We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. We must break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him. Think who the New Testament says Jesus Christ is, and then think of the despicable meagerness of the miserable faith we exhibit by saying, “I haven’t had this experience or that experience”! Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims and provides— He can present us faultless before the throne of God, inexpressibly pure, absolutely righteous, and profoundly justified. Stand in absolute adoring faith “in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” (1 Corinthians 1:30). How dare we talk of making a sacrifice for the Son of God! We are saved from hell and total destruction, and then we talk about making sacrifices!We must continually focus and firmly place our faith in Jesus Christ— not a “prayer meeting” Jesus Christ, or a “book” Jesus Christ, but the New Testament Jesus Christ, who is God Incarnate, and who ought to strike us dead at His feet. Our faith must be in the One from whom our salvation springs. Jesus Christ wants our absolute, unrestrained devotion to Himself. We can never experience Jesus Christ, or selfishly bind Him in the confines of our own hearts. Our faith must be built on strong determined confidence in Him.

It is because of our trusting in experience that we see the steadfast impatience of the Holy Spirit against unbelief. All of our fears are sinful, and we create our own fears by refusing to nourish ourselves in our faith. How can anyone who is identified with Jesus Christ suffer from doubt or fear! Our lives should be an absolute hymn of praise resulting from perfect, irrepressible, triumphant belief.

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November 13, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Whoa Lord, this devotional sounds and feels like a rebuke from Brother Chambers.  Look at chastising remarks just as he starts the devotional…”We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. We must break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him. Think who the New Testament says Jesus Christ is, and then think of the despicable meagerness of the miserable faith we exhibit by saying, “I haven’t had this experience or that experience!”… Lord, this makes me wonder if I should even ask for help, rescue or blessings; because I have been locked in my own little world of experience as Chambers calls it.

And God says…”Oswald Chambers was teaching young men that wanted to become missionaries. And like a great many young and eager believers, they wanted more and more spiritual experiences. They wanted to experience more mountain tops,   more spiritual euphoria.  And Oswald Chamber was simply trying to tell them, in his way, that being connected and focused on Jesus is the answer, not a spiritual or mountaintop experience.  And yes Chambers does leverage a bit of guilt and shame; emotions that have no place in your relationship with Jesus. However, the message is the same, day in and day out; be connected to Jesus, communicate with Him, love Him, and get to know Him more and more. Then remain curious about how the Spirit will guide you, answer your prayers and build you up in the faith.  Trust the Lord to lead and guide you into all things; blessings, experiences, answers and day to day life when you surrender and are connected.”