My experience is not what makes redemption real— redemption isreality. Redemption has no real meaning for me until it is worked out through my conscious life. When I am born again, the Spirit of God takes me beyond myself and my experiences, and identifies me with Jesus Christ. If I am left only with my personal experiences, I am left with something not produced by redemption. But experiences produced by redemption prove themselves by leading me beyond myself, to the point of no longer paying any attention to experiences as the basis of reality. Instead, I see that only the reality itself produced the experiences. My experiences are not worth anything unless they keep me at the Source of truth— Jesus Christ.If you try to hold back the Holy Spirit within you, with the desire of producing more inner spiritual experiences, you will find that He will break the hold and take you again to the historic Christ. Never support an experience which does not have God as its Source and faith in God as its result. If you do, your experience is anti-Christian, no matter what visions or insights you may have had. Is Jesus Christ Lord of your experiences, or do you place your experiences above Him? Is any experience dearer to you than your Lord? You must allow Him to be Lord over you, and pay no attention to any experience over which He is not Lord. Then there will come a time when God will make you impatient with your own experience, and you can truthfully say, “I do not care what I experience— I am sure of Him!”Be relentless and hard on yourself if you are in the habit of talking about the experiences you have had. Faith based on experience is not faith; faith based on God’s revealed truth is the only faith there is.__________________________________________________

December 21, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, the experiences you allow have been refining
experiences; especially the waiting. When I started this intense waiting  process, I was impatient, worrying over the outcome, wanting my circumstances  to immediately be adjusted by You to conform to my idea of what I needed, when  I thought I needed it. You have been refining my spirit, and mind with the  waiting to the point where now can simply trust You and Your timing.

And God says…”Imagine your children existing on only the things they thought would make them happy at that  very moment; candy instead of nutritious food, toys instead of books, play  instead of study. Because your children cannot see the long term effects of their short term wants you must make decisions for them and then help them make  right choices until they are capable of making their own. So it is with your  heavenly father. I allow certain things to occur in your life as part of the
refining process. Remember, I am not as interested in your happiness, as I am
your righteousness. And recall that whenever you are going through the refining
process, that nothing can separate you from my love, and that nothing can touch
you that has not first touched My hands. Trust in Me and recall my promises.”

1 Peter 5:7-Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.

John 14:27- I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Philippians 4:6-7-Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget  to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ.

Psalms 40:1-3-I waited patiently for God to help me; then He listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit  of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things He did for me,  and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in Him.

Psalms 34:17-19-Yes, the Lord hears the good man when he calls to Him for help, and saves him out of all his troubles. The Lord is close to those whose heart is breaking; He rescues those  who are humbly sorry for their sins. The good man does not escape all troubles – he has them, too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one.

Isaiah 40:31-Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

John 14:1-3-Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in Me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so you can always be with Me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly.

Deuteronomy 31:6-Be strong! Be courageous! Do not be afraid of them! For the Lord your God will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.

Isaiah 41:10-Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.

Psalms 112:6-8-Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes.

Psalms 32:7-9-You are my hiding place from every storm of life; You even keep me from getting into trouble! You  surround me with songs of victory. I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. Don’t be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line!

Hebrews 10:35-38-Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! You need to keep on patiently doing God’s will if you want Him to do for you all  that He has promised. His coming will not be delayed much longer. And those  whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting Him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them.

Isaiah 26:3-4-He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord always, for in the Lord, Jehovah, is your everlasting strength.

Psalms 37:7-Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t be envious of evil men who prosper.

James 5:7-8-Now as for you, dear brothers who are waiting for the Lord’s return, be patient, like a farmer who waits until the autumn for his precious harvest to ripen. Yes, be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Romans 8:31-32-What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son for us but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also surely give us everything else?

Isaiah 41:13-14-I am holding you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God – and I say to you, don’t be afraid; I am here to help you. Despised though you are, fear not, Oh Israel; for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer; I am the Holy One of Israel.

Hebrews 13:5-7-Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.” Remember your leaders who have taught you the Word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and try to trust
the Lord as they do.

Psalms 4:8-I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, Oh Lord, you will keep me safe.

Isaiah 54:10-For the mountains may depart and the hills disappear, but My kindness shall not leave you. My promise of peace for you will never be broken, says the Lord Who has mercy upon you.

John 14:18-No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm – I will come to you.

Proverbs 3:5-6-Trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

Philippians 4:11-13-Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty, or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ Who gives me the strength and power.

Psalms 37:8-11-Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don’t fret and worry – it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing. Only a little while and the wicked shall disappear. You will look for them in vain. But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing, and shall have wonderful peace.

2 Chronicles 20:17-But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you, Oh people of Judah and Jerusalem! Don’t be afraid or discouraged! Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!

Romans 8:24-25-We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have – for a man who already has something doesn’t need to hope and trust that  he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn’t happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.

Romans 8:28-And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans.

James 1:2-4-Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything; strong in character, full and complete.

Habakkuk 2:1, 3-I will climb my watchtower now, and wait to see what answer God will give to my complaint.But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day