We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.

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July 28, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, thank You for the reminder that I am not to look at the result, or the outcomes to determine if You are engaged and involved in the circumstances of my life.  I am reminded that You are God, Your ways are not my ways, and You love me beyond anything I can imagine. Many times I have looked at the results to determine if You were in it or not. But Lord, You can see the future, and You know what I need to bring me closer to You.  And you have promised that all things work for my good.  Thank You for reminding me that I do not have to understand it, I simply have to trust and believe. And when I do not have the faith, strength or power to trust and believe; Your mercy and grace provides. I believe Lord, and thank You for filling my gaps when I cannot.

And God says…” When you use your desired outcomes and results to shape your prayers and requests of Me, you make me a very small God. When you allow me, through your hopes and faith, to only answer your prayers in the ways you believe are good or right and proper; you limit Me. If you truly want all things to work together for your good, simply surrender the outcomes and results to Me as well. Your expanded faith and hope allow Me to work beyond the limitations of your finite human abilities on your behalf. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart…and if you really want to experience wonders beyond imagination, surrender your ability to delight yourself in Me as well as the desires of your heart.  Acknowledge Me in all your ways, even in the desired outcomes, and I will make your paths straight. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you will need will be provided.”