Shooting Straight, Part 6--Letter Links: Put a Smile on Your Face

September 21, 2004

Table of Contents

(ML #3505‚ GN 1094)

FD/MM/FM August 2004

Be So Happy

ML #159, DB 5.

2. God intended for us to ENJOY LIVING ’ He has given us the ability, the senses ' the environment to enjoy it, including Himself, ’ our main purpose in life‚ as Martin Luther said, is "to LOVE GOD ' ENJOY HIM FOREVER!"—And I might add, to HELP OTHERS ENJOY LIFE by helping them to do the same by telling them of God's Love ' the HAPPY life we live together!

3. So God created you to enjoy the life He's given you ' to love ’ enjoy Him forever ' to try to help others to do the same! Even the martyrs didn't die sadly or sorrowfully, but singing ’ shouting ' praising God! If there's anything in this World we're supposed to be, it's a HAPPY people, because we've got more to be HAPPY about than anybody else in the World! We have THE HAPPY LOVE OF JESUS WHO TAKES ALL OUR BURDENS, CARRIES ALL OUR CARES, even lightens our sorrows; ' even of our service for Him He says that HIS YOKE IS EASY ’ HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT, ' that IT IS THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR THAT'S HARD! If you're finding His yoke too hard or the burden of His Service too heavy to bear, then maybe you're transgressing by not obeying Him, not casting all your cares upon Jesus, for He careth for you. "CAST THY BURDEN ON THE LORD ' He shall sustain thee."—Psa.55:22. You're trying to carry too much ' pull too hard! Let go ' let God! Let Jesus do it! Don't work so hard! Just let the Lord do it through you. MAYBE YOU'RE TRYING TOO HARD INSTEAD OF LETTING GOD do it by His power, His Love, His grace ' His strength! We're not the Christian ENDEAVOUR Union!—We're not "Christian TRIERS," but "LORD LETTERS!" For without Him we are nothing ’ can of our own selves do nothing!

4. So quit trying so hard! Let go ' let God! Take it easy! Quit working so hard in your own strength! Quit taking yourself so seriously! Stop ' praise the Lord ' have a good laugh at your own weaknesses ’ ridiculous inabilities to do anything or accomplish anything for the Lord, knowing that if anything's going to get done, it's the Lord that's got to do it through you!

5. So relax! Quit trying so hard in your own strength! God wants you to be happy! Cheer up! Things could be a lot worse ’ they probably will be, but why worry about it now! … God gives you POWER FOR THE HOUR, grace for the trial—AT the hour ' WHEN it comes—NOT BEFORE! So don't worry about it! WHEN YOU'RE WEAK, THEN YOU'RE STRONG, ’ HIS STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN YOUR WEAKNESS. For HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, ' He takes the WEAK THINGS TO CONFOUND THE MIGHTY ’ the foolish things to confound the wisdom of the wise. For He has not revealed these things unto the wise ' prudent, but unto babes. YOU GOTTA BE A BABY!

6. You oughta absolutely crack up laughing at yourself ' how ridiculous you are instead of trying to be too sober ' taking yourself too seriously. If He can use you ' me, He could even use Balaam's ass!—And He did!—Or even cause the rocks to cry out.—And He has! For He has raised up of these stones children unto Abraham! Hallelujah!

7. So for God's sake ' His Work's sake ’ your own sake ’ especially for the sake of those around you, don't try so hard ' take yourself so seriously! It's gotta be God or we'll never make it! That's why He picked us!—And that's why they marvel, beholding the man‚ ' that it's only because we've been with Jesus that we can do these things! They know it's a miracle of God that has changed our lives from the fearful freaks we once were to THE HAPPY-GO-LORDY JESUS FREAKS we are today!

8. Why not have a good laugh at yourself ' admit that it's God that's doing it all through you! I once knew a dear old missionary who had evangelized the forbidden country of Tibet for twenty-five years, but I marveled at his humility‚ his grace ' blithely cheerful spirit. I thought what a great man he was ' what a great work he had done ’ how famous he should have been, ’ yet here he was doing dishes with me for the rest of the kids. So I asked him a question which I considered he of all people ought to know ' since I was planning to be a missionary myself‚ I asked him: "WHAT DO YOU THINK A MISSIONARY NEEDS THE MOST?"—expecting some solemn ’ profound answer from his greatly superior wisdom ' vast wealth of years of experience. So you can imagine how shocked I was when he said simply, pausing with his hands in the sink ' looking at me with a sly smile: "A SENSE OF HUMOUR!—TO BE ABLE TO LAUGH WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE CRYING!" He said that, often, under the almost unbearable tension of the most frightening circumstances‚ a good laugh nearly saved their lives ’ their nerves! After all, if you know the Lord's going to take care of it somehow, you can afford to smile ’ to laugh at how impossible the situation is, how ridiculous the circumstances, ' you know GOD'S GOTTA DO A MIRACLE! SO WHY NOT LAUGH ABOUT IT?

9. God likes to do things differently ' in many ways that to us are downright ridiculous, seemingly impossible ' outright laughable, just to show His power, that He's not bound by conventions, traditions, customs, the System or any kind of impossibilities! IT'S REALLY FUNNY THE WAY GOD RUNS THINGS, especially us! WE'RE ONE GREAT BIG JOKE to the rest of the World ’ they come to laugh at us, but sometimes wind up crying because they're not as happy as we are ' because we're laughing louder than they are in our hearts ' lives ' happy service for the Lord!

10. If there was ever a saint who was one of the greatest soul winners I ever knew ' who had some marvelous gifts of the Spirit ’ for whom God performed many mighty miracles, it was MY OWN MOTHER!—AND YET SHE WAS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST WOMEN I EVER KNEW, keeping us constantly in stitches ’ sometimes literally doubled up in laughter at some of her funny antics, peculiarities, absentmindedness ' sense of humor! There was nothing she enjoyed as much as A GOOD JOKE ON HERSELF! She used to say, "I guess GOD MADE ME SO FUNNY JUST TO SHOW WHAT HE CAN DO WITH SOMEONE AS RIDICULOUS AS I AM!"

11. We DO have other things to do besides laugh! But for God's sake, laugh while you're doing them! And most of all, like Grandmother, be able to laugh at yourself ' have a good joke on yourself, because YOU'RE THE FUNNIEST THING GOD EVER MADE ' YOU COULDN'T BE ANY MORE RIDICULOUS!

12. Humor certainly does help to humble you! There's nothing like the humiliation of a good joke on yourself to help keep us from getting so self-righteous ’ so super–sober that we can't enjoy a good joke on ourselves ' can't see how funny we are ' what a joke we are ' what a good laugh God must get out of us ' what He's doing with us ’ how HE'S SHAKING UP THE WHOLE WORLD THROUGH THIS LITTLE BUNCH OF SILLY KIDS! What a joke! What a laugh we are!

13. So for God's sake‚ why don't you break down that stupid self-righteous pride of yours ' laugh at yourself—at how ridiculous ' foolish you are to think you can save the World, when it's only GOD that's doing it THROUGH you, showing that even the FOOLISHNESS of God is greater than the WISDOM of men. Have a good laugh at all your troubles! It'll do you good ' it'll do God good, because it'll show Him you're not worried but you're still trusting Him!

14. We all need a good laugh! Have a sense of humor! Keep humble with good humor! Laugh at yourself! Just DON'T OVERDO IT, AS THERE'S A TIME FOR EVERYTHING. THERE'S A TIME TO LAUGH ’ A TIME TO WEEP—A TIME FOR EVERYTHING. But let's always be able to SMILE THROUGH OUR TEARS—A RAY OF SUNSHINE is even more beautiful IN THE MIDST OF RAIN. Let's have a little more SUNSHINE ' LAUGHTER ' NOT SO MUCH GLOOM ' DOOM! Instead of giving them SO MUCH HELL, let's give them A LITTLE MORE HEAVEN! "Laugh and the World will laugh with you!—Cry, and you'll cry alone!"

15. The World knows enough Hell! Let's show them a little more Heaven!—"Love ' laughter ' peace ever after", ’ that TODAY you can be free! Hallelujah! PTL! Amen? Let's have some HOLY LAUGHTER! LAUGH IN THE SPIRIT! "REJOICE ' BE EXCEEDING GLAD, for great is your reward in Heaven!"

16. So let's be happy! Amen? Or maybe you'd rather be stubborn ' contrary like old Jenny the mule: After a Sunday of "No's" ' "Don'ts" at his long-faced‚ church–bound, super-strict Grandfather's where he wasn't allowed to play on Sunday, poor little Johnny wandered wistfully out to the barnyard ’ stroked Jenny's long nose, saying, "Dear Jenny, you must be AWFULLY RELIGIOUS‚ YOU HAVE SUCH A LONG FACE, just like Grandfather's!"—That's the CHURCHES' idea of religion!—Please don't let it be OURS!

Let Jesus Shine

Maria #57, DB 3.

1. (Maria:) I WAS BROUGHT UP TO BE VERY HONEST. It bothers me to be hypocritical or lie or deceive or cover up. So knowing I should act happy when I feel sad posed a problem for me. I wondered‚ "How can I put on a smile ’ look happy when I don't really feel that way?" But the Lord helped me to resolve this question to my satisfaction. The answer is:

2. YOU HAVE TO REALISE THAT IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S THE LORD'S HAPPINESS THAT YOU'RE SHOWING in your joyful countenance ' happy smile. It is not being hypocritical to "put on" a happy face when you're sad, ' you are not pretending, because it's the Lord's happiness that's showing, it's not yours anyway. So you are not being hypocritical. To the contrary, you are being a wonderful example of Jesus shining through you.—"Not I, but Christ Who lives within me" ' is showing His face‚ the beauty of Jesus being seen in you! (Gal.2:20)

3. PROBABLY OUR NEW STAFF MEMBER, AS HE HEARS THIS COUNSEL ABOUT LOOKING MORE CHEERFUL, is going to think, "Wait a minute! You told me to be honest ' open ' not cover up anything, ' now here you are telling me to smile ' look happy ' cover what I'm feeling inside. You made this big deal about telling me to be honest‚ not to cover up, be open ' show my feelings, ' now you are telling me just the opposite."

4. NO, NOT AT ALL!—ON HIS FACE WE WANT A SMILE. With his mouth we want him to tell us what he is feeling, all his fears ' trials, whatever he wants to say to us, ' to be completely honest. With his mouth we want him to confess ' tell all his heart, but not with his expression. We want him to be just as honest as we said, but we don't want to have to read it on his face, we want to read it on paper.

5. IT'S PART OF LOVE WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY WITH PEOPLE ' SMILING ' SACRIFICING. It's part of showing Love when our expression does not make other people feel bad, or feel that we don't like them, or look as if we're being critical or fearful, or when we're just down in the dumps. If you put on a happy face, that is part of showing people the happiness ' joy ’ the Love of the Lord‚ He's showing His Love ' joy ' peace through you!—Isn't that wonderful?

6. I THINK PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY MAY HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE MIXED UP ’ gotten the impression they should hide their problems ’ never share their hearts or feelings, because we said, "Be So Happy", try to be positive ' try to exude faith ' happiness ' joy ' don't go around looking so down in the mouth, like you're in the dumps. So they took that to mean that they're never supposed to say anything about their true feelings either. But that's not what we want. We want you to look happy for the sake of your witness, but we want you to write all about your problems on paper or talk to someone with your mouth who can help you. You're supposed to do both!

7. THERE'S A TIME TO LOOK PLEASANT ’ SMILE‚ WHICH IS MOST OF THE TIME IN FRONT OF OTHERS, ' there's a time to cry out to the Lord ' others for help, confessing your faults one to another ’ praying for one another, bearing each other's burdens ' not forgetting to communicate. Don't neglect either one.

Show'm Jesus

ML #2074, DB 3.

4. ONE OF THE BASIC FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE OPERATION OF THE SPIRITUAL KINGDOM OF GOD ’ THE SPIRIT WORLD, is that you must believe though having not seen. You just heard somebody tell you the Gospel about the Love of Jesus, maybe they showed you the Love of Jesus too, in their life, in their face, in their deeds, ' you believed.

5. BECAUSE THE ONLY PROOF YOU CAN SEE TODAY IS IN THE FACES OF THE WITNESSERS! And they look in our faces ' they see it! Because you are the Word! As a witness you become the Word of God! So the only way they can find faith is by seeing the Word in you ' hearing the Word through you. Every one of you, every witness is the Word! You're all little Jesuses, in a way, because you all have the Spirit of Christ, you all have Jesus in your hearts, you all manifest the Love of Christ, so you're all supposed to be like Him, ’ you are!

6. YOU ARE CHRIST'S, HE SAYS, YOU BELONG TO HIM! (1Cor.3:23) Your body is His!—Your mind, your heart, your life! Just as Jesus was the Word of God when He was on Earth‚ you are now the Word of God while you're still here on Earth! You carry the Word of God ' the Word of Salvation just as much as Jesus did.

8. AS DWIGHT L. MOODY SAID, "THE ONLY BIBLE THE WORLD READS IS BOUND IN SHOE LEATHER!" I guess he must have gotten that lesson from selling shoes. But I'll tell you, he began really preaching the Gospel ' he was a great personal witness. That was his great strong forte long before he started preaching in churches. He was just an ignorant young shoe clerk that never even finished school, but he was winning more souls than the Christians in the churches! So then they started coming to him to find out how he did it. He'd just tell'm, "Watch me while I'm selling shoes, watch how I witness." Because a man led him to the Lord personally. Moody would have never become a great soul winner ' preacher of the Gospel if it hadn't been for an unheard-of little nobody called Charles L. Varley. But Moody heard the Word of God ' he saw Jesus in Charles L. Varley!

9. LOTS OF PEOPLE SAY, "I SEE A LIGHT ON YOUR FACE! I see something in you that I've never seen before!" That's the one little confirmation God gives. Someone has said, "You can't prove God exists, you can't put God in a test tube ' prove to me that God is." I want to tell you right now, He's put Himself in you‚ ' you are the living‚ visible proof that there is a God, just like His Creation! But you go even beyond that. Just your very bodies are the proof that there's a God! But your love, the light in your eyes ' on your faces ’ the wonderful spirit that people feel from you‚ proves not only that there's a God, but that God loves them.—You're the proof!

10. EVERY ONE OF YOU IS THE LIVING PROOF OF SALVATION! You're all test tubes that prove not only that there's a God, which even the whole World can see just by His Creation ' see there's a God, but that Jesus saves! They can look at you ' see the living proof. But not everybody in the World has had that opportunity, not everybody in the World has ever heard the Gospel. They may have heard of Jesus but they don't really understand who He was or what He did. If we don't reach them now, they'll get a chance in the Millennium. But they won't be as blessed as you are ’ as the ones you're reaching now with the Gospel.

11. YOU'RE GIVING THESE PEOPLE THE MOST MARVELLOUS OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE MOST BLESSED OF ALL PEOPLE that will live in the future of the Universe, because you were the originals, the ones who believed without seeing! That's a great work to have done, to have believed without seeing.

12. JUST THINK, YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE EDUCATORS, THE GOVERNORS, THE RULERS OF THE WHOLE WORLD IN THE MILLENNIUM! We are going to run the educational system of the World! We've got to re-educate the whole World that's left. Because they'll be the ones who never really heard how to get saved, didn't know the Gospel‚ really didn't understand Jesus, never had an opportunity to make a choice. They're the only ones that deserve to be spared ' to live on through Armageddon into the Millennium.

13. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF PROOF THEN, NO PROBLEM, ' THEY'RE GOING TO BELIEVE BECAUSE THEN THEY HAVE SEEN. But right now you've got the tough job of trying to get people to believe, though having not seen. They may not realize it, but they're seeing the living proof right now when they look into your eyes ’ your face ' they hear your words. You have become Jesus Christ to them, the Word of God! "Christ in you, the hope of glory!" (Col.1:27)

14. I'VE HEARD ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WERE LOOKING AT US ' THEY SAID‚ "WHY, YOU'RE JESUS CHRIST!" Who knows? Maybe they saw Jesus! Maybe the Lord revealed Himself to them. The Lord will let them see Jesus in you if He's merciful to them. But they're seeing the only Jesus they will ever see until they get to Heaven—in you! You are not only Jesus to them, but you are the Word of God to them! You are the walking Bible! Every single one of you is the living Word of God, because you have Jesus ' you manifest Him ' His Word.

15. I want you to remember that the only thing that people are going to see to help prove to them that there's a God ' there's a Jesus ' there is Love is what they see in you! And the only Word they're going to get ' pay any attention to is the Word they hear from you. Because most of the sinners are not going to be reading the Bible or even our Letters or lit.

16. BUT THE ONLY REAL PROOF THEY'RE GOING TO SEE IS YOU! All the rest has to be faith. And even God plants that seed of faith in their hearts to help them believe in you by His Spirit. They have to believe in you before they can even believe in the Lord! I've often said, they have to fall in love with you first before they can fall in love with the Lord, because you represent God to them! You are the only Jesus they'll ever see till the Lord comes! And you are the only Word they'll ever hear!

17. SO THE BIGGEST JOB YOU HAVE TO DO ... IS TO GO AROUND SHOWING JESUS TO THE PEOPLE!

18. YOU ARE JESUS ' YOU ARE THE WORD OF GOD TO THE WORLD OF TODAY! Do you understand? Don't be afraid of being called Jesus! He lives in you, right? So if they see any Light, if they see any Love, if they hear any Truth, if they find the way, they've found out through seeing Jesus in you ' hearing His Words through you.

19. SO THAT'S THE BIGGEST JOB WE ALL HAVE IN THESE LAST DAYS, TO SHOW JESUS TO THE WORLD—in our faces, in our actions, in our eyes, whatever they want to call it. They really feel the difference! It's just something they see ’ feel ' know! I'm telling you your future for this year, ' that is to be the Word of God to the nations!—To be the Love of Christ to the World! The biggest ' greatest thing you can do this year is to let others see Jesus in you!

20. WHEN JESUS WAS HERE HE WAS ONLY ONE JESUS, BUT NOW THERE ARE MILLIONS OF US all over the World that ought to be showing Jesus to the rest of the World! They should be hearing Jesus through us. "Greater works than these shall ye do!" What greater work can you do than that, than to show Jesus to others ’ let them hear Jesus through you ' let them find Jesus through you to save an immortal soul forever! That's the greatest work anybody can do!

21. MIRACLES, SUPERNATURAL THINGS, GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, ALL THESE THINGS ARE FOR JUST ONE PURPOSE‚ they are tools of the Spirit, that the Spirit uses in you to either give the Gospel to the World or give spiritual food to the Saints, to the saved. But it's all for the purpose of winning souls.

22. SO IF HE'S GIVEN YOU A BEAUTIFUL BODY, A BEAUTIFUL FACE‚ USE IT AS A TOOL TO WIN SOULS! If He's given you a strong, fine, handsome male body to be a demonstration of the power of God, use it to win souls! Let others see Jesus in you! Let others hear Jesus from you! And you will still have many many more souls won who will be more blessed than anybody else throughout all Eternity, because they believed, though having not seen or heard Jesus in any other way except through you!

23. IT'S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY! THE ONLY JESUS THEY'RE GOING TO SEE ' HEAR IS YOU! That's our job for this World's last generation. This is the last time they're going to see Jesus or hear Jesus before He comes, ’ that's in you ' through you. That's a very great privilege that you have, to show them ' let them hear Jesus through you, ' it's a very great privilege for them to believe in what they see in you ' what they hear from you‚ even though not having seen Jesus nor God, though having not seen the Spirit World or Heaven, not even as much as you have. They are especially chosen, especially called, especially blessed, for "though having not seen, yet they have believed."

24. THAT'S THE GREATER WORK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS YEAR! The greatest work you can do is to be responsible for the salvation of more souls! PTL? (Sings:) "Let others see Jesus in you, let others see Jesus in you..." "I crossed over Jordan to Canaan's fair land, let others see Jesus in me!" Can they see Jesus in you?

25. AND LET OTHERS HEAR JESUS FROM YOU! That's your job, Family‚ for the rest of this time that God gives you here, the privilege of letting others see Jesus only in you ' hear Jesus only from you!

26. SO LORD BLESS YOU ' MAKE YOU A BLESSING TO MANY MORE THOUSANDS OF SOULS TO BE WON THIS YEAR. TYL! Help us to win them even faster than we won them last year! May they see Jesus in us! May they hear Jesus through our Family throughout the World‚ ' through other Christians too, Lord‚ who really love You ' are preaching the Gospel ' really witnessing ' winning souls, all Thy great Family everywhere who are faithful. Bless thy missionaries around the World who've left their native lands ' comfort ' pleasure, sacrificing to live in a foreign country as ambassadors of Thy good will. Make them a blessing and may we win many many more souls this coming year as others see ' hear Jesus in us!—In Jesus' name we ask for Thy glory. Amen!

DO OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU?

The Need for More Affection in Our Homes

ML #2857:1-14‚ 48-50, Lifelines 21.

1. (Maria:) ONE OF OUR LEADERS MENTIONED in a communication to us that he is concerned, as are we, about what has become a serious situation in many of our Homes: Very little warm‚ spontaneous show of affection between Family Members, totally unrelated to sex. He said that even while he was growing up in the System‚ his large family had displayed more affection amongst themselves than many Family Members in our Homes today. The affection was warm ' spontaneous with lots of hugging ' kissing ' stroking that demonstrated their care for each other. As a result, he is still a very warm, affectionate person today.

2. However, when you have people who are very affectionate just normally ' naturally, like this person, who expresses it ’ shows it by naturally slipping his arm around our women's shoulders ' giving them a hug, or slipping his arm around their waist as they stroll along, or stroking their hair as he passes by them at the table, or even linking arms with the men as they walk together.—Such things stand out almost as oddball actions, different from most others. No wonder some women get all excited ' think he's in love with them! Because even though he's doing what should be the norm, because it isn't the norm ' he's the only one doing it, it makes him look like he's just being romantic ' sexy ' putting an overemphasis on the flesh, or, at the least, they are very attracted to him because he gives them something that they need ' wish they were getting from the other men (' women) also.

3. What he's doing is what really should be just normal, what everyone in the Family should be doing. But if they're not doing it ’ you just have a few people doing it‚ then undue emphasis is placed on it. People interpret it wrongly, ' the women make more out of the affection than they actually should, ’ interpret such actions as romantic intention. Even though what he's doing is normal ’ natural, if no one else is doing it, it gets blown out of proportion ' people can't view it in the proper perspective.

4. In many cultures, people grow up being naturally affectionate as part of their daily lives, completely apart from sex, without any phobias about their bodies or others' bodies, without being afraid of physical contact; in fact, actually making such contact a very important part of their interaction with others. Embracing, caressing‚ patting, stroking, squeezing, massaging, hand-holding‚ hugging, being naked in front of each other, all these things are very normal‚ ' if absent, there is a sense of loss ' abnormality. Countries where a culture is lacking in affection produce many more neurotic‚ sexually deviant, violent, problem people, as some scientific studies have proven. (See Christian Digest #10, "Affection," pg.5.)

Affection Should be Prevalent in Our Homes

5. In the area of affection, as in all other areas, Dad has set a good example for us by being a warm, loving person, openly demonstrating his love for us by lots of sweet affection. We are saddened at the lack of affection in our Homes‚ ' we know that each of you will want to do all you can to remedy the situation. Affection in our Homes should be as common as our saying, "I love you" or, "Praise the Lord" or, "Thank You Jesus" or, "Let's pray." We'd like to see sweet ' loving affection become as commonplace in our Homes as our usage of the phrases which are just a normal part of our everyday lives ' conversation.

10. Affection between our Family Members should be as natural as when you say "hello" to somebody when you see them ’ "goodbye" when you leave. And if you're going to give somebody a hug, it shouldn't be a hug like this, where the two people are standing five feet apart! (Fam: The A-frame hug!) It should be a nice normal ' natural hug, with genuine love, not sex, as the main motivation. Most women can tell when a man is coming on to them in a real sexual way, ' I think we've got to be careful about that. Of course‚ some women can't even distinguish between the two. They think every man who hugs them tightly wants them in bed.

11. But there is a distinction‚ ' I believe that most of our Family can handle affection properly ' do it in a clean loving spirit, ' not a lustful spirit. They're going to have to, as the Word says, "keep their bodies in subjection." If it's a hug for only a few seconds in the middle of the kitchen‚ the women certainly shouldn't be too worried about it.—Especially if they know that, "According to the affection rules, this does not mean anything serious."

12. Some women are just too particular, ' some men are just too lustful ' sexy in a sort of carnal, fleshly spirit, so they'll all have to work on their shortcomings. And everybody's going to have to work on their jealousy ' they're just going to have to start lovingly showing sweet, Godly natural affection to each other! Because I'm afraid that in many of our Homes, almost worldwide now‚ we've allowed people who have jealousy battles to keep us back from being the very openly loving ' affectionate Family we should be, ' I think that's very sad.

13. Since we've cracked down with the DTR rules ' other rules for the good of our Homes, people have found that if they don't want to comply with what we consider fair ' just ’ loving rules that have to be enforced for the good of all, they can just leave. Everyone has an option. So if they can't take it—' we are an army, we are pretty rigid—if they can't live this way, if they can't stand to see everyone being normally affectionate with everyone, then that's the option for them, the alternative, they can leave.

14. The more you're governed by the Lord's Spirit, then the more you will show the Lord's Spirit of Love, ’ not just your own spirit or a fleshly, carnal spirit.

Affection Works Wonders!

48. After the Summit '93 Meeting, some of our leadership visited some Homes in which they suggested that people start being more affectionate. Upon following this suggestion, there was a whole change of spirit in the Homes, with the members feeling more liberated, more happy, more able to communicate with each other, more tolerant of each other's faults ' peculiarities‚ happier in their work ' a whole host of other advantages that resulted from just a little more display of open affection between the Home members.

49. This is not surprising, because affection is a sign of your love‚ it's a physical manifestation of love that others can see ' feel. It helps them to know you care about them, that they're important to you. It shows them that you know they're there ' they count. Affection has proven to be an amazing help in overcoming heartaches ’ serious emotional ' even physical difficulties. Science has demonstrated that an affectionate touch causes the brain to manufacture ’ release certain neurochemicals that can dispel a "bad mood" ' make the recipient of the touch feel much better. For more on the amazing powers ' qualities of affectionate touching, see Christian Digest #10, "Affection."

50. God bless ' help us all to be more affectionate! "Love never fails!"—So you can't go wrong by being more loving, amen? GBY! ILY! Affectionately yours, Mama. (Terrific! I really agree!—D.)

A New Day of Love

ML #3011:2-17, Lifelines 22.

2. (Prophecy:) "O, the Love of Jesus! O, the Love of Jesus! O, the Love of Jesus that fills me to the full! So does My Love fill you to the full, yea, unto overflowing! So do I give unto you seeds of Love, seeds of power, seeds of anointing and seeds of My Word. For it doth not take much to please Me, with ye that are giving your whole lives to Me. I am pleased and I am thankful for your sacrifices of love‚ for your dying daily. For there are so few of My children who love Me so much to give Me their whole lives.

3. "I look upon those who love Me so much with great love and care and tenderness. I love all My children, but how I love those that live for Me, and those that die for Me—that die daily in their service unto Me‚ sacrificing, forging ahead, even trudging ahead!—Who carry on day after day, through hardship and strain and trouble, through toil and care.—Who love Me and serve Me even when it seems I am not loving and caring for them, yet they trust Me.—Even those who suffer unto death trusting Me.

4. "Oh, how I love them! And because of My love for you—ye who serve Me, ye who love Me, and ye who have given your lives unto Me—I will now pour forth unto you and bestow upon you great measures of My Love! For ye have all come before Me‚ seeking Me, pouring out your hearts unto Me, crying unto Me to be filled with My Love." (The Lord is referring here to our April 1st "Day of Pentecost" prayers for an outpouring of His Love.)

5. "I will answer your heartcry and your prayer, and I will pour forth My Spirit of Love upon you in great measure! For I give unto you a way to more fully love Me. And I give unto you ways to receive My Love and to make known My Love unto others.

6. "I call you forth now as an Army of Love, saying unto you: Lovest thou Me?—Love one another. Lovest thou Me?—Care for one another. Lovest thou Me?—Sacrifice for one another. For by this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, that ye love Me, and that ye love one another!

7. "Ye do many things out of your love for Me, to show Me your love. Ye obey, ye go forth to witness, ye even give your lives for Me. Now I say unto you, do such deeds for one another, that all may know of your love for one another. In doing these deeds for one another, ye do them unto Me. For he that doeth these things unto the least of these his brethren, doeth them unto Me.

8. "For I have filled you with My Spirit of Love‚ but as with all gifts, it must be exercised. So begin—begin to love one another. Begin with deeds of kindness, words of love, with touches of affection, with the showing of appreciation, with the speaking of kind words to one another, appreciative words to one another; the holding of hands‚ the patting on the back, the stroking of the face. Begin by faith to manifest this gift of Love that hath been poured forth upon you. And as with all gifts, as ye become exercised therein, it shall grow and grow, and become stronger and stronger, and ye shall radiate My Love for one another.

9. "Think good thoughts of one another. Do not criticize or look down upon another. As ye look at each one‚ think in your heart that, 'This one loves my Lover, Jesus. This one serves my Lord with his whole life.' Think, 'Jesus loves this one just as He loves me, and this one loves Jesus just as I do.'

10. "Look not at the faults and the failings and the shortcomings, for I do not. I look at the love they have for Me. Do ye likewise. For all come short of the glory of God, even you. When ye think to criticize others, think of your own faults. For all have shortcomings, and all have faults and failings.—You too. So overlook those things and see as I see. See the love. See that these are faithful to serve Me and have given their lives unto Me, and have sacrificed in their service unto Me.

11. "Look upon one another with love, think upon one another with love, pray for one another in love. Exercise this gift that I have given you, that ye may become strong in My Love for one another, that ye may become bonded all as one‚ as a strong Family united under the banner and anointing of My Love‚ that ye may go forth as a strong band of soldiers—united, loyal, faithful unto one another and all together unto Me.

12. "For My banner is over you, and My banner is Love. And Mine anointing is over you, and Mine anointing is Love. And this is the greatest anointing that could be upon you, because Love is the power that created the universe, My Love for you." (End of prophecy.)

13. (Mama:) The Lord is saying that He has marvelously answered our desperate prayers to become a more loving Family! He says that in answer to our prayers He has given us His anointing of Love, the greatest gift He could give us, because it is the power that created the universe! He says He's done it because we love Him, we serve Him and we have given our lives to Him. He says He loves us so much because we trust Him even when things look dark and we don't see the fulfillment of His promises. He honors that kind of faith, and He says He will pour forth His Spirit of Love upon us in great measure. He's happy with our love that has been manifested in so many ways in our service and obedience to Him, but now He is giving us a new anointing of Love so that we can love our brothers and sisters more‚ and in so doing, love Him more.

14. He's saying that now He wants us to love Him by loving each other, by caring for each other, by sacrificing for each other‚ and if we will do this within our Homes and make them truly Heavenly Homes, manifesting Jesus' Love to each of those we live with, we will be loving Jesus, and the world will know by this that we are His disciples, because we have love for one another.

15. He's given us a Spirit of Love, but we can't just sit around and wait for it to be manifested. He said that it's like all gifts—it has to be exercised, and we have to take that first step of faith in reaching out and starting to show that love to others! He specifically tells us to "begin with deeds of kindness, words of love‚ touches of affection, with the showing of appreciation, with the speaking of kind words to one another, the holding of hands, the patting of the back, the stroking of the face."

16. As we go ahead by faith in obedience to Him, this wonderful gift of Love that He has given us will grow and grow and become stronger! He specifically says to think good thoughts of one another and not to look down on each other, because He says that He loves others just as much as He loves you. He wants us to overlook others' faults and instead look on how they love Jesus and have given their lives to serve Him and have sacrificed for Him.

17. So upon each of you rests a marvelous anointing of power that can simply be released by your faith—a power of Love that can transform your life and the lives of others as you begin to use it! The Lord has not put the doorknob too high, He's made it very easy! All we have to do is say the little words, smile the little smiles, touch the little touches, do the little deeds of kindness, and as we all do them together, those little things will grow and grow and will be multiplied, and this love that we extend to each other will do great miracles as we become bonded together in His Love, able to give Love from Him to others and able to receive His Love through others!

Man Looketh on the Outward Appearance

ML #3124:76-85, Lifelines 24.

76. (Jesus speaking: ) My dear youth, these born and raised in the Family, these who are given the golden opportunities of service to Me on a silver platter, who sometimes do not recognize and appreciate their place, must make decisions as to what they want to do with their life. They must make choices in every area.

77. First of all, they must make a choice in their heart that they want to give their lives to Me 100%, and be fully dedicated, as the first generation did. Then, having made this decision, the other choices will be easier. Obedience will be easier; yieldedness will be easier. And all these other things, such as listening to hard rock music, the foul language, the taste for worldliness, the rebellious appearance and attitudes, will lose their grip. For once they make the decision that they want to serve Me and give their lives completely to Me, that they want to love Me and obey Me more than anything else, as did My first generation, they will not have the hunger for these other things.

78. Although they have been raised in the Family‚ sometimes they act more like the children of the world‚ because they have not yet made the turning-point decision. For the first generation—those born in the System, who made a decision to forsake all and follow Me, who threw themselves at My feet, who abandoned their wills because they wanted Me more than anything—it was easy to leave behind the ways of the world. They wanted to serve Me of their own free will, of their own choice. But these who have been born into the Family—the second generation, who have grown up serving Me and learning My Word—serve Me because it is something they have learned they are supposed to do. It is something they should do, something they have been taught to do, but is not yet always from the heart.

79. You cannot force anyone to love Me, to serve Me, to give their life for Me. Even if they are born in the Family, the time will come when they must also choose. Some of these who are born in the Family do make that decision to serve Me‚ and they continue on. Then there are others born in the Family who grow up with problems and rebelliousness, acting more like children of the System. But they come to an age, a turning point, where they decide in their hearts that serving Me is what they want to do‚ and they change, for they are converted and they become My 100%, sold-out second generation. Then they serve Me not just because they are born in the Family, or because there is no way out of the Family until they are older‚ or because they have no choice, but they serve Me because they have chosen in their heart to give their all to Me.

80. There are others born in the Family who also choose when it comes to the age of decision, but they choose not to follow in full-time discipleship, and they go their own way.

81. My first generation volunteered to serve in My army, and the second generation‚ you might say, were drafted. Some are happy with it and some are not. But even though they are drafted, they must choose to want to be in the army. There comes a day of choice. Those who choose to serve Me are happy and fulfilled and obedient sheep. Those who choose not to, their heart is in a different place.

82. You must let them all make their own decisions and their own choices and go their own ways. And in time, those who go their own way will eventually learn there is no place like the Father's house, no greater calling than doing the Father's service‚ and no greater happiness than full surrender to the Father's will. (End of prophecy.)

83. (Mama:) The main question, folks, is not whether you're wearing the right clothes, or you have your hair in curls, or you like to wear ankle bracelets and rings on your toes. What's important and what you should be asking yourself is, "Am I a dedicated disciple? Am I doing my best to give my life for the Lord and trying to witness and help others, and serve the Lord the best I can? Am I 'fleeing youthful lusts' and standing up against the Enemy's attacks of worldliness, materialism and selfishness?" If the answer is yes, then these other things don't matter as much, because your heart's in the right place. On the other hand, if the answer is no, then the Enemy will use this emphasis on outward appearance as an open door to bring in worse problems‚ such as unyieldedness, criticism, carnal-mindedness, worldliness, etc. The clothes and dress aren't the problem, but if your heart and motives are not right, then the clothes and dress lead to wrong System attitudes, and that is a problem.

84. If you're wholeheartedly trying to serve the Lord and love Him and be obedient to His will, then you could wear practically anything and the Lord's Spirit would still shine through! But if your attitude is one of, "Hey, man‚ back off. Don't give me no flak 'cause I've got my own trip going, okay?" then I would say you're treading on dangerous ground. In that case, wearing "cool" clothes or styles is just going to accentuate your wrong attitude and pull you away from the Lord and toward the godless System. Worst of all‚ it will influence your peers as well and hinder their walk with the Lord.

85. Maybe you feel like, "What's the big deal? It's just a style!" You're right, the style isn't a big deal in itself. The big deal is your attitude and the spirit that you carry with that style. Are you exuding love, care, unselfishness, understanding and the gifts of the Spirit? If so, I don't care what you wear! But if the spirit you're carrying around is one of independence, laziness, shallowness, lack of hunger for the Word, lack of conviction or yieldedness‚ then I do care what you wear‚ because it'll probably make it worse! Get it?

Loving Kindness

ML #3237:1-35, GN 840.

1. (Mama:) A prayer Dad frequently prayed was that we would always be known for our love. I want to share with you some of the Lord's little jewels that He's given us which address different aspects of love and concern for others: affection, courtesy, overcoming personality conflicts, and loving without partiality.

Some Reasons Why People Are Not Affectionate

3. These first few messages are about a quality that the Lord considers very important, but that we often overlook when we get too busy and hurried—simple, loving affection! There are lots of reasons why people are not affectionate‚ or are hesitant to be affectionate. Here are a few that I thought of:

  1. They're afraid of what others will think.
  2. They're afraid of what the person they're showing affection to will think.
  3. They don't want to get into a relationship‚ and they consider affection a sign of deep emotional feelings, or they're concerned the other person might.
  4. They're concerned that the other person might not appreciate the affection, or that because they don't know the other person well, it might bother them.
  5. Because they're not in the habit of touching others, it's very awkward for them.
  6. They're too proud and they think showing affection isn't cool.
  7. Because they're very busy, they often brush aside the little checks of the Lord to stop to give others hugs or gentle touches.
  8. They're concerned that if they're impartially affectionate they might be considered insincere.
  9. They don't mind giving affection but are turned off by the overly sexualized response that they get from some quarters.
  10. They've hurt someone or been hurt in the past through jealousy or being misled, and don't want to repeat the experience; again‚ because they consider affection a sign of a sexual or emotional relationship.
  11. They're worried about bad breath or that they have B.O. [body odor]
  12. Because of their ministry—for example, being out witnessing or in public in a conservative country—they've made a conscious effort not to be affectionate, and so find it hard to remember to do when at home.
  13. Because they're not an affectionate person themselves‚ they just don't think about it.
  14. Because affection can make such a big difference in encouraging others and showing them the Lord's love, the Enemy really fights it with anything he can.

—And I'm sure there are other reasons as well.

4. I'm not by nature a very affectionate person, but I've really prayed and asked the Lord to help me change in that area, and He has! I'm much more comfortable now just laying my hand on someone's shoulder, or holding their hand while talking with them, giving hugs and kisses as greetings when coming or going, or putting my arm around someone as we sit together.

5. Of course, I don't see our folks all that much, and if I was around them more I might need to work on it more. But because I hardly ever see everyone, I really make an effort to show them that I love them when I do see them, and it's become a very good habit for me, thank the Lord! I think it's something the Lord would like to see us all do better in—just reaching out, as His hands, to touch others. Following are the beautiful messages He gave about it.

Take Time for Affection!

6. (Jesus speaking:) Affection is something that takes time, just like praising and noticing little things—the colors of a flower, the songs of the birds‚ or how delicious a meal tastes. It takes going at a slower pace in both body and mind, where you have time for the little things. The little things are really the big things‚ because that's what makes life so enjoyable and special and gives meaning and depth to living.

7. Affection is one of the priceless treasures of life; it provides that special touch that lets someone else know that they are special.

8. It's these little things that are remembered and written down up Here—little smiles, a touch of affection, a kiss, an "I love you"—because they're acts of love, and no act of love is ever lost or forgotten.

9. Affection is one way that I can manifest My love for others through you—through every stroke on the head, embrace‚ or squeeze of the hand. Or even pulling out a chair for someone to sit on, fixing them something to drink or eat, perhaps doing something for them they don't even see—like placing some flowers on their desk when they're not there. You may not actually be touching them, but you're showing your affection, which is a tenderness in your heart that is reaching out to them in some way that shows your fondness towards them.

10. Affection is when your heart expresses your love for another in some physical way that is giving to that person—whether it's saying something sweet and kind‚ helping them with their work, hugging and holding them, giving them soft kisses on the cheek, or putting your arm around their waist or your head on their shoulder.

11. Affection is a wonderful gift of love that you should always take the time for and not let it be choked out by the busyness of the affairs of this world, the tares of many cares. Because where affection is, there is love; and where there is love, there am I also, giving and loving through each person to another. As you give affection, so will the love in your heart grow, and it'll grow in the hearts of others, helping them to be loving too.

12. You can even be affectionate with your eyes‚ so that when someone looks into your face and into your eyes they will be touched inside by the love reaching out from your eyes and loving them for who they are. You can be so filled with love that being affectionate just comes natural by the way you talk and reach out to others—touching them, holding them, kissing them, and looking at them in love‚ because your heart is filled with My overflowing love.

13. Your gentleness will make you great. In other words, your kindness, your tenderness, your affection towards others will make you great. As you are filled with My love, so will it be greatly manifested in your affectionate actions and love towards others. (End of message from Jesus)

Affection Releases Spiritual Power!

14. (Jesus speaking:) I have so much love to give to My children! I have so much love to show you! I have so much love which I wait to give to you in many ways! My love is very great and it will never run out; it will never run dry. My love for My children is always fresh and new and alive. It is always there for you no matter what happens, for My love is true and divine.

15. I know My children have great need of My love; they thirst and desire and want Me. They have great need of My affection, My tenderness and kindness. They need My love in all forms. They need My spiritual love to be manifest. They need the love of My Spirit. As you show one another simple, natural affection, you unleash the power of My love in a greater way.

16. Each touch of the hand, each pat on the back, each time you put your arm around another's shoulder, each time you give an affectionate hug, you are releasing spiritual power. You are releasing love power. You are giving the love of My Spirit.

17. Each kiss on the cheek, each hand on the knee, each display of true, genuine affection makes it possible for the spirit of encouragement to flow.

18. The Enemy fights this, for the Enemy hates love, and it is his goal to destroy and tear down any form of true, genuine‚ spiritual, Godly love. He is the enemy of love. He promotes aggression, hate, false love, shallowness, worldliness—all that is opposite of the true spirit of love.

19. So the Enemy blocks and hinders and tries to persuade you to withhold displays of affection. He tries to make pride stand in the way. He tries to raise up walls and make jealousy stand in the way, because he knows that there is great, great power that will be released through your giving and receiving of affection.

20. As you give sweet, simple, natural affection to each otheryou strengthen your bond of unity with each other. You create strong bonds of unity that grow and grow stronger with each continued deed of affection. The Enemy is aware of this and he is aware of the tremendous spiritual power of unity that will be created, so he fights it and tries to discourage it and stop it from happening.

21. He knows that your lives will be richer in love‚ and that your unity will be tighter and stronger. He knows that your Home will be more fruitful because of this, and that the spiritual channels to My love will be unblocked so that My love can flow through each heart with greater freedom and power.

22. Oh, the power of affection is very great, for the power of love is very great! I am Love, and through Me and My love I can give you great spiritual power of unity, love, and encouragement. The Enemy knows the good fruits of affection‚ and that those fruits are a strong weapon against his inroads into your lives.

23. As you show one another true affection‚ you bring down the spirit of encouragement and a spirit of acceptance, a spirit of tolerance and caring, which uplifts each of you and gives each of you faith and a desire to return love.

24. By doing this, My spirit of love is born again and again and is recreated every day in your lives. It generates in you a greater desire to love each other, to help each other, to encourage and uplift each other, and it binds you tightly together in sweet unity and fellowship.

25. Everyone needs affection. Everyone needs to receive affection and to see affection being shown‚ because it's a great encouragement and it shows others that you care about them personally—you care about their lives and you care that they are there. It makes them feel loved, important and worthy.

26. Through feeling loved and cared about and important to others, you feel a new zest for life, a new desire to do your best, a new thrill in waking up in the morning, a new spirit of courage, a new inspiration to give love to others—all because you are releasing the power of My Spirit and the power of My love! These things come not of yourselves, but it's My Spirit working within your lives and within your Homes.

27. As you step out by faith to show affection, to let humility be shown, and to act in humility, you will bear the good fruits of humility and love. Your lives and your Homes will be so much richer and fuller and more thrilling—for you will feel the thrills of My spirit of love moving. You will feel the blessings of a sweet united spirit of love, and that spirit of love will give you great encouragement‚ joy, and satisfaction. Because of that, you in turn will have My strength to give others encouragement, joy, and satisfaction. The more you give, the more you personally will receive, and the more you personally will feel motivated to give again to others.

28. Lovest thou Me? Feed My sheep. You can feed My sheep not only by feeding them My written Word, but you can feed My sheep by feeding them My affection. Your display of affection to others—to your brothers and sisters‚ your co-workers and to those you live with, to the older generation or the younger generation—is My love for them. They need it; they need to feel My love in a physical form, for it's the physical touches of affection and love which are real to My children. It's the proof of My great love for them.

29. So show them that I care about them by putting your arm around their shoulder. Feed My sheep. Show them that you're concerned about them by stroking their hair. Feed My sheep. Show them that you believe in Me and are willing to obey My Words and My will.

30. Love them and feed them, that My sheep and My children may be happy and fulfilled and fruitful. The more you give your physical touch of affection and love, the more My spirit of love can flow through you and satisfy and encourage and inspire My children.

31. It doesn't have to be big deeds. It doesn't have to be time-consuming. It doesn't have to be a big spiritual workout. You don't have to feel like you can't do it, you can't make it, you don't have what it takes. Because all it takes is a couple of seconds when you walk by someone to pat them on the back, or touch them on the arm and say, "I love you."

32. The Enemy fights it because he hates it. He hates your physical contact and displays of affection, because each time you do it, you're strengthening your spiritual bond and unity. You're strengthening the power of My Spirit in your lives and in your Homes.

33. Each time you obey, I will bless and reward and give the fruits of My Spirit. So don't be afraid to give of My beautiful spirit of affection. I'm affectionate, I'm loving, I'm kind, I'm sincere, and each time you do these things you bring more of Me and My Spirit into your life and into your Homes. You create a vacuum for My Spirit to enter and bless and love the one who you are touching. And I not only bless them‚ but I bless you! I not only love them through your touch, but I love you, because you had the faith to step out and love them.

34. You open the channels to Heaven through which My Spirit and My blessing can flow and touch your lives. It's real! It's true! It's a reality! It's not just a fantasy, a dream, or a good thought, but these things of the Spirit are true. I do bless you and touch you with My Spirit. I do give you the spirit of encouragement. I bless you with the spirit of unity. I do touch you and give you satisfaction and fulfillment. I bless your life with a greater desire to love. I really and truly pour great spiritual blessings through the channel that you have opened up. (End of message from Jesus.)

35. (Mama: ) Wow! Thank You Jesus for those beautiful, beautiful promises! Help us to be more like You, Jesus—more loving, more giving! Help us to open up the channel for Your blessings and Your encouragement through giving to others. Thank You for the gift of affection—another precious manifestation of Your unconditional love for us! We love You‚ Jesus!

More on the Keys, Part 3

ML #3354:84-103, GN 947.

84. (Jesus:) My dears, this is a new day, and one that will astonish you with its brilliance. The new day is constantly being renewed, just as is the term "latter days." This new day that you're experiencing is the constant refilling of My Spirit in you in a greater measure, as the world grows darker and darker around you.

85. It's not hard to perceive that the world is becoming more evil, and that wickedness is more and more acceptable and the norm. Movies are filled with violence. Young children are killing other children. Sodomy, drug abuse, oppression by violent crime and violent governments are all becoming normal and no longer cause a widening of the eyes.

86. Though darkness abounds, light will much more abound. The brightness of My love in the hearts and spirits‚ the eyes and smiles, the shining faces of My believers will shine greater and greater. So great will be the shine that people will be surprised. They will be drawn to My children as iron to a magnet‚ even if you don't say a word. The love in your faces, the shine, the happiness you have will draw them unto you.

87. And then what? My desire is that in this era of action, you will begin to experience the action of My love in your hearts and lives in a greater measure than ever before. For as men and women are drawn to you, as they desire to know you‚ to know the source of this joy and love and happiness, it's imperative that not just your countenance‚ not just your outward actions, not just your words, but that your inner life reflects the beauty of My Spirit just as much.

88. So I will do miracles for all of you in your personal lives. When people are drawn to you because of your smile and your countenance and your obvious happiness, I wish for them to find the same thing inside you. I wish that in getting to know you, they will get to know Me.

89. By this I mean that I wish for your Homes to become havens of peace, joy, and happiness. I wish for you to not only project these qualities when you're out distributing literature, tapes, posters, or videos, or when you're selling Activated subscriptions‚ or when you're doing follow-up, or when you're visiting someone, but in the day-to-day life of your Homes. I wish for there to be such an atmosphere of love, giving, understanding and unselfishness that as you take new ones into your Home, they will not be disappointed seeing your personal lacks, but instead they will grow closer to Me as they see the beautiful sample, on a day-to-day basis, of those who have given their lives to Me.

90. This sample of giving and loving is something that you all know of, for you've read about it in many of My Letters to you, and your Queen Maria has talked with you about it in many Letters. It's the sample that is shown and practiced in her Home. There is so much to do to spread My Words, to take care of My queen and king, and to take care of each other, that a spirit of sacrifice, giving, and yieldedness is prevalent. One who enters this atmosphere is struck by the simple, peaceful life of giving‚ loving and yielding that prevails.

91. Of course, these people are human just like you all. They have their faults, failings, idiosyncrasies, doubts in themselves, trials and heartbreaks. They have their times of difficulty. They have their moments of yielding to the Enemy and having to fight him tooth and nail. They're not perfect; they haven't arrived.

92. But they have yielded to Me. Because of the nearness of the queen and king, because of hearing the many prayer requests from around the world, because of their desire to not fail Me, they've seen the great need to act in love and giving and impartiality. They've joined together in one heart, soul‚ mind, and yes, body, to fight the Enemy and spread My truth. They strive for unity, for giving and fighting together. Although there may be personality conflicts at times, the great need that is before them causes them to suppress indulgence in these‚ so that they're willing to put all on the altar for Me, and continue with their eyes not on the problems but on My face.

93. My loves, I don't wish to lift up the Home of the king and queen as a place that is high above all others. This is not the case. For you on the harvest fields also give much; you make great sacrifices, and you yield to Me. There are many of you who are just as dedicated‚ willing, loyal and yielded as My brides in the Home of the queen, and I love you just as much.

94. Yet in this Home there is a great push for yieldedness as a body to do My will and to pull together toward the goal. This is what I wish for all My Family Homes, and which you can all attain in this era of greater miracles, greater anointing, enhanced faith, and greater ability to rise above. It's imperative that My Family Homes exhibit this unity, love and sharing, because I will be bringing more and more of My lost sheep to you. They will be in your Homes. They will see your sample. They will partake of your spirit. And whose spirit do you want them to see? You don't want them to partake of anything that is not of Me—any selfishness‚ bickering, lack of love, lack of giving, or lack of unity. You want them to experience all the positive qualities I've given you—love, sharing, sacrificial giving, peace, harmony, and unity.

95. So this is one of the miracles that I will perform in your Homes. As you yield to My Spirit, with your enhanced gift of faith, your ability to rise above, and the keys to the Kingdom that I have now given you, you will have an increased ability to live in unity‚ love‚ sharing and harmony in your Homes. You will have more of My Spirit to do so! You will have more of the power of Heaven to do so! And your Homes will not just be places where you live and eat and take care of your children and take care of the things that are your own personal concerns, but they will be havens of peace, love and sweet harmony where I can bring My sheep to partake of My Spirit.

96. There will be such an atmosphere of love! There will be such understanding! There will be such giving! There will be such preferring of each other! There will be such a desire to see each one happy and fulfilled and having all they need.

97. My loves‚ don't expect that this will happen overnight, but I extend this promise to you, because it is so needed for My plan to continue. Your friends, sheep, contacts, relatives and acquaintances will be coming to you, as you reach out to them more and more, as you use the Activated materials‚ and as you're faithful to follow My admonitions to follow up. And your Homes—the spirit and atmosphere and qualities of the spirit that they exhibit—are another tool that I wish to use in this time.

98. So reach out for these promises! Claim them for your Home, so that your Home can be the haven of peace and love that I have ordained it to be. Let it be that when people enter, they feel My Spirit. They feel it because in your inner lives, in your secret thoughts, in your interactions with your brothers and sisters, your motive is love. Your motive is to fulfill My commandments to love one another.

99. Remember that I said, "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, because ye have love one for another." By this you will bear much fruit. By this you will see many added to your folds. By this you will see great expansion. By this you will see My promises of greater miracles come to pass. By this you will be amazed at all I will do to bless you‚ because you have obeyed!

100. As you obey and let My Spirit fill you and reign in your Homes‚ you will see the fulfillment of My promises of supply, healing, miracles, and greater expansion. All you have to do is let My Spirit reign. When problems come up, think, "What is the most loving, the most humble, the most giving, the most Spirit–filled thing I can do?" Because you've practiced asking Me everything, I will lead you in each instance. I will give you the greater ability to rise above any and all everyday problems‚ as you rest in My Spirit and let My Spirit fill you.

101. This may take some practice, but as you take a step, and then another, and then another, you will see My love fulfilled in you more each day. You will see changes all around you, but specifically you will see changes inside you.

102. These are often little choices you must make—sometimes things that no one knows about but Me and you—but the spirit that you carry will reflect these choices. The spirit of your Home will reflect the personal choices that you have made, as a Home‚ regarding giving, sharing and loving. So always choose these things, and rest on My promises to fulfill in you what I have said, and I will do it.

103. Trust‚ obey, believe, and act! And I will do My part to make your Homes the havens of peace and love that will be like nests for My new baby disciples to grow in. I love you! And I look forward to raising all these new baby birds in the nests of your Homes, together with you! Love, Jesus, your Daddy Birdie. (End of message from Jesus.)

Smile

MOP 2.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance (Pro.15:13).

1. If you see someone without a smile, give him one of yours.

2. Smile and the whole world will smile with you, weep and you weep alone.

3. Smiling is contagious—frowning outrageous.

4. The World is like a mirror; frown at it and it frowns at you; smile, and it smiles‚ too.

5. The thing that goes the farthest

Towards making life worthwhile,

That costs the least, and does the most,

Is just a pleasant smile.

It's full of worth and goodness too,

With many kindnesses blent,

It's worth a million dollars‚

And it doesn't cost a cent!

7. A warm smile thaws an icy stare.

8. A smile is the lighting system of the face and the heating system of the heart.

9. All people smile in the same language.

10. The curve of a smile can set a lot of things straight.

11. It takes 72 muscles to frown—only 14 to smile!

12. Faces are so important. Eyes are the windows of the soul! A happy smile doeth good like a medicine! Wear a happy face! It's your display counter—your show window, your best advertisement!

13. What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.

16. A smile increases your face value.

17. You are not dressed for your work until you wear a smile.

18. Beauty is only radiant when thou dost share its radiance with others.

19. The best kind of smiles are not "put on". They come out because they are "in".

Countenance

Word Topics.

Definition: Facial appearance or expression as a sign of mood, emotion, or character.

1. Jesus' countenance is light.

* Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. [See Job 29:3; 33:28.]

* Psalm 4:6b Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.

* Matthew 17:2 And [Jesus] was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun‚ and His raiment was white as the light.

* 1 John 1:5,7a This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you‚ that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 7a But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.

2. The Lord favors (blesses) His children with the light of His countenance.

* Psalm 36:9 For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.

* Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

* Psalm 67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; Selah.

* Psalm 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. [See also Psalm 80:6‚19.]

* Psalm 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance.

* Psalm 97:11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

* Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance.

* John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them‚ saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

3. A bright countenance is a reflection of the Lord's Own countenance.

* Exodus 34:29,30a And it came to pass, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while He talked with him. 30a And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone.

* Psalm 18:28 For Thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

* Psalm 34:5 They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. [See Ezra 9:8b.]

* Job 33:30 [God does these things to man] to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

4. A cheerful, inspired countenance begins in the heart.

* 1 Samuel 1:18 [After Hannah had heard from the Lord, her countenance changed for the better:] And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

* Psalm 21:6b Thou [Lord] hast made him exceeding glad with Thy countenance.

* Proverbs 15:13a A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. [See Proverbs 17:22.]

* Proverbs 15:30aThe light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart.

* Proverbs 4:8,9 Exalt her [wisdom], and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

* 1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5. You can't hide your problems or sins — they will show on your face.

* Genesis 4:5b-6 Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?

* Ezra 9:6 And said, O my God‚ I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to Thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the Heavens.

* Isaiah 3:9a The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not.

* Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.

6. Proud, "hard" faces characterize the wicked and unrepentant.

* Psalm 10:4 The wicked‚ through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

* Proverbs 21:29a A wicked man hardeneth his face.

* Jeremiah 5:3 O Lord, are not Thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

7. A close relationship with the Lord is the secret of a bright countenance.

* Job 11:13–15 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward Him; 14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. 15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.

* Psalm 42:11b I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

* Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

* Ecclesiastes 8:1b A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

* Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

* John 12:35,36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

* Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him [Stephen], saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

* 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all‚ with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

8. A bright, happy, full-of–faith countenance is part of our witness for the Lord.

* Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

* Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. [See Luke 11:36.]

* Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.

* Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

* Isaiah 60:3 [A bright countenance is winsome.] And the Gentiles shall come to Thy light, and kings to the brightness of Thy rising.

* Matthew 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast‚ be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast‚ but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father‚ which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

* Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

* Philippians 2:14,15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

* 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Copyright © 2004 by The Family

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