August 25, 2011
I have called you friends . . . —John 15:15
We will never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we surrender in every detail of our lives. Yet self-surrender is the most difficult thing for us to do. We make it conditional by saying, “I’ll surrender if . . . !” Or we approach it by saying, “I suppose I have to devote my life to God.” We will never find the joy of self-sacrifice in either of these ways.
But as soon as we do totally surrender, abandoning ourselves to Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives us a taste of His joy. The ultimate goal of self-sacrifice is to lay down our lives for our Friend (see John 15:13-14). When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, our greatest desire is to lay down our lives for Jesus. Yet the thought of self-sacrifice never even crosses our minds, because sacrifice is the Holy Spirit’s ultimate expression of love.
Our Lord is our example of a life of self-sacrifice, and He perfectly exemplified Psalm 40:8, “I delight to do Your will, O my God . . . .” He endured tremendous personal sacrifice, yet with overflowing joy. Have I ever yielded myself in absolute submission to Jesus Christ? If He is not the One to whom I am looking for direction and guidance, then there is no benefit in my sacrifice. But when my sacrifice is made with my eyes focused on Him, slowly but surely His molding influence becomes evident in my life (see Hebrews 12:1-2).
Beware of letting your natural desires hinder your walk in love before God. One of the cruelest ways to kill natural love is through the rejection that results from having built the love on natural desires. 
But the one true desire of a saint is the Lord Jesus. Love for God is not something sentimental or emotional— for a saint to love as God loves is the most practical thing imaginable.
“I have called you friends. . . .” Our friendship with Jesus is based on the new life He created in us, which has no resemblance or attraction to our old life but only to the life of God. It is a life that is completely humble, pure, and devoted to God.
_________________________________________________
August 25, 2011
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, I really appreciate the reminder that You do call me friend. I appreciate that reminder along with the scriptural reminders (thank God for memory verses) that remind me that You love me and want the very best for me. But Lord, when I am right in the middle of another series of trials and tribulations, I can forget that You are my friend. Sometimes when I feel abandoned by friends and or family, and/or challenged by the economy, it can feel like You have other friends to watch out for besides me. One of my constant prayers seems to be just calling out to You, “abba Father”, along with the prayer, “I believe, but help me in my unbelief”.
And God says…”You are My friend, but your natural ways and means are not My ways and means. I am molding and shaping you. You can no longer use your circumstances and or situations as indicators of My friendship and blessings. You cannot use your natural eyes to see the supernatural work I am doing in and around your life. You must trust Me and believe Me when I say I will never leave you or forsake you. When I said I will meet all your needs, I meant ALL your needs, even your need for faith and the strength to believe when everything around you screams something different. Be reminded that your faith grows from hearing My promises in My word. Reacll these promises…”
Is 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their Righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord
Josh 1:9 “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Mat 7:11 If you then, being sinful, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?
Ps 18:32 It is God that provides me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
Click Image for John White's Original Vision For CO2's
