The Truth Produces Sincere Love

NOW THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOURSELVES BY OBEYING THE TRUTH SO THAT YOU HAVE SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART.  FOR YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN, NOT OF PERISHABLE SEED, BUT OF IMPERISHABLE, THROUGH THE LIVING AND ENDURING WORD OF GOD
(1 Peter 1:22-23).

Understand that you need to purify yourself, first, before you can deeply love yourself and others from the heart.  You purify yourself by accepting and believing the Truth about yourself, about other people, and about God, instead of relying on your own way of seeing things.

If you still feel that God favors the other person more than you, you will not be able to love yourself, her, or God.  If you still believe that your personality is of inferior quality compared to the other person, you will not be able to love yourself or him.  If you still believe that you are only worthy of rejection, you will not be able to love yourself or anyone else.  You need the Truth to set you free in order to love yourself and others.

SANCTIFY THEM BY THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH
(John 17:17).

Know that the Truth purifies from feeling unloved, from feeling inferior, from feeling rejected, from feeling condemned, and from feeling abandoned. This Truth comes from the Lord Jesus, who IS the Truth.

Do you love yourself deeply, from your heart?  Do you feel accepted and acceptable?  Do you love your family?  Are they acceptable to you and accepted by you?

I urge you to submit your heart to Jesus, every time it does not feel right about someone, every time someone hurts you, or every time someone fails you.  Ask God for the Truth about the people in your life, even when they are rude or unkind, awkward or pushy, intimidating or selfish.  Believe that God knows your heart and the heart of the other person—the unworthiness…the abandonment…the hopelessness.  But when He tells you the Truth about yourself and the other person, too, you will be able to love deeply…from your heart.

PRAYER: Majesty, I desire to love deeply from my heart.  Show me Your Truth about myself.  Show me who I really am, so I may feel loved, accepted, and worthy. Show me the Truth about the other people in my life, even those who are rude, pushy, and selfish. Then, I will be able to love my family, my friends, and my enemies from my heart, too.

Maintain an Awareness

We have all eaten from the fruit of deception—believing and accepting negative, destructive beliefs about ourselves, God, and others that are not true.

The Two Counsels

You Have an Obligation

YOU, HOWEVER, ARE CONTROLLED NOT BY THE SINFUL NATURE BUT BY THE SPIRIT, IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVES IN YOU. AND IF ANYONE DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, HE DOES NOT BELONG TO CHRIST.  BUT IF CHRIST IS IN YOU, YOUR BODY IS DEAD BECAUSE OF SIN, YET YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.  AND IF THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD IS LIVING IN YOU, HE WHO RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD WILL ALSO GIVE LIFE TO YOUR MORTAL BODIES THROUGH HIS SPIRIT, WHO LIVES IN YOU
(Romans 8:9-11).

Believe that if you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior, the Spirit of God lives in you, and your spirit has been made alive by God’s Spirit.  God’s Spirit has imbued your spirit with His Righteousness.

THEREFORE, BROTHERS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION—BUT IT IS NOT TO THE SINFUL NATURE, TO LIVE ACCORDING TO IT
(Romans 8:12).

However, although your spirit is made alive by God’s Spirit, your mind and the rest of your body is dead because of sin still living in it.  God controls your spirit, but it is up to you whether you will let Him control your mind, your emotions, and your actions and reactions through His Spirit, as well.

FOR IF YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE, YOU WILL DIE; BUT IF BY THE SPIRIT YOU PUT TO DEATH THE MISDEEDS OF THE BODY, YOU WILL LIVE, BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD
(Romans 8:13-14).

Know that you have a daily choice: to either submit your mind, emotions, and actions to God’s Spirit who lives in your spirit, or to submit your mind, emotions, and actions to the OLD MAN victim nature.

What will it take for you to allow the Spirit of God to take control of your whole spirit, soul, and body and therefore be led by His Spirit, in your mind, your emotions, and your actions and reactions?

PRAYER: Lord God, I authorize Your Spirit to lead the thoughts in my mind, to lead my emotions, and to lead my actions and reaction, because those who are led by Your Spirit are sons of God.  Be my Righteousness.  Be my Holiness.  Be my Wisdom. Bring my whole spirit, soul, and body in line with Your Spirit.

Maintain an Awareness

Obedient surrender consists of three steps: EMBRACING, EXPOSING, and giving permission to be EXCHANGED.

The Two Counsels

What Did Jesus Do for You?

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
(John 3:16).

What have you done that is breaking your heart?  What have you done that causes you to feel so tainted, ashamed, and guilty?  What have you done that causes you to feel such a failure and a loser?  What have you done to make you feel so condemned and blamed?

Understand that it is not what you did that matters.  The only thing that matters is what the Lord Jesus Christ did for you. He came to save you from yourself.

FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM
(John 3:17).

What have others done to break your spirit?  What have others done to pour pain and contempt on your life?  What have others done to bring abandonment and rejection into your heart? Believe that it is not what OTHERS did that matters.  The only thing that matters is what Jesus Christ did for you. He came to save what is lost.

Realize that you matter so much to the Perfect Father, that He sent His Son, Jesus, to save you from the effects of anything you might have done, and to save you from the effects of anything others might have done to you. Be encouraged that the saving Power of the Lord Jesus is bigger than your own sins and mistakes, and far greater than others’ sins and mistakes done to you.

FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE WHAT WAS LOST
(Luke 19:10).

What have you done that is causing you to feel so evil, doomed, and incriminated?  What have others done that is causing you to feel so forsaken, unprotected, and pushed aside?  What have others done that is causing you to feel so fatally flawed, dirty, and lesser?

Stop hiding.  Stop running away.  Stop blaming those who have hurt you. Instead, invite the saving Power of the Lord Jesus Christ into these painful spots of your heart…because the Lord Jesus wants to save you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I invite Your Presence and Participation into these spots in my heart that deem me fatally flawed, doomed, and pushed aside.  Please save me from what I have done, Lord God, and from what others have done to me, so I would not perish, but have eternal Life.

Maintain an Awareness

What a consolation to discover that God has never left us. He NEVER forsook us, even though we forsook HIM.

The Two Counsels

God Is Your Covering

WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD AND PLEASING TO THE EYE, AND ALSO DESIRABLE FOR GAINING WISDOM, SHE TOOK SOME AND ATE IT. SHE ALSO GAVE SOME TO HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS WITH HER, AND HE ATE IT.  THEN THE EYES OF BOTH OF THEM WERE OPENED, AND THEY REALIZED THEY WERE NAKED
(Genesis 3:6-7).

When the woman saw that the fruit was good for food, she did what seemed right in her own eyes: she leaned on her own understanding…she believed her own perturbing perceptions…she took the fruit and ate it.  And after she took the bait that the father-of-lies offered her, she realized that she was naked—void of love, hope, and truth. Instead, she was covered with the abandonment, rejection, shame, and condemnation of the father-of-lies, who slyly led her down the broad road of destruction.

RATHER, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
(Romans 13:14).

Beloved Child, you need to know that I, your Everlasting Father, provided a new Covering of Hope, Truth, and Love for you through My Son, Jesus Christ.  Under His wings of Love, you will be safe from the father-of-lies’ words of condemnation: “You are not going to make it!”  Behind His shield of Truth, you will be protected from the enemy’s rejection: “You do not belong!”  Under His Trust, you will be shielded from the evil one’s shame: “You are a disgrace!” Under His Acceptance, you will be protected from the father-of-lies’ abandonment: “You are alone!” But it is your obligation to come to Me, just the way you are, naked…exposed…unveiled. Then, I will clothe you with the Covering of My Son—with Hope, Love, and Truth.

HE WILL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS SHALT THOU TRUST: HIS TRUTH SHALL BE THY SHIELD AND BUCKLER
(Psalm 91:4).

Are you naked—void of love, hope, and truth? Know that this is not due to your circumstances, but due to the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies. He has stripped you of God’s Covering of Love, Hope, and Truth.

Come to God just the way you are. Do not try and cover your nakedness. Show your heart to Him, just the way it is, and ask Him to cover you with His Covering of Love, Hope, and Truth. This will give you serenity, safety, and security!

PRAYER: I come to You, Lord Jesus, just the way I am. Tuck me under Your wings of Love. Pull me under Your feathers of Hope. Protect me with Your shield of Truth. Cover me with Yourself.

Maintain an Awareness

When your heart hurts, both the Lord Jesus and the father-of-lies stand ready to lead you out of that pain to a solution.

The Two Counsels

Doing Whatever Is Right in Your Own Eyes

YOU SHALL NOT DO ACCORDING TO ALL WE DO HERE [IN THE CAMP] THIS DAY, EVERY MAN DOING WHATEVER LOOKS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES
(Deuteronomy 12:8).

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is NOT to do whatever looks right in my own eyes.  Doing what is right in my own eyes means to believe every thought—positive or negative—that enters my mind, even the thought that I have no worth. Doing what is right in my own eyes means to lean on my own understanding, even the understanding that I am not loved. Doing what is right in my own eyes means to rely on my own perturbing perceptions, even the perceptions that I am fatally flawed and rejected.

Doing what is right in my own eyes means to live according to my own sinful nature, following the negative, destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies. Doing what is right in my own eyes means to do my own thing, in my own way, at my own time.

THEREFORE, BROTHERS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION—BUT IT IS NOT TO THE SINFUL NATURE, TO LIVE ACCORDING TO IT.  FOR IF YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE, YOU WILL DIE; BUT IF BY THE SPIRIT YOU PUT TO DEATH THE MISDEEDS OF THE BODY, YOU WILL LIVE, BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD
(Romans 8:12-14).

Precious Child, you need to know that it does not pay off to do whatever is right in your own eyes, because it leads to death in your spirit, in your mind, and in your body. It leads to despair, guilt, jealousy, and hatred. It leads to darkness.

 Are you looking for Love, Light, and Life?

Then, stop living according what is right in your own eyes. Instead, bring your perturbing perceptions to the Lord Jesus. Allow Him to lead you by His Spirit of Truth into new beliefs of Acceptance, Worth, and Belonging.  Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  They will find Love, Light, and Life!

PRAYER: Lord God, I realize that in order to walk in Your Love, Light, and Life, I have an obligation: to stop doing what is right in my own eyes, because my natural assumptions are not reliable, and my natural way of perceiving people and circumstances are not in line with Your Perspective.

Therefore, lead me by Your Spirit. Guide me with Your Truth. Nourish me with Your Hope. Furnish me with Your Life.

Maintain an Awareness

The Bible calls it the OLD MAN. It makes us feel like a powerless CHILD. It is the reason we believe we are abandoned, bad, rejected, and shamed. It is the reason we feel mad, bad, and sad. It is the reason neither life, nor death, makes sense.

The Two Counsels

Seek God with All Your Heart

OH, THAT I KNEW WHERE I MIGHT FIND HIM
(Job 23:3).

There came a time in my life when I realized that I could not live with myself anymore. In me lived an Orphan Me, a Bad Me, a Despicable Me, and a Victim Me, formed by the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies, since childhood. How often did I want to save myself from the rejection of the Victim Me, but I could not carry it out. How often did I want to rescue myself from the shame of the Despicable Me, but I could not perform it. How often did I want to free myself from the condemnation of the Bad Me, but I could not succeed. How often did I try to break loose from the abandonment of the Orphan Me, but I did not know how to. I realized that as long as these OLD MAN characters lived in me, there was no way out of their miserable effect on my life.

YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART
(Jeremiah 29:13).

Finally, I sank down in utter powerlessness.  I could not live with my tormented self anymore.  I had come to the end of ME.  There was only one thing left to do…and I did it.  I sought God with all my heart. I asked Him to set me free from these OLD MAN characters.

And I found Him! God brought me back from captivity. The OLD MAN characters of the Orphan Me, Bad Me, Despicable Me, and Victim Me were nailed to the cross. I was set free from the abandonment that shackled me, the condemnation that chained me, the shame that maimed me, and the rejection that bound me. When I sought God with all my heart, He brought me out of myself into His perfect Love, His incomparable Hope, and His free-setting Truth.

‘I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU,’ DECLARES THE LORD, ‘AND WILL BRING YOU BACK FROM CAPTIVITY’
(Jeremiah 29:14).

Are you tired of living a life shackled by abandonment, chained by condemnation, maimed by shame, and bound by rejection? What are you going to do about this?

Seek God with all your heart. Find the Orphan Me, Bad Me, Despicable Me, and Victim Me characters in you and ask God to nail them to the cross. Let Him replace them with His own Character of Love, Hope, and Truth.

PRAYER: Eternal God, I seek You with all my heart. Let me find You, so You can bring me back from captivity—from the beliefs of abandonment, shame, rejection, and condemnation that live in my mind. Reign in me through Your Character of Love, Hope, and Truth.

Maintain an Awareness

This must be the hardest of all lessons to learn: to keep our eyes on the Eternal God during difficult circumstances, and trust that His everlasting arms are underneath us, holding us and keeping us safe.

The Two Counsels

Take up Your Cross and Follow Me

AND ANYONE WHO DOES NOT TAKE HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.  WHOEVER FINDS HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, AND WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT
(Matthew 10:38-39).

There was a time when I followed the OLD MAN in me, ruled by the father-of-lies, to receive comfort from the world. I obeyed the negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs “You are unworthy, You are unwanted, You are unacceptable, You are unloved,” to receive accolades from others. I allowed the deceitful desires of my sinful nature to rule my life, in order to receive praise from people. To me it was all about what people thought of me—how to impress them the most, so I could receive their honor.

IF ANYONE SERVES ME, LET HIM FOLLOW ME; AND WHERE I AM, THERE MY SERVANT WILL BE ALSO. IF ANYONE SERVES ME, HIM MY FATHER WILL HONOR
(John 12:26).

Precious One, if you are living your life to receive honor and praise from people, you are living your life according to the OLD MAN beliefs of abandonment, rejection, shame, and condemnation. You are doing your deeds, good and bad, for the wrong reasons: to relieve the pain these OLD MAN beliefs are causing you. You are not living for Me.

 Today, I am asking you to come to Me. Stop living your life for accolades, comfort, and honor from people to relieve your OLD MAN pain. I have a cross for you to bear. If you take up your cross and follow Me, My Father will honor you, but if you keep practicing your own righteousness in front of others, only to be seen by them, you are not worthy of Me. You will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO PRACTICE YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IN FRONT OF OTHERS TO BE SEEN BY THEM. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL HAVE NO REWARD FROM YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN
(Matthew 6:1).

Are you living your life to still the OLD MAN pain of abandonment, shame, rejection, and condemnation…or are you bearing the cross the Lord Jesus has given you? What is the difference? The OLD MAN lives in you, in obedience to the father-of-lies, to receive praise from people. The Lord Jesus lives in you, in obedience to God, to receive praise from the Father in Heaven.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, make me willing to follow You. Show me the cross You want me to bear—the good works you have preordained for me, since the foundation of the world. May I be willing to lose my praise-seeking life for You, Lord Jesus, and receive my reward from the Perfect Father.

Maintain an Awareness

Do not go to the Scriptures to read them only. Go to them with the intention to seek and experience the Light through them.

The Two Counsels

Enter through the Only Door

WE ALL, LIKE SHEEP, HAVE GONE ASTRAY, EACH OF US HAS TURNED TO OUR OWN WAY; AND THE LORD HAS LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL
(Isaiah 53:6).

Have you noticed that we have all gone astray, even us Christians? We live our lives according to the OLD MAN in us—the negative, destructive beliefs of abandonment, shame, condemnation, and rejection. We use our own defense mechanisms to save us from these painful beliefs, instilled in us by the father-of-lies. We have each turned to our own way…and then we say we are doing it for God.

I AM THE DOOR: BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED, AND SHALL GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE
(John 10:9).

Precious One, I am the Door…the ONLY Door. I am the NEW MAN. Unless you come through Me, you will keep living your life for the OLD MAN. Unless you allow Me to take the place of the OLD MAN in you, you will keep living from your own pain. Unless you let me exchange your abandonment for My Belonging, you will keep turning to your own way. Unless you permit Me to replace your rejection with My Love, you will go astray. Unless you allow Me to exchange your shame for My Acceptance, you will live according to your deceitful desires. Unless you let Me replace your condemnation with My Righteousness, you will serve the father-of-lies. Unless you permit Me to exchange your Christian life for My Life, you will miss the reason that I came—to take all your iniquity upon Me, so you may find pasture.

BUT YE HAVE NOT SO LEARNED CHRIST; IF SO BE THAT YE HAVE HEARD HIM, AND HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY HIM, AS THE TRUTH IS IN JESUS: THAT YE PUT OFF CONCERNING THE FORMER CONVERSATION THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS; AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS
(Ephesians 4:20-24).

Are you living the Christian life? Then, you, like me, have gone astray. God is not asking us to live the Christian life. Instead, He is asking us to allow the Lord Jesus to live HIS LIFE in you and me.

What does this mean? Give up doing your own thing. Come through the Door to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let Him take all your abandonment, rejection, condemnation, and shame on Him…and allow Him to become the NEW MAN in you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I confess that I have gone astray. I do my own thing. I live my life, even my Christian life, in my own way, in reaction to the OLD MAN beliefs. Forgive me, Lord Jesus. Become my Door—my Way, my Life, and my Truth. Become the NEW MAN in me and live Your Life through me.

Maintain an Awareness

What a consolation to discover that God has never left us. He NEVER forsook us, even though we forsook HIM.

The Two Counsels

Jesus, the Much More of Your Salvation

FOR IF, WHEN WE WERE GOD’S ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO HIM THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, HOW MUCH MORE, HAVING BEEN RECONCILED, SHALL WE BE SAVED THROUGH HIS LIFE!
(Romans 5:10).

I was reconciled to the Perfect Father, through the death of His Son, at an early age. That was a one-time settlement.  But, that was only the beginning.  There is more, MUCH MORE—the MUCH MORE OF OUR SALVATION.

Beloved, I want you to know that I was sent by the Perfect Father to live in you, so that I may share THE FULL GLORY OF MY ROYAL LIFE with you, from the inside-out: My Love…My Light…My Hope…My Joy. 

 Know that My Father did not send Me to improve your life from the outside with glitz and glamor, but to exchange you on the inside for My own Life. I did not come to only restore you to what you had been before you were labeled “shameful”…before you were dubbed “abandoned”…before you were tagged “condemned”…before you were called “rejected.”  No, I came to remove what do not belong in you—the abandoned Orphan, the condemned Criminal, the shameful Cinderella, and the rejected Victim—to put Myself in their place. I came to live My own Life in you. This is the MUCH MORE OF YOUR SALVATION!

I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY
(John 10:10).

Do you recognize an abandoned Orphan, a condemned Criminal, a shameful Cinderella, and a rejected Victim in your heart? How are these phantom characters hindering you from the abundant Life? Would you like MUCH MORE than what these characters can offer you?

EMBRACE each phantom character. EXPOSE each one to the redemption and salvation of the Lord Jesus. Ask Him to EXCHANGE each one of them for Himself—HIS OWN MUCH MORE LIFE.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need MUCH MORE than what these phantom characters can give me. I need YOU. I invite Your Presence and Participation into each one of these characters that lives in my heart. Erase them, Lord Jesus, through Your redemption and salvation, and take their place in my heart. Then, I will have Your Life, Your Hope, Your Light, and Your Joy living in me, from the inside-out.

Maintain an Awareness

We now have a moment-by-moment choice: to live our daily lives the way we always have, under the reign of the OLD MAN, or to allow the Lord Jesus to live His NEW MAN Life is us.

The Two Counsels

Freedom

IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED AGAIN BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY
(Galatians 5:1).

Know that it is for freedom that the Lord Jesus has set you free: freedom from helplessness…freedom from hopelessness…freedom from powerlessness…freedom from shame…freedom from guilt…freedom from fear…freedom from abandonment…freedom from unworthiness…freedom from condemnation…freedom from sin…freedom from believing that you are a bad person…freedom from rejection—FREEDOM FROM YOUR YOKE OF SLAVERY!

FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM; FROM HIS MOUTH COME KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
(Proverbs 2:6).

Beautiful One, allow My Counsel into your heart, then My Wisdom will set you free from the negative belief that you do not belong. Invite My Holy Spirit to renew your mind, then My Power will set you free from the oppressing belief that you do not count. Allow My Perspective into your thoughts, then My Truth will set you free from the accusatory thought that you are a lesser being. Throw your arms wide open and receive the freedom that I, Christ Jesus, hold out to you, Child.  Then, stand firm in this freedom, and do not allow the father-of-lies to lure you back into the yoke of slavery with his beliefs of condemnation, abandonment, rejection, and shame.

SO IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED
(John 8:36).

Are you burdened with a yoke of slavery? Are you inundated with fear? Are you ruled by depression? Are you submerged in shame? Are you scorned by rejection?

Know that the Lord Jesus can set you free from ANYTHING! All you need to do is invite His Presence and Participation into your yoke of slavery.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Light of the World, the King of Kings, the Author and Finisher of my faith, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Prince of Peace, my High Priest. Nothing is impossible for You. I invite Your Presence and Participation to set me free from my yoke of slavery, even today.

Maintain an Awareness

God wants you to desire His Love, because He wants to pour His Love directly into YOUR heart, right there where it hurts so much.

The Two Counsels