He Himself has said . . . . So we may boldly say . . . —Hebrews 13:5-6

My assurance is to be built upon God’s assurance to me. God says, “I will never leave you,” so that then I “may boldly say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). In other words, I will not be obsessed with apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God’s words of assurance. I will be full of courage, like a child who strives to reach the standard his father has set for him. The faith of many people begins to falter when apprehensions enter their thinking, and they forget the meaning of God’s assurance— they forget to take a deep spiritual breath. The only way to remove the fear from our lives is to listen to God’s assurance to us.

What are you fearing? Whatever it may be, you are not a coward about it— you are determined to face it, yet you still have a feeling of fear. When it seems that there is nothing and no one to help you, say to yourself, “But ’The Lord is my helper’ this very moment, even in my present circumstance.” Are you learning to listen to God before you speak, or are you saying things and then trying to make God’s Word fit what you have said? Take hold of the Father’s assurance, and then say with strong courage, “I will not fear.” It does not matter what evil or wrong may be in our way, because “He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you . . . .’ ”

Human frailty is another thing that gets between God’s words of assurance and our own words and thoughts. When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God seems to be nonexistent. But remember God’s assurance to us— “I will never. . . forsake you.” Have we learned to sing after hearing God’s keynote? Are we continually filled with enough courage to say, “The Lord is my helper,” or are we yielding to fear?

Journal DJR

Good morning Lord,
This lesson is right down to the practical aspects of where I live. It was stressful like this right before I came here to meet you and JD this morning … and as I begin to think about what’s next, I can see that it can be more of the same. With me trying to solve my problems and stressing out about it. I get it (in my head) that you will never leave me or forsake me. But I’m like that guy who said, ” Lord, I believe, Help my unbelief”

That was a pretty good prayer. Acknowledged his shortcomings and continued coming to the source. Also remember yesterday’s message and the last few days. I will even dwell in your common sense as you keep coming to me.

What about when I pray for an answer and it looks like it doesn’t come or it sure is the opposite of what I prayed for?

You will have stress if you specify what your answer is to look like. The verse said I would not leave you or forsake you. It didn’t say I would deliver up all your requests in the time frame and exact manner that you expected. Realize that I have not left you or forsaken you … even if it seems your prayer didn’t get answered. Hang on to that. Meet me there. And as you stay connected and curious and expectant, you will feel your stress drain away.

He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you’ —Hebrews 13:5

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him . . . —Psalm 25:14

What is the sign of a friend? Is it that he tells you his secret sorrows? No, it is that he tells you his secret joys. Many people will confide their secret sorrows to you, but the final mark of intimacy is when they share their secret joys with you. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys? Or are we continually telling God our secrets, leaving Him no time to talk to us? At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God. But then we find that God wants to get us into an intimate relationship with Himself— to get us in touch with His purposes. Are we so intimately united to Jesus Christ’s idea of prayer— “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10)— that we catch the secrets of God? What makes God so dear to us is not so much His big blessings to us, but the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us— He knows every detail of each of our individual lives.

“Him shall He teach in the way He chooses” (Psalm 25:12). At first, we want the awareness of being guided by God. But then as we grow spiritually, we live so fully aware of God that we do not even need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing another way will never occur to us. If we are saved and sanctified, God guides us by our everyday choices. And if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint, which we must heed. Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, “I wonder why I shouldn’t do this?” God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense. And when we yield to His teachings and guidance, we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually asking, “Now, Lord, what is Your will?”

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June 3, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, it has seldom occurred to me to think about Your joy; or what makes You happy. I seem to always be focused on how I can be a better Christian, or simply a better man, father, businessman,  brother, son or friend. Or how can I avail myself of Your provision and or blessings; how can I increase my faith and live a more fulfilled life?  I want to live in Your will Lord, but then it occurs to me that sometimes my giving up on my wants and needs with a “Whatever is in Your will” has simply been my way of giving up on being curious and expectant about how You will answer my prayers. Lord, please help me stay connected to You, Your joy and to remain curious about how you will guide me in all that I do this day.

And God says…”My joy is an intimate relationship with you. My joy is demonstrating my love for you. I am joyful when you trust and obey and I am joyful when you cannot trust and obey and must rely on my grace, love and the forgiveness provided by the sacrifice of Jesus. I am joyful when you expect Me to act on your behalf, when you are curious about how I will respond to your needs. “

“Nothing can separate you from My love; nothing. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding or actions, and I will make your paths straight. Seek Me first, and I will provide all that you need to live this day. And focus on this day; this daily manna. Our connection, your surrender and curiosity about how and what I shall do to make all your paths straight. I find My joy in our relationship; our love and your surrender, trusting Me to be God while you let go of rational ideas about how and when I will choose to work in your life and the lives of those you love. “

Who is the man that fears the Lord? —Psalm 25:12

Lord, I will follow You, but . . . —Luke 9:61

In that day you will ask in My name . . . for the Father Himself loves you . . . —John 16:26-27

In that day you will ask in My name . . . ,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but—”You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “. . . for the Father Himself loves you . . .”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.

“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).

“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.

Journal DJR
Good morning Lord, This describes a place of calm confident faith that I’ve rarely experienced. It seems that my faith is less than what is being described here … or perhaps the relationship isn’t as tight as it needs to be???
Or perhaps I’m judging things on the wrong scale?

Our relationship can always get tighter. That’s the main thing to work on. The main thing I want. You cannot grunt and grow faith. Only seek to know me and walk with me and your faith will grow. Automatically.

So what about when I pray “in Jesus name” and the thing doesn’t happen?

You cannot just tack my name onto prayers and gain the magic powers. In my name means totally engulfed in me … where our thinking and seeing and hearing become one. Prayers from that place get answered. Mainly because they are perfectly in the Father’s will. Walking closely with me purifies your prayer before you even pray it because from there you see as I see. So walk closer with me and watch your prayers become my prayers. And they get answered.

In that day you will ask Me nothing —John 16:23

. . . tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high —Luke 24:49


The disciples had to tarry, staying in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost, not only for their own preparation but because they had to wait until the Lord was actually glorified. And as soon as He was glorified, what happened? “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). The statement in John 7:39 — “. . . for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified”— does not pertain to us. The Holy Spirit has been given; the Lord is glorified— our waiting is not dependent on the providence of God, but on our own spiritual fitness.

The Holy Spirit’s influence and power were at work before Pentecost, but He was not here. Once our Lord was glorified in His ascension, the Holy Spirit came into the world, and He has been here ever since. We have to receive the revealed truth that He is here. The attitude of receiving and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives is to be the continual attitude of a believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive reviving life from our ascended Lord.

It is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit that changes people, but the power of the ascended Christ coming into their lives through the Holy Spirit. We all too often separate things that the New Testament never separates. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an experience apart from Jesus Christ— it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit does not make you think of time or eternity— it is one amazing glorious now. “This is eternal life, that they may know You . . .” (John 17:3). Begin to know Him now, and never finish.

(Rockin’ Music Alternative)

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Thank you for the lesson of yesterday and today. These two correlate with a song that got my attention in church Sunday. It was written by St Francis of Assisi in 1225. That in itself signaled me that perhaps you are putting things together to add up to “a message for me” That seems to be one of the ways that I hear your voice…. When several inputs all say the same thing. or at least related. The reference to brother sun, sister moon, Mother Earth, sister water, brother fire, etc was encouraging. Encouraging to see that for at least 900 years there has been at least a portion of your family that choose to see you in ALL of your creation and not relegate you to just the spiritual unseen realm. I’m happy to be counted with St Francis in looking at your Creation and expecting to find you in it. And I expect that you will show me how you see those who discover the systems of your creation… without necessarily finding “you” in the process and how I am to relate to that whole concept. Worshipping the Creation and missing the Creator.

That is a legitimate concern and I have plans for all. … But realize that “missing the Creator” can happen in any arena. Including Sunday Mornings. You can get wrapped up and stressed out in any environment and miss the most important part. Like Martha did when Mary zeroed in and focused. For now that is what I will leave you with … zero in and focus on me. You can’t go wrong with that. As the devo ended today….

it is one amazing glorious now. “This is eternal life, that they may know You . . .” (John 17:3). Begin to know Him now, and never finish.

Here’s the whole text to the St Francis song from 1225 AD.

1 All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O brother sun with golden beam,
O sister moon with silver gleam,
sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 O brother wind with clouds and rain,
you nurture gifts of fruit and grain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O sister water, flowing clear,
make music for your Lord to hear.
Sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 O brother fire, so warm and bright,
chase off the shadows of the night.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear mother earth, who day by day
unfolds such blessings on our way,
sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4 All who for love of God forgive,
all who in pain or sorrow grieve,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears;
so, even in the midst of tears,
sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 And you, most gentle sister death,
waiting to hush our final breath:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom,
fair is the night that leads us home.
Sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
6 O sisters, brothers, take your part,
and worship God with humble heart.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
All creatures, bless the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
Sing praises! Alleluia!

Pray without ceasing . . . —1 Thessalonians 5:17

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you —Matthew 6:33

When we look at these words of Jesus, we immediately find them to be the most revolutionary that human ears have ever heard. “. . . seek first the kingdom of God . . . .” Even the most spiritually-minded of us argue the exact opposite, saying, “But I must live; I must make a certain amount of money; I must be clothed; I must be fed.” The great concern of our lives is not the kingdom of God but how we are going to take care of ourselves to live. Jesus reversed the order by telling us to get the right relationship with God first, maintaining it as the primary concern of our lives, and never to place our concern on taking care of the other things of life.

“. . . do not worry about your life. . .” (Matthew 6:25). Our Lord pointed out that from His standpoint it is absolutely unreasonable for us to be anxious, worrying about how we will live. Jesus did not say that the person who takes no thought for anything in his life is blessed— no, that person is a fool. But Jesus did teach that His disciple must make his relationship with God the dominating focus of his life, and to be cautiously carefree about everything else in comparison to that. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Don’t make food and drink the controlling factor of your life, but be focused absolutely on God.” Some people are careless about what they eat and drink, and they suffer for it; they are careless about what they wear, having no business looking the way they do; they are careless with their earthly matters, and God holds them responsible. Jesus is saying that the greatest concern of life is to place our relationship with God first, and everything else second.

It is one of the most difficult, yet critical, disciplines of the Christian life to allow the Holy Spirit to bring us into absolute harmony with the teaching of Jesus in these verses.

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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord.
It doesn’t seem to us like you set up your kingdom to according to a quid pro quo or vending machine metaphor …. if we do x, then you give y. But this verse kind of sounds that way.

What is my kingdom and how is it accessed? My kingdom is me. I am all in all. Access is thru Jesus. Total immersion in Him is total immersion in my kingdom. So it’s not quid quo pro, but those benefits do just happen when you seek me and my kingdom first. You are entering a different world and must come with a different mindset when you enter my kingdom. If you are still standing on the outside, looking in, evaluating, trying to understand and decide…… then it will indeed look like quid quo pro. But once you jump in. Then you will understand. So jump. I promise. It will be good.

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