Note: When I saw today’s devo from My Utmost, I knew immediately that this was the song. For the story that makes it real check out Laura Story’s bio here:

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=1549

. . . that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body —2 Corinthians 4:10

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.

You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).

Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.

Journal DJR
Good morning Lord,
I dont know that it could be called a “habit” yet … but it’s getting there. I find that if I am dialed in to You, having worshipped, and rehearsed the many blessings and your awesome ways … then when some circumstance jumps up unexpectedly … I do better at responding with, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” When this is my response, then your response is indeed … “Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.”
So, like Laura Story says in her bio, “I wouldn’t have signed up for it” …. but there are blessings in the adversities, when I respond this way … heading into the storm rather than running from it.
Lord, help me today to remember your blessings and to remember that you are a “Blesser” by nature. And to live expectantly, expecting blessings to come thru all circumstances. Help me live in that place and if I start to debate about my circumstances, remind me quickly how foolish that is. And get quickly on the track of expectation and curiosity about how you are going to bring the blessing out of these circumstances.

• Previous Entry: The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience
• Next Entry: The Habit of Rising to the Occasion