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You live in a culture that emphasizes appearance and superficiality over substance. Do you understand that not all that appears to be attractive is truly beautiful? You know that you have a spiritual adversary. He can appear as an angel of light, but this does not change his truly repulsive character. Do you have the discernment to see him for what he is and reject him no matter how he presents himself? You have the same ability of vision that everyone else has, but you also have spiritual vision that unbelievers lack. Even though you have both available to you, you must still learn which to trust and prefer. I want you to learn that your spiritual vision is truer and more enduring than your natural vision. He who has eyes to see, let him see. 

Have you noticed that children faced with a situation of egregious sin will come up with an innocent explanation for it? This is how the world looks through eyes of innocence. You may argue that they are wrong, but they will grow into the knowledge of evil soon enough. You know it would be wrong to accelerate this. What about yourself? Are you eager to identify sin in others? Yet you may be wrong about this as well. Can you see that it is worse to see sin where there is none than to see innocence when there is none? If you follow my commandment to judge not at all then you can see the world through the eyes of a child and trust me to keep you safe from the real dangers that are there. 

Do you resent the rich? If you understand how wealth is created then you know that those who build and operate great commercial enterprises are beneficial for the economy of others even as they enrich themselves. Some are of good character and behavior and some are not. Yet my word still carries many warnings for the wealthy. For the poor are rich in faith but it is harder for a rich man to enter my kingdom than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. When riches increase set not your heart upon them, but maintain your values and treasure in heaven. Do not resent the rich, neither stand in awe of them. They too need to be converted to enter into life. 

Do you look for differences between yourself and those you meet? You would do better to look for similarities. You distinguish yourself from those you disagree with to defend the integrity of your own identity, yet your identity is not threatened by contact with those you disagree with. If you start with similarities you have a foundation from which to bridge differences, but if you start with disagreements you have only a chasm across which to attack. Agree with your adversary while you are in the way with him. You cannot compromise the truth, but don’t separate until you have exhausted every avenue of understanding and reconciliation by which you may win your brother.

I have given you my great commission to go forth and preach the gospel message to every creature. This is evangelical work that they may be saved. What about those who will not acknowledge that they have sinned? My word makes it clear that it is the mission of the Holy Spirit to convince of sin. You have a part in the salvation process by proclaiming the message, but you cannot do it all. If the Holy Spirit has not gone before you to convict, then your message will have no meaning for your audience. You are called to sow seed and I give the increase, but I want you to understand that you sow in partnership with me. 

Do the limitations you encounter in your life fill you with resentment and frustration? Do you see them as hindrances and the lack of things you need? Perhaps you have the wrong perspective of things that are beneficial for you. You benefit by having boundaries and borders, even if they feel like imposed limitations. To understand this consider those who have none. Who doesn’t get into trouble with unlimited money, time, and no accountability? There are readily available examples of those who were ruined by having too much too soon and too easily. Ponder this and be grateful for the boundaries I have placed around you. 

I feel like I want to spend just a little bit of time talking about change.  Just the other day I was walking down the sidewalk of a plaza when I looked over and saw a young woman with her toddler.  She was busy loading groceries into the back of her SUV while her child sat in the cart. 

My word says my sheep hear my voice and teaches you to be led by the Spirit. What do you expect me to talk to you about? Do you want to develop doctrine from the scriptures? Yet this is a specific calling and not something done in isolation, for no scripture is of a private interpretation. Not everyone is called to this, but everyone needs guidance for their daily life, and this I am eager to provide for all. Meditate on my word and I will give you insights into it for the clarity and understanding you seek. Walk with me and I will direct your steps, guiding you clearly in the path I have prepared for you. 

Have you noticed that nearly everyone seems to be concerned about their weight? Your culture values slenderness even as the multitude of abundance pushes people away from it. Yet there is a spiritual parallel to weight in which abundance is not a bad thing. Have you noticed that mature believers of any age have a sense of gravity about them? You take them seriously whether they speak much or little, and their very presence can change the atmosphere of a gathering even if they don’t speak at all. You may be aware of the number you get when you step on a scale, but you can have this quality without being aware of it. Moses did. My presence in you carries more weight than you know. 

Does your identity involve a strong attachment to your city, state and nation? What about your school and your team? Yet I see you as a citizen of my Kingdom, which is not of this world. The narrow distinctions you choose to build your identity also isolate you from others. Do you notice that those who are most effective in my service and have the greatest reach of ministry have a transcendent quality that goes beyond worldly distinctions? My apostle said he became all things to all people. Even if your descriptive traits remain unchanged I want you to hold them with a relaxed grip that you may be equipped for every good work and by any means save some.