TOS143 Prophetic Advice for Difficult Tests of Faith ;
Prophetic Advice for Difficult Tests of Faith is shared by Truth of the Spirit to give the listener comfort and encouragement to persist despite difficult tests of faith. Words are taken from writings by St. Therese of Lisieux, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the New American Bible, and Patti Brunner’s journals.
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In the difficulties of life one thing stands out among the darkness of trials—the Lord loves you with an everlasting love.
In the First Chapter of the Letter of James in the New Testament James writes of the value of trials and even temptations. He encourages us to have “Perseverance in Trial”. He writes, “2b Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,* 3for you know that the testing* of your faith produces perseverance. 4And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
This is truth. How do we persist? During this episode I will share some of the advice the Lord has given me about difficulties for your discernment, encouragement, and to be a tool. He instructs me to share with you “Prophetic Advice for Difficult Tests of Faith”.
The Lord shares, “My child, the difficulty with discernment is always the need to recognize truth and then to allocate time and energy toward encompassing the truth into your life. As I have told you, many times, there are several choices that are within my will for you. The choice is yours. The choices you make bring the unique character of your psyche into the limelight. Continue to seek the face of the Lord, especially when you are tired. The world’s weariness ‘infects’ even the healthy, but they quickly recover and thus immunity grows against the ploys and diseases of the enemy until heaven is attained and no longer can the works of darkness exist.
The Lord shares, “My child, whenever you have difficulty hearing my voice you must purify your heart and seek refuge in solitude. Someday you will hear my voice above every known distraction but for now continue to seek me in the quiet. The continuous voice/sound of the world is an echo of the sound of creation—it is orchestrated for beauty; ‘sour notes’ caused by sin can be overcome with harmony with the saints and angels singing the praise of your Lord and Savior.
The difficulty you face is little. Many have faced much more dire circumstances. You have prayed not to be put to the ‘test’. Yet as you desire perfection, you must allow the imperfections to be melted away.
“My child, the difficulty life has in this world dealing with death and infirmity is the lack of understanding of life and infinity. This brief life and all the material possessions cannot seem but the briefest of interludes in eternity yet during this time in life, many decisions that affect eternal life are made.
“My child, the difficulty with living your life in the world is that you were created for eternity. The world can never satisfy in the ‘long run’. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all this will be given unto you. Continue to reach beyond your grasp of things. As you stretch you shall grow.
Welcome to Truth of the Spirit. I’m your host, Patti Brunner. In these days there are many opinions but there remains one truth. In the Gospel of John Chapter 16: 13, Jesus promised to send us the Spirit of truth, to guide us to all truth. Today’s episode is “Prophetic Advice for Difficult Tests of Faith”.
The Lord shares: “My Child, the difficulty in knowing the will of the Lord is that your own thoughts, your own heart’s desires, your own will has the majority. You must empty self to receive the fullness of Christ, of the kingdom.”
The Lord shares, “My Child, the everlasting realm of the spirit concludes the existence of the flesh until the magnification of the body occurs. Until that time illness, pain, and suffering can arise as the body responds to sin, the effect of sin and the rebirth of the soul by grace. Each time the Wisdom of the Lord comes down to abide in man, the goodness of God repairs the damages that respond according to the effect of sin. Clarification comes as the soul is baptized, repentance washes it ‘clean’ all those through the salvation of your Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Lord shared with me, “When you go before the Lord with a humble heart, relying on the word of the Lord, accepting truth, you shall find that doing my will is an easy path despite difficulties that might arise. The inner strength to do my will—when you follow my commands—increases.”
Paul writes us in Romans, Chapter 5, “we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Then in Chapter 8, Paul says, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” and “What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” and “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Lord shares, “My child, as you take each step on this journey called “life” know that when there is “comfort” the path may not lead to the most “beautiful scenic spots.” Like a trail in the woods, effort pays off. You do not have to “earn” my love. It is always yours. However, calling to mind your own spiritual nature, opening your heart to love God above all, is a constant “upgrade”. I always call you to a “higher plain” so that you might be ready to open your ‘lungs’ more deeply to breathe in my Presence.”
“When you are gifted, know that this same ecstasy is available to all—but few have received it. It is simple to receive—it requires total surrender. The grace of intercession helps you on your way but it is your choice. Faith is always yours, but fear covers faith the way dew covers the linens hanging in the summer sun. In time the fear fades away like the dew and “freshness” is yours. Dew that remains too long causes “mildew” and the garment is spoiled until it is washed clean. Sometimes the ‘spots’ remain even though the ‘smell’ [the fresh smell] is restored, cleansed. Why am I telling you these things? So that you might be encouraged. Difficulty in life, in prayer, in walking causes you to doubt, to pause, to turn away from activity. Perseverance brings the ultimate approval. You will say “yes”—“Yes, this is it!” “Yes! This is what I wanted all along.” “Yes! I am satisfied.” “Yes, this is God’s message to his people” “Yes, this is God’s love made manifest.”
The Lord shares, “My Child, the everlasting message to the people of God is “God loves you!” My people forget to allow my love into their hearts. As you read with my daughter of the Child Jesus [Therese], it is simple to be a follower of the Gospel. Effort must be made, truly, but what to do is not complicated.”
I’ve studied St. Therese of the Child Jesus at various times. St. Therese of Lisieux teaches simplicity, even in prayer, talking to God and Jesus in direct, personal and heartfelt ways. St Therese of the Child Jesus wrote, “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” She wrote “Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love.” St Therese of Lisieux wrote “Love can accomplish all things. Things that are most impossible become easy where love is at work.” St. Therese wrote, “You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”
Therese of Lisieux, who died at age 24, was a saint, but did you know she was a “hidden saint”? Most members of her convent had no idea the depth of her love and relationship with God. She wrote an autobiography, “Story of a Soul”, and it was published the year after she died in 1898 and became what we would call “a best seller”! It has influenced popes and generations of Christians. Because of it she was named a Doctor of the Church in 1997. I remember reading it in high school and it changing how I dealt with difficult people. So much that one in particular thought of me as her “close friend”. I wonder if the writer of “Pollyanna” used St. Therese of the Child Jesus as a role model for that character! We need positive role models especially in times of difficulty.
At a Charismatic retreat at the Subiaco Monastery, Fr. Mark Stengel told us that “the Promised Land on earth is filled with difficulties and challenges”. He share that Fr. Brendon Miller of the Abbey had a habit of saying, “All this and heaven too!” whether difficulty or joy. “All this and heaven too!”
The Lord shares, “As you sit before your computer and time lags before you, speak from your heart and ask for help, when you try to act by yourself. More often the difficulty you feel could be easily remedied. At times, the lag is to draw you in a different direction, so that as you “explore” you will gain a deeper understanding as I reveal my truth unto you.” “Continue to be diligent; set aside time daily to complete this task. The buoyancy of the boat into which you step shall carry you far and wide. You shall not fear the deep waters; you shall not cast your anchor in troubled waters. Come forward into the front of the boat and face the wind that blows against you—it is only the speed of the boat that makes the wind seem strong. I Am at the helm. The power is mine. Fear not.”
The Lord said to me, “Listen. The everlasting kingdom of God is available for all who turn their hearts to the Lord. Many seek happiness without ever realizing that true happiness is stationed with the arms of the Father who art in heaven.” “The everlasting drop of my blood covers the sin of the world and indeed covers the black hearts of despair, of pride, the lethargic hearts of complacency, the grieving hearts filled with pain. Show my love that they might know this—that the drop of my blood provides freedom and unity with the Father for all who turn their hearts toward Him.” “Continue—continue to tend the field. As the early harvest is, has been taken, the “seed harvest” been replanted, the weeds seem to overtake the good at times and the tender of the fields can become discouraged. But fear not, dear beloved ones, the rain that falls on the “weeds” also has been nourishing the wheat. The crop is ready for an early cutting. It shall continue to produce and the 30-60-100 fold will soon be evident. In particular—seek out the dark corners; those who sit in the shadows alone who need encouragement to step into the Light.”
The Lord shared with me, “Fear not when darkness appears to have a ‘toehold’ on your life or the lives of those you love. It is only an illusion brought into distortion by lies, deceit and the reflection of those who fear. I have not given a spirit of fear but one of love and power. [2 Timothy 1:7] “Fear not” the angels spoke to the Shepherds. “Fear not” a good battle –cry in the war against poverty and ignorance.”
“Dear child, as you seek my face it is always found. As you seek the kingdom of God, sometimes the delay causes some to lose heart—to give up. Let your listeners know that. A true disciple receives the joy, peace; the signs of the presence of God. Turn away from jealousy and selfishness. As the world is “full” of jealousy and self-centeredness, without Truth it will indeed seek to destroy those who rub the innate conscious; these will seek to quiet the voice of truth so as not to be challenged to be the ‘servant’ but to remain the ‘served’. When the Lord showers blessings and power, those who stand on the outside covet these things and seek to ‘rob’ them; to obtain them by destroying those who contain them. When a disciple receives these blessings and runs into the opposition, they must turn with love not with vengeance—not with a passion to destroy before destruction takes place for themselves. Do you understand?”
Before I share the last word of prophecy I want to remind you that in eternity there is no time; yet, here on earth time marks our days until time is no more. Catechism Paragraph 33 explains that “our soul is the “seed of eternity we bear in ourselves”9 and can have its origin only in God.”
The Church teaches in Catechism Paragraph “671 Though already present in his Church, Christ’s reign is nevertheless yet to be fulfilled “with power and great glory” by the King’s return to earth.557 This reign is still under attack by the evil powers, even though they have been defeated definitively by Christ’s Passover.557 Until everything is subject to him, “until there be realized new heavens and a new earth in which justice dwells, the pilgrim Church, in her sacraments and institutions, which belong to this present age, carries the mark of this world which will pass, and she herself takes her place among the creatures which groan and travail yet and await the revelation of the sons of God.”559 That is why Christians pray, above all in the Eucharist, to hasten Christ’s return by saying to him:560 Maranatha! “Our Lord, come!”561”
In Paragraph “672 Before his Ascension Christ affirmed that the hour had not yet come for the glorious establishment of the messianic kingdom awaited by Israel562 which, according to the prophets, was to bring all men the definitive order of justice, love and peace.563 According to the Lord, the present time is the time of the Spirit and of witness, but also a time still marked by “distress” and the trial of evil which does not spare the Church564 and ushers in the struggles of the last days. It is a time of waiting and watching.565 “
The Lord shares the following words: “My Child, the heavenly realms shout “Halleluiah!” when the forces of evil are defeated once and for all. Until that “time” the enemy continues to lace the heart with half-truths, with deeds that destroy and a call to judgment without mercy. As in your heart you think so does the eminent drain of strength happen when the negative, the callus, the dire, the destructive thoughts also mold the range of emotional prayers. Emotional prayers, in and of themselves, are not bad. In fact, prayers with emotions attached can be very powerful. The discerning prayer warrior always looks for the attachment of love in praying for others with others. As the continuing range of emotions are affected by life’s experiences so too are your prayers. Work toward acknowledging the need for grace during times of trial without naming, assigning, difficulty, not allowing fear to enter into your prayer. As you pray with constancy the Word of the Lord, the Word is fulfilled.”
Praise God! Although evil battles for control the Lord will win! The Lord has won! Ask Him to restore our peace and grace to stay full of joy even when others make it difficult.
We’ll end this episode with a reading from 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4. “7* But we hold this treasure* in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. 8* We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair;e 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10* f always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.g 12* So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13* Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak,h 14knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence.i 15Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.j 16* Therefore, we are not discouraged;* rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,l 18as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.m” Word of the Lord.
You’ve been listening to Truth of the Spirit Episode 143, “Prophetic Advice for Difficult Tests of Faith”. I’m Patti Brunner. Be sure and check out our other episodes and YouTube playlists to help you with your difficulties. We invite you to subscribe. And then come back for more. With the Holy Spirit there’s always more! Amen.
