We need to learn this secret of the burning heart. Suddenly Jesus appears to us, fires are set ablaze, and we are given wonderful visions; but then we must learn to maintain the secret of the burning heart— a heart that can go through anything. It is the simple, dreary day, with its commonplace duties and people, that smothers the burning heart— unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus.Much of the distress we experience as Christians comes not as the result of sin, but because we are ignorant of the laws of our own nature. For instance, the only test we should use to determine whether or not to allow a particular emotion to run its course in our lives is to examine what the final outcome of that emotion will be. Think it through to its logical conclusion, and if the outcome is something that God would condemn, put a stop to it immediately. But if it is an emotion that has been kindled by the Spirit of God and you don’t allow it to have its way in your life, it will cause a reaction on a lower level than God intended. That is the way unrealistic and overly emotional people are made. And the higher the emotion, the deeper the level of corruption, if it is not exercised on its intended level. If the Spirit of God has stirred you, make as many of your decisions as possible irrevocable, and let the consequences be what they will. We cannot stay forever on the “mount of transfiguration,” basking in the light of our mountaintop experience (see Mark 9:1-9). But we must obey the light we received there; we must put it into action. When God gives us a vision, we must transact business with Him at that point, no matter what the cost.We cannot kindle when we will The fire which in the heart resides, The spirit bloweth and is still, In mystery our soul abides; But tasks in hours of insight willed Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.

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March 22, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, Chambers seems to be reminding me that I am to act on the vision You gave me even though I may be consumed by the dreary issues of day to day living. Even though I am caught up in the mundane day to day “stuff”, I am to keep my eyes on the vision and act on it. Is that the message; keep focused on the vision You gave me, even though I am bombarded by trials and circumstances?

And God says…”That is almost right, but in being almost right your conclusion is most certainly wrong. If you are connected and identified with Jesus, you cannot get caught up in the mundane. When you are connected to Jesus and to others, letting Him flow through you ….hours of insight willed will always transcend hours of gloom….and be…  fulfilled. One way to notice that you are living connected to Jesus, is when you discover that potentially dreary times are now filled with eager expectation, knowing that whatever comes to you, or not, is blessed by Jesus. You live in eager anticipation, knowing full well that all things work for good for those that love the God and are called according to His purpose.”

“In times like these you come to realize that there is no dreary, mundane, fear, nor gloom. And you are not deterred by many exciting experiences and emotions of the moment; although those times can be very stimulating and exciting. You come to realize that your life and vision are fulfilled simply and purposely when you are connected to Jesus.”