Changes

 

 

 

 

Jessona (Jonathan TR): I, Jessona, greet you today, and I extend to you the greetings from those in my corps who would like to acknowledge your good nature and your devotion to this process of growth and cooperation with many ministering spirits who are here eager to be of assistance in your growth, and likewise in the growth of everyone on this sphere. I would like to speak on the topic of devotion today. Let me address this topic by looking at those factors that lead up to a devoted stature and those conditions that follow such an attainment.

Jessona (Jonathan TR): I, Jessona, greet you today, and I extend to you the greetings from those in my corps who would like to acknowledge your good nature and your devotion to this process of growth and cooperation with many ministering spirits who are here eager to be of assistance in your growth, and likewise in the growth of everyone on this sphere. I would like to speak on the topic of devotion today. Let me address this topic by looking at those factors that lead up to a devoted stature and those conditions that follow such an attainment.

 

Perhaps at times of frustration you may say to yourself, "If I were only more devout I would have accomplished..." such and such. In reality it is not devotion but rather discipline or the drive of duty that would cause you to complete the effort. Devotion is not unlike the experience of the assurance of eternal life. For those in doubt of their standing before God, efforts are taken to gain a sense of assurance by such techniques as obeying the "commandments of God", following the doctrines of an accepted religion, accepting some sense of granted salvation through grace. The focus is to acquire that hilltop of assurance. But when the assurance is attained, behaviors that follow take on a new dimension; now you live and act out of that assurance. No longer is salvation your goal, but it has now become your platform from which you spring forward into the rest of your eternal life. Devotion is just like this. Once you have become a personality permeated with devotion, then your activities become conditioned by this state of being. This kind of devotion is not off again, on again. It becomes a fundamental frequency of your character. Out of this devotion springs effortless endurance, unfatiguing diligence. These behavioral outworkings are effortless because they are propelled by that fundamental devotion.

Perhaps at times of frustration you may say to yourself, "If I were only more devout I would have accomplished..." such and such. In reality it is not devotion but rather discipline or the drive of duty that would cause you to complete the effort. Devotion is not unlike the experience of the assurance of eternal life. For those in doubt of their standing before God, efforts are taken to gain a sense of assurance by such techniques as obeying the "commandments of God", following the doctrines of an accepted religion, accepting some sense of granted salvation through grace. The focus is to acquire that hilltop of assurance. But when the assurance is attained, behaviors that follow take on a new dimension; now you live and act out of that assurance. No longer is salvation your goal, but it has now become your platform from which you spring forward into the rest of your eternal life. Devotion is just like this. Once you have become a personality permeated with devotion, then your activities become conditioned by this state of being. This kind of devotion is not off again, on again. It becomes a fundamental frequency of your character. Out of this devotion springs effortless endurance, unfatiguing diligence. These behavioral outworkings are effortless because they are propelled by that fundamental devotion.

Now I would like to address what I am sure you each experience, and that is fluctuation, distraction, or that sense that, "today I feel spiritual. Yesterday I felt animal." This should never cause you to be concerned over your state of devotion to the Father. The very presence of frustration in yourself, once again, discloses that you are a devout disciple. If it were not of any concern to you what your behavior was like in any given circumstance, then you would have reason to consider where your heart lies. This quality of being is why a kingdom-liver can stand calmly by while all earthly things crash. This is why one can forsake all comforts and be driven into a mission where personal safety and well-being is put at risk in the name of a higher cause and for the betterment of other people. It matters not whether you have succeeded in your attempts, for it is fulfilling in itself to be about the Father's business, success or otherwise. To be such a devoted citizen of the universe is to be ever willing and on the lookout for what you may contribute, and you would be looking for some service form, no matter what the conditions are around you, that even though you would prefer that a situation were more conducive to the revelation of truth and the experience of goodness in another individual, this does not restrain you from making your attempts at upliftment anyway. It does not concern you that the situation may not be just right and it would disintegrate, for you are propelled by an inner drive to be about the work of the Father, regardless.

Now I would like to address what I am sure you each experience, and that is fluctuation, distraction, or that sense that, "today I feel spiritual. Yesterday I felt animal." This should never cause you to be concerned over your state of devotion to the Father. The very presence of frustration in yourself, once again, discloses that you are a devout disciple. If it were not of any concern to you what your behavior was like in any given circumstance, then you would have reason to consider where your heart lies. This quality of being is why a kingdom-liver can stand calmly by while all earthly things crash. This is why one can forsake all comforts and be driven into a mission where personal safety and well-being is put at risk in the name of a higher cause and for the betterment of other people. It matters not whether you have succeeded in your attempts, for it is fulfilling in itself to be about the Father's business, success or otherwise. To be such a devoted citizen of the universe is to be ever willing and on the lookout for what you may contribute, and you would be looking for some service form, no matter what the conditions are around you, that even though you would prefer that a situation were more conducive to the revelation of truth and the experience of goodness in another individual, this does not restrain you from making your attempts at upliftment anyway. It does not concern you that the situation may not be just right and it would disintegrate, for you are propelled by an inner drive to be about the work of the Father, regardless.

I am curious as to your thoughts regarding my comments today and solicit your feedback.

I am curious as to your thoughts regarding my comments today and solicit your feedback.

 

Evelyn: I spend a lot of time looking after my own creature comforts and only as an afterthought watching for service opportunities. I appreciate your assurance that noticing those things is good.

Evelyn: I spend a lot of time looking after my own creature comforts and only as an afterthought watching for service opportunities. I appreciate your assurance that noticing those things is good.

The term "blind faith" in my view is an oxymoron, for faith is the vision of the soul.

The term "blind faith" in my view is an oxymoron, for faith is the vision of the soul.

 

Unless you have contributions to make, I will take my leave, and let you know that Elyon is making his rounds with your friends and fellows today and is not here in attendance, though he has the capability of being in touch and is at this moment quite cognizant of our meeting and sends his love as always.

Unless you have contributions to make, I will take my leave, and let you know that Elyon is making his rounds with your friends and fellows today and is not here in attendance, though he has the capability of being in touch and is at this moment quite cognizant of our meeting and sends his love as always.

Farewell.

Farewell.