God’s command is, “Take now,” not later. It is incredible how we debate! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately. If we are to climb to the height God reveals, it can never be done later— it must be done now. And the sacrifice must be worked through our will before we actually perform it.

“So Abraham rose early in the morning . . . and went to the place of which God had told him” (Genesis 22:3). Oh, the wonderful simplicity of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not “confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16). Beware when you want to “confer with flesh and blood” or even your own thoughts, insights, or understandings— anything that is not based on your personal relationship with God. These are all things that compete with and hinder obedience to God.

Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be. Always guard against self-chosen service for God. Self-sacrifice may be a disease that impairs your service. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; or even if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential will of God means a hard and difficult time for you, go through it. But never decide the place of your own martyrdom, as if to say, “I will only go to there, but no farther.” God chose the test for Abraham, and Abraham neither delayed nor protested, but steadily obeyed. If you are not living in touch with God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him. You must go through the trial before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because by going through the trial you learn to know God better. God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.

________________________________________________________

November 11, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Last night during the men’s Bible Study we shared what Jesus means to us. Each one of us took a turn and talked about Jesus in his life. We all had a different way of explaining our different positions and yet we all were saying the same thing. Jesus we said is the answer, the lover of our souls, our conviction, our Savior and Lord, and best friend and brother. We each saw Jesus differently and yet it was clear that Jesus was for each of us exactly what God needed Him to be in our separate and individual lives. Thank you Lord for Jesus, and His sacrifice and willingness to be our all in all.

And God says…” Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. He is the living water for your life, regardless of your circumstance. When you seek the Kingdom of God, you find the step by step direction in Jesus. When you come to Jesus and surrender yourself, He can and will meet you right at the point of your need, and because the needs of each man are different, Jesus can and will be described differently. But He is the same. He is everything you need, right when you need it and remember God provides for all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”