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 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord God, thank You for continuing to direct me to our connection at the cross.  Thank you for reminding me that I am to be surrendered to Your cross. While I understand that I am to be connected, curious and expectant, I can often forget that our connection takes place at the cross, where you surrendered Your life. Thank You for reminding me to surrender myself to you at the cross every morning. So I start this day surrendered, connected, curious and expectant.

And God says…”You are to take up your cross and follow me every day.  When you identify with the cross, you are saying “I too need to surrender my life, as did Jesus” . And this takes place every day, with many decisions and opportunities. This does not mean you are “saved” many times during the day, it means you are surrendered and connected many times as you go through your day.  When faced with a challenging decision, financial pressure, work project, or perhaps a torn relationship or a temptation, you can, in your mind’s eye, carry them to the cross.  Leave them there and then reach out in your connection to Jesus, and be curious about how Jesus will deal with your challenges, financial pressure, work project or torn relationships.   Stay expectant, and trust Jesus to meet all your needs according to His riches in glory. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you need will be provided.”