If the closest relationships of a disciple’s life conflict with the claims of Jesus Christ, then our Lord requires instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person— our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause. Our Lord never proclaimed a cause— He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself. To be a disciple is to be a devoted bondservant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus. Many of us who call ourselves Christians are not truly devoted to Jesus Christ. No one on earth has this passionate love for the Lord Jesus unless the Holy Spirit has given it to him. We may admire, respect, and revere Him, but we cannot love Him on our own. The only One who truly loves the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit, and it is He who has “poured out in our hearts” the very “love of God” (Romans 5:5). Whenever the Holy Spirit sees an opportunity to glorify Jesus through you, He will take your entire being and set you ablaze with glowing devotion to Jesus Christ. The Christian life is a life characterized by true and spontaneous creativity. Consequently, a disciple is subject to the same charge that was leveled against Jesus Christ, namely, the charge of inconsistency. But Jesus Christ was always consistent in His relationship to God, and a Christian must be consistent in his relationship to the life of the Son of God in him, not consistent to strict, unyielding doctrines. People pour themselves into their own doctrines, and God has to blast them out of their preconceived ideas before they can become devoted to Jesus Christ.

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July 2, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, once more you remind me that I am to keep my eyes on Jesus. Unlike religions that have sets of rules and commandments to follow, You continue to teach us that our faith and hope comes from being connected to Jesus. Thank you for reminding us of our need to be connected NOT to a religion but to the person of Jesus Christ. Help me to be connected to You this day, and to remain curious about how I can live out this connection by surrendering my life to You.

 

And God says…”Like the title of your blog, “manna today” you come to Jesus fresh every day. You cannot store up your connection or relationship. Yesterday’s connection is used up as you faced the issues of the day,  reached out to others and to other opportunities. You must come to Jesus every morning, and live it out step by step as you are connected. Oh to be sure you can try, and many do try to store up their religion by adhering to rules, “dos and don’ts”; but the abundant life comes from being connected to Jesus and allowing Him to live through you in the immediate. And you do this by renewing your mind and heart every day, many times a day. This daily renewing and refreshing comes from acknowledging Jesus as your source for all things. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will make your paths straight. Seek first the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you require will be provided. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart.”