Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives. And it causes us to be a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than we are. Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby.

To be shallow is not a sign of being sinful, nor is shallowness an indication that there is no depth to your life at all— the ocean has a shore. Even the shallow things of life, such as eating and drinking, walking and talking, are ordained by God. These are all things our Lord did. He did them as the Son of God, and He said, “A disciple is not above his teacher . . .” (Matthew 10:24).

We are safeguarded by the shallow things of life. We have to live the surface, commonsense life in a commonsense way. Then when God gives us the deeper things, they are obviously separated from the shallow concerns. Never show the depth of your life to anyone but God. We are so nauseatingly serious, so desperately interested in our own character and reputation, we refuse to behave like Christians in the shallow concerns of life.

Make a determination to take no one seriously except God. You may find that the first person you must be the most critical with, as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.

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November 22, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I have begun to take others’ spiritual guidance and direction with a grain of salt….that is unless I am quickened by the Spirit of God and or their guidance is supported by the word of God. Whenever Oswald Chambers or anyone else tells me “beware” of doing this or that, I will read it, digest it and then allow the Holy Spirit of God to bring it into my consciousness. Like most things in my world, I try to hold guidance and direction in an open palm waiting for direction from the Holy Spirit. If I hear the same message over again and again, and or find the message resonating with me, I will then share it with David or another brother and we will prayerfully examine the direction and its application.

And God says…”My son, don’t believe everything you hear or read. Carefully weigh and examine what people write and tell you.  Not every Godly piece of advice or direction is for you at this particular time and not everyone who talks about God comes from God…..remember to test everything you hear with the word of God and with the Spirit of God living within you. And also remember that there is a time for everything. If you want to hear My voice and My confirmation, simply listen for Me. Knock and the door will be answered, ask and you shall receive. My sheep know my voice, listen for Me and do what I ask.”

“And know this; you are My child bought with the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. You are too valuable for Me to leave without specific direction. When you are not certain of My voice and direction, simply wait. I will never leave or forsake you.”