How Things Work

The world calls this “miracle”, God calls it “standard operating procedure”.

Meditation Thought: “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4)

(Message perceived to be from Jesus.)


As the root thrusts deeper in search of life-giving water, so must you thrust your life deeper into Mine. You cannot live, let alone bear delicious, outstanding fruit, if you do not have the nourishment to grow it.

You must come to know Me as if you were one of My disciples who could see Me, hear Me, touch Me. The Holy Spirit will be your sight, your hearing, your touch. As My words penetrate into you, you must be receptive to their nourishing power, using that power as I teach you through the Holy Spirit. I have promised that whoever believes in Me will do the works that I do. Believe the healing works into reality. You are My eyes, My ears, My hands to the world. Let Me activate them by turning your will, your brain and your heart to Me to activate for you. In this manner do I live in you and you live in Me, and the Father dwells in both of us. His creative power is released anew – the world calls this “miracle”, God calls it “standard operating procedure”. The process was intended to run smoothly, but through free will misused, sin clogged it. I will clean out the dirt of sin and allow the process to run smoothly again – if you will move out of the way so that I can get to the machinery of the process.

Jungle Adventure

The jungle of circumstances holds no peril for you if you put your efforts into finding My path instead of hacking a path for yourself.

Meditation Thought: “Behold, I am doing a new thing… I will make a way in the wilderness.” (Isaiah 43:19)

Give Me your attention – we are starting on an adventure together. Enjoy the thrill, the excitement, the anticipation of discovery. The way will be cleared before you, for I prepare it before asking you to go that way. You must look for the path I have cleared for you – otherwise you will have to fight the wilderness by yourself – finding it very difficult to penetrate. When you find yourself chopping at obstacles in your path, frustrated, tired and discouraged – stop: Look at where you are, and look at where I am – are you following Me? Are you taking the path which I have cleared for you? The jungle of circumstances holds no peril for you, no difficulty, if you put your efforts into finding My path instead of hacking a path for yourself. Direct your efforts where the results will be fruitful and satisfying, and not frustrating.

Devine Power / Purpose

“Live” – not “exist” – what is the difference?

Meditation Thought: “Live one day at a time.” (Matthew 6:34 TLB)

“Live” – not “exist” – what is the difference? To live is to appreciate, to delight in, to be excited about, to have joy in. The only possible way to live each day is to live in Christ, who enables us to sharpen our appreciation, to have joy in every circumstance. He brings excitement, for we know that even when we don’t see anything interesting happening, Jesus is working out something which we will understand later. We can go about happily doing our assignment of the moment.

When we take care to think completely what we are doing now, we are thinking according to God’s principles which are instilled in us, according to God’s will as He has and is revealing it to us – and when Divine Power is in our act of the moment, it has great effect – maybe not noticeable to us, then or later, but nevertheless, God’s purpose is being fulfilled, and there is no greater work than that!

From Without Rather than Within

There is nothing to fear, except the fear of forgetting to turn to Me. And so long as you are weak, you will remember to turn to Me.

Meditation Thought: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

My grace and My power – if you go under your own power, I will not violate your choice not to yield to Me – therefore, I cannot pour My power into you unless you ask for it, unless you yield your own will to receive it. The weaker you are on your own, the more witness of My power as accomplishments are made through you.

Rejoice that you are timid and fearful, for that is what turns you to Me – and it is what will turn others to Me. If you have no dynamic power of your own, then it becomes evident that the power surging and moving and changing in your life is from without: and when results are good (measured by love engendered, My commandments fulfilled, peace and joy abounding) – then the glory comes to Me; the joy of more hearts opening to My love comes to Me, and life in the Spirit is strengthened for My believers. Stand strong – in My power. Armed with My Word, My guidance, My power, My will, nothing can prevail against you – there is nothing to fear, except the fear of forgetting to turn to Me. And so long as you are weak, you will remember to turn to Me.

Celebrate Your Uniqueness

Discover the wonders of the world as a child: open, awed, delighted, entranced, humbled by the vastness and grandeur – and eager to share discovery.

Meditation Thought: “Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

Inspire others to My love and grace and forgiving nature by spending so much time, energy and thought, concentration and commitment, to our relationship that you are transformed by the Presence of Myself influencing you moment after moment, day after day, year after year.

When you are weak, call upon the Word, the Name, the Spirit. Never will I leave you or forsake you. The enemy cannot conquer you, for you are mine by your faith and trust and commitment to Me and My cause, and I am Lord over all of creation. Seek to know this in new ways, in new areas.

Allow your imagination to run free in accomplishing the tasks set before you. You are unique – let Me use your uniqueness to be an example to inspire others to remove shackles of prejudice, preconceived ideas, stubbornness and inertia.

Raise your eyes to see the overall vista often that you may enjoy your journey more, and be inspired to move more rapidly and energetically.

Each day you move toward your goal – toward a more complete view of your eternal purpose. Treat each day as a gift given for new opportunities to learn and grow – and rejoice, realizing that learning and growing in any knowledge, because of your trust in My teaching, is also automatically learning and growing in knowledge of Me and My Kingdom and My purposes.

Keep all of these things in mind as you travel lonely, boring, difficult parts of the path. And rejoice in the “downhill” parts – the easy, happy times when the memory of difficult uphill struggles enhance the delight of the effortless movement forward.

Gain a sense of rhythm, of ease of movement – as if riding the crest of a wave. Do not be discouraged nor confused when you tumble from the crest as you gain experience, for I am always working to help move you again to the crest.

Do not be intimidated by the vastness of knowledge but delight in each part that you recognize and absorb into your being.

Discover the wonders of the world and the Kingdom as a child discovers the world: open, awed, delighted, entranced, humbled by the vastness and grandeur – and eager to share discovery.

The Vocabulary of Heaven

Will you put aside false pride, self-consciousness, self-interest, preoccupation with small matters, and allow me to expand your vision, your vista, your vitality?

Meditation Thought: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

“You reap what you sow. This is the result of My giving you freedom of choice, that you may be truly My children, and not merely My creations.

Oh, My child: open up your spirit, your mind, your emotions, exposing them to everything to which I lead you. For I would teach you through all things: through words, through people, through circumstances – all perceived through the wisdom of the indwelling Spirit – so that what the world terms miracles, but what is natural according to My eternal will, may be accomplished.

You have been given all of the equipment needed to make a ‘heaven on earth’, to have ‘the Kingdom within’: you have been created in love, to be loved, and to give love. You have been given a measure of faith, you have been given a sound mind, you have been given a spirit which can seek My Spirit and draw it into you. You have been given a body – a marvel of intricate parts, you have been given feelings, that you may be more than a robot, you have been given a physical world to appreciate, you have been given hope, for I am your hope and have sought to tell you so.

Never will I spurn My children’s seeking of Me. How I love you! Did I not suffer in every possible way that you might have life abundantly? Did I not suffer that you might be spared?

Every thought, every word, every action that you create in the image of He who took on the form of man, but who is Spirit, is sheer power: power to move mountains, to move the hearts of men, to stir their souls – to rescue the perishing.

Learn the language which is the tongue of heaven: its vocabulary consists of words of love, of hope, of comfort, of forgiveness. Do not mix in with this heavenly language the words of the world or of your own ego – they will mar it, will grate upon My ears, your ears and the ears of the world. It is as if the world has been exposed to a beautiful concert – and then someone hits a sour note and spoils the beauty of the moment.

So stand firm in the speaking of the pure language of love, despite all of the provocations to which you are exposed.

Seek to be strong by the ingesting of My Word to strengthen your mind, the embracing of My Spirit through the invitation and climate congenial for It’s dwelling, and through constant, conscious prayer and supplication.

Conceive of all that is loving, good, righteous, desirable, and merciful – and make these elements the basis of your life on earth, and your life in the spirit.

Truly, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God – and faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.

I shall give you the desires of your heart when your heart is beating in tandem with My Spirit’s coursing through your spirit, prompting to My will, and according to My Word.

You do not comprehend at this moment all I am expressing to you: nevertheless, you must be exposed to it, that I may teach you in full knowledge and wisdom and discernment as time goes by.

Seek to learn all that you can, seek to do good – and the results will be as natural as the acorn growing into a mighty oak. Though this is a miraculous work, it is also natural and the purpose for which the acorn was created.

Seek to be aware of the seemingly unrelated parts of life, and as you observe each part, seeking to know it in full, you will also become aware of spiritual threads connecting all parts – each part affects the other: to work harmony and health to all, or to wreak havoc. I seek you to heal, to harmonize. Will you heed My call?

Will you put aside false pride, self-consciousness, self-interest, preoccupation with small matters, and allow me to expand your vision, your vista, your vitality?

I seek to lead you into beautiful maturity of spirit: will you follow Me?

I promise you peace, joy, and love: yes, there will be conflict too – but always victory, always hope in the challenge – always a further strengthening of our relationship along with course we run together.

You are close to discovering the deep meaning of the words of the saints which you have been reading, of the feelings which at times puzzle you, unformed thoughts which swirl in your mind, but have not come yet t rest in a pattern which you can understand.

Fear not, for lo, I am with you always.”

How to Change the Universe

Every thought, every action, every prayer changes the world, changes the Kingdom. You, you change the universe!

Meditation Thought: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)

You have been admonished to obey those in authority: yet there is a hierarchy of authority, and you must obey the highest in command if there is a conflict of instructions. God is the highest authority. He judges justly. Obey Him, not only obey, but seek to be recognized as His child by the diligent pursuit of imitating Him in the flesh of the man called Jesus.

  • If you concentrate your spirit, mind, body, energies on all which is consistent with God’s nature as revealed to you in various forms, you will be doing His works while at the same time releasing His power in you to transform you, through your belief in Him, to work miracles in your life. To transform you:
  • from ignorant to wise,
  • from fearful to courageous,
  • from weak to strong,
  • from sad to joyful,
  • from ineffective to effective.

And this transformation takes place quietly,

  • little by little
  • thought by thought,
  • action by action,
  • prayer by prayer.

But every thought, every action, every prayer changes the world, changes the Kingdom. You, you change the universe! Be excited about this, be pleased about this. This is the manner in which God created: it is natural, it is desirable. The changes are to be made – but the attitude you adopt in making them is the revelation of who has your allegiance. Are you humble, willing to serve, glad to forgive and love and sacrifice? Then the world, which is proud, arrogant, unforgiving, hateful and demanding will not count you one of its own. But God rejoices in you, and by your acting out of His nature in your life, bit by bit, you soften the hardness of the world – reshape a part of it – squeezing out hate with love, and the volume of worldly power is reduced a little, while the volume of spiritual power is increased a little.

You are needed, only you can reshape certain parts of the world, appropriating them for the Kingdom – and it is through your manner – guided by the Spirit – that the world desires to be reshaped, allows itself to be reshaped, seeks to be reshaped. Carry on, move forward in confidence: Confidence in Your Lord.

From Shadow into Light

You cannot see God’s will through the barrier of sin.

Meditation Thought: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

The confessing of your sins – which is the recognition of them, and the repentance from them – will bring your soul from shadow into light: all truth is perceived in light; the Father’s work is done in light; knowledge is revealed in light.

You cannot be righteous at the same time you are sinful. And you cannot see God’s will through the barrier of sin. Therefore, seek out your sins, confess them, and be rid of them that you may be righteous and know God’s will: in this condition is God’s power released through His children, bringing the harvest after the time of cultivating in patient faith the principles He has sown in our hearts.

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.

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!