posted 10-20-2000 11:57 AM         

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91

Note: {I posted this article on this forum almost 3 1/2 years ago (5/14/97) in 2 parts. I just edited, refined, and reorganized it. The thoughts in this article have been excerpted (some of which have been paraphrased) from a series of personal letters/counsels (written anonymously) that appeared in a religious weekly during the time period between 1930 and 1948 (or there about). The insights, in a very repetitious way, emphasize what it experimentally means to “abide in Christ”, “to abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” to dwell in “the secret place” etc. Indeed, when we walk in the Spirit, abide in Christ, and make God our refuge and Strength in a real experimental way, we are living in a spiritual, pure, holy, pristine consciousness that is not selfish or self-centered. It is a consciousness that is not influenced by passions, hot emotions, moods, anxiety, boredom, agitation, resentment etc. It is a consciousness that is selfless and has no sense of drudgery and laziness in service for others. In fact, this consciousness is none other than the mind that was in Christ, it is His Spirit and when we walk in the Spirit we feel what the Spirit feels. We love God in a deeper way and we have compassion on friend and foe alike. As a result of what Christ accomplished (which manifested God’s strong love toward us) it is possible for all people to receive a new heart, and a new spirit and to be reconciled to God. But we must take the initiative to return to God. Though we were made for Him – to love, glorify, worship and praise Him - He won’t force us to come back to Him. When we do choose to surrender to Him and give our life and will into His hands and take the time to seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, He takes the liberty of a loving Father to guide and carry us through what we need to go through in order to live continually in His presence. Just as loving parents wash off their little child who has fallen in a pit of mire and scum so likewise does our heavenly Father cleanse and purify all who come to Him in faith, humility, repentance and love. As we yield to His discipline and chastening rod we are purified and filled more and more with the holy Spirit. Our consciousness of His presence grows and we always have a ready place of Refuge to abide in to be delivered from passions and hot emotions that still move in our mind and members. When we live in His presence, constantly beholding Him, praising Him and worshipping Him with a loving thankful heart, we lose all sense of self. We are cleansed, made humble, meek, holy, pure, loving etc., without conscious thought or effort. We live in a pristine simplicity as a child with no more confusion or anxiety. When abiding in this “secret place” all our needs are met and our body is energized by the holy Spirit that we may help others and glorify God. We no longer seek God for our own happiness, but rather to bring glory to Him and to enhance His glory. Old things and thinking are passed away, all things are become new, purified, balanced, and restored.
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"He that abideth in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit."

"Put your desire into the pure desire of being with Christ, and watch during the day the extraordinary waste of thinking that attempts to weaken and divert you away from this faith."

* The flesh is easily dismayed, elated, bored, irritated, moved by noises, cold, heat, stupidities, insults, a letter, the disloyalty of a friend etc. But when we are in the Spirit staying close to Christ all these challenges can be divinely met. We are defenseless only when we are spiritually asleep - not watching and praying. Return to your first Love. Humble yourself and seek intimacy with Christ with all your might. Then you will receive power from on High to overcome sin and death.
* By prayer I mean a going forth of the poor, rent, hungering deprived spirit towards the Fountain of life. Your spirit (the inner man) delights in the law of God and is strengthened with might by His Spirit as you humbly surrender to Christ and trust in Him with all your heart. Wake little children, perturbed, anxious, weary, frightened and stand released in the stillness where Christ dwells. If you ask for this it will come like waters of life. Retire inwardly and wait to feel somewhat of Christ.
* There is a constant conflict between your inner man and your outer man. With the inner man you delight in the law of God but with the outer man or flesh you serve the law of sin and death. But just as the bird flies above the storm remaining safe in the calm so likewise you are swept above the storms of sin (anxiety, fear, bitterness, pride, lust, covetousness, resentment etc.) when you abide in Christ by faith. Rest serene and confident in the Spirit whom holds you above all conflicting emotions. Fly over in a sky free from all danger, in the shelter of the arms of God. Do not sit down on the ground in dismay at temptations, but walk in the Spirit and spread forth like the wings of a bird and rise high and clear of temptation in the shining sun of faith. Fly in surety of Christ's strength which works mightily in you. No longer be dragged down into emotional maelstrom and dark imaginings. Stand in the light that has been revealed to you by your communion with Christ. Remain forever vigilant, forever holding yourself in Christ by faith, letting His Spirit take possession of your life that He may fill you with the confidence that He is ever present - that He is actually love, peace, and power. He shall cleanse you and prompt you to go forth forgiving all, knowing that His love will resolve all things and make your way straight. So seek and knock and it will be opened to you.
* Be aware of your tongues betrayal, of thoughts that enfeeble you. Shake off these things (murmuring, backbiting, complaining) which are appetites in strange disguises, that you may keep your vessel clear through which Christ can shine. It is difficult when the outside is hard pressed by temptation to keep the inside serene, but it is only difficult when you think you can make it serene in your own strength. The serenity will be given you - it is the reward for those who have denied themselves and sought, knocked and found their indwelling Shepherd.
* It is difficult not to be subject to the enraging fires of personalities. It is so easy to be put off your guard and to yield to criticism. But the presence of Christ you seek to find is only found by always being on guard - watchful - not being tempted off it an instant. Walk in confidence among the various personalities and be so thoroughly one with Christ that they too will become purified through your prayers. Therefore be secretly aware and restfully industrious in keeping your thoughts stayed on Christ. Don't worry nor allow your thoughts to swell into mountains, but abide in Christ and let the details of your life resolve.
* Question: How can we invite Christ in or what can we do that He may manifest Himself to us?
* Answer: "When you shall search for Me with all your heart, you shall find Me."
* If the desire is great enough we will find Him. It is therefore necessary that you make a time and place for seeking and communing with Christ. Your part is to bring into captivity every thought to obedience to Christ, casting down imaginations. Be thankful and avoid entertaining negativity. At first you will find darkness but persevere with a naked intent of love towards God. Love knocks and enters. Don't do this just once and then quit just because you see no immediate results. Rather do it everyday, scores of times, hourly, and Christ is sure to manifest Himself.
* As you hunger and thirst for the indwelling Spirit of Christ He will gradually consume the old man with his deeds. But this is only accomplished to the extent that you have a desire and need and love for Christ's Spirit. Many pray only once and then go their way forgetting about God. Therefore be alert, industrious in the habit of being in His presence - never swerving. Learn, by temptations and struggles, to keep what He has given you and be strong in the holding of it. Watch every idle action, word and thought.
* The love and presence of Christ is personal and broods over you and can be experienced only through the refinement that takes place during the time you spend in seeking Him whole-heartedly. At first you may touch Him for only short moments - He passes through with flaming power and inspiration - and then disappears again. But that glimpse is enough to encourage you to forsake all to seek Him more. Therefore you will be strengthened when you quiet your emotions, quiet your thoughts and are still, with nothing other than a naked intent to seek Christ. So close your eyes, put away all thought, except your naked intent to love Christ and lie deep in the silent reaches where you will be restored, reborn, made new. Here He is.
* The spiritual hunger and thirst to let in the Spirit with His understanding and power, is a gift that will burn away the impurities and make you free. He will teach you to stand within your inner man, whom dwells in Christ, and look out undismayed through your outer man. After more light begins to pour through because of your faith in Christ and your awakened desire the outer man will grow thinner and thinner. This happens inwardly and when you yield to this inner purification you are spared much outward purging which results when you don't seek Christ in prayer and don't yield to His inward call and purification. Therefore keep released from tensions, anxiety, bitterness and strife. Relax in quiet and in confidence in Christ which is your strength.
* When a outside problem of vexation comes, instead of letting your outward you become consumed, it is better to remain in the Spirit in your inner man. Be spared much suffering by burning your own dross through abiding in Christ. As you are faithful to daily pray and abide in Christ you go on up with so much less dross until you reach another plateau with a sense that you are getting freer from delaying emotions and habits. So climb the heights, trusting in Christ, and soon you will find you have escaped and are alone in the clear air, air that is revivifying, restoring. The yoke is easy and the burden is light. There is no effort spiritually other than a naked intent of love towards Christ and childlike obedience to His guidance. You will find that you have to do things to keep the body in subjection.
* For life's sake plunge into the immortal living Presence of Christ. You reach this through love and longing. At first it may seem like nothing is happening, but once passed the threshold, your desire and prayer is answered and it is given life and reality in due course. When you reach the secret place you can do nothing but worship, nothing but give yourself and all your desire to infinite Love. Be like a child; look at your two feet and say: "Lord, walk these for me." Talk to Him as your friend throughout the day. He will stand by your side when you visit friends and He will hold your hand and will watch your heart and the issues therefrom so that you can talk in perfect safety knowing that your word will be food and drink and life to all in your presence. He has never failed to come when called and when wanted. Ask Him to rest in you, to heal you, and to fill you with His righteousness. He will manifest, He never fails the longing heart. So go into your immediate personal life with your hand in His. In deep loosened sleep He will teach you that the perfect divine sonship that you have with Him can be known in all its fullness by such a simple way as this childlike invitation to Him.
* Keep a naked intent towards Christ, keep your eye single towards Him as you advance into the seeming chaos and darkness of the world - stay strong and alert in the inner stillness where He dwells. Steaming and straining over stupidities is not worth the emotions spent on them. Save your mental energy to keep yourself in Christ's presence where your life will be received, balanced, restored, and fortified.
* Keep in the presence of God's grace within your spirit. For it will consume and burn away all dross. Many have to go through outward suffering to be awakened to their need for God. But that is the human way, not the divine way which is one of illumination when we seek and ask as if it were more important then anything in life. When grace is neglected it grows duller and untoward circumstances, personalities, difficulties, obstructions steal us away into forgetfulness. Therefore blow upon your spark of grace with an expectant desire. Keep still in multitudes, hold your mind in Christ and keep it from racing and do not beat against life with frantic effort. Keep cool, unruffled in perfect faith.
* Side Note: The chief problem of entering Christ's presence is getting use to the newness of it since you are accustomed to seeking diversions throughout the day. Therefore you must persevere in prayer and watchfulness. Love, faith, and a seeking heart are absolutely needed. Belief in Christ or in doctrine is not enough to enter His presence. You must seek and search with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In perfect silence you can be one with the Spirit and from such silence comes serenity, confidence, and wisdom for guiding your life. Be still and "watch therefore, for you know not when your Lord does come." For He will come, at first perhaps as delicately as a breath. At first His presence may be so beyond your ordinary comprehension that you may think that nothing is taking place, as if there were no results. "I say I love God and go eagerly to sit in His presence and then nothing happens." Nevertheless the performance of the act, the intent toward Him, will bring what you need. Tiredness will be drawn away, strain lifted, and though you feel as though nothing great has happened it is as little as if the captain of a ship at sea had changed his course and the passengers had not been aware that he had turned them toward a new horizon on the way to safety. Persevere then, and don't give up. Take the steps to enter Christ's presence with a naked intent to worship Him in His holiness and all will be set in motion with beauty and order. That is all you can do to let in the light. Be still, open your heart to the Father that He may work through you. End of side note.
* Say to yourself: I will keep all human impulses to slander, criticize, backbite, all faults within and without my personality in the outer realm of my life. Within me is quietness and assurance of immortal life. Even now, by Christ's grace, I am being freed from negative reactions and qualities that would keep me hellbound. Receive with faith and assurance your divine protection. The immediate dismays and obstacles are apt to blind us from realizing our inner protection and peace in Christ. But keep faith in the invisibility, love, might, and power of the Holy Spirit whom dwells in your inner man. Go your way knowing. Abide in the Word - in obedience to His promptings and go your way in peace. In the true spirit of surrender, the giving up of everything that has become a burden, is little effort and the reward is instant. Let your heart rest in this healing place where Christ will refresh you. You become cleansed and purified through this inner communion.
* In your everyday life you cannot hold this quality of spirit all the time: you go up and down but each time you go higher. Have no fear; step in here and put on faith and nothing negative can harm you from without. You can only reach God in this holy stillness, in calmness. Stand at your full stature. Deny everything that is not of God. Make manifest in your life the inward surety and grace that is being breathed into you. In the inner atmosphere you are alive, deathless, at home. Start your day here - drink deep. Everyone who comes to you, while you are in this place of calm abiding, can be helped with the help of Christ. Such is your task - to do God's will on earth as it is done in heaven - thus manifesting His kingdom on earth. Go forth living in the outer world from within the divine sanctuary - the most holy place where Christ sits as High Priest, Intercessor, King, Judge, Lawgiver, Savior etc.
* A time will come when by your voluntary steadfast discipline, seeking, knocking, and abiding you will be aware of the involuntary power of grace which comes quietly as a reward/gift for your intent and desire - your desire to know Christ above all others. Then you will make more impressions on the hearts of others by a single word animated by the Spirit of Christ, then another by a whole discourse which has cost him much labor and in which he has exhausted all the power of his reasoning.
* When you have reached the dwelling place of grace remember that with it comes the challenge to abide there and not quench the Spirit. The experience of Christ's presence and grace is apt to carry with it a profound realization it has been a gift of the Spirit, the inevitable result of watchfulness, prayer, aspiration and holy intent. Your work is to guard it, like a country newly won, so that it will not be retaken by the enemies within yourself. The enemies are the tendencies of the mind to reach out for diversions, excitements, indulgences, negative thinking etc. Fast and pray - fast and pray - I mean a state of mind, an alertness and watchfulness wherein the mind is kept calm, pure, and chaste which thus allows Christ to complete His work in you. You are either in light or in darkness depending upon where the thoughts and intents of your heart are directed. If you live from within the secret place of the most High (the dwelling place of grace) you will come to trust the power of the Spirit against your fleeting emotions and confused mind. You will know what it means to bring every thought captive to Christ.
* We are given complete freedom when we first enter Christ's presence, but one of the hardest things for us to learn is the eternal vigilance that is necessary to preserve it. The first discipline is that we are to bring every thought into captivity to obedience to Christ. Who does not know the temptation of yielding to an emotional upsurging that hardens first into a destructive thought and is so swiftly followed by the spoken word. On the very edge of such a moment of violence there is only one thing to be done; turn instantly about, run within to your High Tower and give that dark cloud of boiling emotions to Christ and while you wait in quietness you will gradually become aware of the transmutation of this human steam into spiritual wisdom and understanding - thoughts of love and forgiveness. This is not repression. This is release. This is turning destructive power to creative use through the Spirit of Christ. This is true freedom. Therefore harbor no thought that will burn. That is laying down your life. Lay down vain imaginings and lying vanities. Lay down appetites of thoughts and your body and stand clothed in your inner man in Christ released from the human turmoil and you will be lifted up high over alarms and panics. These acts of faith in Christ will make you truly free. Trusting is part of your role regardless of outer circumstances or feelings. Keep in the calm of the storm center - safe where power for victory is accessed. Keep the naked intent and never forget your direction. Patience is needed and growth is involved in all this.
* A very gentle, calm, unemotional selfless and patient attitude toward your spiritual growth is essential - such as old gardeners know. They know that patience, hoeing, watering and a certain order, a quiet rhythm, bring to birth a heavenly beauty. Gradually as you spend time in prayer and watchfulness, not entertaining negative emotions, grace will grow and spread in you involuntarily as the food you eat is taken care of without effort and the inner man will manifest so gently that as you go into the world your feet will be led to walk beside the watered garden of the Holy Spirit within you. This is the true testimony that the Holy Spirit testifies to our spirit - that we are the sons/daughters of God. Let us go our way confident, knowing, and live as sons/daughters of the King. Bring into focus what Christ has made you in your inner man. Christ in you is mighty. Be on guard and keep in the invisible remembering that of yourselves you can do nothing. The Spirit within you gives you power to be true spiritual men and women and no longer feuding, confused carnal children.
* No child grows to manhood without discipline and suffering. No one arrives at the holy place undisciplined and disobedient. Those who obey and cast aside their rebellious passions are given freedom. Are you going to be a slave to the outer you? Are you going to let the sleep of forgetfulness and unbelief steal over your mentality and blunt your keen awareness.? Are you going to seek after props, escapes, and diversions where there is no real safety or contentment? There is no better reward than that which comes from seeking Christ with your whole heart and loving obedience to His voice. This is what brings rest, contentment and more love. Indeed, it belongs to a higher perfection to follow the interior attraction of the Holy Spirit and to be guided by His direction day by day. Obey the promptings that come to you when you have true communion with Christ and you will learn your requirements, your disciplines, renunciations, as well as illumination and the peace that passes understanding. Strength to obey what Christ requires is given at the same place where He is heard uttering His voice - in the most holy place - the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit in the inner man.
* As you stand in the presence of grace truth will shine in dark places and you will find a new faculty appear in you and you will hear Christ's voice more clearly because of the refinement of your nature through mental and physical fasting. The clear and delicate whisper- which once heard and obeyed - will give you the kingdom. Through overcoming appetites by applying the interior power of the cross to your self-life you come to hear His voice which was so often but faint because of the obstruction of the impulses and desires of the outer you. Many appetites blur the crystal clear vision that is needful. Therefore when you hear His voice obey His words and keep the outer you from interfering. You cannot advance spiritually until you act upon the wisdom and counsel given you.
* As you open to Christ's word and guidance your outward man will invite your inward man to walk in companionship and will accept the discipline needful with a willing heart. The knowledge vouchsafed will be that discipline will then be light, soon over - over instantly when realized. Do not expect hard discipline - rather be the first (in the secret place) in obedience and you will be spared a lifetime of discipline. When you are obedient you help all those that are in prison by your freedom, for you are free in your obedience to the divine law - to God's will.
* There is a gluttony of dark emotional reactions in thought and tongue. Next time you are tempted by greed of the body or indulgence in resentments and bitterness and fears and doubts, lift your faith to Christ, invisibly clasp His hand and you will hear His voice and counsel on how to deal with the storms. Stand in the stillness with a lifted heart. Keep yourself in this silence and open the door so that God may communicate Himself to you, unite with you and form you into His image. The perfection of the soul consists neither in speaking nor in thinking of God but in loving Him sufficiently.
* When you are quiet enough and sensitive enough you will see your defects. But don't be too dismayed. For if you will listen it will be told you directions on what to do for your particular weakness. Obey the promptings and healing will result and you will be spared much suffering. You will also be shown where to use your giftings. True prayer is the filling of emptiness. It is an hungering to receive in quietness what you need. You teach the outer man by staying within. The Spirit of Christ within your inner man prompts the outer man not to be angry, to forgive his enemies etc. Receive the divine wisdom and let it reach out into the world.
* When your mind is tempted from its spiritual center in Christ your defenses are lowered and the flesh will bring you into bondage. Your task is to remain unshaken within. Refrain from emotional storms of resentment, lust, judging, criticism etc. Release others and abide in Christ. God will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him (obeying His voice). In Him there is light and no darkness at all. But where destructive human emotions are there is darkness and confusion. But when you turn your face towards Christ you become purged and reborn. You gradually become aware of the love of the indwelling Spirit through whom you reach out to your neighbor with forgiveness.
* The reality of your inner man is in the invisible. The strength of your inner man (within whom is Christ) stands stronger than the outer man in the world. Try, now, to quietly and gently keep in the invisible. Watching and praying are essential. When the outward man along with time and events presses hard upon your outer senses and mind it is time to step back into the invisible. If your desire is to be in the presence of the Spirit it means you will deny yourself, find a quiet place, and seek communion with Christ within.
* Learn to dwell in the invisible while in the visible. As you become stronger in the Spirit and grow in grace the clearer will the way be made to you on how to keep yourself out of the flesh and in the Spirit. Well, then, do not stay behind with your beggar thoughts which tempt you and say "The task is too difficult, I am this, I am that, I fell here, I fell there." No, you have been crucified with Christ and He lives in you. Don't idle with the unbelievers, the wailers, and complainers, but march into the temple and stand among the radiant company of believers where you belong.
* Your whole task is to take the steps that lead to the secret place and when the last step is taken and you sit in the silence with the Word you become one with the Spirit. That is where all things are done for you, where crooked places are made strait, where doors are opened and influences pass through to others without your knowing it. When you do this you carry a hidden virtue that you cannot sense. In fact, you lose what you have when you think you have power, you lose it when you think you are a influence. You must be humble and renounce all personal gratification.
* Your salvation is hinged upon faith in Christ and obedience to His delicate instructions. Step back into that holy place, that quietness and stillness. Say to yourself "I will seek first the kingdom" - then you can be still and can carry a cloudless sky into a frantic emotional day full of upsetting events through this obedience to the counsel you hear which comes to you in your quiet time.
* There is a no mans land between the place of stillness and the impinging material world. The young soul who is beginning to learn what it means to truly abide in Christ is immediately thrown into discouragement when the material world opposes. But if you persevere the no mans land will narrow and you will remain closer to the place of safety and you will be able to bring beams of light into the world. Go forth, therefore, knowing you have touched the kingdom of heaven. The place where you now stand you have reached through listening, following an invisible longing and thirsting desire, a vision and faith which precede the dark. He that dwelleth within is the Light of the world and can shine through your every act if you will but obey, live in His presence and keep illumined in His light. Through abiding in Him you can bring light into darkness and prophesy life into the dead bones.
* Hold, watch each word and thought and action - fall flat on the floor and wait for the power of the Spirit to enable you to overcome the temptation. It is easy to see many gripped by the fear of falling but don't get caught in this sick feeling. Do things to remind you to stay where you belong - in the Spirit. Train yourself to remember your Creator so you may give life to the world. One evil thought is enough to sweep everything into Timbuktu. Your only safety is to dwell in the kingdom, living from within out. Be there all the time. No compromise.
* The steadfast desire to know God and eternal life by faithful self-denial for the love of Christ is a greater offering to Christ than you can imagine. By keeping steadily alive in faith in that stillness where courage also dwells, you make an immeasurable contribution to others; quiet, unseen, and unknown except to Christ. During our communions with Christ we are given something strong, serene, and healing. We discipline ourselves so that we may receive and we turn to complete acceptance of the outpouring gift of the Spirit. Then you are prompted to give that which has been given to you.
* If you could be one hour with the Spirit - your inner man and outward man together in the presence of God - you would change the mood of others, so powerful is the Light. Try, hold nations or individuals in the palm of your hands and allow the Spirit to pray for them through you.
* Let everything you do be done silently toward the goal of entering the kingdom of God within you. Fast from too much food, talk, and thought and you will be told what to speak. If you are faithful to obey the inner promptings you will come into a new release of vitality, power, and happiness. When you deny yourself by making clear the way for the Spirit you are giving light to the world - giving it when of yourself you do nothing. What is asked of you is to keep this light burning brightly in quietness and carry your illumination with you always. You cannot understand events and their causes but by keeping your emotional centers where they belong is your safety and by so doing you help profoundly in the regeneration that will come to pass.
* Come within and while abiding in Christ see and bless those who persecute you. By thus releasing and forgiving them you help them on their way. Only as you abide in the Spirit can you have the wisdom on how to deal with your neighbor's needs as well as your own. Therefore give freely of your spirit, intercede for all people, be long-suffering and patient with the long-suffering and patience of Christ in you. When you are kind with the kindness of Christ which flows out from your spirit towards others, you become free as well. Love conquers all things. Darkness is forgotten in this stillness.
* The time has come to break into light, and to keep this light illumined calls for self-restraint, sacrifice and self-examination. Your work is to be strong and clean enough within through self-denial to bring to completion the work that has been given to you relating to being a light to others. Control appetites that rise from personal desires that are an offense and unworthy of the Spirit. Be vigilant therefore and keep eternally alert, keep in the quiet stillness and be always aware that you walk with God.
* I charge you to release yourself from the last strain of materialism, lust, and pride. Be forgiving and patient with all persons. Keep your faith in Christ and your faces pointing towards heavenly Jerusalem. Live in faith, for eternal love can be revealed by a naked intent and loving desire.

* To receive the sense of the love of the Spirit, to receive the divine wisdom and knowledge, you must truly adhere to the invisible God with a naked intent of love. You can love yourself out of seeming frustration by loving to be silent - in word and thought -. by loving to seek God and to please Him alone. This works in precisely the same measure of loving you put into it. If you had a higher understanding of perfection and if you always looked to Christ and found comfort in Him you might be admitted to union with God which makes the heart so strong that nothing can disturb it. If you open to receive, with perfect faith that only goodness can come from God, confident as a child that you will be given what you most grievously need - according to His will - then, and then only, your cup runneth over. But if doubt is between you and faith you will not receive.
* Now is the time to lift yourself into the very current of revivifying faith. Keep in the current of faith with loving expectancy. Forbid all negative impatience, for in this mood is high hope and assuring trust. This communion can only be reached by the forsaking of the appetites - appetites of anger, criticism, resentment, and self-justification. You can be led far afield by angry strangers and your own desire to present your outer personality favorably. Humble yourself, realize your own wretchedness without Christ and throw yourself into His arms. If you, once every hour, throw yourself by faith beyond all creatures, beyond and above all sensual perception, even above discourse and reasoning, into the abyssal mercy of God, then you will receive power from above to rule over death and sin. Seek the Spirit and hold yourself at the Source of life. Obey the word and don't be delayed by negative thought. Escape all useless mental anxiety. "Christ, here I stand, obeying Your words, knowing that in obeying the divine command my burden will be lifted." When you find yourself sinking - cry out to Christ - for He is in your heart.
* Be aware of Christ about you and in every activity of your daily life. It is hard with everything flowing against you, snatching at you to do this or that. Nevertheless stretch the fingers of your faith and touch Christ, all through the day, and He will clear the mind of vain imaginings and fear thoughts. Stop wherever you are and touch with your faith the Spirit within. Stand free of all things, greed's, and appetites. Keep your naked intent and never forget your direction or goal. Live in the awareness of the love of Christ for you. Keep in the very center, safe, invisible, unentangled, unruffled. By concentrated one-pointedness keep in the Spirit. Be determined, with all your trust and faith, to abide with Christ in inner companionship and protection, conversing with Him continually, then fear will recede and order will come in its place. Those who win do not deviate. Your energies must be kept undisturbed in God's power. Share your sorrows with Christ and thank Him for His benefits. When tossed with storms, repose in Him and He will quickly calm the sea. Lift up your heart to Him even at meals and in company. The least little remembrance of Him will be acceptable to Him. The cumulative result of daily seeking and adorning Him and obeying His promptings results in deeper intimacy.
* Where am I at this moment? Am I in a state of forgetfulness, of tension, in a heavy place? Or am I reaching upward, purifying my whole nature through my listening spirit so that the burdens of obstructions will not be in my path? Keep gentle within and leave all quietly to God. Keep your balance by not plunging into thoughts of terror, of suspicion and criticism, for the Spirit cannot walk in the company of such thoughts. Be encouraged by the thought that there is an involuntary life going on within you, a healing is taking place, a freeing from dark emotions because you have asked to go the divine way. Let in the light to shine upon your anxieties and upon each problem and be divinely expectant always. Lay aside the remembrance of troublesome thoughts and rest with your whole being on the surety of the Shepherd's guiding hand; following happily through the valley of shadows, follow with full trust. Make the act of worship in every act of your daily life; worship is a giving out of love to the Holy Spirit and with it comes a warming sense of companionship. Let Christ banish all that disturbs, let the body be still. And then think of the Spirit as streaming, pouring, rushing, and shining into you from all sides while you stand quiet. This is worship. Picture the Spirit within you as a calm flame, your quietly holding it is what is important. Through prayer, loving, and longing you ignite and release Him to transform you.
* For you acquire a strength which cannot fail, through the sense of your daily companionship with Him who walks with you, whose strength you use, whose power is yours for the asking. Indeed, you can release the Spirit's power within yourself by sometimes overcoming a physical desire, a mental greed or criticism, for the love of Christ, and the result is a rush of wisdom and peace. Therefore make way for the kingdom of God to pour through you by disciplining and controlling your emotions through faith in the power of the indwelling Spirit. Pray, keep your body a holy temple, for only then can the flaming power pour through you. In times of anxiety and darkness trust and believe that Christ within you will be your defense and safety. When temptation comes rest in His power to overcome by faith. Put all your faith in this secret-holding companionship and you will be astonished. Converse with Him. Ask Him simply and bring Him into your life and you will then not blank out so often. Once there was a ancient king who was given a crown and great realm but as soon as he saw a fault in one of the uniforms of his generals his mind was taken with that and dwelled on that and he forgot that he was at that great moment in his life, the moment passed by him. Try not to let these ephemeral, impinging, daily pinpricks steal away your immortality or peace of mind, which you can begin to know now, for now is your great moment. Arise and shine for your light has come. By faith we endure as seeing Him who is invisible.

* The reason the world is in a bad condition is because it has not been alert, awake, and vigilant in obeying the words of Christ. But we become more awake if we seek and find Christ by faith. In quiet and confidence is your strength and when you go out into life go as an ambassador of Christ that through your abiding in Him you may translate His words into daily living. Through your quiet communions you will be given humility and power, for you can offer yourself a living vessel for Him to pour through His healing wisdom. "I will come to you…" Accept this divine gift whole-heartedly.
* What you have done is to seek the kingdom and having found it your task is to hold it. Emotions and personalities can steal you away out among the outer rings. Come back, come back and in the holy stillness be lifted up high above all confusion. Keep in Christ by faith; here is revealed true wisdom and love which reaches out into a needy world.
* When the emotions race hysterically sink down three fathoms below the storm, where Christ is. When you come to the surface you will bring some of this calm with you. The more you do this the more involuntary it will become so that your mind will eventually seek divine instead of human wisdom. Turn to the Source of life for all needs and you will discover that your faith will grow and your realization of Christ in your midst will last longer between your journeys to the well of living water.
* Each withdrawal from the world of confusion to the presence of Christ and His kingdom has been the building of a structure, a living invisible temple not made with hands - a building against which the gates of hell can never prevail. As you daily spend time in the most holy place communing with Christ and obeying Him you will grow more and more in grace and love and His words, counsel, and might will heal and strengthen your life and bring you peace in the midst of war. Keep this contact secure in your outward living - for it is the ark of safety and salvation and this is the way to keep yourselves vessels for the Spirit to pour through to those who walk in darkness. Indeed, those who are creative, open, released, free, growing, and alive will, in times of crisis, receive great flashes of inspiration which help quicken others.
* You have at last reached the place where you sense a sustaining love, a protecting Spirit; be more and more confident that the work of the Father is always done within first, and keep your divine balance so that when events come to trouble you, you will not be weak and your thoughts scattered and uncontrolled. In this holy awareness time will dissolve, pressure will be lifted, doubt released and you are free indeed. Go with a tender step, giving unto others what has been given to you.
* Whenever you draw near to the secret place you do not go entirely alone; you take others with you. It is one way of serving your neighbor. It is never a selfish thing, for by the healing and renewing of your own spirit you send out light to others. Into what far reaches of darkness in another may your light shine without a spoken word!
* The hates, criticisms, annoyances etc., keep them in the outer circumference. Turn your face away, turn it within toward Christ. This is the kingdom of heaven - the manifest presence of Christ. This is the goal and task most needed now for our time. Each soul anchored in Christ's presence strengthens the creation which groans in pain awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God.
* You are not altogether aware of the spiritual strength that has been given to you. Read over these things and make them manifest. Because of childish unbelief you do not act upon what you have learned and heard. The promptings of the Spirit within will voice all your answers to temptations. It is a good practice, whether walking, riding, or waiting to use these moments to be in fellowship with the Spirit of Christ. Keep alert, stop daydreaming which leads you into valleys.
* May Christ hold your mind in the stillness of His presence, quicken your thoughts, speak with your tongue and listen with your ear. Keep in the Word. Be vigilant in your insistence upon living in the dwelling place of the most High and obeying His still small voice. Keep awake in the victory of the Spirit, pour out thanks before there is a sign of victory, cleanse your heart of all rage, prejudice, resentment and all hot emotions. Keep in the secret place where your whole being is cleansed and made fit to live in the kingdom of heaven, with Christ your King, for all eternity.

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Note:To mention this, when the Spirit calls us aside to aspire towards Him we should take little heed what others do or say against us. If we persevere in loving God He shall answer for us secretly in the hearts of those who think against us - He shall so answer them in spirit that they shall have shame for their words or thoughts against us. If we are faithful to seek and love Him He will meet all our necessities and He will give us patience and contentment with a simplified lifestyle, which His Spirit instructs us to live, that Christ may be formed in us and perfect His work in us.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 46