A Message From God

A Message From God

A Message From God Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. This project is intended to be a gift, distributed at no cost to the reader. If you would like to share this eBook with others, we humbly request that you honor the spirit of giving in which this project was created. Please turn to Appendix A to find out how you can support this movement.

About The Cover The cover image was taken by the author on the side of the road of U.S. Highway 78, just outside Holly Springs, Mississippi, after an afternoon thunderstorm. Other than minor adjustments for color and contrast, it has not been altered in any way. To broaden your experience of this message, visit

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Table of Contents About Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 About This Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 How To Know When I Am Talking To You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Where To Find Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 How To Experience My Prescence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 What To Call Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Which Religion? Which Holy Book? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 My Will For You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Why You Are Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Uncovering Your Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 My Gift To You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Guidelines For Using Free Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 What Death Is (And Isn’t) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 The Secrets of Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 In A Perfect World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 How To Inspire Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 The Living Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 A Word About Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 A Breather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Note: This book is designed to be printed on both sides of the paper, as with a traditional book. The pages numbers here are correct for that printedout version. To read it on your computer (we recommend printing it), Adobe Acrobat uses a different numbering system, starting with “1” for the cover. To navigate the book onscreen, click on the “Bookmarks” tab to left of the screen. This will show Acrobat’s Table of Contents on the left side of your screen. Click on any chapter title to jump to that chapter. Then, use the magnification tools at the top of the screen to adjust the page size to your preference. Thank you!

Notes

About Me

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

First, a word about Me: I am God. Alpha and Omega. Beginning and End. I am all that ever was. I am all there ever will be. An important thing for you to understand about Me is that I can be described, but I cannot be defined. The moment you get attached to a particular definition of Me is the moment you close yourself off to other possible experiences of Me. Therefore, it would be wise to keep an open mind about Me—not just throughout this message, but in your everyday life. If your heart yearns to truly know Me, I will show you Who I Am—through this message, through your own experience of life. Indeed, I will use the entire universe to reveal myself to you. But for now, be still and know this: I am everything you think I am. I am also everything you think that I am not. This is because I, quite simply, am EVERYTHING. I AM THAT I AM.

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

About This Message I am sending you this message now, because so many of you are living in fear and confusion unnecessarily. Much of that fear comes from confusion about Who I Am, and why things happen. I never intended for having a relationship with Me to be as difficult or complicated as many of you have made it. In fact, it is neither difficult nor complicated. However, to receive this message, it would be wise to put down some of your existing thoughts about Who I Am and how I’ve set things up. In other words, stop telling yourself that you already know all there is to know about Me. This closes your mind off to all the other things I want to show you about Me. I cannot operate inside a closed mind. Therefore, if you truly want to know Me, you must open your mind. You cannot rule out any possibilities. Any time you rule out possibilities, you limit My ability to do wonders in your life. If you truly want to develop your relationship with Me, it would also be wise to humble yourself. Arrogance and pride block your direct experience of Me, because your focus is on you instead of Me. Humility brings you closer to Me. I do not require you to agree with this message. I offer it to you as guidance, and you are free to accept or reject any or all of it. As I will explain later, I have given each of you a direct line of communication with Me. This message is simply a tool for you to become aware of that connection. If there are ideas expressed here that you do not understand at first, do not panic or worry. As in the rest of life, some things you pick up instantly; others take a while to soak in. 2

Trust Me—if, in your heart, you truly yearn to know Me and you are openhearted, I will reveal myself to you. There may come a point in this message (in fact, in life) where one idea seems to oppose another one. This happens because you are used to looking at things in an “either-or” way— either it’s this way or it’s that way. However, all things come from Me. All things ARE Me. So when two or more ideas seem to contradict each other, look deeper. On a deeper level, these things—all things—are a part of a much larger whole. Namely, Me. This message will also remind you of who I created you to be. When you truly understand who you are, you will become a vessel for love, peace and healing in the world. Indeed, the Kingdom of Heaven will be among you. This message is intended to touch your heart, heal your spirit and soothe your soul. You have cried out for a Word from Me, and I shall give it to you.

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

How To Know When I Am Talking To You The words you are reading are just that—words. Words, as versatile as they are, are like anything else in your world. They can be misused, misunderstood and mistaken. They can be used to mislead, mistreat and manipulate. It depends upon the intention of the user. Therefore, because I never wanted there to be any confusion between you and I, I have given each one of you a direct line of communication with Me—one that cannot be tampered with, nor misunderstood, nor confused with anyone or anything else. For I have written The Truth on your heart. You will hear My voice in your heart. Whenever something in your human experience—a baby’s smile, a sermon, the sound of raindrops on your window, this message—whenever your experience matches up with The Truth I have written on your heart, your heart will know that it came from Me, and you will have NO doubts about it. That is how you will know when I am talking to you. You will feel it in your heart. However, listening to Me is a skill like any other; it takes commitment, focus and practice. But I am patient, and I will teach you how to listen to Me. So as you read these words, some of them will align with your Inner Truth. Some will not. I do not require you to agree with Me—that is why I gave you free will. However, your life will run much smoother if you choose to agree with the Inner Truth I have put upon your heart. 4

That said, I suggest you pay attention to your heart as you read this. What I have written there will guide you. Simply use what serves you and discard what doesn’t. As I have said elsewhere in this message, you may want to keep an open mind. The surest way to miss what I am telling you is to assume that you already know what I’m going to say.

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Where To Find Me I am always with you. You never need to be lost. I am always with you. If you make the conscious choice to look for Me, rest assured that you will find Me. This is because I am everywhere. Literally. I am the air you breathe. I am the water you drink. I am the food that you eat. I am the thought you think. I am the tree that gives you shade. I am the leaf that falls from that tree. I am the ground you walk on. And most importantly, I AM YOU. There is nowhere you can go where you will be separate from Me, because I live INSIDE you. You are made from ME. You are a drop of water in My ocean. Where does that drop begin? Where does it end? You are NOT separate from Me. You never were. You only think you are. The fact that you forget this from time to time does not change its truthfulness. And the sooner you remember this—the sooner you remember who you are—the faster your life will begin to transform in phenomenal ways. A good way to look at your life, particularly in difficult or trying times, is to remind yourself that God is present in the situation. Then look for Me. I am certainly right there with you, at all times. Seek Me, and you will find Me. I guarantee it. 6

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How To Experience My Presence

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Here is one very simple, very powerful way to remember Who I Am, and who you are. Be still and breathe. Close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths. As you breathe in, KNOW that I am God—I am the air you breathe. I come into your body, even when you are not thinking about Me. That is how close we are. Breathe. I enter your lungs, where I am attached to every blood cell. From there, I go to your heart. As long as you are breathing, I AM ALWAYS IN YOUR HEART. Know that, and be set free. Breathe. Slowly, deeply. From your heart, I am distributed throughout every cell of your body. I am in your fingertips, your toes, your back, your brain. I am inside every part of you. Breathe. As you realize this and meditate upon it, notice how your body relaxes, and tension leaves you. Notice how the healing energy that I am courses through your veins, to the parts of your body that need healing. This feeling you are feeling now is always available to you. Always. All you have to do to connect with Me is simply BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

Notes

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

What To Call Me Many of you have a distorted view of Who I Am. This leads to a distorted view of yourself, and finally a distorted and dysfunctional relationship with Me. We’re going to clear all that up right now. I do not care about what you choose to call Me. Some of you call Me Allah. Others, Yahweh. Some call Me Jehovah. And to many of you I am God. But know this: Your name for Me and words about Me cannot change What I Am or My nature, any more than what you call water or say about it can change what it is or its very nature. So why would I possibly be offended by your words? The reason you should carefully choose your words (and thoughts) about Me is because your opinion of Me is the seed from which our relationship will grow. What you say about Me doesn’t change Me, but it DOES shape your experience of Me. If you believe that I am an angry, vengeful God, you will resent Me instead of love Me, because resentment is the product of anger and vengeance. How can we have a good relationship if you resent Me? If you believe that I am unforgiving and demanding, you will feel like you are not good enough and you will live in constant fear of Me. How can you truly love Me if you are afraid of Me? But what happens if you believe that I AM Love, that I AM forgiving, that I AM patient and kind and generous? If you open yourself to this Truth in your heart, then there is no room in our relationship for resentment or anger or revenge. There is no room for feelings of inferiority or inadequacy or fear. 8

NOW, we can have a good relationship. I tell you this: Your relationship with Me should never, EVER, under any circumstances, leave you feeling weak, powerless or afraid. Certainly, events in your life may make you feel this way, but your relationship with Me should not. If you do have these feelings, all you have to do is tune back into the Truth I have written on your heart. Beware of those who would have you wallow in powerlessness, fear and misery in My name. Regardless of their intentions, they are misleading you. Like any true friend or loved one, I am here to build you up, to empower you and to remove your fear. Anyone who tells you differently either doesn’t really know Me or is lying.

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Which Religion? Which Holy Book? I shall be succinct and clear about this, because I want to eliminate confusion, not add to it. Your choice of religion and holy text is simply that: YOUR CHOICE. Religions were created by humans as a systematic way of building a relationship with Me. While rituals and scriptures certainly can help in this process, what is FAR more important in your relationship with Me is the state of your heart. It is a question of intention. If you intend to KNOW Me and your heart is open, you will know love, peace, joy and wisdom beyond measure—regardless of whether you are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist or any other religion. That said, I have placed Spiritual guidance in all of your religions and holy texts. In this sense, no religion is better or worse than another. What makes the difference, as always, is the intention you bring to it—the way you practice your religion. Some of you use your religion to claim exclusive rights to ME—to “own” Me like I am “property.” If someone else makes a claim to Me, many of you will fight and even kill to protect your “property.” Yet, you CANNOT “own” Me, any more than you can own air, sunlight or water. I belong to all of you, and all of you belong to Me. This is exactly what so many of your greatest Spiritual teachers have taught. It is why they teach peace, love and understanding, for we all belong to one larger whole. 10

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

If you come to KNOW Me, it will show up in your actions, in how you interact with your world and with each other. You cannot be full of My love and not be loving toward each other. You cannot know My peace, and not be a source of peace in the world. You cannot know My forgiveness or grace without being forgiving and graceful. Now, religion and various holy texts CAN provide a path to these things. Yet, there are countless people who can quote scriptures without living by them. There are people who can say a prayer of hope and gratitude without feeling hopeful or grateful—people who, as many of you say, do not “practice what they preach.” Furthermore, religion and holy texts have also been used to justify some of humanity’s most horrible acts, including murder, slavery, war and genocide. It is indeed sad that religion—the tool you created to bring all of you closer to Me and to each other— historically has had quite the opposite effect. So, you see, having a relationship with Me is not about any particular religion or holy text. It is purely about your intention. It is purely about your choice—first, your choice of whether to practice a religion at all, then your choice of how to go about it. However, please do not mistake this as a call to abandon religion. Throughout time, untold millions around the world have successfully used their religious practices to craft relationships with Me. But you do not NEED any religion to do this. All you need is an open mind, an open heart and a sincere desire to know Me. If you bring these things, I will fill you up, whether you are in a church, synagogue, mosque, or sitting in your back yard. Likewise, do not attempt to force your religious beliefs on anyone. To do so is to step on their God-given right of Free Will. Besides, tending to your own Spirit will keep you plenty occupied. Instead, be an example—live according to the Truth I have written on your heart. Do this, and your life will be a beacon of love, peace, hope and happiness that will inspire others to choose to listen to My Truth in their hearts. That said, I will offer this advice on how to USE religion to craft your relationship with Me—if that is what you choose to do.

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Notes

If you will, think of your relationship with Me as a house that you and I are building together. I have provided you with a toolbox, complete with a hammer, wrench, screwdriver, drill, etc. You start by hammering the frame together. Yet, at some point, the hammer will no longer be the appropriate tool for the job—it’s time for the drill. In fact, if you don’t switch tools, not only will you be trying to drill a hole with a hammer (which won’t work), you will actually begin to damage your house. The reasonable thing to do is to put down the hammer, and pick up the drill. You will probably need the hammer later, but for now, the right tool is a drill. And then a screwdriver. Then a wrench. Then, maybe the hammer again. The moral is: Don’t get so attached to using a particular tool that you forget you are working on a house. And don’t get so attached to a particular religion that you forget you are using that religion to build a relationship with Me. There are spiritual truths that Christians can learn from Muslims, and vice versa. There are things both Christians and Muslims can learn from Judaism, Buddhism and Native American spirituality. And there are things that believers can learn from non-believers. I have inspired writers to put great spiritual truths in The Bible, the Qu’ran, The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Torah, The Bhagavad Gita, The Tao Te Ching, The Book of Mormon, and countless other written works. I have also put great spiritual truths in songs, paintings, sculptures and much more. Most importantly, I have written great spiritual Truth directly on your heart. I have made it very difficult for you to not find Me, if you are truly looking. I am quite literally EVERYWHERE. Again, the only things necessary are an open heart, an open mind and a sincere desire to KNOW Me. If you bring those three things, you have My Word that I will show myself to you. What religion you choose to practice, if any, is entirely up to you.

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My Will For You

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

“Many of you want to know “the whys” of Me, life and the universe. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? Why do I allow catastrophes to occur—natural or man-made? Why don’t I come back and fix what’s wrong with Earth? These are all very good questions, as well as the unasked questions in your heart right now. One of the reasons why these questions trouble you so is based on a misunderstanding about what “God’s Will” is. Let’s clear that up right now, shall we? My Will is that you have Free Will. Many of you believe that I have a desire to see specific things occur. This is what many of you call “God’s Will.” Similarly, many of you believe that there are things I disapprove of, and therefore will punish you for defying “God’s Will.” Yet, if I am all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere present, as many of you believe I am, it would be impossible for any of you to defy “My will.” For if I am all-powerful, could I not just make you do what I want you to do? Stay with Me here. We are very close to a fundamental truth of the universe: understanding My Will. Quite simply, it is this: God’s Will is that you have Free Will. That you have a choice. That’s it. I created a vast, complex, intricate and responsive system of cause-and-effect. It is not a difficult system to use, however. But you should be attentive and intentional about how you use it, or you will come up with undesirable or unpleasant results. Using this system is as simple as asking yourself this question: 13

“What am I choosing to be in this moment?” You are always asking and answering this question, though you may not be aware of it. Therefore, the key to mastering your life is awareness, followed by conscious choice. Be aware of this moment. Then choose what you want to be from that awareness. In the face of crisis, you can consciously choose to be calm. In the face of hatred, you can consciously choose to be loving. In the face of chaos, you can consciously choose to be peaceful. In the face of death, you can consciously choose to affirm life. In the face of disaster, you can consciously choose to see order. Do you see the pattern here? In the face of any event, you can consciously choose your response! This takes practice. Lots of it. But it gets easier the more that you do it, and you’ll have to continuously practice if you want to maintain proficiency. By the way, “maintaining proficiency” is also a choice. See how this works? When those choices align with the Truth I have written on your heart, you will know love and peace that passes all understanding. You will not be swayed by what happens in the physical world. You will become a channel of My Will for humanity.

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

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Why You Are Here

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

“Why am I here?” That is a very, very good question, beloved. There is a reason why every one of you asks this question of Me, regardless of age, geographic location, language or ethnicity. This question is at the very core of human experience. “Why am I here?” The good news is that there is an answer. Definitely. I would never give you a question that didn’t have an answer. That would be cruel. However, this message is not the appropriate channel for the answer, because the answer is as unique as you are. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. I tailor each answer to fit each one of you perfectly. I will, however, explain the question further, so that you understand how to use it to enrich your life. And I will tell you how and where to find the answer. “Why am I here?” Many of you ask this question when you feel lost, and at your lowest point. You ask the question when what you are doing with your life isn’t aligned with your heart’s deepest desires. You ask the question when you are seeking direction. That’s why I created the question: to help you align your actions with your heart’s deepest desires. Now, I answer any question as soon as you ask (actually, before. More on that in a moment). If you don’t hear My response, it’s probably because one or more of the following obstacles gets in the way:

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

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A: You don’t really expect Me to answer you. B: You want Me to validate your current behavior. C: You don’t want to think too hard about the choices you’ve made. D: You’re unwilling to give up whatever it is that’s not working. E: You’re unwilling or afraid to tune into your heart’s deepest desires. Depending on your commitment to them, any or all of these obstacles can keep you wound up in knots and crying out to Me in anguish. But here’s The Truth (pay attention to your heart as you read this): Your purpose in life is written on your heart. Each of you has been given a gift. You have also been given everything you need to bring that gift forward. I will discuss how to recognize your gifts in a moment, for your gift is crucial to living out your purpose. For now, let’s stick to your question: “Why am I here?” As noted, you ask that question when you are seeking direction in life. That should be your first clue that the question itself is not merely a question; IT IS A COMPASS. So, here is a step-by-step guide on how to use that question. 1. Ask the question. Doing so out loud is fine, and may help clear your thinking. 2. Listen to your heart. That is where you will hear My Voice. Use the method described above in “How To Experience My Presence” to do so. This will take practice, but is there a more worthwhile pursuit than getting in touch with your life’s purpose? 3. Tune into your heart’s deepest desires. Tip: Your heart’s deepest desires are intangible and have nothing to do with acquiring anything in the material world. In fact, if you are truly tuned in, you will be more concerned with what you can give to others than what you receive. If you find yourself fantasizing over a car, a house, another person, etc., DIG DEEPER. The feelings you have attached to those things are what you crave. 4. Observe where you are. Without judgment, regret or remorse, without arrogance or pride, simply ask yourself what actions are out of line with your heart’s deepest desires. You will want to listen to your heart here, as well. 16

5. Adjust course. Your heart will tell you what actions to take. They may be small actions. They may be drastic. But the principle is to move in the direction of your purpose. As you do so, I will be with you every step, reminding you and encouraging you on your journey toward the fulfillment of the divine work you and I are doing together. Did you get that last sentence? You and I are working together on something divine and holy. The concept might seem overwhelming to you now, but that’s only because you have a very limited idea of who you are and what you are capable of. But I do not have that limitation. I made you, and I understand fully who you are and what you can do. So trust Me. And more importantly, listen to Me. This is what is called walking in faith.

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Uncovering Your Purpose I will speak to you directly through your heart, so that we can talk and decide how to go about your purpose. However, there are some things you can do to “warm up” your heart, so you can hear Me more clearly. The simplest and most direct way to warm up your heart is to serve. Understand this: regardless of your religion, race, creed, ethnic background or any other distinctions you have constructed to separate yourselves from each other, you are a part of something larger than yourself. That’s a very important point, so I will repeat it: You are a part of something larger than yourself. You are a part of a family and/or a marriage. A religious organization and/or a company. A town, city, state, nation, world or the universe. And of course, YOU are a part of ME. The point here is that there is something larger than yourself that, through your actions, you either build up or tear down. So whenever you tear down that which is larger than you, you are literally tearing down yourself. You are doing damage to your heart. Now, your heart is extremely resilient, but if it is subjected to constant damage, it closes itself off, and can grow cold and numb. You won’t be able to feel anything and you will be dead inside, even if your body is working just fine. You cannot receive My messages with a closed heart. But, on the other hand, when you reach out to support and strengthen that which is larger than you, you support and strengthen yourself. You begin to heal your heart. And most importantly, you begin to “warm up” your heart with feelings of love, peace and joy. Since I AM infinite love, peace and joy, 18

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

whenever you have those feelings, you have allowed Me into your heart. You can hear Me best when your heart is open and warm. So, the object is to warm your heart. The simplest and most direct way to warm your heart is to serve that which is larger than you. I do not care what you choose to identify as the larger body you will serve. It may be your spouse or your family. It may be your neighborhood or the poor. It may be animals or the environment. Or it may be all of humanity. Of course, it could be Me. But ultimately, the act of service itself is more important than who you do it for. You are virtually unlimited in whom you can help and how you can help them. But if you are ever at a loss for how you can serve, remember that all of you have basic needs: food, water, shelter, clothing. Many of My greatest servants have touched many lives by helping others meet these basic needs. And in doing so, they have reacquainted themselves with their own hearts. While many of you give to charities financially, I challenge you to make your giving personal. If you are giving food to the poor, cook it for them or serve it to them. If you are clothing others, deliver it yourself. If you are helping to provide shelter, hammer a nail, or help the occupant move in. When you perform your service at a distance, you are missing out on the greatest reward—experiencing up close how your actions impact others, no matter how trivial those actions may seem to you. With an open and warm heart, reach out and touch the heart of humanity. In the process, you will touch your own heart, and your purpose in life will quickly snap into focus.

Notes

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

My Gift To You The relationship between your gift and your purpose is very much like a lock and key—they were made for each other, and one is useless without the other. I have given you a purpose. If you have ever wondered about this, wonder no more. Feel your heart flutter as you come to the realization that YOU ARE HERE FOR A REASON. Your purpose is unique to you. It is a task that you and only you can perform. Yet, like everything else in your world, the fulfillment of your purpose is subject to free will. In other words, you are completely free to ignore your purpose. This is difficult, since your soul already knows how happy you will be when you are fulfilling your purpose. If you do choose to fulfill your purpose, you will use the special talent or ability I have given you with which to complete your task. I have given you a gift. If you have ever felt overlooked when it comes to talent and ability, stop it. Even if you are not sure what your gift is, do not worry. Not only have I given you a special talent, I’m about to tell you exactly how to recognize it and develop it. There are many ways to recognize your gift, but here are a few of the simplest and most powerful. Use them together and you will have no doubt of the gift I have given you. • You’ve already discovered your gift, most likely in childhood. This is when you were just “playing” with your gift, before you even cared what others thought about you. • Your gift is something that you love to do. I made it this way to encourage you to use it. After all, a gift you do not enjoy wouldn’t be much of a gift, now would it? 20

•

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The urge to use your gift never goes away. Even if you have ignored it for years, there’s a part of you that always imagines what it would be like to pick up that guitar, to write that book, to work with children, to program a video game, to sing that song . . . • Your gift, which comes quite effortlessly and naturally to you, tends to leave those around you in awe. Once you align your gift with your purpose, miraculous things will occur. You will touch lives. You will prosper in every area of your life-mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially. You will thrive in your career and in your relationships. This is because you no longer will feel as though you are wasting your life and talents. Your sense of prosperity will also change—you won’t even define it in terms of anything that is going on outside of you. And you will no longer define wealth as the accumulation of money. It may include that, but at the end of the day, to prosper and thrive is simply to have what you need when you need it— whether that’s health, love, food, money or resources. So if all of this good stuff will happen when you use your gift to fulfill your purpose, why do so many people deny themselves that pleasure? Many of you have been taught to deny your gifts. This often happens at a young age. Often, the people in your life do not want you to experience the disappointment of not having things work out if you pursue your gift, so they discourage you from using it. Some of you have tried to use your gift expecting approval of people whose opinions you care about. Then, when you do not get the approval you were expecting, you become embarrassed and you turn away from your gift. In either case, it will take faith and courage to harness your gift to fulfill your purpose. When you do, you should expect to stand out—if for no other reason than others around you are less courageous and are trapped by their own fears of disappointment and rejection. Just not being trapped by fear will make you stand out. Let Me be clear: using your gift to fulfill your purpose does not come without its challenges. But you are going to encounter challenges in life even if you completely ignore your gifts and your purpose. That’s just life.

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The only questions left are these: Do you want to face life’s challenges with or without using your God-given talents? And do you want to live a life without purpose? Those may seem like harsh choices, but you have been making choices about these two questions without being aware of it—unconscious choices. Now that you are aware of what is truly at stake, you can choose consciously. Assuming you choose consciously to use your gifts to fulfill your purpose, here are a few ways to wean yourself off of the fear of disappointment and rejection and to develop your gifts: 1. Stop expecting a specific outcome. When you get attached to a specific outcome, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. And you may miss out on outcomes that were much greater than you expected. 2. Be flexible. As you develop your gifts and pursue your purpose, I will be right there in your heart guiding you. I may occasionally ask you to do something that seems unusual or even uncomfortable. When this happens, I am trying to mold you. But when you are rigid and inflexible, it is difficult for Me to do this. So be open to doing things you’ve never done before. And, of course, trust Me. 3. Tap into the simple joys of your gifts. When you were a small child, you played with your gifts without thinking about whether you’d be disappointed or rejected. You played with your gifts simply because it was fun to do so. So by all means, lose yourself in the simple joys of your gifts. Do it just for the fun of it! 4. Expect to make mistakes. Mistakes are part of the human experience. You will make them, no matter how hard you try not to. So when they occur, you must learn to make peace with them. You can do this by learning from your mistakes and then forgiving yourself for them. Choosing not to do so will only slow you down. 5. Expect disapproval. Not everyone will be excited about your gift or what comes of it. Sometimes, this will include people you love and who deeply love you, and yes, it will be painful. However, I did not give you these gifts solely for the benefit of people you already know and love. When you use your gift to fulfill your purpose, you will transform the lives of people you’ve never met and people you may never meet. The people who will benefit the 22

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most from your gift will be drawn to you. Often they will be people you least expect. So just because those closest to you “don’t get it,” don’t worry. Your gifts will impact others in ways you can’t imagine. 6. Be patient. My gift to you is like the seedling of a mighty oak. Eventually, it will grow into a very strong and sturdy tree, but it will not do so overnight. You must nurture it and tend to it if you want it to grow. And you must be patient because often you will not see the growth and progress that is being made, despite your efforts. But rest assured that under the surface, in places you can’t see, My gift is growing deep roots that will eventually lead to growth you CAN see. So be committed. Be diligent. And be patient. 7. Stay humble. You may experience some level of popularity as you grow in your gift. People may even revere you. But just as you are not to get trapped by people’s disapproval of you, you should not allow their admiration for you go to your head. Keep your focus on fulfilling your purpose. And when others seek to put you on a pedestal, remind them that you are no better than they are and that I have given them great gifts of their own. Put simply, always remember to use your gift for selfless service instead of self-service. As your gift grows inside of you, you will become more confident in it. Fear will leave you. You will have fewer doubts and you will stop wondering whether or not you are good enough or up to the task. You will feel empowered and uplifted. And all you have to do is accept My gift to you. Will you?

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Guidelines For Using Free Will I don’t punish you for ignoring My will. Indeed, I was the one who made it possible for you to disobey Me. If I limited your choices in any way, it wouldn’t be free will, now would it? But to be certain, there are consequences to your choices. Some you will like. Others you won’t. Some you will be able to predict. Others you won’t. This is the wonder of life on Earth. However, the key to using your free will to create your life lies in the moment-to-moment choices you make — specifically, what you choose to believe about yourself. Many of you choose to believe you are separate from each other, separate from nature, separate from Earth — and finally, separate from Me. That belief is what has many of you take action against each other, against nature, against Earth and against Me. It is quite literally a “Me against the world” mentality. You are perfectly free to choose this mindset. But the world is a big place and this way of thinking requires a lot of energy and is extremely draining. Not to mention that there is a much easier, more enjoyable approach to take. You may also choose to believe that you are one with each other, one with nature, one with Earth — and finally, one with Me. This belief will lead you to take action on behalf of each other, nature, Earth and Me. Quite simply, you will realize that you are acting in your own best interests, because you are one with everything. If you choose this mindset, you will find yourself working 24

with the natural order of the universe, instead of against it. And you will be kind, generous, peaceful and loving for you will be tuned into the Inner Truth I have written upon your heart. Your world is layered with choices. However, if you want to get to the root of your free will, you will be mindful of how you choose to look at your world, how you choose to view each other and how you choose to view Me. As usual, your actions will naturally flow out your thoughts, so choose wisely.

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What Death Is (And Isn’t) The fear of death is common to many of you. But this fear, like all others, is rooted in the fear of the unknown. And like those other fears, your fear of death will crumble to nothingness as you come to understand what death is-and what it isn’t. Much of the anguish you associate with death comes from your very limited definition of the concept. For many of you, death is described only in terms of when your physical body stops working. But there is a much broader explanation of the concept of death, which I will explain in this chapter. Let’s start with the truth that everyone knows, but doesn’t like to think about: Death can claim any of you, at any time, at any age, without warning. In fact, death WILL claim you and everyone you love at some point. No human is above this simple fact of life. But if death can claim you at any time, regardless of what you are doing with your body, it follows that life is not about what you do with your body. This chapter is not about avoiding death, because none of you can do that. It is about gaining a deeper understanding of death, and using that understanding to enrich your everyday life. To start, I will address your most pressing questions about death below, in a question and answer format. You are free to accept or reject any or all of this. But pay attention to your heart as you read this—it will guide you to your own inner truth. What happens when my body stops working? In short, the illusion that you and I are separate falls apart, and the Ultimate Truth is revealed—you are a part of Me, you 26

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always were, and you always will be. Death is a transformation, not an ending. Life goes on for you, because, quite simply you are Life itself. Will I go to Heaven or Hell after death? I will be with you after death just as I am with you right now. So if you are afraid that you will be separated from Me when your body stops working, fear not, for I am with you always, even unto the end of time. What about my loved ones? Where are they and will I see them again? Your loved ones are just as much a part of Me as you are— which means that not only will you be reunited with them after death, they actually ARE with you at this very moment. When you think of a loved one who has died, those thoughts draw them to you. In fact, without physical form, they are not bound by space or time at all, and thus are with you at all times. Your thoughts of them are not just quaint, fond memories—your loved ones, in a very real sense, ARE visiting with you. What about things I’ve done, sins I’ve committed? Will I have to pay for them after I die? As I’ve said elsewhere in this message, your world is part of an intricate and extremely efficient system of cause-and-effect. Today, as you breathe, you are dealing with the consequences of past choices and actions. And yes, you will have to deal with some of those consequences after you die. Words, as limited as they are, cannot accurately describe what this will be like for you. It cannot be explained, only experienced. I will say this: It is inaccurate to think of these consequences as punishment. When all is said and done, you are still a part of Me. If I punish you, I punish Myself. Why would I do that? The most important thing to remember is that upon your death, I will envelope you with my love and peace—just as I am doing right now. So you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll be with me or not. • • • • • • • Now, let’s dig deeper into what death is-and what it isn’t. Many of you fear death, simply because you know nothing about it. It is human to fear the unknown, and death is the Great Unknown. Yet what many of you do not realize is that your fear of death also gives rise to a fear of life. As you come to understand and accept what death is, your fear of it will evaporate, and along with it, your fear of life will vanish as well. 27

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Notes

First of all, as described elsewhere in this writing, you are NOT your body. You are made of spiritual energy, just like me. You have no beginning and no end. Your science has proven that energy can change form but cannot be destroyed—the same is true about you. In this sense, even though your physical body can stop working, the essence of who you are cannot “die.” You are made of spiritual energy—Me. It is that energy that causes your body to function. In a sense, it is not your body that contains that energy; it is that energy which contains your body. Imagine an electrical appliance plugged into a wall socket. As long as it is plugged in, it receives the energy it needs to operate. But when it is disconnected from the power source, it ceases to function. Your physical body—in fact, any living thing on Earth— operates in much the same way. Your physical body is “plugged into” an infinite source of spiritual energy—Me. As long as that energy flows through your body, your body is functional. But when something disrupts the flow of that energy, your body will cease to function. Obviously, this is not just true of humans, but of any living thing you have on Earth. Once its connection with the greater whole is interrupted or broken—once the physical is “unplugged” from its energy source—it withers and breaks down. You see this with every living thing on your planet: plants, animals, fish, birds, insects . . . and of course, humans. But even in this example, “death” is just one facet of a continuing cycle of life. For even as these physical forms break down, they are absorbed back into the soil—soil which sustains plants, which sustain other life forms including humans . . . on and on, world without end. Remember: Death is a transformation, not an ending. Think of a caterpillar in a cocoon. At some point, that caterpillar “dies,” only to be born again in a different form—a butterfly. And in much the same way, when you leave the cocoon of this life, you too will be transformed. But there is another aspect of death, and many of you are experiencing it now. For many of you have chosen to disconnect from your source. And consequently, you are withering and breaking down. The fact that your body still functions does not change this. It is a spiritual death. Many of you believe life is all about what happens to your body, so you pour much of your energy into extending your 28

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body’s life or indulging its pleasures. You think life is about its quantity, not its quality. Now, to be clear: There is nothing wrong with living a long life or with enjoying pleasures of the flesh. But those things are not all that you are here for. And if you focus only on them, your spirit—the very essence of who you are—will wither and die. Fortunately, you can re-connect to life just as easily as you can disconnect from it. It is merely a matter of seeing yourself as a part of your source, rather than apart from it. And by “source,” I mean whatever you choose to identify with—God, Earth, humanity, family, whatever. One tends to lead to the other, so it doesn’t matter where you start. To reconnect, you must be willing to see yourself in everyone and everything you come into contact with. This may be difficult at first, because so much of your culture is built upon being “separate, different, better.” There is no mystical secret on how to do this. It is a matter of choice and of willpower. It quite simply boils down to consciously choosing how you see yourself and the world around you, and having the will to continuously do so, day in, day out. If you can do this—if you can perceive the beauty of life around you and marvel in it; if you can perceive the pain around you, and seek to heal it—you will touch the heart of the world and become one with it. Your fear of death will vanish, and along with it your fear of life. In its place will grow a love of life, and all things in it. Then, you will be TRULY alive.

Notes

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

The Secrets Of Time Before the first day, I was here. After the last day, I will be here. And I will be here every moment in between. So you see, time as you conceive of it has no meaning for Me. To Me, it is quite literally all the same. There is no past. There is no future. To Me, there is only NOW. So what exactly is time? Note My choice of words above: “Time as you conceive of it . . .” Time is something YOU conceive of. Pay close attention to this, for I am about to reveal the legendary “secret of time.” Time is a mental fabrication. You made it up. It is an illusion. This sounds strange until you look at how your species arbitrarily manipulates time. “Daylight Savings Time.” “Central Standard Time.” “Leap Year.” All of these are completely made up, with rules that have meaning only because you give them meaning. In 2007, American leaders chose to expand Daylight Savings Time in both the Spring and Fall. Your “Leap Year” adds a day every four years. And if you look at a time zone map, you will see squiggly lines showing where one time zone ends and another begins. Who drew those lines? I didn’t. You did. Who decided how many moments are in a second? Or that 60 seconds would be a minute? That 60 minutes made an hour? Days, weeks, months, years? Roughly 2,000 years ago, a group of you decided that, upon the birth of Christ, you should “reset” the counter to zero. 30

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It’s all made up. So: Secret of Time #1: Time exists nowhere other than your mind. Secret of Time #2: You are the one who gives time its meaning in your life. I know what you are thinking. “What about all of My memories? What about history? Are you saying these things didn’t happen?” Far from it. But your memories of events, including your history, all exist in your head. These events are not happening NOW. Even the breath you just exhaled instantly becomes a memory, which exists only in your mind. This is not to take away from your experience, just to put it into perspective. Many of you live in the so-called “past” — which is to say, you live inside a mental construct of how you think your life has been so far. Whether these are past glories or past heartaches, it is still the “past,” which exists nowhere other than your mind. There are occasions when living in “the past” serves you; there are others when it does not. In either case, it is entirely up to you to choose which mental construction you want to live in. This choice can only be made in the eternal moment of NOW. Secret of Time #3: NOW is the only moment that matters. Both “the past” and “the future” exist only in your mind — they are figments of your imagination. The only time that truly matters, then, is NOW. This is not a license to live with reckless abandon, although you may certainly choose to do so. Remember, there are still consequences to your actions, reckless or not. Instead, think of the eternal moment of NOW as your opportunity to make a conscious choice about who you are being. All the power you need to transform your life can be found in this simple question: “Who am I choosing to be right NOW?” Up until now, you may have chosen to be angry, sad, victimized, emotionally numb, frustrated . . . and so on. It is certainly within your God-given rights to choose from any of these, or none of them. But remember this: Each NOW moment offers a chance to choose again. The moment of NOW is a blank slate, and you choose what to write on it. So whoever you have chosen to be

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Notes

before now does not matter. All that matters is who you are choosing to be right NOW. Right NOW, you may choose to be happy, joyous, peaceful, loving and so on. It is certainly within your God-given rights to choose from any of these, or none of them. It ultimately boils down to who you choose to be NOW. For guidance on that, simply listen to your Inner Truth, as discussed elsewhere in this message. There it is. You now know the Secrets of Time. Putting them to work is another matter. If you want to experience a sustained transformation in your life, it will require mental discipline. It will require you to constantly be aware of the choices you are making in this eternal moment of NOW, followed by acting out of that awareness. Conscious choice followed by conscious action. It is a lifelong exercise, and you will occasionally fall short of your ideals. But as you practice the skill of conscious choice, you will learn that it is a worthwhile pursuit, and eventually, conscious choice will become its own reward. Be prepared, however. Others will attempt to hold you in your past. You may even have difficulty leaving the past behind, if for no other reason than you have to deal with the consequences of past choices. Simply remember that you can choose NOW who you want to be in relation to your past. This may not be always be easy, but it is always worthwhile. Therefore, be mindful of your past, for it holds valuable lessons for you. But do not dwell on it, or it will trap you. Be mindful also of your future, for your vision of the future will shape your future. But do not dwell on it, or it will distract you. Choose to stay present in this moment. Experience the simple wonders of this moment and be grateful. NOW is the time to listen to your Inner Truth — and live from it.

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In A Perfect World

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“Nobody is perfect.” This is what many of you say whenever someone makes a mistake or demonstrates a so-called “shortcoming.” “In a perfect world . . .” This is a phrase many of you use right before you explain how the world you live in does not measure up to your ideals. Both of these concepts come from the idea that there is something that I am keeping from you-something that I withheld in creating you and your world, that, if it was there, everything would come out exactly as you desire, without fail. Everything would be “perfect.” Yet you do encounter problems. There is death, famine, disease, hardship, trials and suffering. Precious little in your life goes exactly as you plan for it to go. You live in a so-called “imperfect” world. Yet even this goes against what many of you believe about Me: That everything I do is “perfect.” Many of you believe that I am perfect, and that everything I cause to happen therefore must also be “perfect.” Clearly, this doesn’t add up. How could a perfect God create an imperfect world? Something needs to be corrected. And it is your commonly held idea of what perfection is—and what it isn’t. There are certain things that happen on your planet without fail. Certain constants that you can count on. The planet will spin. The sun will rise and fall. Water always freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and turns to vapor at 212 degrees. Plant life will grow, providing air and food for other life on your planet. 33

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Notes

Each species on Earth, including yours, mates and produces offspring of the same species. This is just a fancy way of saying a dog and a cat won’t mate, and if they did, they wouldn’t produce a hippo. Many of you have attached the concept of perfection to a desired result. This is not how I apply the concept, however. My concept of perfection has to do with a process, and how your world operates. And your planet is working to perfection. Within that setup, I have introduced Humanity, and gifted you with the incredible power of choice—you can choose what to think and how to act. You can choose to love or hate, to make love or war. You can choose not to choose. You can even choose to deny or forget that you have a choice. This process is working to perfection. You are correct in thinking that I did not make any mistakes in creating you, your world or anyone else on it. Your planet is running exactly as I intended it to run. World without end. Your problem with “perfection” comes in these phases: 1. You create your idea of some ideal way things are supposed to be. 2. Usually, you attribute that ideal to Me, when actually, you are the one who created it. 3. You forget that you created this ideal. 4. You measure your life and your world against that ideal, and critique both against it. Now, let’s be clear about this: I gave you the ability to choose your own thoughts about yourself, life and your world. You are constantly doing this, whether you are aware of it or not. So My system is working to perfection, exactly as I designed it to. Your experience of what you call “imperfection” stems from the fact that you are not aware of how I designed the system, and you have not mastered using it. Therefore, a key to “perfection” is simply to become aware. You can do this by simply observing your surroundings without judgment, without attachment to how things are “supposed” to be. Just look at things as they are, and accept them as they are. This goes for the people in your life. If you are having problems in your relationships, you are probably expecting “perfection” from others in your life. You want them to live up to some ideal that you created—an ideal that has everything to do with you and nothing to do with them. Your own concept of who 34

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they “should” be blinds you from who they really are. It blinds you from seeing the perfection in them—and yes, there is perfection there. You all are human beings. Like every other biological organism on your planet, you are constantly growing, constantly changing. Sometimes these changes are obvious; other times they are imperceptible to all but the most observant. But you are constantly changing, in any case. This, too, is perfect. Imagine a seedling for an oak tree. It takes root. It absorbs what it needs to grow from the soil. At some point, it will sprout leaves and branches. There may even come a knot in the tree. But I ask you this: At what point does it become less than perfect? And where else does that concept of perfect exist other than your own mind? Humans are the same way. You grow. You experience pleasure and adversity. You mature. There are times when you thrive, and other times when you struggle. In some cases, you reproduce. Eventually, your body stops working and returns to the ground. This is the process I set up. It is working to perfection. And since you are a part of this process, you, too, are perfect. I shall repeat that: YOU ARE PERFECT. So is everyone else. The concept may startle you. It may even offend you. But this does not change its truthfulness. But to accept this powerful and profound truth, you will have to change your definition of “perfect.” If you create some idea of how you, others and your world “should be,” you will experience imperfection and the disappointment that comes with it. However, if you accept that you, others and your world are in the process of growing, and that this process unfolding perfectly, you will experience an inner peace that passes understanding. None of this means that you must give up your aspirations. You may still create and pursue your ideals. That is what the Human Experience is for—creating who you want to be. Just remember who made those ideals up and don’t get too attached to them. And learn to see the perfection in each moment. It is there—just as sure as I am.

Notes

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How To Inspire Others Before we get to the “how,” let’s start with the “why.” Why inspire others? The answer lies in the construction of the words, “inspire” and “Spirit.” Both words are rooted in the Latin word “spirare,” which means “to breathe.” The word “inspire” is broken down into two root components, “spirare” which means “to breathe,” and “in,” which means, “into.” To “inspire” is, in a spiritual sense, to “breathe into.” To inspire someone is to breathe life into them. Inspiration is one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone. When you inspire others, you give them life. It is that simple. Inspiration multiplies, rippling outward like a pebble thrown into a quiet lake. Allow yourself to be inspired, and you can touch dozens of lives. Hundreds. Thousands. Millions. This now becomes a matter of choice, as you asking yourself: “Do I want to be an inspiration to others?” Only you can answer this, but I can tell you that choosing the path of inspiration is both rewarding and fulfilling. As for how to inspire others, I must first explain how inspiration works. Your physical body requires a continuous flow of air to function properly. I made your body so that this happens naturally, without you having to think about it. With that air, you are able to move about and do things in your world. Without air, you wither and die. The same principle works when it comes to your Spirit. Your Spirit needs a continuous flow of certain things to function 36

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properly. These things are ideas and possibilities. With a continuous flow of ideas and possibilities, your Spirit is able to complete what it came to Earth to do. Without these things, your Spirit withers and dies. When ideas and possibilities are not flowing in your life, hopelessness and despair move in to choke the life out of you. Fortunately, your Spirit never has to be disconnected from the steady flow of ideas and possibilities, for I made it as natural as breathing is to your physical body. I am the ultimate source of inspiration. I breathe into you a continuous flow of ideas and possibilities every moment of every day. You disrupt this flow when you choose to dismiss these ideas and possibilities as “impossible.” Only when you let go of the concept of “impossible” can you fully feel My inspiration. Do not put pressure on yourself to do this, however. It is something you must gradually grow into. Just as a child must learn to crawl, then walk before running, you can grow into an understanding that anything is possible. However, you can speed up this process, if you choose. Simply act upon the things you believe are possible. As many of you say, “Actions speak louder than words.” When you act upon what you truly believe is possible, you are reinforcing your own belief in that possibility. Even seemingly insignificant actions work this way. As you expand your concept of what’s possible, things that once seemed impossible will become very possible. Make no mistake: you will encounter heartbreak and setbacks as you do this. Do not take this personally, because it is not personal. Instead, think of it as feedback—learn from it and grow. And most importantly, do not give up on what your heart tells you is possible. As you encounter and overcome obstacles, new ideas and possibilities will open up—not only for you, but for those around you. You will become, in short, a miracle worker. I realize that may be a big pill for you to swallow—that you can actually perform miracles. This is because so many of you have the very limited idea that only supernatural phenomena qualify as miracles. However, I have a broader definition. One that not only makes miracles something you can do, but something you can do TODAY, if you choose. A miracle is simply a physical demonstration that anything is

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Notes

possible—even events that are commonly believed to be impossible. You are created in My image. Anything I can do, you can do. All you have to do is believe this in your heart. Indeed all things are possible to those who believe. If I can breathe life into others, so can you. If I can perform miracles, so can you. This is how you will inspire others. When you open your heart to Me, I will show you a world of infinite possibilities. This will inspire you. This will breathe life into you. Once you accept in your heart that things you once thought were impossible, are in fact, quite possible, you will begin to act upon them. This will lead to miracles. Some will see these miracles and deny them as tricks or luck. Yet, others will witness these miracles and new possibilities will open up for them. New ideas will blossom in their minds. Witnessing these miracles will breathe life into them. They will be inspired. By the way, these aren’t just your dramatic, magical, mystical miracles either. There is a miracle in greeting hatred and fear with love and compassion. There are miracles in providing food, clothing and shelter for those who need it. There is a miracle in offering encouragement to the hopeless. For the record, you are quite capable of performing miracles that qualify as “supernatural.” Doing this will require you to remove all concepts of impossible from your mind. This can take a moment or a lifetime, if you choose to do so at all. In any case, the choice is yours. So the simple, two step process for inspiring others is to: 1. “Breathe in” new ideas and possibilities. 2. Act upon what you believe in your heart is possible. Leave the rest to Me.

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A Living Prayer

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As covered elsewhere in this message, you and I are one. There is no separation between you and I. You only think there is. As you grow to understand this essential Truth, your idea of how to communicate with Me will also change. Your idea of prayer will change. For many of you, prayer is a single action. It is something you do when you want something or need something. You call out to Me in Heaven, which many of you think is in the sky, or in space. You want Me to come down there and fix whatever is wrong, give you whatever you want. So you say your prayer, often quickly—a few seconds, a few minutes, maybe longer. Then you get up and go on about your business. Now, there is nothing wrong with this type of prayer. But it is not the most powerful way to pray, mostly because it reinforces your belief that I am away from you, that I am not a part of you. Here is a simple way to remind yourself where I really am when you pray. Instead of focusing your prayer outward—to the sky, to space, whatever—place the palms of your hands over your heart. Imagine they are My hands (and in fact, they are). Focus your prayers on your physical heart, which is the center of your being. This may feel weird at first, but that is only because you are not used to thinking of Me as being right here where you are. But trust Me—this tiny action will begin to tear down this notion that you and I are separate. The important thing to remember in prayer is that you are not asking Me to change the world to suit you. You are asking Me to CHANGE YOU. This is called humility—and it also multiplies the power of your prayer. 39

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Notes

When you humble yourself, you are admitting to yourself that in some part of your life, your way of doing things isn’t getting the results you desire. It is only when you admit this that you become open to hearing My Voice showing you another way. In this regard, humbling yourself is essential for a powerful prayer. Humility is NOT something I demand of you. In essence, it represents you getting out of your own way. Another way to increase the power of your prayer is to add an attitude of gratitude. In other words, be thankful. Contrary to popular belief, I do not require your gratitude. I love you without condition, regardless of whether you thank Me or not. The reason you should be grateful in prayer is for your OWN transformation. Many of you focus your prayers on getting something you do not already have—money, a job, health, romance, and so on. There is nothing wrong with this kind of prayer, but notice that you are still focusing on what you do NOT have. Put it this way: How will you ever be happy with anything if you continuously remind yourself of what’s missing from your life? A prayer of gratitude attracts more of what you are grateful for. You are focusing on things you DO have, and you become even more aware of how abundant these things are in your life. If you are ever at a loss for what to be grateful for in your prayers, start with the things you usually take for granted—clean air and water; a hot meal; shelter and clothing. And of course, your loved ones. You may add to your “gratitude list” as you desire. Yet this also works in attracting things you desire into your life. Saying thanks in advance, with a sincere sense of gratitude, sends a message that you are ready to receive what you desire. But this is not a magic trick and it cannot be faked. You MUST have and maintain a sense of gratitude to attract things into your life. Fortunately, this only requires a little imagination. Act as if you already have what you desire, and then give thanks for it. Still, there is an even more powerful way to pray. As stated earlier, for many of you prayer is an action. Yet the most powerful way to pray is to let your actions become your prayer. Pray with your actions. Pray with your whole being. It is a common statement on your world: “Actions speak louder than words.” This is a true statement, for even a child 40

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knows that people can say one thing and do another. By the same token, those same people take you more seriously when they can see that your words and actions are lined up. You are not just “talking the talk,” you are “walking the walk.” When your words and actions are in disagreement, you will find yourself stuck in some sort of way, because your mind is literally pulling in two different directions. However, when your words and actions are in harmony, you become “single-minded” and there is nothing you can’t do. These are incredibly powerful tools to use in life. Now let Me show you how to use them when it comes to prayer. When you pray with just your mouth, you focus your energy on Me for a few seconds, a few minutes, however long it is. Afterwards, you usually go back to thinking the same old thoughts, doing the same old things. It is like you are asking Me to change something, but you are unwilling to change how you do things. It snatches all the power out of your prayer, and makes your prayer hollow and weak. On the other hand, when you pray with your actions, you multiply the power of your prayer. Your words and actions are in harmony. You are praying to Me with your entire being. So what does that look like? Put simply, after you complete your word prayer (or even instead of it, if you choose), take actions that support what you prayed for. The pace you choose is up to you. What matters is the passion and enthusiasm you bring to your living prayers. Your passion and enthusiasm are incredible forces for attracting the things you desire into your life—mostly because the things you are passionate and enthusiastic about are things you will act upon. In short, passion and enthusiasm breathe life into your living prayer. For instance, in areas of health, praying with your actions would include exercising, eating healthful foods and dropping unhealthy habits like smoking. In areas of money, praying with your actions would include saving money, avoiding debt and investing wisely. In areas of relationships, praying with your actions would include being forgiving, generous and grateful for your loved ones. In areas of work and career, praying with your actions would include being excellent, enthusiastic, service-minded and gen-

Notes

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

uinely happy with your work. In relationship to Me and the rest of humanity, praying with your actions would include serving others and being a source of love, peace and hope. In any living prayer, take action cheerfully, joyfully, lovingly and with great expectations. Do not be bitter or angry about pursuing your prayer request. It saps the power out of your prayer, because your mind and body are not in sync. So, to recap: Focus on your heart as you pray and pray with your actions. Whenever you pray, be humble, cheerful, loving, grateful, enthusiastic and passionate. Expect great things. As you use these simple tools to empower your prayers, you will move away from thinking of prayer as a single event. It will become something you do continuously, with each passing breath. You will find that there’s never a time I’m not communicating with you, pointing you in the direction of your heart’s deepest desires. Prayer will no longer be something you DO. Prayer will become what you ARE.

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Notes

A Word About Jesus, The Christ and You

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Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

For many of you, this message would be incomplete or invalid if it did not mention Jesus or why he came. So let’s dig into that, shall we? First of all, what you choose to believe about Jesus is precisely that: Your Choice. Even as he walked the Earth, Jesus was many different things to many different people. This has not changed in the 2,000 years or so since his time on Earth. To some of you, Jesus is a Savior. To others, a spiritual teacher. Others thought he was half man and half-God. And in his day, many considered Jesus a troublemaker. So, as with everything else in this message, you are free to accept or reject any or all of what you are about to read. If you find this challenging, remember that Jesus did not require people to agree with him either. Some of you will find this disturbing or offensive. Yet remember that, in his day, many people were routinely disturbed or offended by something Jesus said or did. Others will find this information difficult to accept. Yet take heart—even Jesus’ closest companions were often confused by his words and actions. For some of you, what you are about to read will sound blasphemous. This would be a good time to remember that, in his day, Jesus was considered a blasphemer. Ultimately, remember that these are merely words on a page, and that My direct line of communication with you remains your heart. Open your heart and mind. Listen to them carefully

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Notes

as you read this. Without question, Jesus remains one of the most important figures in your history. Unfortunately, He was also perhaps the most misunderstood. It is a needless misunderstanding, since his rather straightforward and extremely practical teachings are in The Bible. That said, it is also understandable why Jesus’ teachings have not been fully embraced on your world. They are radical, especially in cultures that focus on satisfying physical urges and exploiting people and resources for profit. So, let’s clear up a few things about Jesus, The Christ. For starters, “The Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. It is a title that was around before Jesus in many different cultures. It means “anointed,” which Jesus certainly was. But he was not the first to be given that title. Which brings us to this question that leaves many of you confused, and rightfully so. Many of you are taught that you are all children of God. Yet you are also taught that Jesus was God’s “only begotten Son.” So, which is it? Was Jesus My only child or not? First, let’s rework your definition of “Son of God.” I am a Spiritual Being, without a particular physical form. Thus, it follows that My “child” would also be a Spiritual Being, without a particular physical form. My “child” is what many of you call “The Christ.” The Christ is best described as a living example of what’s possible when you live your Human experience with full awareness of your true Spiritual heritage and essence. It is also your divine birthright. Each of you—ALL of you—were BORN with The Christ inside of you. Just like Jesus. What sets Jesus apart is that he is fully aware of his Christ birthright, and he chose to accept it. And of course, he spent his final years on Earth working to get others to “accept Christ.” Think of it this way: The human, physical body that walked the Earth was called “Jesus.” The Spiritual essence that traveled with that body (and yours) is called “The Christ.” Again, each of you are born with The Christ; most of you are unaware of this, or refuse to accept it as Truth. For the record, this is fine. After all, it is your choice. But regardless of who you think Jesus was, or whether you 44

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think he died on the cross for your sins, there is a very fundamental reason to practice his teachings in your everyday life. They just work. For all the things you say that you want in life—love, health, happiness, peace, prosperity, good relationships—Jesus’ approach to life is one of the most precise roadmaps to success. Here’s why: Jesus understood perfectly that when it comes to the quality of your life, what is going on inside of you is far more important than what is going on outside of you. He wasn’t as concerned about people’s actions; he was more interested in the thoughts that would lead to those actions. Jesus is quite capable of speaking for himself, and he has already done so at length, so I will not go into detail here about his teachings. But there are a few examples I will use here to demonstrate how he sees your world—and how he sees you. First of all, Jesus understood that anything is possible, and that the key to unlocking these possibilities is simply to believe them with your entire being. In other words, you must be certain that something is possible in order to experience it. This is what enabled him to perform such amazing miracles. The Christ Inside removed all doubt from him, and it was something he challenged those around him to accept as well. This is why, after performing a miracle, he calmly said, “Greater things than this shall you do, if you just believe.” Jesus also considered himself no better than any of you. This may come as a shock to some of you, but he did not want to be worshipped. He repeatedly told those around him that they could perform the same feats that he could, and he often likened himself to society’s rejects. The Christ Inside knew that all of you are one, which is why he famously said, “As you do unto the least of these, you do also unto me.” It is also why he said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” You are all one, so in essence, as you have done unto others, you have also done unto yourself. Jesus understood that time is an illusion you created, and that you need not be trapped by it. He understood that life is best lived in the moment, without too much thought about what happened yesterday, or what will happen tomorrow. This is why he said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus understood that each soul is on its own journey and it

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Notes

is therefore wise to avoid judging others. First of all, even among those closest to you, you do not know what journey their soul is on. Secondly, and more importantly, tending to your own soul will keep you plenty occupied. This is why he famously said, “Judge not, lest you be judged” and advised you to take care of your own shortcomings before pointing out your neighbors. Jesus also understood that the events you call “mistakes” are part of the Human experience. This is why he said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Furthermore, without human error, you would miss out on the exquisite experience of acceptance and forgiveness. He knew that mistakes are born out of ignorance, not intention. At any given moment, people are doing what they think is best, given their life experiences, education and upbringing. Jesus looked at even the most heinous acts this way. Those who tried and crucified Jesus thought they were punishing a man for claiming to be God. They simply did not realize that they were one with Jesus, and in torturing and killing him, they were also torturing and killing themselves. Had they known that, they likely would have chosen differently. This is why, with his last breath, Jesus cried out, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” By all means, do your own research into Jesus and his teachings. Certainly, you may use the Bible for this. But I would also encourage you to expand your studies. Try to understand what life was like in Israel in those days. Study the customs and traditions people lived by. Learn about how women were treated, and the plight of the poor. Notice how people responded to Jesus— how he saw them, and how they saw him. If you choose to embark upon this journey, The Truth I have written upon your heart will guide you to the correct information. And remember: you were BORN with the Christ Inside you. That is the inner voice I have given you. Trust it. As you seek to understand Jesus and his teachings, you will discover why his wisdom has remained alive around the world for thousands of years. Your idea of what is possible will begin to grow and expand. And as you begin to “accept The Christ” that you were born with, your life will change dramatically. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. 46

Notes

A Breather

Copyright © 2007-2008 Lee Eric Smith. All rights reserved. www.amessagefromgod.net

Throughout this message, I have shared with you a great deal about Who I Am, who you are, and our relationship. I have answered a number of questions that have puzzled many of you for many years. Undoubtedly, some of the concepts presented here are unlike anything you’ve ever heard before, and consequently, you may need time to digest them. So let’s pause for now. Take a break from this particular volume of “A Message From God.” This is not a farewell or a goodbye, quite simply because I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. I always am with you, living inside you. You never need to worry about that. And anytime you want to be aware of My presence, remember: Breathe, be still and know that I AM GOD. Throughout this message, I have stressed the importance of looking for Me inside your own heart, and listening to My voice there. If you seek to develop your relationship with Me further, that is how you should approach it. If it is My guidance you want, I shall give it to you. You are free to accept or reject it, but to deny Me is to deny yourself. Why would you do that? Like anything else in your world, what you focus your attention on grows. If you would like our relationship to grow, put some time and energy into it. Read about Me, including holy texts. And include holy texts beyond your traditional religion— in doing so, you not are forsaking your old beliefs; you are merely expanding them. Listen to music, explore the arts, and be of service to your fellow humans. In other words, participate in activities that touch your heart, and do so with an open heart. The more you open 47

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Notes

your heart to Me and to the world, the closer you and I will become. Feel free to read this message over again. Doing this will reinforce the lessons presented here, as well as clear up other concepts that may have confused you in earlier readings. Repeated exposure to this message will help it take root in your mind. As this happens, your choices will naturally begin to change and your life will transform in amazing ways. This is not the last time I will reach out to you in this format. There will be additional messages that will deal with some of the other everyday questions and concerns that many of you have for Me. In the meantime, I want to leave you with a few parting thoughts and words of encouragement. First of all, I love you. Unconditionally, deeply and eternally. Do not ever wonder about this. Remember, as long as you are breathing, I am in your heart. And whether you are breathing or not, you are in My heart. Secondly, I forgive and accept you. You have done and said things you believed came between us. As far as I’m concerned, nothing can come between us, for we are one. I am proud of you. You have had plenty of challenges come your way. You may not have always had the outcome you wanted. You may not have always behaved in a way that you were proud of. But at every turn, you have done the best you could, given what you knew and what you had to work with. And to that I say, well done. And as we bring this conversation to a temporary close, I would like to offer you My Blessing. You are about to live an extraordinary life! You are about to do exciting things! You are about to live a life so amazing that you will know than it could come from no other source but God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, or whatever you choose to call The Source from which we all come and to which we will inevitably return. You have wondered who you really are and what you are here on Earth for. You have pondered the meaning of life and your place in it. You have been craving a relationship with The Source, a sense of knowing that you belong to something that is bigger than you are. All of these things are within your grasp. All of these things are available to you NOW. All you have to do is accept this. This 48

will be challenging for many of you, but the reward is great, and far beyond anything you could imagine. What you are, essentially, is a divine and holy creation of God. I made you perfect, whole and complete. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing wrong with you, and there never was! You don’t have to work to earn My love. I AM LOVE. And I will love and forgive you, no matter what you do, and no matter what other people might say. I created you in My image and likeness. Think of it this way: When I look in a mirror, I see YOU. The question to ask yourself every moment is: Can you look into the mirror and see God? Can you? Can you look at each other and see God? Can you? Can you look at an apple tree, a bumblebee or a puppy and see God? Can you? When you train your mind to recognize Me everywhere you go, to think of Me in all you do, you will recognize the Essential Truth: That you, I and all of life are ONE. You will know a peace that passes all understanding. And so peace be with you.

Notes

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Appendix A Support “A Message From God” Although this message is distributed at no cost to its receivers, there are costs associated with it, such as web hosting, site maintenance, bandwidth, mareketing, promotions, staff, etc. Therefore, though not required, we do welcome gifts. If this message has touched your life and you would like to see that continues to touch other lives, please visit www.amessagefromgod.net and click “Donate.” As a token of our gratitude, we will send you your choice of the following gifts (shipping fees apply): Is There Sex In Heaven? And Other Hard Questions For The Man Upstairs by Lee Eric Smith Intended to launch lively conversations about God, religion and faith, the 175 questions in this provocative book are designed to challenge readers to think about what they believe—and grow from it. • If it’s possible to clone Jesus Christ, should we try it? • Do we have to agree with God on everything? Why or why not? • Is murder okay if it’s done in the name of God?

Luberta Smith: At Home With You This CD features stirring piano renditions of classical and traditional religious music, including Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Amazing Grace, The Lord’s Prayer and Somewhere Over The Rainbow. For more information, including a complete track listing and audio samples, visit www.lubertasmith.com. (And yes, she is the author’s mother!)

Appendix B Visit These Sites! The T-Shirt Movement www.t-shirtmovement.com Are you bold enough to wear your feelings on your chest? Do you believe that a simple phrase on a t-shirt can have a deep effect on others? Are you ready to take a stand against fear and greed and stand up for love, peace and hope for a better world? If so, welcome to The T-Shirt Movement! Find a design that speaks to your heart. For each sale, we’ll donate a portion of our profits to organizations that fight hunger in America. Visit the online shop at www.t-shirtmovement.com to check out our selection. Once you wear your shirt, expect to get some reactions from people. We’re out to change the world, one shirt at a time . . . care to join us?

Learn From My Mistakes Coming Soon: www.mymistake.net Everybody makes mistakes. Some are big. Some are small. Many are costly. All are learning opportunities. If we’re smart and pay attention, we learn from our mistakes. If we’re really smart, we learn from other people’s slip-ups. And if we care at all about other people, we tell them, “Don’t make the same mistake I did.” So what if there was a way to tell your story to people you don’t even know? To prevent someone across the country from making the same slip up you did? What if there was a book that specifically tells you major pitfalls to avoid when getting married, starting a business, raising a kid or buying a house? What if you could read about other people’s mistakes BEFORE you start? Visit www.mymistake.net to find out more about the exciting new book series “Learn From My Mistakes” and find out how you can contribute to this project!

The National Forgiveness Movement Coming Soon: www.forgivethem.org A bold idea for transforming your life, your relationships, and your world: Forgive everyone for everything. Forgivethem.org is the online home of The National Forgiveness Movement. Currently, it exists as a blog on the topic of forgiveness, and the powerful applications it has in our daily lives. Yet there is a much larger vision for this movement. Approaching the third anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a stark choice came into focus. Each year, we could be dragged back into the despair, anger and hatred that was born that day. Or we could transform 9/11 into a National Day of Forgiveness. To learn more about the transformative power of forgiveness, visit www.forgivethem.org. Then, accept the challenge of showing a spirit of forgiveness-in your life, family, community, nation and world. Let’s work together toward transforming the despair of 9/11 into a day of hope and love.

Appendix C Forthcoming Titles from Lee Eric Smith The Genesis Revelation In this breathtaking work, you are invited to take a closer, deeper look at the Creation Story as told in the Book of Genesis-from “Let There Be Light!” to Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden. What you find will shock you and transform the way you look at yourself and your relationship with God. Learn: o What it means to be created in God’s Image & Likeness. o What it means that there’s no mention of God creating “Satan.” o How Creation & Evolution peacefully coexist. o Why God isn’t going to “come down and save us.” o Why “The Original Sin” was just a simple mistake. o Why God doesn’t want us to know the difference between “Good” and “Evil.” See The Book of Genesis like you’ve never seen it before. Experience the revelation . . . The Genesis Revelation.

Just Asking . . . To continue the conversation started by the ground-breaking book of spirituallythemed philosophical questions, “Is There Sex In Heaven?,” Smith launched an online commentary called Just Asking. Each week, Smith offered his own insights into those questions—exploring issues and ideas, blending science and spirituality, examining the profound and the provocative. Now, for the first time, these essays are collected into a single volume, along with brand new content. You’ll read these essays and more: o Adam’s Feisty First Wife o Thou Shalt Not Worship The Cross o That’s Sin No. 387. But Who’s Counting? o Were Jesus’ teachings blasphemous? What would happen if you were free to explore your spirituality from new angles and perspectives? If you weren’t afraid to ask ANY question, how would it change your life? I mean, I was just asking . . .