The gospel of God creates the sense of need for the gospel. Is the gospel hidden to those who are servants already? No, Paul said, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe…” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The majority of people think of themselves as being completely moral, and have no sense of need for the gospel. It is God who creates this sense of need in a human being, but that person remains totally unaware of his need until God makes Himself evident. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7). But God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He wants to withhold something from us, but that is the plan He has established for the way of redemption. Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was nonexistent until we asked. The inner reality of redemption is that it creates all the time. And as redemption creates the life of God in us, it also creates the things which belong to that life. The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need. This is the meaning of redemption— it creates and it satisfies.Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). When we preach our own experiences, people may be interested, but it awakens no real sense of need. But once Jesus Christ is “lifted up,” the Spirit of God creates an awareness of the need for Him. The creative power of the redemption of God works in the souls of men only through the preaching of the gospel. It is never the sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).________________________________________________________December 17 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, at first it seems as if Oswald Chambers is once again writing about how things must be done in order to receive your redemption and the power of the Holy Spirit from that redemption. He says we must ask before You will respond; that the power of redemption can only come alive in us as we ask.  But your word told me yesterday (Romans 8:26-28 MSG) that I did not need to know how or what to pray for, that You would do that for me. Should I ask You for specific things in this life? If You already know my needs, then why am I to ask? And when you do not respond to my prayers, when it seems as if You have taken a holiday, what am I to do?  Keep asking until you respond? Or leave my request on Your altar believing You will respond when it is good for me?

And God says…”First of all understand that redemption means you are forgiven, holy, justified, free, adopted, and reconciled. And because you are forgiven, holy, justified, free, adopted and reconciled, I can respond to you as I would one of My children.”

“Chambers was making his students and you aware that the nature of redemption is that you begin to understand that the power for human transformation and grace for daily living comes from God. And asking in prayer is simply your confirmation of your knowledge that I am your source. I am your source for redemption and everything else in your life.”

“However, you may ask for things that could not possibly serve you well. In fact, many of your blessings have come from the prayers I did not answer. Many of your blessings have come from those prayers that I did answer. Your prayer requests acknowledge that I am your God, and you recognize that you can do no good thing apart from Me.  While I know and hear your needs, I cannot answer any prayer that is not for your ultimate good.  And when I do not respond in the time frame you believe is important, it is because I know time like you cannot know time, I know your needs and happiness because I am God and I created you. I can and will and do more for your well-being than you can possibly comprehend. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding, and I will make your paths straight. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart.”