Can we hear what they say?
Resist not your sorrows, your troubles, your difficulties and afflictions, but learn obedience by them for such is the purpose and power of your sufferings. This is the pruning that must be given until all that is dead and unproductive in you is trimmed away by our Father, who is the husbandman.
Beloved, remember that those who seek the great fulfillment that they might awe the minds of men, or to receive praise and honors and to fill high places with their presence but search in vain and their struggle will end in disappointment and failure.
To hold high positions, to receive the adulation and honors of men, to exult in the pride and greatness is as vain to the growth of the soul as it is useless to try building an infant body into maturity by rubbing food on the outside. This is not the way of growth.
Growth is always from within, either in the physical, mental or spiritual realms. To bask in the flatteries and praises of men, to walk in that self-superior attitude of "being the Lord's anointed," expecting to be appreciated and exalted by such methods is very childish. And those who indulge their inward cravings to this extent are considered but very spoiled children from the higher viewpoint. Such cravings for recognition and honor and the basking in positions and receiving credits is vainglorious and not only stops the soul’s growth but actually begins to shrivel it.
My dearly beloved, know that as you step beyond the little physical, mortal self with its bigotries, and lusts and insatiable hunger for credit and rewards, into the higher understanding of growth, the body becomes the vehicle through which the progress of your soul is accomplished.
It is through, and IN the body, that all things must be overcome. Open your mind to comprehend the fullness of these words that you may know fully and completely that it is only possible to receive a fullness of joy while the body and spirit are united. Without the body the spirit has nothing with which to overcome.
The spirit is glorified through the body. The body is the crucible in which the spirit is refined. When the spirit is exalted and fully matured it exalts the body to its level and both can be redeemed and glorified together. This is the law I [Jesus Christ] exemplified , the pattern I gave, the law of fulfillment. Life itself is an opportunity to overcome and pass right on into the Spiritual Kingdom of complete, glorified maturity, which is intended for every child of earth.
Within each soul is engraved a divine and glorious destiny that is so far beyond anything man has, as yet visualized, it is completely overwhelming in its magnitude of glorious perfection. And this fulfillment, this complete growth and glory, has to be achieved by, and through, the flesh.
The body contains the necessary equipment and conditions the soul requires to overcome.
Overcome what? you ask. Overcome the self, the little mortal, ego-filled self that, in its pride and bigotry and sensual lusts blocks the way to heaven. Yea, overcome the little self that gloats over praise and high positions and the honors of men, the little self that actually believes, in some instances, that it has a monopoly upon God and upon His holy favors and graces, though He proclaimed aloud that He is no respecter of persons, nor positions. He has always selected the weak and foolish ones to confound the learned and wise. Yea, overcome the little self that seeks its own and loves its own, and itself. Overcome the little self that seeks to cover or ignore its own weaknesses and sins and failings, while magnifying them in others. Yea, overcome that little mortal self that so violently stands up to give battle in that overcoming.
Beloved ones, despair not. It is the weaknesses in that little physical "self" that serves as the testing ground, or is the battlefield. Yea, beloved, fear not as you step forth and realize that you are the crucible in which the dross is burned away. Yea, the body is the crucible in which your own refinement takes place and through it is the process given that purifies, perfects and glorifies if you will only bear the tests. Yea, truly was it proclaimed anciently in questioning solicitude, "Who can stand the test of knowing God?"
Yea, who can stand the refining, the overcoming, the intense purifying that is needed to be clothed in His Fullness?
Nay, beloved, despair not at the road ahead. Only know that it is a great and glorious privilege to be endowed with a body of flesh through which your soul might overcome, if you will but permit it. Know that every glorious breath is a divine privilege and an opportunity, for as long as you have the breath of life manifest within you, just so long do you have a chance for ultimate victory. Yea, as long as intelligence can function within you and breath lasts there is the power to turn the tide of battle and achieve the victory. It is the great battle of decision in which you yourselves must make the great decision and achieve eternal victory as the "First-born" begins its reign.
It is for the individual to overcome the darkness right within himself, the fears, the negatives of the flesh, otherwise he will carry them across with him into the realm beyond. It is the flesh that provides the equipment for overcoming, the opportunity and power for complete "Exaltation".
Oh Life! Life Stupendous, immeasurable, abundant Life!
Yea, beloved, let every breath be a song of fulfillment, a rhythm of praise, an opportunity of exulting in the glorious gifts and opportunities of God. It is this blessed mortal life of yours that unfolds and holds every opportunity of fulfillment, of triumph, of maturing and of stepping across a million years of travel in one short life-span.
Yea, beloved, every heartbeat is an opportunity! Every breath contains the power of your own exaltation. Every thought and feeling is endowed with the powers of creation and complete fulfillment.
Recall, my beloved , my parable of the laborers in my vineyard and those who sat idle in the market place until the last hour? Yea, suppose your life has passed and you have failed to find your place and the powers of your own maturity and fulfillment. This last hour need not be lost if you will but turn to me and offer up your broken hearts of failure and lost years and with your final energy serve in the joy of this last hour.
Know this, beloved, the great growth of the soul is not made in anguished tears of agony, but rather in the joy of praise and the adoration of singing gratitude. For he who is thankful in all things shall be made glorious. Yea, in that inner song of praise and ecstasy and thanksgiving is stored the love divine, the love that casts out all fear, the power to fulfill all things.
As one comprehends the great truth behind weaknesses and sins he will never again judge nor condemn another for any fault, failing of transgression. He will view the cause of such condition with divine understanding. He will realize fully it is only a lack of knowledge which has caused that erring individual to travel his lost road, alone and desolate, bereft of the Light. That one has been blind and has not known it. The one who understands will become aware of God's goodness and realize that but for His grace he, too, would have remained blind.
Those who are lost in the sins and weaknesses of the flesh have never even comprehended that there is such a Light given to abide right within themselves, hence they have never contacted It nor brought It forth. It is because man has refused the invitation to "ask, seek and knock" that he remained in blindness, consequently has not been aware he was being led by those who were also blind. As one's understanding is expanded by the Light, the one great sin remains visible in all its heartbreaking simplicity, the rejection of the Christ Light as each individual has in his ignorance permitted the darkness.
With this higher vision no man could possibly criticize or condemn his brother. Instead he will realize that except for the divine mercy of God he himself would have remained blind and not been given a view of the Great Light and the issue involved. Humble and love-filled, he will reach out to enfold his still erring brother in Christ's forgiving love, for as he comprehended the Light and brought It forth the power of divine love was bestowed. And it is such love, sent out to one's erring brother, that that brother can be healed.
As each man begins to believe in and to comprehend the great Light of Christ that has been given to abide right within himself and to bring it forth, he will be purified and cleansed from all sin (error of perception). He will also "Be filled with Light and comprehend all things". And in this clear vision and purified love he will be healed. Then with his own expanding love he will help to heal his brother. Thus the great healing of mankind, and of the nations will commence and be carried to full fruition.
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Let my hand enfold yours as we humbly, mentally, kneel in spirit in the house of those whom you have considered your enemies and with bowed heads give this prayer:
God, our Almighty, Loving Father, in the Name of Thy Most Holy Son, the Prince of Peace, we kneel here to ask for Thy healing love to enfold us and this house and those who dwell herein. Let the Divine Christ Light be brought forth in its great power of redemption to fill this dwelling and all who may abide here. Let their hearts be softened and their seals be removed. May they be purified by Your Love. May their minds be enlightened by an understanding of Your great redeeming glory as their blindness is tenderly healed. Let the full power of Christ's Divine Light, which is given to abide in them, be permitted to come forth that all seals might be dissolved and all darkness and ignorance banished.
God, our Father, let this great Christ Light be made manifest in us - and in all Thy children. Let it be brought forth at this time to fill the hearts and minds and lives of all, especially these for whom we kneel at this time to pray. Let all errors be blotted out forever. Let all mistakes be forgiven and let their healing come.
Let Thy forgiving Love enfold them, even as I desire at this time to be enfolded in Thy great forgiving Love. Let me also be healed and filled with Thy Holy Light and Love, even as I ask that these, whom I have considered my enemies, might be healed.
Father, as we kneel here together to fulfill Thy divine law of praying for our enemies, we thank You for this holy, divine privilege. Let only our love for You remain, for we love You, dear God, with all our hearts and souls.
Our minds are filled with this love for Thee as we send it forth with all our strength. And, dear God, please increase our strength to send it out that it might go forth and enfold and heal the world.
So BE IT! In the Name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ - AMEN!
Above from "Ye Are Gods by Annalee Skarin
