Christian Faith is a Cookbook
THEREFORE, MY BELOVED, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED, NOT AS IN MY PRESENCE ONLY, BUT NOW MUCH MORE IN MY ABSENCE, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE.
Philippians 2:12-13
- AT A SILENT RETREAT IN KENTUCKY -
Baby Girl,
It’s 2:40 AM at your silent retreat and you’re up WRESTLING with Me over the validity of the calling on the monk’s life to the monastic lifestyle of work, silence, prayer, and contemplation?
I’d tell you to mind your own business and go back to sleep but this isn’t the first time you’ve brought this up and I think it’s time we put this subject to rest.
Let’s hear out your arguments and address them one by one.
Oh, now you’re wanting to disengage from the debate? Last night, during the monk’s evening talk, your mind was swirling with questions. Watching the documentary in the gift shop on the daily routine of the monks, you had many judgments and, ten minutes ago, you laid in bed judging and evaluating their calling again.
Now I question you and you want to go back to sleep? NO. First, let’s lay this debate to rest.
Go look at their schedule. “3:15 AM Dark Vigil Daily.”
Go ahead, grab your dictionary.
Vigil = wakefulness; evening or nocturnal devotions or prayers.
It’s 3:00 AM. Do you hear the church bells ringing? Go to the sanctuary.
- IN THE SANCTUARY -
These men have, with great intention, awoke from their sleep to spend the still of the night with Me. As they enter the sanctuary, they pause, look to the cross, and bow their heads in reverence, acknowledging that it is for My Presence that they trade this hour of rest. You judge their lifestyle? Seven times a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, they meet Me here.
Suspend all judgment, put down your pen, and observe this time as they do: reverently and with your spiritual eyes open.
- 45 MINUTES LATER -
Mark this day, December 13, 2023. Build an altar in your heart upon which you will offer up every judgment and critical evaluation of another man’s walk with Me that enters your soul. Nod your head in appreciation of their devotion to Me.
I hear your questions -
What about the rosary, praying to the saints and to Mary, calling the priest “father,” and all the other traditions, symbolism, and rituals?
You have convictions I have given you about each of those things based on what you have read in the pages of The Bible and conversations you’ve had with Me. Hold to your convictions without imposing them on others. DO NOT publicly air your opinions on such things and thus cause further division in the body. Let each man come humbly before My Throne seeking conviction of their own.
Before you go back to sleep, let’s not forget what just happened.
You wept, knelt, and repented as, through the monks, I confirmed The Word I gave you for tonight’s sermon. One month ago, I left a partial Bible in the middle of a busy intersection in Cleveland, Tennessee, with The Scripture I wanted you to share. Tonight, you woke up questioning the monastic lifestyle of the monks just in time to attend their nightly vigil where I had them read that same passage of Scripture, Psalm 107. What are the odds?
I THEN HAD THEM read Hebrews 11:6 to remind you that WHOEVER would draw near to Me must believe that I exist and that I reward those who seek Me… whatever that looks like, Little One.
Faith in Jesus is NOT a cookie-cutter recipe. FAITH IS A COOKBOOK in which Jesus is the main ingredient in every single recipe. Denominations are simply different flavor combinations. Some sweet, some savory; some recipes will taste great to you and others you will find quite distasteful.
YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE DOES NOT DETERMINE WHETHER THE RECIPE MAKES THE CUT OR NOT. Leave all judgment up to Me. Hold fast to your convictions and live out of them WITHOUT inserting your convictions on those who haven’t asked.
This will be a tall order for someone I have called to teach My Word and declare My Truth. I hear your concerns and want to remind you that the answer to those concerns lies in the next bit of Scripture I had the monks share - one you have been meditating on for nearly a year now - Isaiah 30, beginning with verse 15:
THIS IS WHAT THE SOVEREIGN LORD SAYS, “IN REPENTANCE AND REST IS YOUR SALVATION, IN QUIETNESS AND TRUST IS YOUR STRENGTH…”
Don’t have Me say of you, “…BUT YOU WOULD HAVE NONE OF IT.”
Verse 18 goes on to say:
YET THE LORD LONGS TO BE GRACIOUS TO YOU; THEREFORE, HE WILL RISE UP TO SHOW YOU COMPASSION. FOR THE LORD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE. BLESSED ARE ALL WHO WAIT ON HIM.
Wait on Me, Little One. Stop running ahead.
It has been 13 YEARS NOW that I have had to wake you up at 2:15 AM to talk. You will even tell people openly that is the hour I wake you up to talk. Why do I still have to wake you to spend that hour with you?
Set your alarm. I’m already up and waiting. See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven as you dedicate that hour to Me.
It’s 5:00 AM. Set your alarm for four hours and get some sleep. We have a big day ahead!
Sweet dreams,
Daddy
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