Be determined to know more than others. If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself— begin to have spiritual discernment.

When you know that you should do something and you do it, immediately you know more. Examine where you have become sluggish, where you began losing interest spiritually, and you will find that it goes back to a point where you did not do something you knew you should do. You did not do it because there seemed to be no immediate call to do it. But now you have no insight or discernment, and at a time of crisis you are spiritually distracted instead of spiritually self-controlled. It is a dangerous thing to refuse to continue learning and knowing more.

The counterfeit of obedience is a state of mind in which you create your own opportunities to sacrifice yourself, and your zeal and enthusiasm are mistaken for discernment. It is easier to sacrifice yourself than to fulfill your spiritual destiny, which is stated in Romans 12:1-2. It is much better to fulfill the purpose of God in your life by discerning His will than it is to perform great acts of self-sacrifice. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice . . .” ( 1 Samuel 15:22 ). Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been. “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know . . .” ( John 7:17  ).

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Journal Entry for June 8, 2010 JDV

June 8 2010

So I observe my own life pattern of worship and praise then malaise. I feel stagnant; the fire is not there, I feel tired just searching for the spark of energy; of excitement and passion for a life I cannot seem to live. Like Paul I often find myself doing that that I don’t want to do, or feeling and knowing that I am being self centered and self concerned. I wonder about not being connected.

I wonder about where I stand with God because it doesn’t feel like He is here with me. Perhaps I miss the daily study with my brother David; he has been gone two weeks. Perhaps I miss the daily discipline of iron sharpening iron. All I know is that I would like to absolutely know and feel alive in Christ Jesus and right now I feel a little sluggish.

 And God says “I am with you always even until the end of the age. I am here with you, but you are not listening for Me. You need to take some time during the day to stop! Just stop and hear me. I am love, I am truth and I am knowledge. I am energy, patience, discipline, and blessings. All that you need for an abundant life is in me. If you are in need of anything, look to me. It is a sure indicator that you have taken your eyes off of me when you feel in need of anything. …….Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you. It is not that I give you life and life more abundantly; it is that I am life and life more abundantly and you find this abundant life in me. Submerge yourself in me and be refreshed. You can come to me through the living water of Jesus Christ guided by the Holy Spirit.

How do you do this? You simply keep your eyes on Jesus and submerge yourself in His living water. Stop several times today and be refreshed by Jesus. Know that you are connected to me and refreshed as often as you need be.