Determinedly Discipline Other Things. This is another difficult aspect of the strenuous nature of sainthood. Paul said, according to the Moffatt translation of this verse, “…I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ….” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will— “the Son can do nothing of Himself…” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do— we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ.Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline.We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ’s view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil. This means that each person must recognize the responsibility to “be transformed by the renewing of [his] mind….” (Romans 12:2).

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September 9 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, please help us surrender and be connected to you this and every morning. We know that we are not able to bring sufficient discipline and focus to the process that asks us to bring every thought and project into captivity. When we try to do think about the right things, we do the opposite. When we try to wrangle our thoughts and projects into Your will, we fail. When we attempt to make the right argument, we end up trying to impress others with our oratory instead of sharing God’s truth. Who is to save us from this dilemma?

And God says…”As Paul said, thanks be to God Jesus Christ has already saved you from this dilemma. It is not a matter of your discipline and focus, or your constant wrangling of your thoughts and actions. Your ability to discipline yourself and your thoughts and projects into My will and My ways is non-existent. Quit trying, forget it, and give up…..yes surrender! Surrender your abilities and inabilities to Jesus, and accept the Holy Spirit and your connection…then let go and let Me take the steps that need to be taken, speak the words that need to be spoken, and live the life that needs to be lived through you.  I will transform  your mind and direct your actions.  I will make a way where there seemed to be “no way’. And I will abandon projects and opportunities that seemed so “spiritual and proper”,  and raise up many that seemed lacking or inadequate.  Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require, including the discipline and transformation of thoughts, ideas and projects. Acknowledge Me in all your ways, and do not rely on your own ways and means and understanding and I will make your paths straight. Seek surrender and connection, then remain curious and obedient as I transform you the thoughts and projects that surround you.“