The temptation to fill in the blanks is one of the most dangerous traps to be encountered in the life of the Believer.

     Terrible things happen when a Christian starts guessing or filling the blanks concerning others.  It is one thing to see what is happening.  It is entirely another thing to interpret circumstances according to one's own experience or best guess. 

     There is a pattern that leads to blindness, spiritual death and usually divides the Brethren.  When an unenlightened person decides that he knows what is in the heart of another, he begins to approach the situation according to his own interpretation.  He then decides his opinion is truth and he goes to the next level, always involving a weak Brother or Sister in an attempt to gain support.  This is followed by more speculation and an attempt to connect the dots.

   At this point, the matter has become somewhat of an obsession for the one who has assumed he knows the motives and thoughts of another.  The enemy has swept in freely.  Drama and emotion now motivate the guesser, and the imagination has played out the scene that ends in the most satisfying result.

     By this time, the one who has fallen into assumption is fully deceived.  There is anger, depression, and a fierce desire to be proven correct.    Much, damage is done when Christians are lured into the quicksand of trying to be Heaven's judge and jury.   And, they rarely go down alone.

     Soldier of The Cross, we have clear instruction.  If we don't know, we don't know.  We are not to guess and then act according to our own speculation.  

     Be on the alert with regard to this matter.   Blindness loves to identify itself as sighted.

     We know there are hidden things and they are revealed as the Lord wills.  We ask to see what is really happening and if the Lord wills, we will see.  Stop the whirling thoughts that attempt to imagine every possible motive.  Resist the urge to fantasize about scenes that may or may not have happened.

     There is much work to be done.  The thought life must be clean.  Learn to recognize your thoughts.  If they are not of faith or not in agreement with God, take them captive and lead them away. 

     You have been empowered.
     You have been instructed.
     You have been commissioned.

     Soldier of The Cross, be His and be clean!   

     Soldier of The Cross, you must live by prayer.

     Those who pray do so because they made the decision to obey in this critical matter.
     Those who pray release the Holy Spirit to move in depth and manner that is not possible without prayer.
     Those who pray do not try to manipulate the lives of others in prayer, but want for them the vast Treasure that is in Christ.
     Those who pray are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and are not easily duped.
     Those who pray are those who are in God's Word and are fueled by it.
     Those who pray do not consider themselves responsible for the outcome.
     Those who pray learn to leave their burdens with the Lord.

     Those who pray recognize those who pray, because they quickly recognize Jesus.

     Soldier, pray aloud.  If you do not pray aloud, your attempts to pray will turn into wool-gathering and the thoughts will dissipate into wisps of nothing.

     No prayer, no Lordship.

     It seems to me that Christians are all too eager to jump in with advice.

     There is a great saying in Spanish.  The translation is, "No one knows what is really in the pot- only the spoon that stirs it!"

     When approached with a request, the Brother or Sister must be prayerfully available to the Holy Spirit.  Often the best thing is to listen and pray.  Sometimes the reminder of the most familiar verses is what is needed.  Other times, the Lord may bring to mind a word of wisdom or some firm exhortation.

     All too often folks charge in where angels fear to tread.  Advice is one thing.  Holy Spirit counsel is another.

     In our women's Bible study, we have a policy that I faithfully enforce:  if someone wants to bare her soul and share a matter, no one else may jump in and start trying to help by giving advice.  Often such a thing is a ministry of spiritual death and cripples the listener in the very area that needs healing or release.

     I do not cheapen the experience of those who have gone before.  I have a dear friend who is now in her eighties and from childhood has truly been a Soldier of The Cross.  I have never asked her for an opinion or for advice, but she has often volunteered these to me.   We have been prayer partners and have shared the Lord with each other for many, many years.  I have listened carefully to everything she has said, including her suggestions about my marriage, my hair, my bible teaching and my travels.

      Those who are hungry for the Lord will seek out those who are following hard after Him.  Those who are occupied with Him and are determined to let Him have His way in the deepest places, are also attracted to Wisdom and will not spout off casually.

      There is a difference between a multitude of counselors and a crowd of advisors. 

      His sheep hear His voice.

     For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].
        I Corinthians 13:12

     We are living a miracle.  We have been born into the Royal Race and all the privileges are ours.  We can pray.  We have the Indwelling Holy Spirit.  We have each other and God's Word.

     Although many Christians seem to feel poor, we know our Father owns all that exists.

     Yet, we are so needy. 

     We need each other.  
     We need repentance. 
     We need the Bible. 
     We need prayer.
     We need correction.

     We need to learn to lean on Him.  

     Soldier of The Cross, Do the Everlasting Arms exist?  We know so little and our sight is limited.   The flesh wants desperately to exert independence.  The Spirit yearns to lead us into deeper and deeper dependence on Him.

     It is a matter for prayer.
     Aloud.

     Lord, as I stand before you tonight, I submit to you in the area of the thought life.

     I know that I must learn to take each thought captive and lead it away if it does not line up with your thoughts.  The tug to bend with the thoughts is strong, but I want you more than anything.  So Lord, I submit to you and ask that you do whatever is needed in me to bring about your likeness in this area.

     Lord, I need you so.  Please teach me and encourage me in this area. 

     I want  nothing but you.
     I humbly bow before you and ask that you change me, my Lord and my God.

     Everyone wants God's leading.

     The problem is, to be led by God means following Him.  He has always led His Own with the Fire and the Cloud.    He does not lead away from Himself.

     So many want the Lord to show them where the comfort and abundance is, but they are not interested in The Cross which is the requisite for following Him.  The buzz phrase is "God has a blueprint for your life."  Well, it is true.  We can not understand it because we live in time and He does not.  Nevertheless, our responsibility is not to plot out a great life. 

     The Soldier of The Cross must be a Living Sacrifice and must pray about the will of God as such.

     Here is the question:  Will you trust God to agree that whatever He allows in his Sovereignty is the best thing?  If you will agree with God, He will lead freely.  He will reveal Himself through people, circumstances and the inner leading of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.

     He leads us into service.
     He leads us into fellowship.
     He leads us into consecration.
     He leads us into the valley of the shadow of death, yet He can be trusted.
     He leads us into persecution and the death of the flesh.
     He leads us into exquisite and surprising blessing.

     He wants to lead us to Himself and prepare His Bride for eternity.

     So, Soldier of The Cross, the question is, are you willing to be led?

         Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
         God leads His dear children along;
         Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
         God leads His dear children along. 

         Some through the waters, some through the flood,
         Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
         Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
         In the night season and all the day long.

     We know that all that is eternal is ours only by Grace, through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

     There is no qualifier.  There is, however, a price that must be paid for the daily experience of salvation and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.   Of course, salvation is free.  The ongoing experience of salvation and the release of living in the supernatural, come at the cost of taking up The Cross and following Him.

     Birds of a feather flock together.  Those who want Him gravitate to those who are chasing hard after Him.  They hear about His faithfulness.  They hear about His deliverance.  They hear about His cleansing and His transforming power.  They are stirred by the Spirit to pray to be changed.

     Then, they are tested and always in something that is hard and unpredictable.   When they come through the fire, they are refined and there is no smell of smoke on them.

     Soldier of The cross, He always gives Grace for the trial, but not one second before it is needed.

     We have a marvelous and infinitely loving, all-powerful God.  Do we believe it?  I have heard many Christians say they are afraid to tell the Lord He can do anything in their lives because they think He will hurt them.

     Amazing.

     Soldier of The Cross, above all, learn to trust Him.
     There is nothing else.  

     Lord, tonight I want to thank you for always taking me one step beyond settled comfort.  I have told you I want you and I have told you I want as much of you as I can have and know in this life.

     I understand that deep places in my heart must be excavated and I must follow you through passages that are by sight, far too small.

     Nonetheless Lord, whatever it takes.  I love you and I love your Word.  I love your people and want to be made into your likeness.  Please teach me how to pray about this matter.

     Oh Lord, as I stand before you, I ask you to do anything in your vast creativity that can be done in my heart and mind. 

 
     I submit to the surgical knife of the Lover of My Soul.     

     Everything changes because He is.

     There is no need for worry or for fear.
     It means every word of the Bible is true.
     You have inherited Eternal Life.
     He is watching over you tenderly.
     There are no accidents - no coincidences.
     You are rich and will receive Trust funds as you pray them in.
    

     You are a cherished member of a Family; a Royal Race.

     You do not have to be bored and you are never alone.
 

     His Banner over you is Love!             
      

     Do I love you?

     For the Soldier of The Cross, what is love?  Do I feel something?  Am I compelled to act on your behalf?  Must I be obvious? 

     Many years ago I had some time with Maynard, who had worked for many years at the Pacific Garden Mission on Skid Row in Chicago. 

 
     Maynard loved to tell about the workers the Lord sent to deal with the those who came in for help.   He told of a young man who came in to help with the ministry.   The fellow wore an expensive suit, but it was obvious that he wanted to be useful.  When Maynard asked the young man to kneel with him and pray for one of the  down-and -outers, the fellow looked at the needy resident.  The young man's glance fell on the huge dandruff flakes on the man's shoulders. 

     The well-meaning volunteer blanched when he saw the dandruff, and of course the resident caught it immediately.  The needy man rose and bolted.

     Soldier, the test is, are you able to love the unlovely?        

     This is an issue that has plagued many a Christian Servant.  Because, it is presumed that love is a feeling. 

     Love is about obedience.  Availability.  Humility.