Truth for us today is
that we learn how to surrender our lives with the first
three steps,
then we learn how to clean up our past, with the "living
water - which
gives hope of the new life to come,"
in the middle
six steps - with our new employer,
and then we learn how to live up spiritually, with the last
three steps.
James
1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has
stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that
God has promised to those who love him.
Revelation
2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil
will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer
persecution for ten
days*. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I
will give you the crown of life.
Of course, Jesus says, "I
am life."
Are these
extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us -
sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we
work for them.
This thought brings us to Step Ten,
which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to
set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this
way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of
the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and
effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for
our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment,
and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We
discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have
harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can
help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.
scribe's
note: upon reflection, over the years, have experienced some very
shocking, traumatic, and terrible things, considering the human eGo -
ease God out (of our lives),
relative to the statement in the 12 and 12, in step ten - "ten
days"*, about the
statement at the end of the first paragraph, on page 88:
"Then
comes the acid test: Can we stay sober, keep in emotional balance and
live to good purpose under all conditions?"
Zechariah 4
(NIV)
The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees
1
Then the angel who talked with me returned and wakened me, as a man is
wakened from his sleep. 2 He
asked me, "What do you see?"
I answered, "I see a solid gold
lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven
channels to the lights. 3
Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and
the other on its left."
4
I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my
lord?"
5
He answered, "Do you not know what these are?"
"No, my lord," I replied.
6
So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not
by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
7
"What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become
level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God
bless it! God bless it!' "
8
Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9
"The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple;
his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD
Almighty has sent me to you.
10
"Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they
see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
"(These seven are the eyes of
the LORD, which range throughout the earth.)"
11
Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the
right and the left of the lampstand?"
12
Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the
two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?"
13
He replied, "Do you not know what these are?"
"No, my lord," I said.
14
So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord
of all the earth."
scribe's
opinion: anonymous noahrenes and noahhites
