If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new —2 Corinthians 5:17
Our Lord never tolerates our prejudices— He is directly opposed to them and puts them to death. We tend to think that God has some special interest in our particular prejudices, and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We even say to ourselves, “God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right.” But we must learn that God accepts nothing of the old life! Instead of being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately removing them from us. It is part of our moral education to see our prejudices put to death by His providence, and to watch how He does it. God pays no respect to anything we bring to Him. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is nothing remaining of the old life. Our old gloomy outlook disappears, as does our old attitude toward things, and “all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:18). How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that “is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil”? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God— such a trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
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October 23, 2014
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, I understand the reasoning and direction …for us to give up our prejudices, our old ways of doing things and live through the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. I hear Chambers when he says we must give up our own ways and means and trust You completely; when he says we need to surrender completely.
But Lord, when the diagnosis is very bad, or the bank account way too low, the boss hands out a pink slip, or our beloved says they are moving on without us; how can you expect us to rely on our faith, hope and love when everything we sense screams us into fear and we feel abandoned and or unworthy of your rescue? How is it that You can expect us to find the faith and trust to overlook all the evidence and pressure crashing down on us when we can see, touch and feel the impending disasters, but cannot see, touch and feel your intercession?
And God says…”I do not expect you to demonstrate faith, hope, love, or trust when you sense impending disaster. I expect you to sense the futility of your own power, strength and effort, and surrender to me. It should be easy for you to surrender when you sense impending disaster and know you cannot do enough, if anything to prevent the disasters. Isn’t that when humans surrender? When they know they are unable to accomplish what needs accomplishing?”
“How can you trust Me to rescue you, to use the disaster for your good, to make a positive outcome out of the overwhelming circumstances? Just look at your overwhelming circumstances; know you cannot impact them, and then surrender them to Me because you must.”
“You can also recall all the times in your life when I have met all your needs and turned the difficult circumstances into good for you and yours. You can also recall the scriptures that offer you My promises for example: “all things work for the good of those that love the Lord….seek first the kingdom of God , which is Jesus, and everything you need will be provided you, …trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own strength, and methods, and He will make your paths straight, and… I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for bad, and I will meet all your needs according to My riches in heaven.”
“Just surrender, and let Me fill your heart and mind and I will provide the strength, hope, faith, trust and love you need.”
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Journal DJR
Good morning, Lord. I’ve always known (on an academic level) that from the time we first say “yes” to you, until we get to Heaven … is a process. A journey toward Christlikeness. But recently I can actually say that I feel the process. I feel the squeezing and molding. I’m liking it. (most of the time) It’s getting easier to surrender. I think that’s because I have seen the folly of pushing my agenda thru and the way that your agenda is always better. It’s actually becoming a game … staying curious and keeping an objective view (hopefully a balcony view, standing next to you, looking down on that guy named Dave) Looking to see how he is getting molded …. Is that a good way to look at myself and life?
Yes. That’s just a result of being connected. I direct all who connect with me to that way of living. Some use different words and some come faster or slower but I direct my sons and daughters toward a surrendered life. So come to me. Get and stay connected and I will show you great things. Including aspects of your own shaping.
Jeremiah 33:2-3 (MSG)
2-3 “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ to rise above your trials.”
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