The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). In other words, carnality will disappear.

Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn’t ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, “Oh, I can explain that.” When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, “If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!” And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.

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March 23, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

One more lesson to remind me that I am not the one to change me, God, you will do that. I am to keep my eyes on You. I am to bring my failures to you along with my confession and repentance and trust You to make me into the image of Jesus.  Lord you know I have tried, and tried and failed time after time.  But I have changed, as I look back I can see the changes…and they could only have occurred supernaturally. Thank you.

And God says…”Remember that I want a relationship with you, just like the relationship I sought with Adam. His disobedience and yours would not let that occur without Jesus. As you look to Me and the sacrifice of Jesus, your disobedience and failures become fewer and fewer, and when I look at you I can only see Jesus.  Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight…. (All the time….. in My time). Remember that all things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to My purpose…even your failures. Stay close to Me- do not hide from Me when you fail….(notice I did not say IF you fail). Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart…..as you delight yourself in Me you and your desires are transformed. ,,, Enjoy this life while you are here, live in delight.”

Journal DJR 3 23 11

Good morning Lord,   I think you showed me something the other day after the church group was discussing sex and what to tell teenagers.   And those who are falling short of the highest moral ground.    … When we come to a point where our best attempts at living out our best intentions are falling short … we are at a crossroads.   We can rationalize and lower the standard … or we can appropriate Grace, acknowledge the shortcoming (sin) and be thankful for the forgiveness as we continue (let you continue) the work in us.   It seemed a clear revelation to me at the time, after we had left.   Dont mess with the OrthoDoxy when the Ortho Praxis isn’t measuring up.  Find the Grace and live in the tension….   When I’ve tried to share the concept with a few folks since then, it didn’t seem so awesome to them.  To one it seemed trite and basic.  The other didn’t “get it”

That’s the way revelation is.   It’s for you and for now.   And a different revelation is for them and for then … and you may not get it that time.    It’s OK and it’s all truth if it’s from me.   My truth and my Ways are higher… so accept it and ride the wave.

I am continuing to love what my mentor Dave Peck said about the commandments,  He preferred to look at them as the 10 Suggestions.   That a loving father would have for his children that he loved and wanted the best for them.   But in the self limited context of free will and consequences, he could only suggest what would work out best for them.    As you know, that got me kicked out once.   But I think it’s brilliant.     These current folks didn’t kick me out … but they didn’t think it’s as brilliant and so much of an answer as I do.

Once again, it is revelation that is for you for now.   All my children will get what they need in my time as they work together with me.   Trust me.

I do.   I find it easy to trust you for them.    But for me.  There I sometimes stumble.  Like this appointment today.   Is it a waste of time?  Are you in it?  Where is this going?   I wish I were more sure.

Some things benefit from the maxim,   Dont doubt in the dark what you’ve seen in the light.    You saw this in the light.  Now it’s not so clear.   Dont doubt.  Dont even think about it until there is a reason to.   I will give you more light when you are ready for it.

OK, sounds good.