Category: Mercy

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.

Understanding God’s Affection

It is not the earthly ‘king’ who rules my destiny, but my beloved heavenly “Daddy”.

Meditation Thought: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?…  I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:14, 16)

A response to God’s call to be brave:

“Oh, Lord; Father, “Daddy”. I know now why Jesus said “Abba” – “Daddy”. It is a term that defines our relationship more accurately than the term “Father”. “Daddy” connotes deep affection, sweet, happy communion, a relationship in which confidences are shared and enjoyed.

This is what I see more clearly now that You desire – and it is what I have been unknowingly longing for, even searching for – almost panicking for. Now I understand that, no matter what happens, you will assure that I will be all right, wherever I am, whatever form I am in. To the extent that I follow Your suggestions, to that extent will the heavens open up their glories, and miracles of reconciling love appear.

You aren’t so concerned that I choose to be brave so that your purposes may be fulfilled (for you can always do this through others), but You delight in my joy at success in being brave, at my realization of Your power and of our sweet communion.

You want me to say: “if I perish, I perish”, not out of disgusted resignation, or fear of guilty conscience if I refuse to approach the king, but in the knowledge of, and awareness of, the high sense of purpose – a grandeur of being an important part of destiny – of being a true, competent, loyal representation of Your Kingdom, of Your people as I approach the king of this world, whoever that “king” is in the circumstances (the kingdom) of the moment.

May I be content with the verdict of the ‘king’, for it is not the king who rules my destiny, but my beloved “Daddy”.

Step-by-Step: Seeking Lord’s Guidance in Decision Making

Do not make complications where none are intended.

Meditation Thought: “Moses answered them, ‘Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.'” (Numbers 9:8)

Look before you leap. Look to the Lord – where? You have His Word, you have His life – both as a record and His strength within you. Do not make complications where none are intended. Step by step, do what seems right After
1. Prayer
2. Listening
3. Analyzing for
a) priorities
b) the details of the situation
c) likely consequences – both positive and negative.

And, when the deed is done, pray the Lord’s will be done – and trust that it will, and do not speculate any further.

Exchange Your Crown: Finding True Freedom in Faith

You cannot wear two crowns at the same time. Exchange the old for the new. Take care of what thoughts, words and deeds proceed from you, for they shall return, essentially of the same character.

Meditation Thought: “They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
 ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.'” (Revelation 4:10-11)

“Cast your crown before Me. I have given you the crown of your freedom of will. You are not compelled to hold it out as an offering to Me, who first gave it to you. But if you find the courage and the desire to hand it back to Me, you will receive far better than the crown of free will. You will have the crown of My will shining upon you. It brings beauty and grace, love and truth, all that you long for. But you cannot wear two crowns at the same time.

Exchange the old for the new.
Exchange the crown of the world for the crown of the kingdom.
Exchange the focus of your life from yourself to Me.
We are bound together by our relationship.
We are bound together in our purpose.

Take care of what thoughts, words and deeds proceed from you, for they shall return – added to, altered, enlarged – but essentially of the same character.

Finding Peace and Boldness in Faith

Experience love, give love, be more alert. Your joy is boundless, your eyes perceiving beauty everywhere, your mind connecting all that comes into it into a pattern never before even suspected.

Meditation Thought: “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In Christ, a new creation!
– Righteous, for your sin is forgiven and forgotten
– Bold, for fear is replaced with confidence in your Helper (who is always with you, forever)
– Content, for your longing for peace and fulfillment is satisfied
– Excited, for you know that in Christ the work of the Father is constantly being done. And done with enthusiasm, good results and often in surprising ways!
-You are experiencing love and giving love, you are more alert, your joy is boundless, your eyes perceiving beauty everywhere, your mind connecting all that comes into it into a pattern never before even suspected.
– That which is unseen becomes as that which is seen, and that which is seen becomes magnified and intensified.

Christ is beyond all of the most potent effective medicines, vitamins, beauty aids and self-help courses washing over you, pouring into you, transforming the dead entity of your self now willed to Him into the Father’s image: His precious offspring, spirit of His spirit – His paternal dream fulfilled.

Suggested prayer:
“Come, Lord Jesus, into my heart and mind, that all of my thoughts and actions are in tandem with your thoughts and actions. Amen.”

Principles of Spirit and Matter

As we move together, harmoniously and joyfully, we expand our effectiveness step by step through your life on earth. Thus is the Father’s will done on earth as it in in heaven.

Meditation Thought: “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Romans 14:13)

“Take My yoke, for it is designed to carry much more as we go in double-yoke than you can carry alone. Concentrate on perfecting our movements in coordination, not looking back as to the character of the load, or as to its size. It matters not: as we pull together, coming to know each other and how to work together, we will pull larger and larger loads, loads which would be difficult were it not for My knowledge of how to manage them.

Rely on my experience in hauling every type of load, and every quantity of load – simply imitate My movements by closely observing all I do. The key is in leverage: the use of the abilities the Father created in the proper manner and in the proper sequence, according to the principles of Spirit and matter which He reveals through Me to you. By My obedience unto suffering and unto death, I have perfected in human form the movements in harmony with these principles. As by faith you yoke yourself to Me, you feel My movements tugging on you. Adjust yourself to feel comfortable and coordinated with My movements.

As we move together, harmoniously and joyfully, we expand our effectiveness step by step through your life on earth. Thus is the Father’s will done on earth as it in in heaven.”

Dare to Trust

Will you hand Me each one that I may warm it in My Spirit and expand it into fulness and bless your neighbors and yourself?

Meditation Thought: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31 and quoted by Paul in Romans 13:9)

“You shall minister to your neighbor as yourself. In every thought, every word, every deed, it matters not who is the recipient – the action is to be as unto Me.

When you care for your body, you care for Me,
When you enrich your mind, you enrich My glory,
When you say words of encouragement to your enemy, you praise My name,
When you sacrifice your desires to minister to another, you sing the song of angels exulting in the fellowship of My Presence.

As you pour yourself out in all the means available to you, when you pour yourself through My Spirit rather than pouring directly into the world, My Spirit enriches your expressions and makes them blessings multiplied on earth and in heaven.

Just as a kernel of corn puffs up in the heat and the volume expands, so too, when you pour yourself out through My Spirit, what is returned to you is gently returned in a new, more desirable form. Do you dare trust Me with every kernel in your life? Will you hand Me each one that I may warm it in My Spirit and expand it into fulness and bless your neighbors and yourself?”


An Heir to all that is Valued in Life

His estate is more to be desired than any worldly wealth; all good things are in it: the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, the peace and love for which all men search, the contentment of ever-sure help and guidance, and confidence of being heir to all that is to be valued in life.

Meditation Thought: “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.” (Mark 4:24)

Conform. Conform to Christ for the measures of love, forgiveness, help, acceptance, are the measures used by your King. Use His measures – not the measures of the world: greed, selfishness, ego, power, grasping and self-centeredness.

Keep pouring out Christ’s measures – they will be multiplied as you learn the art more completely.

It is the will of the Father to be glorified in the Son and the Son’s works. The Son’s works must be operative every day through the body of believers for the Father’s glory. As part of the body, it is your duty and your privilege to use the identical measures of Christ. They are your inheritance, handed down to you from His estate. His estate is more to be desired than any worldly wealth; all good things are in it: the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, the peace and love for which all men search, the contentment of ever-sure help and guidance, and confidence of being heir to all that is to be valued in life.

Grateful

For you see, as I cannot, what lies ahead along each path.

Meditation Thought: “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;” (Psalm 95:2)

“Thank you” definition: You helped me. I appreciate your effort and your willingness to care about me and to acknowledge my needs, and to help me in fulfilling those needs. Our relationship is enhanced and intensified because of this involvement. This exchange has made a difference in some way in the direction we are going, and therefore is important to us and to those whom we influence.

Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, so far above and beyond me in scope – but so approachable and understanding as we meet: thank you, thank you, for all creation, for my creation, and for your provisions. Help me to yield to You in grace when I see that I am not following your path chosen for me. For you see, as I cannot, what lies ahead along each path. Intensify Your Word throughout every area in my life, making it permeate my mind, my will, my intentions, my emotions and my actions, that the beauty of Your love, mercy and power might be released in me and through me ever more effectively, in the realm of the spirit, in the realm of the world, in the realm of the Kingdom which contains these two realms. Help me to be not only a ‘good’ steward, but an enlightened, perceptive, effective steward who, through every thought, every word and every deed, reflects Your will and Your goodness and the Love with which You rule.

Guide me Father, that I may open my mind and my heart to receive Your truth and wisdom, and to reflect them in every possible way by obedience to Your will.

Amen.

Good to All, Harm to None

Help My people come to know Me as you know Me: Loving, caring providing and merciful – patient and generous, kind and good.

Meditation Thought: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

“Listen to My instructions and heed them with confidence and with the enthusiasm with which you carry out your fondest desires. My instructions, followed correctly, bring good to all and harm to none. But who can follow My instructions? Only those who hear them. You must be listening, learning and moving if you are to carry out My will for your life and for the world and the kingdom. I will guide you:
in love, and not reproach,
in light and not in darkness,
in joy and not in pain,
in truth and not in lies.

I sent My Son that all might see I am a God of Love and Mercy as well as Righteousness. It is in a relationship of “family” that I want My instructions followed – not in the relationship of harsh taskmaster dealing with a reluctant servant. My Son lived and died that this message could get through to My people, could be completely understood if they would listen.

Help My people come to know Me as you know Me: Loving, caring providing and merciful – patient and generous, kind and good – but always consistent in administering the laws of righteousness and truth.”