Archive for April, 2015

Spontaneous Love

April 30th, 2015

Love suffers long and is kind… —1 Corinthians 13:4


Love is not premeditated– it is spontaneous; that is, it bursts forth in extraordinary ways. There is nothing of precise certainty in Paul’s description of love. We cannot predetermine our thoughts and actions by saying, “Now I will never think any evil thoughts, and I will believe everything that Jesus would have me to believe.” No, the characteristic of love is spontaneity. We don’t deliberately set the statements of Jesus before us as our standard, but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live according to His standard without even realizing it. And when we look back, we are amazed at how unconcerned we have been over our emotions, which is the very evidence that real spontaneous love was there. The nature of everything involved in the life of God in us is only discerned when we have been through it and it is in our past.The fountains from which love flows are in God, not in us. It is absurd to think that the love of God is naturally in our hearts, as a result of our own nature. His love is there only because it “has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 5:5).If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign that we really don’t love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows naturally from His nature within us. And when we look back, we will not be able to determine why we did certain things, but we can know that we did them according to the spontaneous nature of His love in us. The life of God exhibits itself in this spontaneous way because the fountains of His love are in the Holy Spirit.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

April 30 2015

Good morning Lord and thank you for this devotional and Spirit filled direction this morning. Both Dave and I could feel your presence as we explored the notion of being connected to You and feeling the connection and a love that can overwhelm. It occurred to me that I have been feeling connected as I seek you in the morning, but I have been seeking connection as I search for answers to particular questions about my life and particular needs and circumstances. I have spent very little time seeking connection for the sake of being connected to You and Your love.  Going forward it is my intention to consciously seek Your love just for the sake of being intimately connected, and try not to just seek our relationship for the sake of guidance, blessings or rescue.

And God says…”That is a noble undertaking, however you must know that I use your circumstances and needs to help mold and shape you. I use your trials to your benefit; (don’t try to get out of your trials too early, let them have their perfect result). As you have learned, I want a relationship with you, and given the sacrifice of Jesus have chosen to use your life landscape as a vehicle for our communication. However, it is a powerful relationship that can be based on  love and respect with no regard for wants and or needs. When you simply “know” and trust that I am your God and will work ALL THINGS for your good, you can find peace and joy in our simple relationship of love. When you delight yourself in the Lord, be certain that I will give you the desires of your heart; even when (or especially when) you are not seeking the desires of your heart.”

Gracious Uncertainty

April 29th, 2015

…it has not yet been revealed what we shall be… —1 John 3:2

Our natural inclination is to be so precise– trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next– that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life– gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God– it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “…unless you…become as little children…” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “…believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in– but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Certain in our uncertainty: Yes, I’ll have some of that! It sounds so right according to what you have been teaching us about not judging success of a thing by the apparent outcomes. And holding our dreams in an open palm. Certainty in our Uncertainty can co-exist with Curiosity, which you have been teaching us, is a valuable and “safe” place to park our restless minds. Curiosity about how you are going to work … not whether you will work. I realize that it is a lifetime project, learning to walk in this certain uncertainty and I embrace the journey. I feel I have elder brothers who have gone before, like Abraham, who set out for a new country, uncertain about where, but certain that you would lead. He was no doubt curious along the way. One question, that you could clarify please. How does this way of being interface with planning? Don’t I need to plan? And don’t my plans sometimes mess up that beautiful uncertainty? I’ve gotten so in love with my plans that I missed something better that you were bringing me.

Yes, you need to plan and Yes, you can serve your plan and love your plan too much. The metaphor you mentioned …holding your plans in an open palm is a picture of this. Plan mightily. But hold them in that open palm. Stay curious. Be ready to set them aside, if I show you a higher and better opportunity. Like the Good Samaritan. He had plans and was on his way, about his plans. But he saw a higher and stronger need so he peacefully set his plans aside for the moment and attended to the wounded traveller. Plan well. Like the ants who gather in the summer and have plenty for winter. And the king who counts the opposition’s forces before going to war. But dont grasp your plans so tightly that you miss what I’m doing. Curiosity about what I’m doing will help you hold the plans loosely enough to not miss the best when I send it your way.

What You Will Get

April 28th, 2015

 

I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go. —Jeremiah 45:5

This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him– “I will give your life to you….” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “…your life…as a prize…” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go– the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize….” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.

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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord,
A long time ago when I was a young man, it struck me when a much older man, a PhD educated man said that now, after all of his education, his #1 goal in life was to become “Simple” I gave that mental assent at the time, but now that I have lived a few more decades, I really agree with him. Simplicity is beautiful. And you have been helping us define the scope of the simplicity these last many months: Simply connect with you and live out of that. Perhaps the hardest thing about simple connection is defining and jettisoning what it is not. Chambers suggests that when we are simply trusting you 100%, we will no longer ask, “What about this?” That seems perhaps “too simple” ??? Aren’t there questions required for us to be good stewards?

Yes, I love to hear questions from my kids, just as you do from your kids. It is where the two way communication between us thrives. But beware of your motive when you ask, “what about this?” Is it that you are curious about how we are going to work it out? Or is it that you doubt that it is going to work out and you must therefore start stressing about a way to work it out on your own. You can tell that you’ve left the simplicity of knowing and trusting me when stress invades your soul. You’ve called it your “Peace Meter” and it’s a good indicator. Another way to know that you’ve left simplicity behind is if guilt is driving your actions. Also if you are checking off a check list or in some way comparing yourself to others. These all tend to dampen our relationship, and push you off “on your own.” Avoid these Joy Stealers.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

KISS … Keep It Simple, Son.

What Do You Want?

April 27th, 2015

Do you seek great things for yourself? —Jeremiah 45:5


Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental.
There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.”
And instantly God puts His finger on the reason– you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him.
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness.
He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22).
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April 27 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, there is a line in this devotional that says…”There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God”, unless it is not God you seek , but only what He can do for you.  I get it, but when I first read this I instantly thought….Yes it may be easy to get into the right relationship with God, but….it is not easy to stay there. I start most days with David and a devotional; I start out connected, but somewhere and somehow in my day I often get distracted. I find I am overwhelmed by a crisis, time issues, or resource constrained and I spent time trying to sort myself out so I can be or get reconnected.

And God says…”Forget the distractions. Forget the crisis. Ignore the pressures others try to place at your feet. Seek Me first, and then trust that I will provide everything else you need. Do not try to get yourself into the “right frame of mind” so you can get and or stay connected. Seek Me first, and I will provide everything else you require. Do not try to manage your state of mind, or internal peace meter. Do not try to do the right thing, or try to avoid the wrong things. Simply seek an intimate relationship with Me and trust that I will provide everything else you need. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. In your connection ask Me to help you surrender; be curious, expectant and obedient. And when you are unable to seek and maintain this level of connection, simply know that my love, grace and mercy will fill the performance gaps you tried to fill with more discipline, study and other kinds of self-effort. “

Do You Worship The Work?

April 23rd, 2015

We are God’s fellow workers… —1 Corinthians 3:9

Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child; that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work. He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit. Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated. There is no freedom and no delight in life at all. His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God’s blessing cannot rest on him.

But the opposite case is equally true– once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone. There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone. But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing– to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.

We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
This one really resonates, being perhaps the closest thing we’ve seen recently to what you have been teaching us these last many months. That there is only one thing to strive for…Being with you. In the Mary and Martha dichotomy … everything else is in Martha’s realm and leads to stress and guilt, because we can never measure up to the standards that others or we ourselves set for us. You seem to have agreed with that in Luke 10:42

…but few things are needed–or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

and in Psalm 27:4 David says similar with a twist I want to ask you about:

The one thing I ask of the LORD–the thing I seek most–is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

Is David talking about really living in the physical temple? It must have metaphorical meaning somehow, since you said

Acts 17:24
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.

And the temple David was referring to was torn down and many (most) people lived too far away to dwell in that temple daily. These scriptures bring some clarity but also sharpen the question: How do we do what David was referring to and what Mary chose?

Well since we’re Scripture hopping today, here’s a place to start:

1 Cor 3:16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

or

2 Corinthians 6:16
For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Here’s another one that brings the Spirit into the discussion:

James 4:5
Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?

So you are the temple. And I dwell there. By my Spirit. Commune with me there. Share life with me and connect with me and live out of that … like Mary and David. But don’t analyze me and strive to figure me out, or make checklists about how you’re measuring up. That’s like trying to squeeze mercury. You will lose the closeness and start missing blessings, like Martha did.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

April 23 2015

Lord, I learned and  leaned to the notion that the scriptures about the Holy Spirit living inside my body temple were about keeping my body temple “clean and pure” for the Holy Spirit. But today, I read these scriptures differently. I read them to mean the Holy Spirit is living inside of me as I surrender my control to God, trust Him, and trust Him to handle the outcomes. Your guidelines and “suggestions” become roadmap directions for living the abundant life you promised, and it is mapped out for me. You are not directing us to good versus “the bad” things in life because you stand in judgment (there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus)…but because your guidelines, and “suggestions” help us find (and stay focused on) the life and blessings you have already created for us.

 And God says…”Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. “

The Light That Never Fails

April 22nd, 2015

We all, with unveiled face, beholding…the glory of the Lord… —2 Corinthians 3:18


A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come— people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, “…no one stood with me, but all forsook me….But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When “important” individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do— to look into the face of God for ourselves.

Allow nothing to keep you from looking with strong determination into the face of God regarding yourself and your doctrine. And every time you preach make sure you look God in the face about the message first, then the glory will remain through all of it. A Christian servant is one who perpetually looks into the face of God and then goes forth to talk to others. The ministry of Christ is characterized by an abiding glory of which the servant is totally unaware— “…Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him” (Exodus 34:29).

We are never called on to display our doubts openly or to express the hidden joys and delights of our life with God. The secret of the servant’s life is that he stays in tune with God all the time.

Don’t Hurt the Lord

April 21st, 2015

Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? —John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us— astounded at how “un-simple” we are. It is our own opinions that make us dense and slow to understand, but when we are simple we are never dense; we have discernment all the time. Philip expected the future revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in Jesus, the Person he thought he already knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be— it is now, though we look for it to be revealed in the future in some overwhelming, momentous event. We have no reluctance to obey Jesus, but it is highly probable that we are hurting Him by what we ask— “Lord, show us the Father…” (John 14:8). His response immediately comes back to us as He says, “Can’t you see Him? He is always right here or He is nowhere to be found.” We look for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but God only exhibits Himself in His children. And while others see the evidence, the child of God does not. We want to be fully aware of what God is doing in us, but we cannot have complete awareness and expect to remain reasonable or balanced in our expectations of Him. If all we are asking God to give us is experiences, and the awareness of those experiences is blocking our way, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus, because they are not the questions of a child.

“Let not your heart be troubled…” (14:1, 27). Am I then hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? If I believe in Jesus and His attributes, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to disturb my heart, or am I allowing any questions to come in which are unsound or unbalanced? I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Recently, I’ve been thankful for the blessings that are coming my way. I even said that I’m “living the life” to a person earlier today. They are living a similar life but don’t feel the same way at all. It’s not that all the problems have gone away. There are still cash flow issues and health issues and bureaucracy frustrations. But I’m learning to not focus on them. And also to not focus too hard on the blessings. It seems best to just simply enjoy the blessings, let them be mysterious and keep an attitude of curiosity. Truly hold them in an “open palm” Too close an analysis seems to ruin them or chase them away. Just like too close analysis of the problems makes the problems worse.

Trying to figure everything out puts you in the position of trying to take over my job. That didn’t work out too well for Lucifer or Adam. Don’t go down the road of trying to have answers for all of the hard questions. Instead, strive to know me and commune with me. Out of that will come your peace, regardless of circumstance.

Can a Saint Falsely Accuse God?

April 20th, 2015

All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen… —2 Corinthians 1:20


Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30  was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities, but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.The servant justified himself, while condemning his lord on every point, as if to say, “Your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave to me.” Have we been falsely accusing God by daring to worry after He has said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? (Matthew 6:33). Worrying means exactly what this servant implied— “I know your intent is to leave me unprotected and vulnerable.” A person who is lazy in the natural realm is always critical, saying, “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and someone who is lazy in the spiritual realm is critical of God. Lazy people always strike out at others in an independent way.Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit.___________________________________________________

April 20 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

 

Lord, unlike the premise of Chambers in this devotional, it never really occurred to me to blame You when I miss the mark. In my mind, if I missed the mark, then it was my fault, my problem, my lack of discipline and focus. If I failed, it was my lack of faith, commitment, prayer and study.

And God says…”When I said I came to give you life and life more abundantly, I knew and know your shortcomings. I know your ability to rationalize, procrastinate, and obfuscate issues and responsibilities. I know about your fear of failure, and risk aversion. And I know how you can make promises to Me and yourself, and then fail to follow through.  And knowing this about you (and all mankind), I provide the Holy Spirit and the grace and mercy to make yours an abundant and vibrant life, regardless.  Neither your salvation nor your abundant life are dependent on you. Simply surrender and trust Me to live through you. Give yourself a break, let yourself off the hook, and trust Me to meet all your needs. Seek first the kingdom of God and I shall provide all you need for an abundant life.”

Can You Come Down From the Mountain?

April 16th, 2015

While you have the light, believe in the light… —John 12:36

We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to even when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for the everyday world when we are not on the mountaintop. Yet we must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there.

Never allow a feeling that was awakened in you on the mountaintop to evaporate. Don’t place yourself on the shelf by thinking, “How great to be in such a wonderful state of mind!” Act immediately— do something, even if your only reason to act is that you would rather not. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”— just do it! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Laziness can always be seen in our cravings for a mountaintop experience; all we talk about is our planning for our time on the mountain. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain.

Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once— go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain.

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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord, There are two admonitions here, Never allow the mountaintop feeling to evaporate ?!?! and Make decisions based on what I saw on the mountain. The first seems doomed to failure, at least in my and everyone I know’s experience. But continuing to act on what I saw in the light, regardless of feelings… now that is good advice and seems doable.

I give you visions and passion to go with them for you to use as a compass. Steer your life by the compass of these visions rather than your feelings and you will do well. Not all visions come at on a mountaintop, however. Many times I speak in a still small voice or an aha moment while you may be driving or in the shower. Collect these and treasure them and stand on them when circumstances say otherwise.

The Failure To Pay Close Attention

April 15th, 2015


Asa was not completely obedient in the outward, visible areas of his life. He was obedient in what he considered the most important areas, but he was not entirely right. Beware of ever thinking, “Oh, that thing in my life doesn’t matter much.” The fact that it doesn’t matter much to you may mean that it matters a great deal to God. Nothing should be considered a trivial matter by a child of God. How much longer are we going to prevent God from teaching us even one thing? But He keeps trying to teach us and He never loses patience. You say, “I know I am right with God”— yet the “high places” still remain in your life. There is still an area of disobedience. Do you protest that your heart is right with God, and yet there is something in your life He causes you to doubt? Whenever God causes a doubt about something, stop it immediately, no matter what it may be. Nothing in our lives is a mere insignificant detail to God.Are there some things regarding your physical or intellectual life to which you have been paying no attention at all? If so, you may think you are all correct in the important areas, but you are careless— you are failing to concentrate or to focus properly. You no more need a day off from spiritual concentration on matters in your life than your heart needs a day off from beating. As you cannot take a day off morally and remain moral, neither can you take a day off spiritually and remain spiritual. God wants you to be entirely His, and it requires paying close attention to keep yourself fit. It also takes a tremendous amount of time. Yet some of us expect to rise above all of our problems, going from one mountaintop experience to another, with only a few minutes’ effort.___________________________________________________________ 

April 15 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I do not want to “take a day off” from being connected to You. But I find that I do get distracted, unfocused and locked into my own silly worries and concerns. Please help me avoid the tangles of everyday living, including my concerns about how I am to live in this world.

And God says…”The living and breathing sacrifice of Jesus, provides all you need for being connected, AND your distractions. I know you get distracted, that is why I gave you the Holy Spirit  and provide all the mercy and grace that is needed in your life and especially when you are unable to stay focused and connected. And when you draw near to Me I will draw near to you, however, there is no requirement that you always think of Me or that you always seek and stay connected. On this side of heaven My grace and mercy will always fill those gaps.  Just trust in Me with all your heart, do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight.”