Seek if you have not found. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss…” (James 4:3). If you ask for things from life instead of from God, “you ask amiss”; that is, you ask out of your desire for self-fulfillment. The more you fulfill yourself the less you will seek God. “…seek, and you will find….” Get to work— narrow your focus and interests to this one thing. Have you ever sought God with your whole heart, or have you simply given Him a feeble cry after some emotionally painful experience? “…seek, [focus,] and you will find….”“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters…” (Isaiah 55:1). Are you thirsty, or complacent and indifferent— so satisfied with your own experience that you want nothing more of God? Experience is a doorway, not a final goal. Beware of building your faith on experience, or your life will not ring true and will only sound the note of a critical spirit. Remember that you can never give another person what you have found, but you can cause him to have a desire for it.“…knock, and it will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9). “Draw near to God…” (James 4:8). Knock— the door is closed, and your heartbeat races as you knock. “Cleanse your hands…” (James 4:8). Knock a bit louder— you begin to find that you are dirty. “…purify your hearts…” (James 4:8). It is becoming even more personal— you are desperate and serious now— you will do anything. “Lament…” (James 4:9). Have you ever lamented, expressing your sorrow before God for the condition of your inner life? There is no thread of self-pity left, only the heart-rending difficulty and amazement which comes from seeing what kind of person you really are. “Humble yourselves…” (James 4:10). It is a humbling experience to knock at God’s door— you have to knock with the crucified thief. “…to him who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:10).

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June 10 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, thank You once again for this lesson and song that bring us to the point of seeking a deeper connection and relationship with You before we bring our requests. Thank You for reminding us to seek the Holy Spirit and the spiritual “knowing” before we even consider how we want You to act on our behalf. David and I both agreed that today we will find our quiet place to pray and seek You and a very strong connection before we hold up our requests and step out into our day. Thank You for this insight.

And God says…”Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight. Love Your God with all your heart mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself, and then check on yourself a number of times today after your intimate prayer time. See how your day has progressed and how your uncertainty simply does not matter because you know that I am God and I have a plan for you, for good and not for evil; for fulfillment instead of anxiety and concern. Trust in Me with all your heart, do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. I have come that you may have life and life more abundant. Simply surrender your own notions of how this is to be done, and what the outcomes will be; be connected via the Holy Spirit and remain curious about how I will respond as you expect Me to act and you find my strength for obedience.”