I've been listening to some tapes by C.E. Lunden. He had a series of meetings at Lassen in the 80's on Peter. They are titled: "God's Ways With Peter". Five tapes altogether. Even though I was there at the time I'm enjoying them again.

"Holiness and intelligence come from conpanionship with Jesus and no other way."

"Calling Jesus Lord. That means that you're subject to the Word of God. And not just partially subject, but aiming to be at all times subject to the Word of God. And I'll tell you that that's the only happy life because Jesus knows more than you do about what makes you happy. Cuz He made you. And if you go by His directions you will be happy. If you refuse those directions you will not be happy. There's no way to be happy except the way your Creator has ordered it. And your loving Saviour."

Great Rewards

One of my daughters was worrying that she wasn't doing much for the Lord in the way of service for Him. We were driving down the freeway after taking someone home from some kind of function. I said, " what do you mean? You just took so and so home and now you are driving me home. Just because something is not public or 'great' doesn't mean it won't be acknowledge by the Lord as a service for Him." I've been contemplating lately just exactly does the Lord find of great value in His sight of what we do for Him. I just heard recently that some young person just left the gathered saints because he felt he could do "greater" things for the Lord elsewhere! What he really meant is that the sphere here was too small. Getting back to my daughter. I told her that the Lord places a very high value on faithfulness. By just carrying on in the path of faithfulness being gathered to the Lord's name and being content to support His testimony is of great value to Him. But there is even something of more value than that! And that is communion. Do we spend time in His presence? Do we spend time with Him just talking to Him as we go about our day? He wants to hear my voice. He wants to hear your voice.

John 15 talks about fruit bearing. It says in verse five that if ye abide in Him and He abides in you, you bring forth much fruit.

"He Shall Give You Another Comforter, That He May Abide With You Forever"

I heard about a telephone conversation Bruce had with someone. It was about the Spirit of God. The question was raised, "Does the Spirit leave the believer (and thus the church) at the rapture so that He can work on earth with the saints through the tribulation?" I suppose, like all of us, he just needed to be reminded of the Scripture in John to answer his questions. That reminds me of a quote I've heard a lot over the years. "Immerse yourself in the Scriptures so that you end up thinking in the language of Scripture." (KLA paraphrase.) There's a book by H.P. Barker called "The Holy Spirit Here Today". In it Mr. Barker takes up subjects to do with the Holy Spirit and out association with Him. Each subject takes about a paragraph or two of space so is thus short and concise. My kind of book.

Brought to Him by Prayer

Does someone come to your mind that you've not thought of in months? Even years? Perhaps it's a gentle nudge from the Lord in bringing that person to mind so that you can bring him before the throne of grace. There may be a special need just at that time for them and the Lord is bringing you into fellowship with that need. Don't hesitate. Pray.

"I cannot tell why there should come to me

A thought of someone miles and years away,

In swift insistence on the memory,

Unless there is a need that I should pray.

We are too busy to spare thought

For days together of some friends away;

Perhaps Gpod does it for us-- and we ought
To read His signal as a sign to pray.

Perhaps just then my friend has fiercer fight,

A more appalling weakness, a decay

Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right;

And so, in case he needs my prayers--I pray."

From: "How I know God Answers Prayer" by Rosalind Goforth

Real Power

"The power of testimony and personal holiness comes through prayer." C.E. Lunden

If we want real power in our lives it has to be gotten by private means. It's not something that we have been born with. It is gotten on our knees, with our faces in the dust, in private before the Lord. It is not gotten by ill means, by public display of piety or any such thing. It has to be between us and our Lord with no one to witness. Public display plays no part. To be seen of others so they will note how godly we are is hypocrisy. The very thought of it is an oxymoron. The result of prayer is communion with our God and it brings us down to humility. If we pray to be seen of men, that's pride.

We can not hide that we have not been in secret with the Lord. It will show in our manner of life--the way we talk, of what we talk, the way we respond to every day life, even when we pray aloud. People know. It shows how much time you actually spend in quiet communion with the Lord. There is no fast track to personal godliness. It is not gained overnight. It takes time and those who spend the time will be marked as such.

Eternal Joy

"Nothing is to quench the believer's joy for it is occasioned by that which is eternal."

F.B. Hole, I Thess., p.132

When I occupy my mind with all that the Lord has done for me, all that He has in store for me and all that He is doing for me right at this moment I can rejoice in Him. My future is secure. I do not know what this life may have for me...sickness, sorrow, pain. But because I know that where I am going after this short life is over can only be pure joy and bliss I can rejoice even today. My future is very bright.

Trust and Rest

"If you are in the deep shadows because of some strange, mysterious providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith and love, never doubting. God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears."

J. R. Miller

Trust and rest when all around thee

Puts thy faith to sorest test;

Let no fear or foe confound thee,

Wait for God and trust and rest

Trust and rest with heart abiding

Like a birdling in its nest

Underneath His feathers hiding,

Fold thy wings and trust and rest!

(Found among my notes--from an old friend, 1977)