It is very easy to grieve the Spirit of God; we do it by despising the discipline of the Lord, or by becoming discouraged when He rebukes us. If our experience of being set apart from sin and being made holy through the process of sanctification is still very shallow, we tend to mistake the reality of God for something else. And when the Spirit of God gives us a sense of warning or restraint, we are apt to say mistakenly, “Oh, that must be from the devil.”“Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19), and do not despise Him when He says to you, in effect, “Don’t be blind on this point anymore— you are not as far along spiritually as you thought you were. Until now I have not been able to reveal this to you, but I’m revealing it to you right now.” When the Lord disciplines you like that, let Him have His way with you. Allow Him to put you into a right-standing relationship before God.“. . . nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.” We begin to pout, become irritated with God, and then say, “Oh well, I can’t help it. I prayed and things didn’t turn out right anyway. So I’m simply going to give up on everything.” Just think what would happen if we acted like this in any other area of our lives!

Am I fully prepared to allow God to grip me by His power and do a work in me that is truly worthy of Himself? Sanctification is not my idea of what I want God to do for me— sanctification is God’s idea of what He wants to do for me. But He has to get me into the state of mind and spirit where I will allow Him to sanctify me completely, whatever the cost (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

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August 14, 2014

Journal for Today-JDV

Father God, it seems like almost every other devotional from Chambers is about beware of this, beware of that. If I do not do this then this will occur, and I can only receive God’s favor if I do such and such. And now I read that God loves me when I am disciplined and rebuked. Can you help me understand this, because it doesn’t seem right.

And God says…”I can see how this can be misinterpreted, and as you know my people have been trying to help Me out with their interpretations of how to please Me since time and the garden. Here is the very simple explanation: when you pursue your own ways and means and goals, leaving Me out of your thoughts and pursuits, you will not find true happiness and or peace. Regardless of your circumstances, seek to be connected to Me, curious and expectant about how I will bless you and your situations, and you will find true peace, joy and happiness. because I will be guiding your life. Seek first the kingdom of God which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require, including joy and peace. And remember, my yoke is never burdensome.”