Archive for May, 2011

Put God First

May 31st, 2011

Jesus did not commit Himself to them . . .for He knew what was in man —John 2:24-25

Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others. If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God.

Put God’s Will First. “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9).

A person’s obedience is to what he sees to be a need— our Lord’s obedience was to the will of His Father. The rallying cry today is, “We must get to work! The heathen are dying without God. We must go and tell them about Him.” But we must first make sure that God’s “needs” and His will in us personally are being met. Jesus said, “. . . tarry . . . until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The purpose of our Christian training is to get us into the right relationship to the “needs” of God and His will. Once God’s “needs” in us have been met, He will open the way for us to accomplish His will, meeting His “needs” elsewhere.

Put God’s Son First. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:5).

God came as a baby, giving and entrusting Himself to me. He expects my personal life to be a “Bethlehem.” Am I allowing my natural life to be slowly transformed by the indwelling life of the Son of God? God’s ultimate purpose is that His Son might be exhibited in me.

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May 31, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I know you have been reaching out to me in a number of ways lately, preparing me for a “next step”. I do not know what that “next step” is, but you have been reminding me that I am to put my trust in you, seek your will and to put Jesus first.  You have placed me in positions where I must “get out of the boat and walk” and live the faith and trust you have provided. It feels like the rehearsals have been accelerated and it is almost time for the curtain to be raised on the very next step.

.” And God says…”All things work for the good of those that trust the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. Those that wait upon the Lord will run and not be weary and will rise up as if they had wings of eagles. Trust, rest in Me, and let Jesus live through you…..and have life and life more abundantly.”

May 31 2011  DJR

Good morning, Lord

I have been wondering about vision.   Vision from you …. Vision that is of my own making?  What’s the difference?    Finding your vision for me and jumping on that instead of asking you to bless my vision.  These are things that I’ve thought about over the years.      Last nite Tony was sharing his vision for a career in Green.    Is it from you? Or just something nice.   Can we use the assumed close? And start marching and be guided by closed doors – open doors?

All of that is secondary.   The main thing that will keep you on track is keeping tight with me.   Then we can update and modify your vision and your passion in good time.    Even if you are on an impure, or second rate or carnal vision … if you stay tight with me, it will become clear.   I am always there to guide you … if you slow down and spend the time with me you will know the vision and the passion will follow.

“Yes— But . . .!”

May 30th, 2011

Lord, I will follow You, but . . . —Luke 9:61

Suppose God tells you to do something that is an enormous test of your common sense, totally going against it. What will you do? Will you hold back? If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the true point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender. Yet we tend to say, “Yes, but— suppose I do obey God in this matter, what about . . . ?” Or we say, “Yes, I will obey God if what He asks of me doesn’t go against my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.”

Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him that the natural man exhibits. If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says. Once you obey, you will immediately find that what He says is as solidly consistent as common sense.

By the test of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but when you test them by the trial of faith, your findings will fill your spirit with the awesome fact that they are the very words of God. Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis— only one out of an entire crowd is daring enough to invest his faith in the character of God.

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May 30, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, over the past few days You have been speaking to me through lessons, sermons, songs and that still small voice. You also sent a lesson about hearing your voice clearly so I would not miss this leading. You have been reminding me that Your sheep hear Your voice. I am beginning to learn how “to know” it is You leading.

Knowing You intimately and knowing Your voice is a critical element if I am to walk in Your will as I face the day to day issues and decisions.

And I know it takes practice, listening for You in all I do… over and over until my immediate response is always obedience….because I just know it is Your voice and Your leading.  I have used my natural filters in the past to determine if it is really your voice…my common sense, analytic skills and natural mind. Not so much (or as much) anymore…..thank you for that gift. Thank You for leading me to a place where I know it is You leading. I know it is You because You also provide that awareness as well. I know now that You are always communicating with Me, I just need to listen with my spiritual ears.

And God says…”As you pray and ask for discernment…listen, and you will hear My voice. I speak to you in many, many ways….My word, sermons, songs, other believers,  and that still small voice, just to name a few ways. The test for My voice and discerning My will for your life is not found in common sense, or your resources or abilities. The test is found in My word and in our intimate relationship built on prayer and day by day, hour by hour communications. You come to know my voice and learn to trust and obey immediately. Seek Me first through Christ Jesus, and everything else will follow. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Acknowledge the Lord in all you do and do not rely on your own devices (or resources) and He will make your paths straight.

Journal DJR

May 30, 2011

Good Morning, Lord

As I was beginning to read today’s devotional, I realized that my mind is “SWAYABLE” (spell check says that’s a new word)  … Able to be swayed by the stressors, chaos, & pressure of the current context.  Probably we all are capable of being swayed by the influences around us.   This could be in a good way … emulating a selfless hero,  but usually in a not so good way … Germany in the 1930’s etc.        So I’m thinking about this “swayability”    I probably cant totally eliminate it … this side of heaven.    But minimizing it seems to be a good project.  The reason, of course is to not be swayed away from You and your best plan for me.

Yes, this is a good project to think about and work on.   Remember I said a few things about it.   Let your yes be yes, etc and remember how even my disciples tried to sway me away from my mission,   but my face was “set like a flint” toward Jerusalem and my destiny.    Some of my men & women have had that type of determination.   Most dont.     But you can.  It is an exciting way to live.

I see people having great  determination and focus in athletics and business and politics … and I’ve had some of that at times.    It has some value but pales in significance compared to focusing that intensity on following You.

Remember that to follow me to the max, you must know me and see me and hear me.   Of course you can basically follow me by just following the commandments.   But the more exciting ride comes when you know me and hear me and see me.   Then we can walk together in the details that go beyond just following the instruction book.     Then you will get customized visions that are for you and you alone.     Sometimes they will seem foolish to those around you.   Remember:

Dont Doubt In The Dark,  What I’ve Shown You In The Light!

I’m seeing that certain times are more likely to have swaying influences and it helps to precondition my mind toward unswayability … like when preparing to attend a time share sales pitch.   Or when going in to any marketing situation.   Of course we are surrounded by marketing, everything is marketing and Satan is the Master Marketer of all time. …  So I will push my mind toward You and the dreams and mission that you give me … especially at times of vulnerability.

The Life To Know Him

May 27th, 2011

May 27, 2011
. . . tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high —Luke 24:49
 

The disciples had to tarry, staying in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost, not only for their own preparation but because they had to wait until the Lord was actually glorified. And as soon as He was glorified, what happened? “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). The statement in John 7:39 — “. . . for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified”— does not pertain to us. The Holy Spirit has been given; the Lord is glorified— our waiting is not dependent on the providence of God, but on our own spiritual fitness.

The Holy Spirit’s influence and power were at work before Pentecost, but He was not here. Once our Lord was glorified in His ascension, the Holy Spirit came into the world, and He has been here ever since. We have to receive the revealed truth that He is here. The attitude of receiving and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives is to be the continual attitude of a believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive reviving life from our ascended Lord.

It is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit that changes people, but the power of the ascended Christ coming into their lives through the Holy Spirit. We all too often separate things that the New Testament never separates. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an experience apart from Jesus Christ— it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit does not make you think of time or eternity— it is one amazing glorious now. “This is eternal life, that they may know You . . .” (John 17:3). Begin to know Him now, and never finish.

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March 27, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Over the last two days I have encountered my pastor preparing a sermon (and we prayed over him and the sermon) about knowing God and then I find this lesson and the music about knowing God. Hmmmm.  I have come to learn, Lord, that these kinds of “coincidences” are not coincidental at all.  I have come to learn that you are directing me to pay attention. So I stop and listen for clear direction.

And God says…”You have the very mind of Christ and when you  listen with your spiritual mind and abandon your natural mind, you come to know Me in ways that are beyond natural comprehension.  I want you to know Me more intimately; with a knowing that adds to your faith, hope and trust.  The more intimately you know Me, the more you realize just how much I love you and care for you and the more quickly you respond to my direction.  You become more obedient and you obey more quickly. The more you know Me, the more you understand that you must give up all control and the need to know your future.  You save your life by giving it to Me. Let Me take care of your future… you are to simply trust and obey.”

Thinking of Prayer as Jesus Taught

May 26th, 2011

May 26, 2011
 
Pray without ceasing . . . —1 Thessalonians 5:17
 Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. “Pray without ceasing . . .”— maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.

Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have through the Spirit of God that inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, “. . . everyone who asks receives . . .” (Matthew 7:8). Yet we say, “But . . . , but . . . .” God answers prayer in the best way— not just sometimes, but every time. However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?

The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.

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May 26, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Pray without ceasing…when I first read this scripture I wondered how can I do that? How is that possible? I have to work, eat, communicate and interact with others. How can I pray all the time and still be functional? I thought this scripture was about other kinds of Christians; monks or people without daily responsibilities. Then one day I went looking for Jesus in everything I encountered.  I was so overwhelmed and devastated by my circumstances; I could not communicate or function. I needed God’s help for everything. And right there inside of my needs I discovered I could find Him in everything and everything in Him.

And God says…”Praying without ceasing is simply communicating and engaging God in all you do, all day every day. The reason you stop praying without ceasing is because you want to take control back on issues about which you do not want or think you need Me. You want to be God of your own life in certain situations…so you stop praying without ceasing and take back your life. And when you choose to take your life back I will release you and let you make your own choices. However, deep down you know that if you are to have your life, you must surrender it to Me. …… Matthew 16:25…. for whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. When you lose your life in Me you pray without ceasing. When you give me control of your life this is your way of life.”

The Good or The Best?

May 25th, 2011
May 25, 2011
 
 
 
If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left —Genesis 13:9
 

As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice.

Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best. In this passage, it would seem that the wisest thing in the world for Abram to do would be to choose. It was his right, and the people around him would consider him to be a fool for not choosing.

Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has its eyes focused on God. And God says to us, as He did to Abram, “. . . walk before Me. . .” (Genesis 17:1).

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May 25, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

It is naturally hard to imagine that the very best things come to us as a result of giving up on what we think will provide us the greatest happiness. But, it is simply not in my nature to let go of the desire to reach for the things that I believe will make me happy. It is hard to give up the pursuit of goals I have set for myself.

I have been taught to set goals, visualize the goals and then move forward taking the steps necessary and critical to achieve my goals…all the while mitigating risks and avoiding potential roadblocks. It is what I do! It is even my life’s work. ……..And then I read that I often search for the good at the expense of Your best.

And God says…”That is it exactly. However, that does not mean that you cannot use your skills (talents) to pursue the very best that I have in store for you and yours. Rememebr you are wonderfully made. I gave you these goal setting skills, and I will bless you as you use them….as you give Me the outcomes. You are simply to be obedient and trust Me to provide the result that I want. It may not be the result that you thought or believed would provide you the most benefit. Leave that part to me…there is much you cannot see. Oftentimes I will ask you to step out when you cannot see or even believe there is a way.”

“When you set your goals continue as you have, and begin with prayer and petition asking Me to guide you and provide the direction and confirmation.  Continue to write out your goals, and review them daily-being open and objective about My leading….Be open and accepting of My will for your life.

“And know that I will operate in ways you cannot imagine even as you cannot fathom the depths of My love for you. Trust in Me.  Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own devices and I will make your paths straight. But first delight yourself in the Lord….and know I will give you the desires of  a transformed heart.”

The Delight of Despair

May 24th, 2011

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead —Revelation 1:17

It may be that, like the apostle John, you know Jesus Christ intimately. Yet when He suddenly appears to you with totally unfamiliar characteristics, the only thing you can do is fall “at His feet as dead.” There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awesomeness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair. You experience this joy in hopelessness, realizing that if you are ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God.

“He laid His right hand on me . . .” (Revelation 1:17). In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory, the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, saying, “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17). His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet. Do I know Him like that?

Take a look at some of the things that cause despair. There is despair which has no delight, no limits whatsoever, and no hope of anything brighter. But the delight of despair comes when “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells . . .” (Romans 7:18). I delight in knowing that there is something in me which must fall prostrate before God when He reveals Himself to me, and also in knowing that if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.

5 24 11 Journal DJR

Good Morning, Lord.

I’ve felt pieces of what is described here, peace, assurance, belief that You can do anything and with You nothing can defeat me … but not as often or completely as I would like.   What’s a guy to do?

You are not designed to live on a mountaintop all the time.  None of my men did.  Check it out.    Delight in those times.   But realize that the valleys and deserts and desperation is where some growth occurs that will let you appreciate the mountain tops.

I have this background sense that it will all be good in the end,  even in the bad times.  But I wish it was stronger and more dominant in my thinking as I go thru my days.

Walking with me,  consciously,  will amplify that sense.   Many times I’m walking with you and seem distracted by “problems” and go running off to solve them yourself.

Guilty as charged.

I realize that you need to eat and sleep and make tents and solve problems.   But I will go with you thru all of that if you let me.   If you want to handle the tough stuff on your own and forget about me until you get out the other side … I’ll be there waiting for you.   As always.    But it wont be as much fun, you’ll give yourself ulcers, and we’ll miss out on a lot.

You’re right.   Like the man said, “Lord, I believe,  Help my unbelief”   I want to be conscious of you every minute of the day like you did.

John 5:19 … the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,

From looking at my track record, this tight a communication seems impossible.   Oh yeah, that’s where you come in ….. I really do need you

Now you’re getting it.

Our Careful Unbelief

May 23rd, 2011
May 23, 2011
. . . do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on —Matthew 6:25

Jesus summed up commonsense carefulness in the life of a disciple as unbelief. If we have received the Spirit of God, He will squeeze right through our lives, as if to ask, “Now where do I come into this relationship, this vacation you have planned, or these new books you want to read?” And He always presses the point until we learn to make Him our first consideration. Whenever we put other things first, there is confusion.

“. . . do not worry about your life . . . .” Don’t take the pressure of your provision upon yourself. It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details of our lives, and it is never anything but those details that worry us. Have you ever noticed what Jesus said would choke the Word He puts in us? Is it the devil? No— “the cares of this world” (MatthewMatthew 13:22). It is always our little worries. We say, “I will not trust when I cannot see”— and that is where unbelief begins. The only cure for unbelief is obedience to the Spirit.

The greatest word of Jesus to His disciples is abandon.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

May 23, 2011

We are taught that we are to leave our day to day concerns about our needs with our God. And I know I am learning the reality of this by finding myself in circumstances where I can do nothing less. And I wonder why? Over and over the lesson is presented to me and over and I have and am learning the lesson…..”Seek first the kingdom of God…do not worry about what you are to eat or how you are to be clothed”. I often wonder why we must learn the lesson over and over…

And then you make it clear.

And God says…” You are in New York City right now so perhaps you should be reminded of the old joke about how to get to Carnegie Hall-Practice, practice, practice. I want only the best for you and the very best includes allowing Me to always meet your daily needs. But how can that happen when you focus first on your job, your business and/or your bank account as your sources?”

“So over and over and over, I help you get into circumstances where you must focus on Me first. Either because the circumstances are too large for your sources to work or because your dreams are so large they always require Me. But the immediate response of looking to Me in all your circumstances; small, large and overwhelming requires practice to the point where it is your immediate and only response. In this way you come to learn the reality of how I meet all your needs, all the time, according to My riches in glory.”

Having God’s “Unreasonable” Faith

May 21st, 2011

May 21, 2011
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you —Matthew 6:33
 

When we look at these words of Jesus, we immediately find them to be the most revolutionary that human ears have ever heard. “. . . seek first the kingdom of God . . . .” Even the most spiritually-minded of us argue the exact opposite, saying, “But I must live; I must make a certain amount of money; I must be clothed; I must be fed.” The great concern of our lives is not the kingdom of God but how we are going to take care of ourselves to live. Jesus reversed the order by telling us to get the right relationship with God first, maintaining it as the primary concern of our lives, and never to place our concern on taking care of the other things of life.

“. . . do not worry about your life. . .” (Matthew 6:25). Our Lord pointed out that from His standpoint it is absolutely unreasonable for us to be anxious, worrying about how we will live. Jesus did not say that the person who takes no thought for anything in his life is blessed— no, that person is a fool. But Jesus did teach that His disciple must make his relationship with God the dominating focus of his life, and to be cautiously carefree about everything else in comparison to that. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Don’t make food and drink the controlling factor of your life, but be focused absolutely on God.” Some people are careless about what they eat and drink, and they suffer for it; they are careless about what they wear, having no business looking the way they do; they are careless with their earthly matters, and God holds them responsible. Jesus is saying that the greatest concern of life is to place our relationship with God first, and everything else second.

It is one of the most difficult, yet critical, disciplines of the Christian life to allow the Holy Spirit to bring us into absolute harmony with the teaching of Jesus in these verses.

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May 21, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

When I take my eyes and heart off of you…..that is when I am anxious, and fearful. I know now it must be lived, not read or heard. I must live surrounded by trials and tribulations still experiencing the peace that passes all understanding.

And God says…”Life and life more abundantly must be lived and experienced inside all the demands of your earthly life. How would you know that I meet all your needs if there were not needs? How would you know the peace that passes all understanding if there were not challenges to your peace? I promised to meet all your needs, and taught you to ask Me for your daily bread. This is where I meet you and demonstrate My love for you. This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it”

Out of the Wreck I Rise

May 19th, 2011

May 19, 2011
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? —Romans 8:35

God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, “I will be with him in trouble . . .” (Psalm 91:15). It doesn’t matter how real or intense the adversities may be; nothing can ever separate him from his relationship to God. “In all these things we are more than conquerors . . .” (Romans 8:37). Paul was not referring here to imaginary things, but to things that are dangerously real. And he said we are “super-victors” in the midst of them, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of our courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn’t have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes were not there.

“Shall tribulation . . . ?” Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be— whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness— it is not able to “separate us from the love of Christ.” Never allow tribulations or the “cares of this world” to separate you from remembering that God loves you (Matthew 13:22).

“Shall . . . distress . . . ?” Can God’s love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?

“Shall . . . famine . . . ?” Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be “more than conquerors,” even while we are being starved?

Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it— the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Out of the wreck I rise” every time.

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May 19, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, when I am connected to You in an intimate relationship, praying without ceasing, that is an ongoing dialog, all is well. Regardless of circumstance or issue, I know that when I am in relationship with You all is right in my world. Thank you for teaching me this.

And God says…”I may never remove the trials or burdens in your life, but I will give you the strength, courage and hope to live victoriously within them.  When you pray for hope, faith and help in a situation please remember that the very best help may be to leave you inside your circumstance so that you develop the character of Christ. So do not try to escape from your trials too early. Let them have their perfect result in you.  You can move from the pain of the trials as you stay connected to Me and experience the love, faith and hope available in Me.”

5 19 11 DJR Journal

Good morning, Lord.

Today’s message was timely as I’ve been diagnosed with Lyme’s … even found a tick on me … bagged it and took it in to the doc.     I’ve learned more than I ever wanted to know about the politics and science and pseudo science of Lyme’s disease.    At the bottom of it all is a rock solid conviction that You and I are going to overcome this thing.   I know that some of it will be me getting more healthy habits going.   I tend to get so focused on “the fight” that I tend to forget to consult the greatest Healer, You, who I have in my corner.    Please forgive me for that.

I do.  And you are right, you are excited to be fighting.  You are wired to fight.   To be for or against something.   For is better.    You are better off being “for health and a strong immune system” than against Lymes.   The difference may be subtle but when you are against something you run more risk of activating negativity that isn’t good for you.  Why not just turn it over and fight for the inverse?

OK,  you know there are more “therapies” and “cures” and treatments out there than a person could even do in their lifetime.    I think I have found a good wise leading MD who is holistic and plan to just pretty much follow his protocol … unless you have better ideas or want  me to do some of the weird stuff….?

I’ll let you know on the weird stuff.   The basic protocols are just good sense for the way I designed the body.    The weird food and lack of excercize you Americans practice causes more than half of your problems and causes you to have such poor final years.   So do the protocol and thrive.

I almost think I can do this thing by myself and You.   Since I’ve found a way to get prescription drugs without prescriptions and most of the rest of what I need is just food selection and supplements from the health food store or internet.     But I’ll find a Lyme Doc for extra help.    I really like the guy who wrote the book (Singleton) and he’s just across the river in Maryland.   He’s not taking new patients.   Should I push to become a patient?

It’s who I made you.   Go ahead and push.   You’ll enjoy the adventure.   Stay tight with me and I’ll lead you….   Out of the ashes you’ll rise……

OK  I love you.

Living Simply— Yet Focused

May 18th, 2011

May18, 2011
Look at the birds of the air . . . . Consider the lilies of the field . . . —Matthew 6:26, 28

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf! So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”

The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.

If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.

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May 18, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I know. Lord, living in your grace and will is a daily experience. I also know that this life is a life of daily expectations, patience and faith. Thank you for giving me the patience and faith to wait on you with enormous expectations.  And I pray Lord that you allow me to share the gospel today without the use of words. Help me live out my faith connected to You, reaching out to others.

And God says…”The Holy Spirit shows you the magnitude of My love as you stay connected to Me. Acknowledge Me in all you do and I will make your paths straight. Your love, faith and patience grow as you seek Me; stay connected to Me and reach out to others. I can bless you as you bless others. You are a conduit, not a vessel….except to be poured out as I was poured out for you.”

5 18 11  DJR

Good morning, Lord

Today we re-learn that relationship with you is not cerebrally accomplished.   We just get it, more and more as we walk with you and focus on you and the Father.  Kind of like you showed us in John 5 : 19    My question is, “how then does that relate to scripture study.   You were a master of the scriptures.    I have assumed that we should aspire to that as well.  But the scripture experts in your day and today dont really impress me as “Knowing You”  as some of the brother Andrew types who work in the streets and give you away every day.   So what’s the connection?

You should study the scriptures as I did.  Do it every day.   Master them.   But not to show off but to be ready to give an answer to those who ask.   Also it helps you categorize and understand when you see me doing something.      Another picture I’ve shared in the past is Your Mind Like an Auto Parts store …. Where your conscious mind and place of interacting with the world is the front showroom.  There you observe things and have initial feelings about them.    The back warehouse is where all the real important parts are kept.   Your mind is like the back warehouse … full of shelves to store all the wisdom of life that you’ll ever need.    But have you stocked the shelves?     That’s what you do when you prayerfully study the Word.    Then when life brings you a tough challenge, you are not limited to your feelings of anger or compassion or any other.   Instead you can go back to where the wisdom is stored and bring out something that will stand you in good stead.    And amaze the ones who are limited to their feelings because they haven’t paid the price to stock the warehouse of their minds with my Word.