Faith in active opposition to common sense is mistaken enthusiasm and narrow-mindedness, and common sense in opposition to faith demonstrates a mistaken reliance on reason as the basis for truth. The life of faith brings the two of these into the proper relationship. Common sense and faith are as different from each other as the natural life is from the spiritual, and as impulsiveness is from inspiration. Nothing that Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, but is revelation sense, and is complete, whereas common sense falls short. Yet faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life. “We know that all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28) so that no matter what happens, the transforming power of God’s providence transforms perfect faith into reality. Faith always works in a personal way, because the purpose of God is to see that perfect faith is made real in His children.For every detail of common sense in life, there is a truth God has revealed by which we can prove in our practical experience what we believe God to be. Faith is a tremendously active principle that always puts Jesus Christ first. The life of faith says, “Lord, You have said it, it appears to be irrational, but I’m going to step out boldly, trusting in Your Word” (for example, see Matthew 6:33). Turning intellectual faith into our personal possession is always a fight, not just sometimes. God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us. Until we know Jesus, God is merely a concept, and we can’t have faith in Him. But once we hear Jesus say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9) we immediately have something that is real, and our faith is limitless. Faith is the entire person in the right relationship with God through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

__________________________________________________________

 

October 30 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning God. A line in the song for today spoke to my heart; …I look back and I see you, I always do.” That seems to be one of the ways my faith is strengthened; by looking back and seeing how You loved me through it all. One of the scriptures I recall about faith is Romans 10:17. Faith comes from hearing the word of God. And I have understood this to mean that my faith grows as I read and am submerged in Your word. But I am also starting to believe that my faith grows as I am surrounded by Your voice that comes through my surrender and our connection. And the evidence of this comes when I look back and see how You have impacted my life; how You have loved me, through it all.

And God says…”When you seek Me you will find Me. If you seek my voice, you will hear Me from sources all around you. When You are surrendered, connected and curious, you will hear me speaking to you though the Bible, all kinds of songs, books, movies, nature, and your family, friends and circumstances. When we are connected you will see and hear Me everywhere. Your faith grows as you are surrendered, connected and curious. As you simply let go of the commonsense of it and let My presence be natural and supernatural in your life. Seek first the kingdom of God, and I will meet ALL your needs. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight.  All things (that means everything) work for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”