In that day you will ask in My name . . . —John 16:26
We too often think of the Cross of Christ as something we have to get through, yet we get through for the purpose of getting into it. The Cross represents only one thing for us— complete, entire, absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ— and there is nothing in which this identification is more real to us than in prayer.
“Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should we ask? The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him. If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God. We receive an answer every time we pray, but it does not always come in the way we expect, and our spiritual irritation shows our refusal to identify ourselves truly with our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove that God answers prayer, but to be living trophies of God’s grace.
“. . . I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you . . .” (John 16:26-27). Have you reached such a level of intimacy with God that the only thing that can account for your prayer life is that it has become one with the prayer life of Jesus Christ? Has our Lord exchanged your life with His vital life? If so, then “in that day” you will be so closely identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.
When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to place the blame on someone else. That is always a trap of Satan. When you seem to have no answer, there is always a reason— God uses these times to give you deep personal instruction, and it is not for anyone else but you.
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August 6, 2013
Journal for Today-JDV
Lord it is hard to change my mind and immediate responses about many things (and people) that are important to me. Every time I think this way or act that way…or fail to tell the whole story …. it occurs to me that what I am in fact saying is that I do not trust You to guide me through this world and the issues of everyday life. Every time the issues or relationships seem important, I seem to want to “take over” instead of trusting You to guide my life and circumstances. I try to believe you will make my paths straight, but will You help me in my unbelief?
And God says…”How does it work for you when you are in charge of your life and circumstances? Are you at peace, happy and content regardless of the storms and broken things and people around you? I never promised to remove the storms, or give you everything you wanted, but I did promise to bring you life and life more abundant. I did promise to provide everything you need if you would first seek the Kingdom of Heaven (which is Jesus). Trust Me for everything you need in your life, try to stand on the balcony and observe your life unfold as I take over. You will know the peace that passes all understanding. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart.”
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Journal DJR
Good Morning, Lord: The words of the song today speak to all of us. But the hip-hop style is different than a lot of us grew up with. So I wanted to share the artist’s testimony here. Thank you, Lord for the work you are doing in and thru our brother, Lecrae.
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