The Spiritual Guide by Miguel Molinos and Personal Thoughts of David Nelson

Posted: 2006-11-30 00:32:21

The Secret Place           5-30-05

 #1-8 are gleaned from The Spiritual Guide by Miguel (Michael) Molinos,
written in Rome 1675
(Anyone found in possession of this book will be excommunicated, Papal Decree 1687)

 The Seed Sowers Christian Books Publishing House, Auburn, Maine 1982
(had not been published for 100 years)

1. If you want to get to a place of closeness to God that is beyond anything you see or have experienced around you so far, and no book has ever said or could show you exactly how to get there (for yourself) and you have to go through darkness and dryness and the silence of God into a wilderness place to learn how to get there and you still seem so far, and yet God is calling you to himself (you feel it) and you refuse to give up until you find Him more and more, then you are on the right track. This is the journey you are on, now, and no matter what happens you will advance toward Him one step at a time.
2. Every step we take towards the Lord we believe is his call to come and every step we take towards the Lord we are intending to draw near to Him. No matter what good feelings or good results are lacking we believe that (a) he sees our intent (b) that fruit will come according to his time-table and (c) that he is pleased that we continue each step to press towards Him (even if we seem to see nothing).
3. All things that come into your life are from the hand of God (all trials, delays, troubles, tragedies, lack of success, etc.). We rest in his love and in his plan for us that may be much different than we thought but still we accept it as his plan unfolding perfectly.
4. Embrace suffering, darkness, dryness for they are given by God to push you to believe in his goodness regardless and to trust the Lord and to rest in Him without good feelings or apparent success.
5. To learn a love rest in him that will maintain you when all contrary circumstances and contrary people come into your life and also all disappointments in yourself.
6. When good feelings leave or God hides his face and you must travel on in your journey by faith alone (like Job in the Bible said, “I do not see the Lord but he sees me.”).  We must also say, He loves me, He sees me, He is working out his perfect plan for me. When there is dryness or all outward progress seems to end we must be driven to a comfort place in God that has nothing to do with outward senses or success.
7. If you desire any good, however spiritual it may be, let it be desired in such a manner that you be not disquieted (troubled or anxious) if it is not granted you (when you want, or ever). But you are to rest in Him.
8. When we find Him alone and want Him alone that will be when he is all to us and we are nothing. When you know that you are nothing then there is nothing that disquiets (or troubles) you.

David Nelson's Personal Thoughts

9. Set aside one time a day (or maybe 3 times a day like Daniel in the Bible) before other things to be alone with the Lord. (remember to listen and not just talk, that it should be a dialogue with the Lord and not just a monologue). Maybe you should do this1^st thing in the morning, or before a meal, or before other people come home, or before you normally get tired. Maybe a morning sacrifice, a noon sacrifice and an evening sacrifice. Could you not watch with me one hour, Jesus asked?
10. Have we now been given the place to sit at his table every day, receive his food, his daily allowance, wear his clothes, wear his signet ring, with his gold chain around our neck, doing his bidding each day. Even if what we do seems little, it is exactly as he has directed. His great plan for each of us and his love for each one will not fail if we trust him and take his hand each day and walk by his side.
11. I look at nature every day and see his love, his power, his greatness, his gifts, his beauty, etc.
12. Nothing bothers me because I am dead, looking over the balustrade of heaven and can do nothing about the things around me unless he shows me what to say or do and then gives me success. (Col. 3:1-3)
13. Be thankful every day for every blessing great and small. Count your blessings, name them one by one.
14. Try to touch each person you meet with the presence of the Lord. Get the Lord’s assignments each day (or as often as he gives them) to write, call, e-mail or pray for others so that people will be encouraged to draw near to the Lord. Maybe you will send them something to read or maybe it is just your friendship and talking. Hopefully, this will connect people with the Lord more and also we will all be connected to each other more.