Just because I don’t understand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally. Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead.

Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what doesn’t. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? “Whatever He says to you, do it ” (John 2:5).

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March 28, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I thought I understood the way I was being led, and then….whoa, it all changed. I thought I had it all under control as I began to get comfortable in my discomfort. The changes you brought about began to seem regular and normal as I adjusted my expectations– I took a breath and began to “settle in” for some rest and then you changed it all up again.

And God says…”When you set your expectations of Me you inadvertently set the boundaries of your faith. When you expect Me to do things in certain ways you limit My ability to operate in your life. You have heard it said that some people make Me too small, and this is how it is done…by setting their expectations inside preconceived notions. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Seek first the kingdom of God..and release your limits of Me and let Me be God in your life.”