When a person is born again, there is a period of time when he does not have the same vitality in his thinking or reasoning that he previously had. We must learn to express this new life within us, which comes by forming the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:5). Luke 21:19 means that we take possession of our souls through patience. But many of us prefer to stay at the entrance to the Christian life, instead of going on to create and build our soul in accordance with the new life God has placed within us.

We fail because we are ignorant of the way God has made us, and we blame things on the devil that are actually the result of our own undisciplined natures. Just think what we could be when we are awakened to the truth!There are certain things in life that we need not pray about— moods, for instance.

We will never get rid of moodiness by praying, but we will by kicking it out of our lives. Moods nearly always are rooted in some physical circumstance, not in our true inner self. It is a continual struggle not to listen to the moods which arise as a result of our physical condition, but we must never submit to them for a second.

We have to pick ourselves up by the back of the neck and shake ourselves; then we will find that we can do what we believed we were unable to do. The problem that most of us are cursed with is simply that we won’t. The Christian life is one of spiritual courage and determination lived out in our flesh.

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May 20 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord.  This seems like another devotional about using our own courage and determination to overcome our own undisciplined nature. I wonder what truth You will show us from this Chambers’ devotional that once again tells us to simply pick ourselves up by the nape of our necks, shake ourselves and just “get on with it”. Doing this he says will result in us …. (as Nike says) just doing it. The trouble he says is that we simply won’t do it: we won’t use our self-discipline, and he says even prayer won’t work. We must just do it.

And God says…”You well know that you can discipline your spirit, mind and body to accomplish many things you previously thought impossible. Like writing a journal and sending out a devotional to a mailing list for almost five years; like writing a book. The issue is not whether or not to “simply do it” it is to simply be connected to Jesus and allow Him to “just do it “through you.  All these tools; courage, determination, self-discipline do not help grapes grow. Being connected to the vine is what creates fruit. Self-discipline, courage, determination are all tools I will use to help make you in My image. And you will become aware of these tools after the fact, much like you should become aware that you have been used to spread the gospel…..after the fact.”

“When you stop being concerned and or even aware of the desired outcomes, you can look back and see that courage, determination, and self-discipline have been used by the Holy Spirit to accomplish My goals through you. And prayer does work; especially prayer to be connected….I will give the Holy Spirit to those that ask…..how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and do not rely on your own understanding, determination, courage, and or self-discipline, and I will make your paths straight.  Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus and I will provide everything else you need, including the courage, determination and self-discipline when and if required. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. ”