Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer— “O Lord God, You know” (Ezekiel 37:3). Never forge ahead with your religious common sense and say, “Oh, yes, with just a little more Bible reading, devotional time, and prayer, I see how it can be done.”It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we see the activity and mistake panic for inspiration. That is why we see so few fellow workers with God, yet so many people working for God. We would much rather work for God than believe in Him. Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do? The degree of hopelessness I have for others comes from never realizing that God has done anything for me. Is my own personal experience such a wonderful realization of God’s power and might that I can never have a sense of hopelessness for anyone else I see? Has any spiritual work been accomplished in me at all? The degree of panic activity in my life is equal to the degree of my lack of personal spiritual experience.“Behold, O My people, I will open your graves…” (Ezekiel 37:12). When God wants to show you what human nature is like separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace. My “grave” has been opened by God and “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18). God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.

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June 1, 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, thank you for the reminder that You provide the grace, love and mercy we need to live an abundant life. Thank You for showing us one more time that You have provided all we need for the Christian life, including the love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness we need from You as we live day to day “missing the mark”.

And God says…”Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need to live. When you seek the things you need by your own efforts, you cannot be fulfilled, regardless of your level of success or failure. And in your own efforts, you engage in life, work, relationships and even church and wonder why you do not feel satisfied, and at peace. Let Me be Lord of your life, through your daily, hourly and minute by minute surrender of your own efforts followed by our connection, your curiosity, expectations and obedience. And with our connection I can and will provide the power for you to live in this fashion. Worry about nothing but pray about everything, and you will know that peace that passes all understanding. And you will learn, know and experience more success and victory than you ever imagined.”