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Do you see my hand at work in your life in the many blessings you receive? Blessed are those who recognize the source of their blessings that they may be grateful for them. Do you also see my hand at work in your life in things you find painful and unpleasant? This is a more difficult challenge, but if you recognize my ultimate goodness you can see value even in painful things. Joseph refused to become bitter at the mistreatment he got from his brothers and after many years of patient endurance he said that what they meant for evil God used for good. Blessed are those who understand and walk in this. 

May I offer you a technique which helps me fall asleep at night, and at the same time aligns my spirit with the Holy Spirit so my heart ponders God's truths and God's grace all night as I sleep? I have used it for many years, and those I have shared it with and who have tried it, have said it helped them. So let's see if it could be of benefit to you, too. 

Have you heard of an easy activity described as a walk in the park? You may not describe the Christian life this way, but how about a walk in the garden? This is what I did with Adam, and what is available to you by the redemption I offer. Would you argue that you don’t live in a paradise? My creation is still good, and when you encounter the fallen aspects of it I offer you a transcendent life where you can live above it all even in the midst of the pain and sorrow that this world brings. Have you learned that who you are with is more important than where you are? I want you to see that my presence with you creates paradise wherever you are. 

When you are a child, you never know what to expect. Adults are constantly telling you what to do, where to go, what to wear, when to be somewhere and how to do things. It’s difficult to “have your own opinion” around adults because SOMEONE is always has a different mindset that you do, and because they are “mature”, they usually get their way. It can be a real hindrance to growth, and places a stumbling block to a child’s imagination and flow of God-given creative ideas. 

Blessed Holy Lord, what word do You have for Your people today?
 
Ben, I continue to want My people to know how much I love them. They are so stubborn, insisting on doing their own thing. I want them to spend time with Me so that I can shower My love, My blessings, upon them. You are learning more and more what it means to be one of My prophets. As you are learning more and more of My heart, My desires, you are seeing My concerns, My frustrations, with My people. Oh that they would come to Me so that I can bless them!

Mark I want to explain how your history, everything that has happened in your life. The incredibly painful things, the beautiful things. The terrible mistakes and the wonderful highlights. All of your history is VERY important to me. It’s your life. Which is why it’s important to me - you give it value. I love you, as a result I love your story. I don’t want you to wipe it and start again, you can’t anyway. Wherever you go you take your history.

My word promises that you can have whatever you ask for in my name. Have you found that it is not quite as easy as this suggests? Perhaps there are good reasons for this. Some things you want are not good for you. A wise parent considers a child’s best interests above their immediate desires, and I am wiser than any earthly father. Have you not already asked for things that you later reconsidered? I could see before you could the wisdom of withholding it. You have your desires and I have mine. The process of maturity involves yours being conformed to mine. Be patient while they converge. 

My disciples assumed that faith was tribal and ethnic. I told them that I had other sheep who were not of this fold, but even after my crucifixion and resurrection they didn’t understand. This issue became the first crisis of the church, for them to get the message that I was the savior of all mankind, and to preach the gospel to every creature, and to accept into fellowship all who responded. Do you understand this? You may observe that if people practice any faith it is the one in which they were raised. I died for them as well, even if their current faith won’t acknowledge it. Declare the light of my love to them that they may be released from darkness. 

Do you know how to worship? I declared that the correct way was in Spirit and in Truth, for the Father seeks such to worship him. This is an open door to a great variety of methods and at the same time a narrow restriction on intent and purpose. For this reason you should not judge someone else in their manner of worship, for two people may do something that appears identical yet for very different reasons. In like manner I want your objective in worship should be to please me rather than those around you. I say this to liberate you from the fear of and expectations of others. You cannot serve two masters, and I am not difficult to please.