We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.

God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.

The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.

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July 6 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord. The first thing David said regarding this devotional was …”do not doubt in the dark what you have seen in the light”. Oswald Chambers says “Let the Potter put you on His wheel and whirl you as He desires”. And Lord, we know that when we are surrendered to You, and connected by the Holy Spirit, we can live joyfully, not because our circumstances have necessary turned all around, but because we know You intimately. When we are surrendered and connected, we just know and feel that You are in control and all things work for the good of those that love the Lord. We know that You have come to give us life and life more abundantly. Without seeing any physical evidence, we just know…You are God and the vision you gave us will not tarry.

And God says…”When I give you the vision, you can be certain it will come to pass. “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”…  How do you know the vision is from Me and not from your own imagination; or an idea from another person or source? How can you trust the vision to be real? I have shown you how to be surrendered and connected intimately with Me in prayer. Just go to your private prayer place, imagine your vision, the roadblocks, and all the conflicting issues claiming they are more powerful than the vision I gave you….then place them surrendered at the foot of the cross. Wrap your concerns, conflicting voices, and your thoughts that you are not worthy into little wrapped presents and present them to Jesus at the foot of the cross in your mind. Then as you feel the powerful and intimate connection of the cross, begin to ask yourself “I wonder how God will deal with this. I wonder how God will meet my needs. I wonder how God will bring the vision to reality. Be curious. And when you find you cannot muster the faith to be curious and faithful, recall that because of Jesus and the cross,  I can and will provide the grace to give you that faith.  You believe and I help you in your unbelief. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need, including the faith necessary to bring your vision to fruition.”