PRACTICING INNER PEACE

PRACTICING INNER PEACE

By Dwight Cunkle

Four Practices to develop inner peace (meditate on these):

1. Keep internal calm by disciplining external senses (what I see or want to see because of my flesh and pride or unholy desires).

2. Establish in ourselves an intention to love all people and live in harmony with everyone. Listen for their heart and with your heart, not just for the facts or to fix it. Be in the moment.

3. Keep our conscience clear within, toward God and  between us and others. Practice confession of fault and sin (openness).

4. Must accustom ourselves to bear unpleasant things and insults without becoming upset or agitated.

I don’t want to be controlled by shame and blame but by the peace of God. Many of us were raised in a shame-based matrix: interpreting life and people and ourselves through the lens of what’s wrong. Exchange that for a view of the world through God’s love, mercy and goodness.

Also, many of us grew up with many anger, adrenaline and control issues-either our anger or the anger of others around us. We need God’s help to be emotionally aware of how our emotions impact others around us-spouse, children, church or work.

Romans 13

Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to

one’s fellowmen, meeting all its requirements]. 9 The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

NEVER GIVE UP

NEVER GIVE UP

By Dwight Cunkle

In a movie I watched recently the main character has lost round one and two in the fight. With one round to go he realizes instead of just enduring or even quitting he could actually win - and thereby earn the needed cash to save the H.S. Music teacher's job and program for the students. The music teacher is in his corner and tells him that even if he loses the fight he already has won by the inspirational example he gave his students. Then he gave this quote:

"You are showing complete resolve in the face of an unbearable obstacle"

(from the movie, "Here Comes the Boom")

Don't Give Up

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.— Hebrews 10:36

Effective leaders accomplish seemingly impossible tasks because they never give up. They never buckle under. Despite mounting criticism, intense opposition, and overwhelming obstacles, they persevere with determined resolve. They refuse to throw in the towel.

Often, the easiest thing would be to quit. Just give up. Forget about one's dream and return to the comfort and convenience of mediocrity. Give in to the words of the critics, give up to the opposition, and give way to the obstacles. Simply tuck tail and run away.

Great power is embodied in persistence. The race is not always won by the fastest, nor the game by the strongest, but rather by the one who keeps on keeping on, who refuses to give up.Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. Race car driver Rick Mears said, "To finish first you must first finish."

It is always too soon to quit. One of the most powerful and destructive tools that Satan has in his arsenal is discouragement, the subtle but dangerous compulsion to give up, to quit, saying, "What's the use?"

When you are tempted to quit: resist. We must endure in the battle until the evil day is over. We must press on in the face of the temptation to quit. Until the war is over, we must fight to the end. Until the race is finished, we must keep running. Until the wall is built, we must keep stacking bricks. Never give up. Never. The promises of God are always at the end.

From an online article in Ministry Today

TRANSITIONS

TRANSITIONS

By Richard Lineberry

By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

The Bible, as well as church history, is full of transitions from one place to another. The exodus tells how God delivered his people from Egyptian slavery, took them through and unfamiliar wilderness and finally to a land they'd never been. Why? Because it was His purpose for them at the time. Many a missionary has been uprooted from his familiar surroundings and told to go unfamiliar places. It seems that following the Lord is accompanied by our willingness to change and take a few risks occasionally.

Such is a time for us as we have sought the Lord with faith and are now in the process of selling our physical property and finding where the Lord is leading. Has the Lord told us everything we want to know about it so far? No. He has shown us how to get moving in the now. It would, of course, be nice if the Lord has said everything up front like, “Here’s where you’re going, here’s how much it will cost, and here’s the list of everything you will need.” Yes, that would have satisfied our wonderings. However, there is no story in Scripture of the Lord leading anyone that way. His word, Proverbs tells us, is a lamp unto our FEET and a light to our path. He shows us step by step. It’s sort of like, take step #1 and I’ll show you #2 but not before the first one. When God says GO and we don’t go we may be cutting off the fruit He planned for us in the future. Are transitions risky? Usually they are. But if we aren’t willing to trust God, everything stays the same.

As we, as a corporate body, pray for God’s leading, we will come into a greater unity of purpose. Things will become clearer as we walk. Now is the time for seeking the Lord’s will relative to finding a buyer and directing us to a new location. We are taking baby steps but if our hearts are open to Him in faith, God will direct our path.

Meditation on the Father’s heart

Meditation on the Father’s heart

Written By:

 http://thekeyofdavid.wordpress.com/2013/10/01/meditation-on-the-fathers-heart/

Chew on these until they connect with your heart, meditation unto revelation by the Spirit (Eph 1:17).  He can turn water into wine, He can take meditation into revelation (Eph 1:17).  He wants to say these things to you, but hunger and prayer is the way forward in the Kingdom.  Confidence/Faith in the Word tears down strongholds of cultural unbelief. 

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1


I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

I even know how many hairs on your head. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and 
your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my children. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you from within myself when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive ultimately comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the righteous desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Phil 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you as much as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I and all of heaven will rejoice. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13


I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

THOUGHTS ON INWARD PRAYER AND WORSHIP

THOUGHTS ON INWARD PRAYER 

AND WORSHIP

By Dwight Cunkle

From the writings of Thomas Kelly, born a Quaker, in 1893. He was educated at Harvard, and wanted to "make his life a miracle." But the strain and striving broke him. In that he learned to order mental life on two levels at the same time - inward prayer and worship, while working and relating     outwardly.

I have found that my wife is much better at this kind of     prayer without ceasing-going about her many duties all day while having prayer continue. As we seek God and find him try these steps from Kelly's writings:

1. Inwardly, quietly repeat a phrase or simple prayer such as, "Lord, Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner." Or "The Lord is my Shepherd." Or "One Spirit"".

2. Let inward prayer be your last act before sleep and first upon waking.

3. Practice continually turning and centering in God in    worship and surrender and listening.

4. Order mentally both gently inwardly in devotion while   outwardly at work, play and relationship. Gradually the two become more one than just "a prayer time" verses my other responsibilities and relationships.

5. Allow a longing for God God to draw you: "presence in the midst," Shekinah of the soul," "a subterranean sanctuary of the soul,"colonies of heaven," "continuously at home in him," able to say 'No' or 'Yes' with equal confidence to thoughts and feelings and choices as they come before us because we are inwardly at rest in abandonment to his will and in union with him.

You shall seek me with your whole heart and you shall find me Jer 29:14

Dwight

RULES FOR DAILY LIFE

Devotional Classics

EXCERPTS FROM A SERIOUS CALL TO A DEVOUT AND HOLY LIFE

RULES FOR DAILY LIFE

By William Law

Devotion is not prayer-neither not public-but union with God - daily living seeking Him so His love fills us and works through us.

The command to have a faith which governs the ordinary actions of our lives is to be found in almost every verse of Scripture. Our blessed Savior and his Apostles were very    intent on giving us teachings that relate to daily life.

They teach us: to renounce the world and be different in our attitudes and ways of life; to renounce all its goods, to fear none of its evils, to reject its joys, and have no value for its happiness; to be as newborn babes who are born into a new state of things; to live as pilgrims in spiritual watching, in holy fear, and heavenly aspiring after another life; to take up our cross daily, to deny ourselves, to profess the         blessedness of mourning, to seek the blessedness of poverty of spirit; to forsake the pride and vanity of riches, to take no thought for the morrow, to live in the profoundest state of humility, to rejoice in worldly sufferings; to reject the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; to bear injuries, to forgive and bless our enemies and to love all  people as God loves them; to give up our whole hearts and affections to God and to strive to enter through the straight gate into a life of eternal glory.