The Habit of Rising to the Occasion

May 15th, 2014 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

. . . that you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . —Ephesians 1:18

Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way.

You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.

God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—”By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.

May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.

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May 15, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, thank you for the lesson about roadblocks and trials again. It seems that You bring this lesson to me over and over and over again. Perhaps I do not need everything to go smoothly and without difficulty in order to find peace and happiness. Today we learned that staying curious inside the trial, curious about how and what You will do to allow us to live the abundant life can be a good place to reside….even if the trial remains.

And God says…”Trust in Me in all your ways and do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight.  Do not interpret your circumstances and occasional difficulties as indicators of being abandoned by Me. Your difficulties in this life can be life lessons, processes that strengthen your heart, mind and soul. Trust in Me, seek first the kingdom of God, and allow Me to provide everything else you need. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. When you see difficulties, roadblocks, and challenges do not think first about how to avoid them and or have them removed; rather think ….”I wonder how God will use this circumstance for His glory and my growth as He provides all that I will ever need. Remember that I love you so much, I gave you my Son.  With this example you must realize I will not withhold any other good thing from you”.

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