FJWL_02:269
         (To a young shepherd:) You have qualities that I admire. You're proud of Me and the Family. You're blustery and brash when you're confronting the Enemy. You're a man of force, which you apply when you zealously follow Me and follow My instructions.
         Don't say, "Lord, why have You made me thus?" Don't doubt or fret, but use these gifts, talents, attributes and characteristics that I have given you for the purpose for which I have intended.
         I would have you to be a sharp-toothed threshing instrument to confront My adversaries! I would that you use the strength, force and zealousness which I have given you to do battle!
         And yes, there are times when you must be humble and turn the other cheek and be meek and weak. These are the times when you care for the flock and care for the weak ones and the young ones, the little ones, the ones that are afflicted and need encouragement. You must desperately seek Me to help you at those times.
         Be not as Joab or Jehu or others who fought in their own strength or leaned to their own understanding and even did things which were right in My sight, but not with a perfect heart. I have made you and designed you and I want you to use those characteristics and attributes for My purpose. Shy not away! Do not counterbalance them to where they are of none effect, but invest these talents wisely. Do not doubt that I have fashioned you and made you and designed you.
         But you must allow yourself to be balanced by those who have attributes and characteristics different from your own, even leadings that are different from yours. You must continually counsel and look to Me and look to your teamworkers, that all may be in balance so that My purpose may be accomplished.
         Do not allow yourself to do things on your own. For in such a case a man of force will be a man of faults, and some things could be serious and could harm others and harm the cause.
         Behold the sample of Peter of old, who quickly changed his ways when he received admonition from Me, and learned and became even as a new man when anointed by My Spirit. Let My Spirit work through you and give you a soft heart and a gentle spirit, and then you will fulfill all that I set before you.



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family