Do you have even the slightest reliance on anything or anyone other than God? Is there a remnant of reliance left on any natural quality within you, or on any particular set of circumstances? Are you relying on yourself in any manner whatsoever regarding this new proposal or plan which God has placed before you? Will you examine yourself by asking these probing questions? It really is true to say, “I cannot live a holy life,” but you can decide to let Jesus Christ make you holy. “You cannot serve the Lord . . .”— but you can place yourself in the proper position where God’s almighty power will flow through you. Is your relationship with God sufficient for you to expect Him to exhibit His wonderful life in you?“The people said to Joshua, ’No, but we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:21). This is not an impulsive action, but a deliberate commitment. We tend to say, “But God could never have called me to this. I’m too unworthy. It can’t mean me.” It does mean you, and the more weak and feeble you are, the better. The person who is still relying and trusting in anything within himself is the last person to even come close to saying, “I will serve the Lord.”

We say, “Oh, if only I really could believe!” The question is, “Will I believe?” No wonder Jesus Christ placed such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). If we really believed that God meant what He said, just imagine what we would be like! Do I really dare to let God be to me all that He says He will be?

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July 9, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord that is the heart of the matter is it not? That is the question…do I rely on anything other than You?  And the answer is yes I do, I rely on my own abilities, resources, capabilities and solutions. Most of the time I wait until my own resources have been depleted, my own abilities insufficient, and then…I seek You. I wait until there are no other paths to take; my resources depleted, my energy drained, the diagnosis out of my control, then I surrender to You. But Lord that has been changing. After so many false starts You are now teaching and guiding us to a place where we look to you first, even when we do have the resources, energy and capabilities. Thank You and please help me trust and surrender earlier and more often Lord, in all circumstances and situations. I believe Lord; please help me in my unbelief.

And God says…”You have been learning to trust Me earlier and more often, mostly because you have found that in your own strength, you will always be lacking. And I have allowed many trials and tests so that you are pushed and stretched beyond your own resources and capabilities, stretched beyond your own faith and belief, so that you must rely on Me for your resources AND your faith and belief.  You cannot supply the faith and belief, it comes from Me. Simply surrender and trust Me to provide all that you need in Christ Jesus. Seek first the Kingdom of God and I will provide everything else you need.  Seek Jesus at every opportunity and watch the trials and difficulties become stepping stones for your  bright future.”