Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22).

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April 27 2016

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord. This devotional convicted me Lord. Even as I read it I knew that I was and am guilty of seeking an intimacy with You so that You would assuage life’s uncertainties, hurt and pain while helping me make a better life by making me a better person here on earth. So many of my prayers have been about what you can or “should” do for me or mine. Now I am focused and motivated to seek You for a more intimate relationship as an end in itself. I do not believe I have explored and lived in that space as often or as completely as I could. Thank You for this reminder. I pray for Your strength and power to focus more on our intimate relationship as an end in itself.

And God says…”It is not wrong to ask Me for blessings, gifts or your daily bread. It is not wrong to pray to avoid temptation and the evil one. However, sometimes the things requested in prayer like peace, daily bread, courage, financial security and health for you and yours, become the ends in themselves. I can respond and your life becomes transformed when you first seek Me and our intimate relationship. Strive to be surrendered so that we have an intimate relationship and connection that leads you first to Jesus and His love, mercy and grace. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require for your daily living. Take time to simply engage Me for the sake of knowing Me more intimately, and I will provide everything else you require. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, and do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. Let My word and direction be a lamp that lights your way, one step at a time as we live in intimate connection that springs from your surrender.”