When God, by His Spirit through His Word, gives you a clear vision of His will, you must “walk in the light” of that vision (1 John 1:7). Even though your mind and soul may be thrilled by it, if you don’t “walk in the light” of it you will sink to a level of bondage never envisioned by our Lord. Mentally disobeying the “heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) will make you a slave to ideas and views that are completely foreign to Jesus Christ. Don’t look at someone else and say, “Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why can’t I?” You have to “walk in the light” of the vision that has been given to you. Don’t compare yourself with others or judge them— that is between God and them. When you find that one of your favorite and strongly held views clashes with the “heavenly vision,” do not begin to debate it. If you do, a sense of property and personal right will emerge in you— things on which Jesus placed no value. He was against these things as being the root of everything foreign to Himself— “. . . for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). If we don’t see and understand this, it is because we are ignoring the underlying principles of our Lord’s teaching.

Our tendency is to lie back and bask in the memory of the wonderful experience we had when God revealed His will to us. But if a New Testament standard is revealed to us by the light of God, and we don’t try to measure up, or even feel inclined to do so, then we begin to backslide. It means your conscience does not respond to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you as one who either continues on with even more devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ, or as one who turns to go back as a deserter.

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December 29, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I do not know if I have ever waited for the “Heavenly Vision” to become crystal clear before taking hold of it and running off to “help” with the completion. I often evaluate circumstances and my environment intensely and I interpret any change or movement inside my circumstances as God’s will. As soon as I see the circumstances in a way to suggest God is moving, l grasp the change “as a sign” and run with it. But after a while, when the end result does not turn out as I imagined, I wonder if it was God’s heavenly vision or not, and I am left more confused than ever.

And God says…”I am not the author of confusion. There is no uncertainty in My will for you or your life. My heavenly vision is clear in the scriptures, and the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth. When and if you are uncertain and or confused about My will or heavenly vision it is because you feel the need for urgency as you look at your circumstances. When you look to Me and wait for Me to clearly provide a heavenly vision, there is absolute certainty about My will for you and your life. Your heavenly vision comes alive when you wait on Me. Wait on your heavenly vision knowing that I will never leave you or forsake you. When you wait upon the Lord, your faith is strengthened and I can work in your life. When you take hold of the vision too early, it is because you are afraid. I cannot move in your fear, I can only move in your faith. When you are anxious and fearful, pray and wait on Me. When you are uncertain, pray and wait on Me. Your uncertainty fades and turns to certainty as you stay connected and look to Me, and not your circumstances or your beliefs about the timing.

When you are certain of your heavenly vision, quite certain, absolutely certain, then you shall move in confidence, even though you may be moving only one step at a time. Let Me open your eyes to the certainty one step at a time as you wait for Me at every step.

Trust in Me with all your heart and do not trust your own machinations, and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord, and I will give you the desires of your heart^.……those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles. You shall run and not be weary; you shall walk and not faint or become tired.  I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, a plan to give you hope and a future.