Simplicity is the secret to seeing things clearly. A saint does not think clearly until a long time passes, but a saint ought to see clearly without any difficulty. You cannot think through spiritual confusion to make things clear; to make things clear, you must obey. In intellectual matters you can think things out, but in spiritual matters you will only think yourself into further wandering thoughts and more confusion. If there is something in your life upon which God has put His pressure, then obey Him in that matter. Bring all your “arguments and…every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” regarding the matter, and everything will become as clear as daylight to you (2 Corinthians 10:5). Your reasoning capacity will come later, but reasoning is not how we see. We see like children, and when we try to be wise we see nothing (see Matthew 11:25).Even the very smallest thing that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is completely sufficient to account for spiritual confusion, and spending all of our time thinking about it will still never make it clear. Spiritual confusion can only be conquered through obedience. As soon as we obey, we have discernment. This is humiliating, because when we are confused we know that the reason lies in the state of our mind. But when our natural power of sight is devoted and submitted in obedience to the Holy Spirit, it becomes the very power by which we perceive God’s will, and our entire life is kept in simplicity.

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September 14 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord and thank you for this lesson about obedience. This line …”Even the very smallest thing that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is completely sufficient to account for spiritual confusion, and spending all of our time thinking about it will still never make it clear;” really struck home. Thinking about, worrying over and or pondering an issue, problem or opportunity has never seemed to work for me, thank you for the reminder. When I am in that condition I am just kidding myself about “being in control”.

I was never any good at the obedience thing historically, because for me obedience always seemed like just one more authority figure in my life just saying …”because I said so”. And I am not built to follow the rules or guidelines if they do not make sense to me. But what You have shown me is that being obedient to a God that loves me immeasurably is a whole different matter. I can’t figure You out, cannot determine the how or why of it, I just know You love me, and gave your Son for me. I can trust and obey because of that and the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of me.

And God says…”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding, experience or history and I will make your paths straight. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need, including the ability to be obedient. You may not “feel” like being obedient, or even know what you should be obedient about. But when you surrender yourself and your agenda to Me, we are then able to have a relationship that includes the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit guiding you into all things. And the process, outcomes and blessings that come from our relationship will seem as easy and natural as breathing.”