Isn’t it humiliating to be told that we must come to Jesus! Think of the things about which we will not come to Jesus Christ. If you want to know how real you are, test yourself by these words— “Come to Me . . . .” In every dimension in which you are not real, you will argue or evade the issue altogether rather than come; you will go through sorrow rather than come; and you will do anything rather than come the last lap of the race of seemingly unspeakable foolishness and say, “Just as I am, I come.” As long as you have even the least bit of spiritual disrespect, it will always reveal itself in the fact that you are expecting God to tell you to do something very big, and yet all He is telling you to do is to “Come . . . .”“Come to Me . . . .” When you hear those words, you will know that something must happen in you before you can come. The Holy Spirit will show you what you have to do, and it will involve anything that will uproot whatever is preventing you from getting through to Jesus. And you will never get any further until you are willing to do that very thing. The Holy Spirit will search out that one immovable stronghold within you, but He cannot budge it unless you are willing to let Him do so.How often have you come to God with your requests and gone away thinking, “I’ve really received what I wanted this time!” And yet you go away with nothing, while all the time God has stood with His hands outstretched not only to take you but also for you to take Him. Just think of the invincible, unconquerable, and untiring patience of Jesus, who lovingly says, “Come to Me. . . .”

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Journal Entry for Today

October 8, 2014

Lord, once more we learn the lesson of connecting with Jesus; surrendering all else that we believed held answers for us. We surrender our families, spouses, careers, hopes and dreams as we learn that without You these things are not the treasures we thought. They can become part of the treasure you have for us, but only after we surrender them.  Thank You for continuing to show me these lessons.

And God says…”You must be willing to give up your families, spouses, careers, hopes and dreams when you come to Me. And as a good Father, I will not take them from you, I will give them even more purpose and meaning as you allow Me to live through you.  I came to give you life and life more abundantly, allow Me to do just that with the things you treasure most.  Once again this morning you can surrender your life to Me, acknowledge Me in all your ways, and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. I know this is not an easy task, but it is simple; simply imagine everything you hold dear, or want for your life in a  separately labeled package, and place it at the foot of the cross this day: Your family, your career, your spouse, your career, hopes and dreams. And in this act of surrender, know that I will treasure your treasures as a Father that loves you so very much.”