Category: SpiritFilledLiving

Trial and Success

Apparent failures turn into successes under God’s loving guidance.

Meditation Thought: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor’s crown, the life God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

“Trial and error” – a way of life we have considered normal. But it is not normal for a Christian relying on God’s directions: His life is “trial and success” – for apparent failures turn into successes under God’s loving guidance and protection. This knowledge gives us strength to bear up under trial, that God might bring us further along the way He desires us to be. And the more we become His heart’s desire, the more we can stand the trial, and the more successful the transformation becomes.

A Lighted Path

Listening and doing bring answered prayer.

Meditation Thought in response to Psalm 119:

In His faithfulness, God gives His commandments that we might have His knowledge working in truth. The lighted path brings us peace until we can see the evidence of His testimonies, and give Him praise for His glorious workings in our lives.

  • Knowledge – allowing the Spirit to manifest Himself in us to teach us the knowledge needed for action.
  • God’s Faithfulness (we can trust You)
  • Commandments – if we listen to Your commandments, we know Your will and doing Your will brings answers to our prayers.
  • Truth – (v.104 & 159) Through Your precepts I get understanding; the sum of Your word is truth which brings me to understanding which brings me to right action.
  • God’s Word lights my path
  • God’s testimonies are wonderful (v 129)
  • Great peace for those who love to obey.

Hope Does Not Fail

What better description for a life of peace and victory?

Meditation Thought: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Afflicted (hard pressed) – not crushed
Perplexed – not in despair
Persecuted – not abandoned (forsaken)
Struck down – not destroyed

What better description for a life of peace and victory? No matter what the circumstances, hope does not fail, for “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

We are not crushed, despaired, abandoned or destroyed because we are not alone, we know our “Reserves” are coming to back us up – all we need do is to wait for them to come to change the situation. What a difference it is to know that our uncomfortable position is only temporary – and that good is being worked in it for us.

It’s easy to take discomfort when you know it is bringing rewards later, easy to take when you know it is improving you every minute. We don’t seek discomfort or problems, but when they come (as they do to believers and non-believers alike), we can rise above them in our minds as our minds concentrate on God, seeking His will – His wisdom – His solutions. Soon – or at least on God’s schedule – we have not only our minds, but every part of us risen above the discomfort and problem and feel exhilarated and happier for the overcoming of the trouble, for the knowing more completely than ever before, that God is sufficient. As we come closer to Him in trust, we can not only throw off fear of events, we can almost welcome trouble because we know God will work so much good from it that eventually it will become a blessing.

Words Become Energy

When it seems difficult to determine the will of the Father, draw close to the Son.

Meditation Thought: “And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (John 12:45)

“I am the light – that you might see – and what you see bears heavily on what you think and do. It is imperative that you see Truth if you are to be a citizen of the Kingdom. And the only way of seeing Truth is by believing the Word. Don’t just look at the words and hear the words, but let the words penetrate into you – into your mind, into your heart, into your spirit, so that the words become alive in you – they become energy instead of ideas.

To see the Father – the Creator and continued Guide of all things, to understand Him, you need only to look at the Son. When it seems difficult to determine the will of the Father, draw close to the Son and He will reveal the Father’s will, for He does the will of the Father and came to guide you too in the will of the Father.

The Son is:
loving
obedient
trustworthy
active
thoughtful
patient
kind
available
giving
humble
healing
soothing
charitable
loyal
willing
able
confident.”

Only Ask

Proceed without doubt, without fear – but only after consultation with Me.

Meditation Thought: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…  I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 12-13)

“Do not hesitate to use the authority which I have given to you; and do not dare usurp the authority which is Mine. How can you determine our respective authorities? In one way only: constant checking of My will and instructions by prayer – by listening to My Word and Spirit. I have deliberately withheld from you specific instructions and knowledge until you need them. Proceed without doubt, without fear – but only after consultation with Me. There are only a few principles which you need to know – but these few are expressed in as much variety as there are moments in your life.

Only I know the specific most effective application of the principles at any given time, for only I know the unseen forces working everywhere.

But I long to share this knowledge with you! Only ask Me so that your free will is honored.

Transformation: Ignorance to Life

We are delighted, awed – even puzzled.

Meditation Thought: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

The indwelling Spirit and the indwelling Truth of the Word implanted in the mind are the transforming powers which move us from ignorance of life to knowledge of Life. We know Whom to worship and how to worship. We know Whom to petition and how to petition. We know Whose we are and why we are.

We have discovered a new part of ourselves: our spirit. We are delighted, awed – even puzzled over this piece of us which has been there all along, but we had not yet found it.

We must learn the function of it – we must learn how to integrate it with all of our other parts. The concept is so new, so different: a part of us that is not known by physical sense, or by the mental process, but by the breath of the Spirit which brings life to our spirit. When we are born of the spirit truly we are “new creations”; we can now worship in spirit and in truth. We are no longer deceived by appearances or by the impressions others press upon us, but know the Truth: we see not with blurred eyes, but with x-ray vision. We hear not the clamor of the world, but the harmony of heaven. We taste not the bitterness of envy, but the Bread of Life. We touch not the grasp of Satan, but the tender clasp of the loving Father. We smell not the odor of burning flesh, but the perfumes of the ripened fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (See Galatians 5:23)

Miracle Workers

Not a thought, not the smallest of actions is neutral: everything is either to the glory of God – or the delight of Satan.

Meditation Thought: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Not a thought, not the smallest of actions is neutral: everything is either to the glory of God – or the delight of Satan. Practice, practice: learn the meaning of the Word, and having this knowledge, seek the wisdom of the Spirit – by these shall you think and act to the glory of God.

And by these shall you think and act to the salvation of the world: your world – and the worlds it touches.

Let not your preoccupation with your feelings, your desires, your will, short-circuit the flow of power from heaven into your world. The Word and the Spirit are the miracle workers – through the willing mind and body of the believer. A willing mind and body are constructed from a willing spirit seeking beyond self: seeking to know from whom they came, and to whom they belong, and to whom they give glory.

I come not with
pounding drums
Nor searchlights
and parades:
Those you could
not ignore.
I come softly,
quietly, with gentle touch.
Asking, not demanding –
Will you follow Me?
For I go to bring
glory to God;
I seek to show you the way.
The limits you have,
So I had too.
And as I overcame
by yielding My will,
So I show you too:
The Father’s will is
the grace of His glory
Bringing peace and joy
and love.

Master Weaver

Set your goal high: as high as heaven.

Meditation Thought: “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)

“Take the thread of life which I place before you; seek to study the instructions on how to weave it into a beautiful blanket: an all-purpose blanket to be shared again and again to provide warmth, shelter and beauty for many.

Do not be dismayed by difficulties, but know that they arise so that you will seek to be more creative in using the talents (thread) which I have given you.

I do not propose for you to weave a plain, monotonous blanket. No, it must have depth of texture, contrasts of color, variety of design. It shall be as a tapestry which tells a story as it is observed from one part to another.

Do not allow Satan to make flaws in it by listening to his instructions rather than Mine – oh, they are so much easier for you to follow. They take little effort, little concentration – and the results are disastrous; they are displeasing to you and to others.

Set your goal high: as high as heaven. You know there is a “best” for each moment of your life: seek to weave the best pattern in the best colors. You can do it, if you:

  • Seek to know My will, moment by moment
  • Seek to do My will moment by moment
  • Seek to rejoice in doing My will, moment by moment.

Peace and joy are the marks of My will expressed as your “best” weaving: your peace, your joy – and the peace and joy of all who know you.”

Fresh – Pure – Lovely

Life is meant to be actively lived, not passively endured!

Meditation Thought: “Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:4)

“My judgment has been revealed, and My judgment is: forgiveness. I seek to love you. Will you seek to love me? Can you put aside the fears and misconceptions the world has thrust upon you when you were vulnerable – before you put on the armor of My Spirit? You can, you know.

You need not keep any irritants within you – let My Spirit wash them out. Through the yielding to the rushing flow of My Spirit you can be cleansed – constantly made fresh and pure and lovely. But you must be willing: you must recognize that at times the waters will be removing such entrenched irritants that there will be temporary pain. Do not stop the flow at these times or some of the irritant will remain.

Keep the flow strong by seeking to know what to think, how to pray, what actions to take. Why live a life ‘in limbo’? Look at the physical evidence which surrounds you: there is color, movement, substance. Life is meant to be actively lived, not passively endured!

Get up from your sick bed of rebellion and pity and sloth and distress: Follow Me. We have many places to go and things to do, each place an interesting vista, each action an exciting adventure, every day an eagerly anticipated event!

We can change the world: we can exchange the world for the Kingdom in each heart which will open to our knock. Come, let us put out our nets, that we may bring hearts within our reach. My judgment consists not of vengeance but of love, and we must teach the truth of this wherever Satan has deceived a heart with his lies about this.”

A Mural Spanning Time & Space

You have a special place where you are needed.

Meditation Thought: “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up…For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged…For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:26,31,33)

“You and your companion believers are working on a mural spanning time and space. This was started by artists years ago, and will be worked on by many who come after you. You have a special place where you are needed to do your work, using your unique talents. But you must understand the complete concept of the finished mural if you are to interpret your part correctly to best enhance the whole.

If each worker seeks to know the grand idea of the completed mural by asking Me to explain it to you, then each will be able to have the vision of the whole guide the execution of the part. This is the only method which will complete the work according to the plan. If one tries to ‘do their own thing’, the disharmony with the whole is displeasing to all who view the mural. There is recourse for errors – as errors are recognized through constant checking with the plan, and with other workers, then I will provide the ‘paint remover’ to erase the error and start again. A repentant heart is the request for a new beginning, and never, never will I refuse the means of erasing errors and replacing them with works in harmony with the truth of the original concept.

Never give up! Never feel alone! Never feel that your efforts are lost!

  • I am a God of purpose, not chance.
  • I am a God of creativity, not destruction.
  • I am a God of eternal and communal love and harmony.

Seek to know Me and My ideal plan for you at whatever stage you are in.”