth to claim your treasure and to possess it. You need only to exercise your authority.

You now realize that the authority is yours; you now know how to use it.

If you determine to ‘abide by the rules’ and to apply them properly through diligence, through discipline, through unselfish attitudes and a mind seeking Truth, a heart seeking love, and a spirit seeking the Spirit, the results truly will be extraordinary.”

Prayer of response: Lord, thank you for this teaching and this vision. Please enable me to fulfill the vision: enable me to do extraordinary things with my life – not to impress people, but to please You, and in pleasing you, bring joy to my heart. In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray. Amen.

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.

Pace-Setter

The transforming grace of Love changes every thought, every word, every deed.

Meditation Thought: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Message perceived to be from Jesus:

“If you are willing to follow Me, I will take you with Myself – holding your hand when necessary, doing all that you need to be done and cannot do for yourself along our journey.

To walk in the darkness of mere physical life is discouraging to you – and limits your potential. If you will follow Me, I will light your path, revealing many things to you which will be opportunities to use your talents, fulfill your dreams, and bring joy to many. Is this not what I did on earth? I suffered but I was a dynamic force and I knew the joy of obedience to My Father. I knew the joy of healing the sick, giving hope to those in despair, and setting the pace for all who would run the race of life – if they would follow Me, they would develop in similar character, in similar works.

Many desire to make a mark upon the world – but unless it is I whom they follow, that the Way may be that leading to the Father, the impact will be satisfying to neither that person nor to the world – certainly not to the Father.

But the Way is not easy, for self must be subdued – at first a difficult sacrifice – but when self has been crucified, then is the Holy Spirit raised up off that cross crucifixion, and the new creature is formed in the old body, and old mind and old spirit: the transforming grace of Love changes every thought, every word, every deed.

It is I who will give you the courage and the strength to crucify self that the new creature may emerge.

My bodily crucifixion ‘set the pace’ for the crucifixion of self-will and the sinning involved with it. But My crucifixion did more than ‘set the pace’ for those who follow in the race. I return from My running of the course of physical life to be the Light for all who run, and who desire Me to accompany them. My Light, as does the sun, provides warmth needed for growth, and energy needed for movement as well as visibility of Truth, that all things may come together for good: that the race may go, not to the swift, but to the enlightened.”

Temples of Truth

Free from fear, from ignorance, from prejudice, from illusion.

Meditation Thought: “And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’ ” (Luke 19:41-44)

Do not be confused by the strange and unfamiliar – but, in confidence of the Love which lives in you through faith, follow the opportunities opened to you. Do not be rigid in your thinking or perceiving – be rigid only in your faith, keeping it steady by day and by night – by rest and by seige.

To have a rigid faith is to provide the foundation on which to build the Truth. And Temples of Truth are the place where God dwells, and where God dwells, there no enemy shall overcome.

If you base your life – every facet of your life – upon this knowledge, upon this wisdom, then you shall be free: you shall be free from fear, from ignorance, from prejudice, from illusion. Being freed of these inhibiting ‘enemies’, you shall be fulfilled as you energetically build the kingdom – that the ‘city’ where you dwell may be more beautiful, not destroyed. The place where God dwells is impregnable from all forces which would destroy – and if you welcome God into your heart and your will and your mind and your body and your situations, He will dwell with you and you will dwell with Him in the kingdom: It becomes more lovely with every obedient response to God’s soft request. His hopeful longing that you will understand and obey, in trust, in faith, in love.

Out on a Limb

We won’t find the Life if we don’t go out on a limb!

Meditation Thought: “And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.” (Luke 19:2-6)

Zacchaeus did just what was needed to give himself a new perspective and thus a new life. He was curious about who Jesus was; he moved himself from the ordinary place into an unexpected position, and is doing so was more visible to Jesus. He made his preparations – making sure he was on the proper road, and in the position where he could see Jesus. And when Jesus spoke to him, Zacchaeus responded promptly and joyfully and obediently.

In addition, when Zacchaeus understood who Jesus was, he responded to this knowledge by doing what he could to rectify what actions had been taken wrongfully before he met Jesus, and also decided to live differently in the future. Zacchaeus wanted to be found: he placed himself in a position where the possibility was greater to be found, though he was unaware of it at the time, and then, when Jesus called to him, seeking him, he answered as Jesus desired him to answer. Thus both Zacchaeus and Jesus were pleased with the results: both had fulfilled their desires and their missions.

Each one is sought by Jesus – and each of us who seek to see who Jesus is, and make effort to find a place where we can see who He is (going to the Word, to the places the Word is preached, to the prayer-time and concentration of thought on what Jesus is saying through the Holy Spirit) and then respond to what He does say to us promptly, joyfully and obediently – we find and He finds.

We learn who He is and He saves us because we do learn and we do obey Him, believing in His authority and in His ability. We find the Life we seek, and He finds His mission fulfilled.

But we won’t find the Life if we don’t go out on a limb!

Maximize the Benefits

To know that I am helpless is not to know I’m hopeless – quite the opposite.

Meditation Thought: “God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

I have been chosen to saved (what care!) – through sanctification by the Spirit (how wise – I couldn’t do it on my own!) – providing I have sense enough (my free choice!) to believe the truth when it is presented to me.

‘You are no longer a baby, dependent upon your elders, you are a thinking adult with experiences and opportunities and choices. Every moment your intelligence, your conscience and your spiritual antennae guide you – unless you foolishly relinquish them to be replaced by your whims of feeling and influence of others.

You know what will serve you well in the long-term analysis, in the eternal perspective. Be imaginative in bolstering your strength to cling to your intelligence, conscience and spiritual antennae and to reject your ever-changing feelings and advice from who may have their own best interests in mind rather than yours.

There is maximum benefit to be derived from every situation, and to be aware of this and to learn how to take advantage of this knowledge is the applying of the keys to the locks on the kingdom’s doors.

The confusion lies in recognizing the difference between earthly benefits – that which are temporary – and heavenly benefits – those which are eternal. Decisions can be made to maximize the eternal benefits when there are specific principles which can be confidently applied to measure alternatives. In addition to the principles clearly outlined in the Word, and demonstrated by the Life, there is the Way revealed when the Truth is perceived by the revelation of the enlightening indwelling Spirit.

Each person will be confronted with unique choices: yet the purpose is one – to develop spirits which are reflections of the Spirit, to develop minds which function as the mind of Christ, to develop attitudes which are identical as an inheritance from the loving Father, and to develop the ability to do as well as the accomplishment of “greater works”.

To know that I am helpless is not to know I’m hopeless – quite the opposite. It is when I am most helpless that hope is born and grows. It is in the climate and condition of my recognition of my weakness that the seed of God’s power and love and mercy can grow and thrive – and my hope sprouts and grows with His seed’s growth – for my hope is a branch of His vine. Without His Presence, I am something less than I should be – but when my helplessness breaks my own self will, and I yield to His will, then my hope comes alive as His Presence is welcomed and His power and love and mercy spring forth.”

Unlimited Power – Hope

My power changes situations as surely as physical power changes physical environments.

Meditation Thought: “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34)

You were given the ability to choose that you might have joy – you are to choose wisely and well if you desire eternal pleasures.

Take time and effort to seek out every facet and phase of whatever touches your life, looking for the deeper hidden significance in each situation. Cultivate habits which are consistent with all that is extolled in the Word and in the Life.

When you are aware of more than the temporary, the immediate, and the selfish, then you also know that I will seek to shelter you when danger appears – and your choice to come to Me as I call is your road to joy and peace – no matter what you perceive surrounding you. When you desire to take shelter with Me, nothing shall come between us. This is your hope as well as your salvation.

To know that I long to give you aid – and that I have unlimited power to do so – is to engender such hope and confidence that your faith is the “substance of things hoped for”. “Substance” is real. Your knowledge of My loving desires and intentions is the power-generating part of releasing My aid specifically to wherever it is need in your life – and My power changes situations as surely as physical power changes physical environments. When you act out this knowledge with total abandon, unbridled enthusiasm, and extreme confidence, then you will do “greater works”.

Learning by Experience

Only by taking time to reflect upon what has taken place can we assess the results and decide which actions were wise .

Meditation Thought: “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3)

There is an order to life that exists commonly to every area. First comes the light of the dawn, then the opportunity to do the day’s work, then comes the evening – the time of reflection upon the results, and preparation of mind for the next day of activity.

Only by taking time to reflect upon what has taken place can we assess the results and decide which actions were wise and which should be altered to produce better results.

As in every area, we learn by experience, so it is in spiritual matters. We begin by becoming familiar with His commandments and seeking to direct our thoughts and actions to be of a similar nature. This is our part – but we do not control all that is involved. We must realize this, and acknowledge that we must be enveloped in the Father’s will so completely that there is no longer a visible “our will” and the “Father’s will”, but there is only one will – homogeneous, composed of two wills, but so thoroughly blended together as to function and appear as one will. It is this exhibition of a “one-will” life that is “keeping His commandments”, and that is our assurance that “we know Him”.

There is a vast difference in the knowledge that a certain person is our father – and the experience of our father’s love being poured out into our life, touching us and changing us, delighting us, fulfilling us, protecting us and teaching us.

The knowledge is moved into experience when we accept what our father longs for us to receive, and offers hopefully: His love, devotion, wisdom, and constant laboring for our well-being.

Only when we realize that these are the basis for His “commandments” do we come into enough understanding to change our attitude into one of joyful obedience. We have come to know that our father’s will is not for his benefit, but for ours. How could we but desire what he desires when we are the recipients of good?

Dual Perception

The person need not copy carry a label “made in the image of God” to identify the quality of workmanship: their thoughts, words, deeds and prayers will all reveal the Source of the quality – the high quality of their life.

Meditation Thought: “But if we walk in the light, as he [the Father] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

We “walk in the light” when we commit ourselves to seeking God – to loving Him – to becoming like Him. This is the invisible, spiritual aspect of “walking in the light”. But we are also physical creatures in a physical world. It is in the physical realm that Jesus, through His own physical being and actions that He took while in the body, that we can realize the miracle of cleansing our past, as we desire to do so, having become aware of God and committing ourselves to His way.

It is the dual aspect of our very beings – spiritual and physical – that requires dual perception, dedication and behavior in order to become creatures walking in the light. Our spirits can long to walk in the light, yet the actions of our body keep us from that light. And strange as it may seem, our body taking right actions does not insure our walking in the light: good deeds are helpful, and appreciated by the recipients – but unless the powerful love of the Holy Spirit is involved, they are limited in quantity and quality, and are not the beautiful, whole miracles of the light-enlightened and light-filled child of God.

Only when both one’s spirit and body are dedicated to walking in the light does the evidence shine forth that this person truly is fulfilling the promise declared in the Word. The person need not copy carry a label “made in the image of God” to identify the quality of workmanship: their thoughts, words, deeds and prayers will all reveal the Source of the quality – the high quality of their life.

From Manipulation to Transformation

When this takes place there is the brilliant radiance, comforting warmth, and assurance of power…

Meditation Thought: “So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (1 Corinthians 3:20-23)

The circle of Christ’s light, and warmth of His love, and power of His being is within reach. But I must move, by my desire to be there, to that place. Perhaps I see another that has moved into this ‘magic’ circle – and I can observe the change. This makes me desire to change also – enough to take courage and move from my familiar habitat to the new area.

At first I see only the ‘greener grass’; I do not realize fully the requirements of living in this place… and by the time I do, I am willing to forgo my own ego-centered desires for the continuing pleasure of the revealing Light, the comforting Love, the moving Power.

And then the miracle: what I have willingly given up is returned to me, but transformed by this Holy Power we call God, Creator of all. I find that though desires are still a part of my life, they are not of their former character – they seem more unselfish, more flexible, more of a spiritual nature than of a material nature. And they do not seem to be at variance with God’s Word, nor His will as I perceive His Word and His will.

And thus my transformed desires are able to be fulfilled. No longer am I trying to manipulate God into fulfilling my self-conceived desires. I am desiring those things that God seeks to fulfill my life. When this takes place there is the brilliant radiance, comforting warmth, assurance of power that Jesus’ life demonstrated.

To what extent it is possible for me to live this life – or perhaps since the total possibility exists from this moment on – I should state more accurately: though I do not know to what degree I will be able to embrace this concept and this life, I am grateful to have come this far in the perception of such a life. I desire to live it. I will try to live it. I pray to God that I will be given the wisdom, knowledge and strength to live it. So help me, God! Please!

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O my Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!