His!
September 4, 2010
A missionary is someone in whom the Holy Spirit has brought about this realization: “You are not your own” ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ). To say, “I am not my own,” is to have reached a high point in my spiritual stature. The true nature of that life in actual everyday confusion is evidenced by the deliberate giving up of myself to another Person through a sovereign decision, and that Person is Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit interprets and explains the nature of Jesus to me to make me one with my Lord, not that I might simply become a trophy for His showcase. Our Lord never sent any of His disciples out on the basis of what He had done for them. It was not until after the resurrection, when the disciples had perceived through the power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus really was, that He said, “Go” (Matthew 28:19; also see Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8 ).
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” ( Luke 14:26 ). He was not saying that this person cannot be good and upright, but that he cannot be someone over whom Jesus can write the word Mine. Any one of the relationships our Lord mentions in this verse can compete with our relationship with Him. I may prefer to belong to my mother, or to my wife, or to myself, but if that is the case, then, Jesus said, “[You] cannot be My disciple.” This does not mean that I will not be saved, but it does mean that I cannot be entirely His.
Our Lord makes His disciple His very own possession, becoming responsible for him. “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . .” ( Acts 1:8 ). The desire that comes into a disciple is not one of doing anything for Jesus, but of being a perfect delight to Him. The missionary’s secret is truly being able to say, “I am His, and He is accomplishing His work and His purposes through me.”
Be entirely His!
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September 4, 2010
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
It occurs to me that my logic and “need to know” have no place in my relationship with God. My logic does not work because God’s way is not my way. In His way, we receive by giving, and I hold onto my life by giving it away. I am helped and blessed most when I help and am a blessing to others.
I try to see and protect my future and God lights my way only one step or day at a time and causes me to learn about trusting Him. I try to avoid pain, trials and difficult circumstances and He tells me to avoid getting out of my trials too early.
There seems to be no logic to the way He guides me and directs my life.
And God says….”If you could find me in logic then the most logical would find me. If there were a formula to understanding what I do and why, then you would simply have to work and study to learn the formula. And in order to protect and guarantee your future, you would simply have to plan and anticipate what might go wrong or right, and plan and direct your life accordingly.”
“But this does not work does it? My ways are not your ways.”
“Come to me as a little child trusting and open; eager to receive My love. Do not relay on your understanding. Remember the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection. Pray, trust, and have faith in the love that was necessary for such a sacrifice, and live in the joy and peace that passes understanding… “
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