Changes

-Do you find that certain blessings that may come your way are perhaps just [[good]] fortune, perhaps [[luck]]? Do you find [[gratitude]] in this?

-Do you find that certain blessings that may come your way are perhaps just [[good]] fortune, perhaps [[luck]]? Do you find [[gratitude]] in this?

===='''''[[Sacrifice]]'''''====

===='''''[[Sacrifice]]'''''====

We have found it is as important to [[accept]] [[service]] as it is to [[perform]] service. It is popular in certain [[cultures]] that [[martyrdom]] is altogether [[selfless]] and [[holy]]. And these individuals accept not any blessing that may [[chance]] to [[counteract]] their [[understanding]] of holiness. I would say this is outdated and certainly misunderstood. Father does not ask you to [[sacrifice]] anything for your son or daughtership with Him.

We have found it is as important to [[accept]] [[service]] as it is to [[perform]] service. It is popular in certain [[cultures]] that [[martyrdom]] is altogether [[selfless]] and [[holy]]. And these individuals accept not any blessing that may [[chance]] to counteract their [[understanding]] of holiness. I would say this is outdated and certainly misunderstood. Father does not ask you to [[sacrifice]] anything for your son or daughtership with Him.

It is known that there are lessons of [[wisdom]] and [[love]] to be gained from [[adversity]], but I would say to you this evening, this is not always [[necessary]] to be [[burdened]] by adversity to receive good marks from Father. It is not always necessary to overlook the divine [[goodness]] for what you feel you would deserve. It is not necessary that you are your own [[supreme]] bookkeeper. [[Mortal]] life is not about [[service]] and [[suffering]], overcoming adversities to appear [[victorious]], no. The spiritual life is [[adversity]], yes, but also is it filled with divine [[goodness]] and indescribable [[joy]] that is yours free for the taking.

It is known that there are lessons of [[wisdom]] and [[love]] to be gained from [[adversity]], but I would say to you this evening, this is not always [[necessary]] to be [[burdened]] by adversity to receive good marks from Father. It is not always necessary to overlook the divine [[goodness]] for what you feel you would deserve. It is not necessary that you are your own [[supreme]] bookkeeper. [[Mortal]] life is not about [[service]] and [[suffering]], overcoming adversities to appear [[victorious]], no. The spiritual life is [[adversity]], yes, but also is it filled with divine [[goodness]] and indescribable [[joy]] that is yours free for the taking.

===='''''[[Silence]]''''', '''''[[Communion]]'''''====

===='''''[[Silence]]''''', '''''[[Communion]]'''''====

Those [[dedicated]] to the [[spiritual]] life make great attempts at keeping [[focused]] on the [[eternal]] [[goal]]. The eternal goal is not always accomplished by self-denial, [[suffering]], no. In the [[path]] of those who are spiritually [[focused]] need to attempt to [[accept]] their Father's [[joy]] just as [[the Master]] Himself had done. The Master, being the best that man can be, continually looked up for His Father's great [[abundance]] of [[joy]] and [[wisdom]]. The Master had spent much time [[alone]] in [[silent]] [[communion]] with Father, enabling [[the Master]] to know more of the Father's perfect [[joy]]. The Master in such excellent [[communion]] with His Father had achieved much through inner knowing. He experienced, yes, but I say, His [[communion]] with Father enabled Him to know so much more. How else could one accomplish all his human requirements before age thirty.

Those [[dedicated]] to the [[spiritual]] life make great attempts at keeping [[focused]] on the [[eternal]] [[goal]]. The eternal goal is not always accomplished by self-denial, [[suffering]], no. In the [[path]] of those who are spiritually [[focused]] need to attempt to [[accept]] their Father's [[joy]] just as [[the Master]] Himself had done. The Master, being the best that man can be, continually looked up for His Father's great [[abundance]] of [[joy]] and [[wisdom]]. The Master had spent much time [[alone]] in [[silent]] [[communion]] with Father, enabling [[the Master]] to know more of the Father's perfect [[joy]]. The Master in such excellent [[communion]] with His Father had achieved much through inner knowing. He experienced, yes, but I say, His [[communion]] with Father enabled Him to know so much more. How else could one accomplish all his human requirements before age thirty.