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As I began the course “Counseled By God” (i.e. CLU graduate level college version of this training) I had no idea how much it would change the way that I look at situations in my life. Although there were many areas that the Holy Spirit touched on through this course, I believe the lesson that had the greatest impact on my life currently was discerning the accuser’s thoughts versus the Comforter’s thoughts. Before I learned how to hear the voice of God and recognize it as spontaneous thoughts that light upon my mind I found myself constantly struggling with all the thoughts that came into my mind.

Have you ever worked at an organization that had conflicting goals, such as, we value creativity, innovation, and originality, and failure is not an option? Perhaps you have felt the tension of this inconsistency by imposing it on yourself. The second goal would lead you to seek the most conventional, proven, and accepted solutions, which are not consistent with the first goal. Since you serve me your goal is obedience, but the first goal above does take greater faith to execute. I have called you to follow where I lead and often it will be in unfamiliar territory. The Holy Spirit is with you. Do what I tell you and leave the question of success or failure to me. 

Do you consider yourself to be wealthy? You live in an affluent, consumer-oriented culture. Money is on everyone’s mind and you are aware of where people stand according to their wealth or lack of it. Yet there are things you can’t put a price on. How could you value your friendships and the intangibles that give more meaning to life than material things? If you could put a price on them wouldn’t it be more than your material assets? Could you afford to buy them if you did? Yet you have them. So perhaps you are wealthier than you realize. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and lay up your treasure in heaven. 

I am coming back. You have my word on that. My word gives some clues as to what to look for, and people have taken these and built highly detailed scenarios about how it will happen. None of them are correct. Many have even set dates and suffered the embarrassment of watching them come and go. The problem is that if you can imagine it and articulate it, then it is too small. I created the world in a week and I have had all the time since then to stage my triumphal return. It will be the ultimate event, full of redemption and love. You will finally know the meaning of the word ‘awesome’. Stay tuned. 

My daughter-in-law Charla homeschools our three grandchildren, and she has created something exciting that I want to share with you! - MV

Have you heard of fair-weather friends? Perhaps you have heard that in times of crisis you find out who your friends are, and have experienced this first hand. Many friendships revolve around a common interest and do not grow into genuine love. People change and grow, and if the friendship isn’t built with enough flexibility to allow this it will wither and die. Weak friendships are only built for pleasant times but real friends will see you through a crisis and it is valuable to know who they are. I called my devout followers friends rather than servants and this applies to you too. Do you understand that I will see you through any crisis and change?

Do you see repentance as an event? This is something that happens with little or no duration, such as a realization that things are not working for you and a conscious decision to turn to me. This is a valid understanding, but you can also see repentance as a process, and this implies duration. Have you ever repented only to have to go back and repent again concerning the same issue? My work in you is one of total transformation, and this takes time. Forgiveness is available with no delay, but my work in you doesn’t end there. Be open to being transformed by the renewing of your mind and be patient while I complete the good work I have begun in you. 

Have you met people who reject their formative spiritual experiences, realizing after examination that they had been deceived? This is a harsh judgment and many who make it end up bitter and resentful. Often they refer to themselves as an ex-(fill in the blank) or in darkly humorous form, a recovering (same). This can become permanent, but such people seem stuck in their development because you can’t define yourself by what you are not. Even if your background was in error, it is still part of the process that got you where you are today. Learn what you can from it and look forward not back. 

Are you willing to do an experiment? Pray for the people you meet. If this is scary you don’t have to tell them what you are doing, but I will still hear your prayers. You don’t even have to speak to them. You can do this for strangers in a crowd. What do you pray for if you don’t know what they need? Everyone needs something and is fighting a battle of some sort. Even if you don’t know what it is, I do. Engage yourself in prayer and let the overflow be directed at the people you encounter. You can always pray for my favor and blessing upon them and for the knowledge and presence of me to increase in them. Your really can’t go wrong but you have to make the initiative. Try it and see what happens. 

Is it important to you to be in control? Do you understand that there is a difference between being out of control and having things out of your control? I am always in control. That is a consequence of my sovereignty. Have you met people with ‘control issues’? They are difficult company because they insist on being in control in areas in which they have no authority. Can you trust me to have things in control even if you are not in charge? This is an element of faith and trust. Those who insist on being in control of all things drive others away and end up diminishing their own circle of real influence. Those who trust me to be in control have the peace that passes understanding.