A Priceless Gift Wrapped Plainly

If we refuse to acknowledge and accept any gift, it may as well not exist, for to us it has no meaning.

Meditation Thought: “…I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me.” (John 8:28)

Our response to circumstances is the key to what circumstances take place next.

And proper responses – responses consistent with God’s best desires are possible only if God is known well enough to be understood as to purpose and as to the best way of accomplishing that purpose.

God reveals Himself in many, many ways – but one sure way to block knowledge of Him is to ignore Him: to ignore the Word, to ignore the prompting of the Spirit which always nudges us to noble understandings, and to ignore the character of Jesus, His teachings, His actions and His priorities.

If we refuse to acknowledge and accept any gift, it may as well not exist, for to us it has no meaning.

God offers, we refuse. God offers again – we refuse again. The pattern repeats. Finally, we begin to recognize, as we perceive those around us using resources which are not available to us, that the circumstances which we have been ignoring, or misunderstanding, have a message for us: that a gift has been offered, but we had our heads turned, or our minds distracted, or were running after something in a different direction, and we’d missed out on the very thing we’d been longing for.

Once we reach this stage, it won’t be long before the gift will be offered again. We need to be watching for it eagerly, so that we may recognize it – no matter how it is wrapped, for the appearance of heavenly gifts is not the kind of appearance we expect in worldly gifts. Heavenly gifts are often unattractive on the outside – we must have courage and trust to open them. We must rely on the knowledge of the love of the giver (our Father).

Every gift the Father gives us is bursting with opportunity to become something good – for us, for others, for the Father. For it is not the packaging that is important, but the contents.

THE Bridge; not just a bridge

Seek Jesus, heed the Holy Spirit and skip joyfully to all that the Father has for you.

Meditation Thought: “But I have not come of my own accord; he who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” (John 7:28-29)

God the Father is so far beyond human concepts of fatherhood that it is difficult to know Him. So He sent Jesus! Jesus is the bridge. He bridges the ‘credibility gap’, the ‘wisdom gap’ – most of all – the ‘love gap’.

Picture your joy in realizing that you do not have to remain marooned in a limited physical, difficult environment – lonely, confused and ignorant. You have come upon a bridge: a sturdy, easily crossed bridge which leads to a new kingdom. A place to dwell in peace, in love, in joy – dreams fulfilled. An exciting, interesting place!

You are on the bridge – and even to be this far brings hope and pleasure, even though some old problems remain from the former environment. Don’t look back – and don’t look down – look ahead. Look ahead to the Kingdom which has been described in such glowing terms throughout scripture.

If you find you’ve turned back; back to old ways and old thinking: stop! pray! Seek the Father’s will and the sturdy bridge beneath you, to turn yourself around, moving once again towards the promised Kingdom.

You will find others on the bridge. Encourage them! Be encouraged! Seek Jesus, heed the Holy Spirit and skip joyfully to all that the Father has for you.

Jesus’ Job Description for Us

Love from someone and love for someone both cast out fear.

Meditation Thought: “‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’” (John 6:28-29)

If you believe in he whom God has sent (Jesus) to show you the way of life – which you were meant to take for your fulfillment and your joy – you will then desire to follow the pattern of his life: trusting in the Father; obedience to the Father and such love that all selfishness is eliminated as the joy of serving and observing the transformed lives as a result of that serving becomes natural and total.

What appears to the selfish ego as sacrifice and distasteful is the very light that reveals the kingdom beyond the more easily seen world. It is in the kingdom-revealed knowledge that one becomes a follower of Christ’s ways. It is possible to observe Christ’s ways from the viewpoint of the world, but it is only possible to emulate them through the viewpoint of the kingdom.

“Perfect love casts out fear.” Love from someone and love for someone both cast out fear. And when the love is flowing freely, this is the force that clears out sin and rebellion, that promotes health and healing, that produces joy and beauty and appreciation.

The Desires of your Heart

Be alert, pray, have faith, act, praise God!

Meditation Thought: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.” (Isaiah 49:13)

“If I do everything you pray for instantaneously, you will become as a spoiled child – you would expect to have your every wish granted, and thus you would be a dictator – a dictator to Me, your Lord, your Father, the highest authority. This cannot be. You are my beloved child, and I do delight to please you. Nevertheless, you are far too ignorant of the ways of the world and My Way to be able to decide what is to be done. You must learn, step by step, from Me, how to cope with life – how to think and act. This is what you learn from prayer and praise and trust and hope and faith. What more could a loving Father do for a beloved child?

Do not fret when you must make effort for, and must wait for, the desires of your heart. Your life is so much a part of all life – and vice versa – that it takes time to have proper movement and proper results for health and happiness for all concerned.

There are ways you can facilitate the process: be Alert for the signs of the Kingdom – both within the world and without; Pray; have Faith; Act; Praise God.”

Unity of Spirit

You need not fear anything, or fret about anything, so long as you believe that My power is sufficient for you. Is the greatest power in the universe sufficient for you?

Meditation Thought: “To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.” (Titus 1:15)

“The way to have purity in your life is be be pure. You be pure through the constant purifying stream of the Holy Spirit. This pure stream sustains you, refreshes you, cleanses you – if by your will, you allow it to flow into your being.

Seek to be pure and holy – not through stress of trying to work this out as your own accomplishment – but by simple faith that your loving Father has provided the way for you, through belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and as present strength, helper and guide in the form of the Holy Spirit.

We are one in spirit; we dwell together in unity of spirit, mind, conscience and purpose when you desire this and seek it. You need not fear anything, or fret about anything, so long as you believe that My power is sufficient for you. Is the greatest power in the universe sufficient for you?”

A Noble Vessel Ready for Service

…knowing that the stressful moments are the very times that are the most productive times in terms of changes for the better.

Meditation Thought: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth. ” (Psalm 8:9) “If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)

It is through the majestic power which is the basis of the majestic name that noble uses are made of noble vessels.

Noble vessels become noble by the yielding of self-will to eternal will – by being caught up in a cause greater than self, to the point that commitment to the cause is more crucial than commitment to one’s self. It is not disagreeable to be a vessel instead of the master, it is a joy. It is knowing that one’s function is tailored to one’s abilities, but more than that, it is realizing that the master desires to constantly enhance the vessel and consecrate it to more and more beautiful and crucial function. The master combines form with function as do human artists, giving pleasure to all involved.

This results only when the vessel is yielded to the complete will of the master, not resisting the touch that moves a part here and there, though the movement may be painful for a time. To know the master is all that a master should be, and to be content to belong to this master, trusting him, and being glad to be his, is to conquer all that is distressing, knowing that the stressful moments are the very times that are the most productive times in terms of changes for the better. This is what makes life living, not a static, immovable state, but a dynamic exciting anticipatory state.

The Source for Power, Love & Self-discipline.

Relax your mind, and your emotions. You will not be disappointed. Trust Me.

Meditation Thought: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Do no allow others’ actions to affect your knowledge of who you are, and what is going on in your life – especially your inner life. I am your strength; I am your power; I am your guide; I am your stronghold.

Trust Me. I have brought you to this place for a purpose. Seek Me; seek My will. There is much good to be done for many. Do not anticipate Me. Pray constantly; be a cheerful, faithful servant to all who enter into your life. It is in servanthood that you will find and demonstrate power, self-control and love. Relax your mind, and your emotions. I go to prepare a place for you. When it is ready I shall come for you, to take you that you may have the thrill of a happy surprise. You will not be disappointed. Trust Me – trust Me.

Yoked with God: A Journey of Change

Oh Lord, I know You –
Maybe only a tiny bit,
for You are so great.
But knowing you,
such as I do,
Whether it be a vast portion of Truth,
Or only a glimpse by which to hope,
I am changed.
No longer am I
confused
inept
discouraged
sad.
I am Yours –
And you are Love:
The most beautiful,
desirable, sought-after
quality in life.
I can be content;
All I need is contained
in My spirit, my mind,
and thus in every area of my life.
Whether rich or poor –
Young or old, ignorant or wise,
esteemed or ridiculed –
none of these matter.
Only You do I seek to please.
Not because you demand it,
But because it’s the way things are
When they are in order:
The child honoring the father –
the father caring for the child.
A team, a partnership –
a fellowship –
a yoked pair.
Yoked gladly, joyfully, enthusiastically.
Moving purposefully
Along the Way,
enjoying the experiences,
the scenery,
Yet knowing that the best is yet to come.
The longer the companionship,
the deeper the feeling for one another is known,
acknowledged and expressed.
Somewhere in the place called ‘eternity’ in my mind,
Is the ecstasy indescribable
By human understanding.
To know it exists –
And to know I’m on my way there,
Is to transform me here and now.
I have a new vision of who I am.
This person, yoked with the God the Creator,
Sustainer of the universe –
Yet the gentle shepherd,
the unassuming helper.
Because I’m yoked with You,
Your fellowship changes me.
You give me new visions,
new competency,
new knowledge,
new wisdom,
new strength,
new desires,
new goals.
When I’m so fascinated by You,
caught up in admiration,
That I forget myself,
Then I am a new creature in Christ.
Through Christ’s loving sacrifice
made real in me by my appreciation,
Christ is expressed in me, through me, by me.
I don’t understand how, or why…
I do know it’s right.
It’s being content – in all circumstances.
It’s like a veil lifting,
or seeing face to face,
instead of in a mirror darkly.

Release Your Burdens & Rejoice

O, Little One, My beloved child, My precious lamb – I would, I did, lay down my life that you may live. You are my beloved, my pride and joy.

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

“Yield yourself to Me – including your emotions and your desires. When you absorb My word, do My works of kindness and love, rejoice in the Spirit and seek Me as your constant companion, you can trust that I will provide the emotions which are pleasing to you and the fulfillment of your deepest longings and desires.

‘My yoke is easy and My burden is light’ (Matthew 11:30) is to be your theme song. When you yield the stress of decisions to Me, through prayer, praise, trust and doing what seems appropriate without fretting, you then put into operation My grace and My strength. I cannot take your burdens unless you let go of them as I reach for them.

I will not violate your free will. No, even I, who created you, who created the marvels of the universe, will not force you to do My bidding. Does this reveal to you the extent of your value to Me? Do you have any ides of the joy it brings Me to have you freely listen to Me and believe Me when I say I love you and seek good for you in all circumstances? (Romans 8:28)

O, Little One, My beloved child, My precious lamb – I would, I did, lay down my life that you may live – truly live – not just exist. This is who you are – a new creature in Christ: My beloved, but more than My beloved, my pride and joy.”

Sing in New Life

Only by giving up the life of the present can we move on to a new life.

Meditation thought: “Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare.” (Isaiah 42:10,9)

If we will allow Him, the Lord will constantly bring us into more knowledge of Himself. This is how the Father enables his child to mature, developing into a person able to do many things the Father does, thus fulfilling the Father’s dream for the child as well as fulfilling the child’s desires.

Only by giving up the life of the present can we move on to a new life. When God is our guide into the new ventures, we can move on in anticipation and hope – not fearing the future, but glad for what our loving Father has prepared for us.

We shall have trials, for all have not yet seen the glory of God and the joy of being His. But we can, if we will, be content in knowing what the sages of the ages have sought to know: the Truth, the Reality, the best way to live one’s life, for both the joy of the present and the joy in the future.

Actions of those living in sync with the Spirit make no sense to others. It’s the difference between living a new life compared to living a life stuck and mired in the past, ignoring or rejecting God’s revelation of “new things” through the life of Jesus.

To move on the “new things” is to experience the power, the grandeur, the joy and the anticipation of a life based on loving God with all our soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves.