Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father…that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.” —Matthew 11:25
We do not grow into a spiritual relationship step by step— we either have a relationship or we do not. God does not continue to cleanse us more and more from sin— “But if we walk in the light,” we are cleansed “from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It is a matter of obedience, and once we obey, the relationship is instantly perfected. But if we turn away from obedience for even one second, darkness and death are immediately at work again.
All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. But once you obey, a flash of light comes immediately. Let God’s truth work into you by immersing yourself in it, not by worrying into it. The only way you can get to know the truth of God is to stop trying to find out and by being born again. If you obey God in the first thing He shows you, then He instantly opens up the next truth to you. You could read volumes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when five minutes of total, uncompromising obedience would make things as clear as sunlight. Don’t say, “I suppose I will understand these things someday!” You can understand them now. And it is not study that brings understanding to you, but obedience.
Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. Yet God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already. Beware of becoming one of the “wise and prudent.” “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know…” (John 7:17).
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October 10, 2016
Journal Entry for Today-J D Vaughn
Good morning Lord, and thank You for this devotional. Somehow we knew these truths, they have been embedded deeply in us; namely that You reveal to us the next steps in awareness and understanding of spiritual truth as soon as we act on the truth(s) You have revealed. The four steps are surrender, connection (or communication), curiosity (staying objective and away from the outcomes) and obedience. You have made it clear to us that we are to follow this path of surrender and not to engage our own big four: To look good, feel good, be right and to be in control as any one of these can spin us out of your hands and into our own and even worse into the hands of the enemy. You have been teaching us that any deviation from the four steps of surrender, even for the right reasons, will lead us into self-control instead of God control.
And God says…”When you live in a surrendered and connected state, you will know that I am working in your life; even if it looks like nothing is happening. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require for daily living. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make all your paths straight; even in My silence you feel and know my presence. When you simply seek Jesus, and surrender your wants, needs and hopes to Him, you discover an eager confidence to live moment by moment out of that.”
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