Extra! Extra! Divine Revelation is Yours

17 [I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, [h] would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling,what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
The word revelation means “to uncover, unveil, and disclose truth.” Revelation is imparted to human kind by God. It is not something we can force Him to do nor is it something we can conjure up. True revelation comes as believers—those who accept Christ as Savior—transcend their carnal tendencies and seek to satisfy their spiritual appetites. In other words, as believers transition from casual to intimate relationship with the Father, revelation, love and wisdom are exchanged. Old mindsets, habits and precepts are trampled giving rise to holiness, prayer, wholeness and liberty.

It is impossible to receive revelation from God with a carnal, untransformed mind. Samma Sati implores others to exercise right mindfulness. Likewise it is unfeasible that God will grant us wisdom or a deeper insight if we don’t plan to have an intimate relationship with Him. Relationship not religion is what God looks for. He wants us to love Him with our whole heart, our whole body and our whole soul. He is not interested in spiritual trysts, prayer one-night stands or friends with benefits. God wants to love us fully. His revelation comes as result our relationship.

It is God’s desire that we be granted a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. He wants us to know Him better. He wants us to see Him in ways we never thought were possible. I believe Moses had that kind of relationship with God. God revealed himself to Moses in ways that boggle the mind. Moses encountered a burning bush, a parted Red Sea, and delectable Manna. Moses was enamored with God. Although he did not make it into the promise land, Moses hungered for God. The more he saw God, the more deeply he desired to know him. It is this desire that caused Moses to plead “God, show me your glory.”

Relationship forces us to move past superficial formalities and pretentious tendencies. It subdues false pretenses and selfish ambitions bringing them under the captivity of the Spirit of God. Our will yields and allows the innate presence of God to sweep through us—to purify and seal us. We are in Him and He is in us. We are one spirit and one flesh.

God wants to enlighten the eyes of our heart so that we know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance. God has a divine purpose and inheritance for each of us.
 

©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

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Don’t Go It Alone

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it is all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. – Ephesians 6:13-18

We live in a society that tends to exalt individualism. One need only look to the world of sports to see this concept in action. Despite the fact that each team has dozens of players, commentators and fans routinely look to one individual to lead the team to victory. When the team fails to live up to its expectations, some individuals are all but crucified. On the other hand, when the team is successful it is the individual who receives the honor. The kingdom of God, however, has a different stance.

God knows there is safety in numbers. No one person can handle all of the turns and spirals of life on their own. As believers, we are expected to recognize that for some situations we need to get a little back up. We know there are consequences for letting pride, not wisdom, dictate our actions. In the above passage, God makes it very plain what we should do: take all the help you can get.

Many of us have family members, friends or church members who would welcome the opportunity to bless us. Often times, we decline help because we genuinely feel we have everything under control. We quickly discover, however, we do not. Pride hinders us from allowing others to be a blessing to the people of God. It subtly triggers a false sense of sufficiency which eventually evolves into arrogance or denial. This causes many people to reject help even though they need it.

The bible says be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Your sickness, unemployment, inner turmoil or emotional pain is far more than you can handle. It is so beyond your capacity to deal with it that God directs us to take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it is all over you'll still be on your feet.

Problems, distractions, pain, doubt, fear and hopelessness all work to knock us down. This is where Samma Vayama is important as it promotes good thoughts and efforts. The word of God says that the enemy roams the earth looking for those he can devour. He purposes to kill what God has ordained for us in the earth. He will use any means necessary to drain our faith and resilience. His plan is simple: turn us away from God.
 

©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

Apple of Your Eye

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.- Isaiah 41:10

Make me your focal point in your search for security. In your private thoughts, you are still trying to order your world so that is predictable and feels safe. Not only is this an impossible goal, but it is also counterproductive to spiritual growth. – Sarah Young

Scripture tells us that we are the apple of God’s eye but the question begs to be asked: is He the apple of ours? So many times, we find ourselves trying to orchestrate our own lives. What begins as a simple thought about next steps, quickly escalates into a full-scale analysis complete with pros, cons and alternatives. While this is certainly the human response to problem resolution, it is not God’s preference for us. God desires that we lean on Him completely. He knows that we crave feelings of security and safety. He wants us to come to Him so that He can satisfy our needs.

Relying solely on ourselves does two things. First it sets us up to fail. It is impossible for us to plan the course of our lives apart from the Father. We need his long range insights and His wisdom—without them, we’re doomed to a journey riddled with setbacks, confusion and immobility. Second, it places us at odds with the Father. Self-reliance separates us from the Lover of Our Souls in the same way that sin acts as a barrier between man and God. Self-reliance and pride go hand in hand and signifies to the Father that we do not trust Him. If self is involved, trust is not present.

Proverbs tell us plainly don’t consider yourself to be wise. When we are in need of support, answers or a spiritual hug, relying on the Father indicates our desire to trust Him. It demonstrates that even in the midst of adversity or tribulation, we can focus on God and His abilities rather than our short comings. The presence of problems in our lives serves as a gateway to the presence of God. It is an opportune time to celebrate God’s faithfulness, direction and love. God’s faithfulness, wisdom and guidance are celebrated and discussed in the Talmud and in the Torah.

We do not have to be afraid for the God of Love and Power is walking beside us. He promises to strengthen us, to help us and most importantly, to hold us as we walk through life’s fiery furnace. With God, fear dissipates, worry flees and hope prevails. He is our strong tower and refuge.
Life will not always feel predictable, comfortable or easy. The only constant in life is change. By making the Father our focal point, we rely less on self and more on Him—just the way it should be. We rely on His strength.
 

©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

How Much is That Dream In the Window?

Enlarge the site of your tent, and let your tent curtains be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your ropes, and drive your pegs deep. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will dispossess nations and inhabit the desolate cities. D not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame. Isaiah 54: 2-4

Inertia is likened to our tendency to slip back into old habits or linger in old comfort zones. It speaks boldly of human kind’s abilities to adopt complicit ideologies that create atmospheres conducive to procrastination and self-sabotage. In this place, inferiority complexes, fear and stagnant thoughts take center stage as our dreams and purposes wane in the distance. For some, inertia is a welcomed toxin that lulls us to dormancy. For others, it represents all that we refuse to confront or change in our lives.

For many of us, dreams are mere thoughts. They are not entertained or afforded an arena in which they could freely express themselves. Dreams are little more than childlike fantasies that serve to provide a temporary escape from real life. It is what children do to pass the time—nothing more, nothing less.
The word of God, however, has a different take on things. In the aforementioned passage, the people are encouraged to enlarge their tents. They are admonished to stretch out their tents, to lengthen their ropes and drive their pegs deeply. Have you ever seen a deflated balloon? While in its dormant state and void of air, balloons are not very attractive or fun. However, when it is expanded to full capacity, these splendid wonders float and delight both the young and the old. Such are the same with our dreams.

Our dreams are meant to be more than wishful thinking—they are meant to be fulfilled. Samma Sankappa promotes right thinking. In order to breathe our dreams to life, we must be willing to pay the cost. Sometimes it means a loss of time, financial resources or even a loss of our desires—all of which are temporary. God wants us to enlarge our capacity to dream big. He desires us to stretch not only our dreams but also our faith, hope and trust in Him. It is written that God brings us from faith to faith and from glory to glory. If we want to see our dreams manifested—no matter how big or small they may be—we must be willing to move outside of our comfort zones. It has been said “if you want something you’ve never had, you have to be willing to do something you’ve never done.” The same holds true for our dreams.

Many of us allow fear and feelings of inferiority to quench our dreams and visions. But know this: fear and inferiority breathe on your say so—neither can affect you without your permission. Get out of old habits and enlarge your capacity to dream.

©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved