Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf! So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”

The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.

If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.

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May 18, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I know. Lord, living in your grace and will is a daily experience. I also know that this life is a life of daily expectations, patience and faith. Thank you for giving me the patience and faith to wait on you with enormous expectations.  And I pray Lord that you allow me to share the gospel today without the use of words. Help me live out my faith connected to You, reaching out to others.

And God says…”The Holy Spirit shows you the magnitude of My love as you stay connected to Me. Acknowledge Me in all you do and I will make your paths straight. Your love, faith and patience grow as you seek Me; stay connected to Me and reach out to others. I can bless you as you bless others. You are a conduit, not a vessel….except to be poured out as I was poured out for you.”

5 18 11  DJR

Good morning, Lord

Today we re-learn that relationship with you is not cerebrally accomplished.   We just get it, more and more as we walk with you and focus on you and the Father.  Kind of like you showed us in John 5 : 19    My question is, “how then does that relate to scripture study.   You were a master of the scriptures.    I have assumed that we should aspire to that as well.  But the scripture experts in your day and today dont really impress me as “Knowing You”  as some of the brother Andrew types who work in the streets and give you away every day.   So what’s the connection?

You should study the scriptures as I did.  Do it every day.   Master them.   But not to show off but to be ready to give an answer to those who ask.   Also it helps you categorize and understand when you see me doing something.      Another picture I’ve shared in the past is Your Mind Like an Auto Parts store …. Where your conscious mind and place of interacting with the world is the front showroom.  There you observe things and have initial feelings about them.    The back warehouse is where all the real important parts are kept.   Your mind is like the back warehouse … full of shelves to store all the wisdom of life that you’ll ever need.    But have you stocked the shelves?     That’s what you do when you prayerfully study the Word.    Then when life brings you a tough challenge, you are not limited to your feelings of anger or compassion or any other.   Instead you can go back to where the wisdom is stored and bring out something that will stand you in good stead.    And amaze the ones who are limited to their feelings because they haven’t paid the price to stock the warehouse of their minds with my Word.