Joshua said to the people, ’You cannot serve the Lord . . .’ —Joshua 24:19

 “The people said to Joshua, ’No, but we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:21). This is not an impulsive action, but a deliberate commitment. We tend to say, “But God could never have called me to this. I’m too unworthy. It can’t mean me.” It does mean you, and the more weak and feeble you are, the better. The person who is still relying and trusting in anything within himself is the last person to even come close to saying, “I will serve the Lord.”

We say, “Oh, if only I really could believe!” The question is, “Will I believe?” No wonder Jesus Christ placed such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). If we really believed that God meant what He said, just imagine what we would be like! Do I really dare to let God be to me all that He says He will be?

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July 9^th 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

In the past whenever I was asked, by myself or another person to examine myself, I would immediately look inside to see if I “measured up”. And given my propensity for sin and spiritual failure, would immediately get defensive about my Christian performance. If I was a real Christian then I would be more like Jesus. And then You showed me Lord, that I was and am unable to be more like Jesus until and unless I surrendered my own efforts. I had to actually give up my own internal war and just let You be Lord. I had to surrender. Well, Lord, once again this morning I surrender and ask You to live through me this day.

And God says…” Even your most “spiritual ways” are not My ways. You can never “measure up”, and because you can never “measure up” I sent Jesus. He can and will always measure up, regardless of the situation or circumstance. When you look to Jesus for all that you want or need, you begin to notice a transformation in your life  surrounding those wants and needs and desires that used to provide your driving  force and motivation. Your own wants, needs and desires are replaced over time  as you look to Jesus. Do not look at your failures, successes or your goals; look  to Jesus. Do not look for a vision or a sign, even evidence of His working, simply look to Jesus. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not rely on your understanding and He will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

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