Category: Purpose

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!

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”