CO2MannaToday

Staying Connected In A Fragmented World

Maintaining the Proper Relationship

March 25th, 2014 by Dave No comments »

. . . the friend of the bridegroom . . . —John 3:29

Goodness and purity should never be traits that draw attention to themselves, but should simply be magnets that draw people to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence which awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and diverts them from heading in the right direction. A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought— “What a fine person that man is!” That is not being a true “friend of the bridegroom”— I am increasing all the time; He is not.

To maintain this friendship and faithfulness to the Bridegroom, we have to be more careful to have the moral and vital relationship to Him above everything else, including obedience. Sometimes there is nothing to obey and our only task is to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ, seeing that nothing interferes with it. Only occasionally is it a matter of obedience. At those times when a crisis arises, we have to find out what God’s will is. Yet most of our life is not spent in trying to be consciously obedient, but in maintaining this relationship— being the “friend of the bridegroom.” Christian work can actually be a means of diverting a person’s focus away from Jesus Christ. Instead of being friends “of the bridegroom,” we may become amateur providences of God to someone else, working against Him while we use His weapons.

(When searching for today’s music, I found the lyrics in the Lecrae’s “Boasting” compelling and in line with today’s message. See if you agree) … Dave

Journal DJR
Good morning, Lord
Today my brother and I see that we can do many things well. Too many things to get done well in the 24 hours each day that we are allotted. So getting excited about a lot of things and starting too many projects can lead to burnout and mediocrity. I need your help in focusing my energy and passion. The metaphor that helps me explain this to myself is the rifle shot vs the shotgun blast. This problem would be solved if I were hearing your voice and seeing the way you did and expressed in John 5:19 Here is The Message version…
19-20 So Jesus explained himself at length. “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.

It seems pretty clear that if I just focus on getting to know you better and learning to see and hear what you are doing … that I will do well and not stress out. But I find it so easy to get distracted … mainly by too many “good ideas and good things” Robbing banks and shooting heroin is not my temptation.

You are right. I am the answer. Look to me and we will look together to what Father is doing. It is exciting when you know that you have chosen the better choice. I was like you when I walked the earth. There were many good things that I could have done. But I continually chose the only the best. And many seemingly good things went undone. I told Martha that Mary had chosen the better and most essential part. I have the best course in mind for you. It doesn’t mean its the best for everyone else. The best course is customized for each individual. But I am the source for everyone. So keep coming to me and we’ll keep getting you better and better at seeing what Father and I are doing and you will waste less and less time chasing second and third priority visions. Go for number one. It’s the best way to live. And you find it as we walk together.

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Decreasing for His Purpose

March 24th, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

He must increase, but I must decrease —John 3:30

If you become a necessity to someone else’s life, you are out of God’s will. As a servant, your primary responsibility is to be a “friend of the bridegroom” (John 3:29). When you see a person who is close to grasping the claims of Jesus Christ, you know that your influence has been used in the right direction. And when you begin to see that person in the middle of a difficult and painful struggle, don’t try to prevent it, but pray that his difficulty will grow even ten times stronger, until no power on earth or in hell could hold him away from Jesus Christ. Over and over again, we try to be amateur providences in someone’s life. We are indeed amateurs, coming in and actually preventing God’s will and saying, “This person should not have to experience this difficulty.” Instead of being friends of the Bridegroom, our sympathy gets in the way. One day that person will say to us, “You are a thief; you stole my desire to follow Jesus, and because of you I lost sight of Him.”Beware of rejoicing with someone over the wrong thing, but always look to rejoice over the right thing. “. . . the friend of the bridegroom . . . rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29-30). This was spoken with joy, not with sadness-at last they were to see the Bridegroom! And John said this was his joy. It represents a stepping aside, an absolute removal of the servant, never to be thought of again.Listen intently with your entire being until you hear the Bridegroom’s voice in the life of another person. And never give any thought to what devastation, difficulties, or sickness it will bring. Just rejoice with godly excitement that His voice has been heard. You may often have to watch Jesus Christ wreck a life before He saves it (see Matthew 10:34).

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March 24, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-

Lord, when I first read this devotional; the part about NOT helping someone in need because it might be the trial or circumstance that is moving them to you, I wondered. How could I know, if it was a time to help or not help? Jesus only gave us two commandments, love you with all that we are, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Clearly if we know or see someone in difficulties, Your commandment will guide us to reach out and help. How will we know when to reach out and when to hold back?

And God says…”Not everyone that needs help, needs your help. You will know when you are well connected to Me. When you have decreased to the point where I am living through you, you can relax and let Me reach out to others through you. On your own, in your own power, you can do nothing. And the very best you can do will still miss the mark. But when you are connected to Me, you can and will do wonderful things. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, which is Jesus, and everything else you need, including the discernment to know when to act and when to wait, will be provided.”

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Abraham’s Life of Faith

March 19th, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

He went out, not knowing where he was going —Hebrews 11:8

In the Old Testament, a person’s relationship with God was seen by the degree of separation in that person’s life. This separation is exhibited in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and his family. When we think of separation today, we do not mean to be literally separated from those family members who do not have a personal relationship with God, but to be separated mentally and morally from their viewpoints. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to in Luke 14:26.

Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason—a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world.

The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel the presence of God around us when we pray, yet we are only momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles’ wings, but is a life of day—in and day—out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (see Isaiah 40:31). It is not even a question of the holiness of sanctification, but of something which comes much farther down the road. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test. Abraham is not a type or an example of the holiness of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith—a faith, tested and true, built on the true God. “Abraham believed God. . .” (Romans 4:3).

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March 19, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, once again, You have reached out in the morning to remind me to simply trust You. It is difficult to live life unsure, unsafe, but unafraid. Then I realize that it is the only way to live trusting You. Today I will strive to live being ok with the uncertainty; unafraid, curious and expectant.

And God says…”The only truly happy and abundant life possible is a life connected to the Son of God. When you are connected to Jesus, you know deep down in a very real way that I love you beyond all that is imaginable. And because of that love, I would never withhold any good thing from you. I may not give you the all things you desire, but I will not withhold any good thing. When you live trusting Me, you can live unsure, and unsafe, but unafraid. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own ways and means and He will make your paths straight.”

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Will I Bring Myself Up to This Level?

March 18th, 2014 by Dave No comments »

. . . perfecting holiness in the fear of God —2 Corinthians 7:1

Therefore, having these promises. . . .” I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not “confer with flesh and blood,” but cleanse yourself from it at once (Galatians 1:16). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.

I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?

Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life.

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Some of this sounds like Sin Management … which I do so poorly at. In fact I always fail. It seems that in life there are invitations to join into this race, game or however we look at it. And we (I) want to do well and be approved … so I step right up and sign up for the checklists and accountability groups and holiness measurement mechanisms. And always fall flat. Kind of like Paul said in Romans 7.

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.c For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful natured a slave to the law of sin.

Now I’m seeing that it’s best to choose not to play that game. And to choose another game. Checklists seem to lead measurement and therefore failure, because you could always have done better … and someone else probably has. Checklists of righteousness seem to lead down the same road the Pharisees were on. And Jesus wasn’t impressed. Called it “filthy rags, whitewashed tombs full of dead mens bones etc” So a better game is in the last line of today’s devotional:

Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone.

If we do that we can follow in Jesus footsteps and “do only what he saw the Father doing and say only what he heard the Father saying. John 5:19

Because the urge to make checklists and schedules is so strong, we’ve found it helpful to have a few words that help us keep the main thing the main thing.

Staying Curious … about what you are doing and what you’re going to do next Listening and Watching.
Attitude of Gratitude … Being thankful for all the good things you send
Expectation … Expecting that you have good plans for us and those you send us. Jeremiah 29:11
Ready to quickly obey …

When we live in these attitudes, we dont need checklists to confirm our holiness.

Prayer: Lord, help us this day, To live Curious, Grateful, Expecting and ready to obey.

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The Servant’s Primary Goal

March 17th, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

We make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him —2 Corinthians 5:9

We make it our aim. . . .” It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out; not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only “to be well pleasing to Him.” It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. At least once a week examine yourself before God to see if your life is measuring up to the standard He has for you. Paul was like a musician who gives no thought to audience approval, if he can only catch a look of approval from his Conductor.Any goal we have that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being “approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. When you discern where the goal leads, you will understand why it is so necessary to keep “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). Paul spoke of the importance of controlling his own body so that it would not take him in the wrong direction. He said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest . . . I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).I must learn to relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life. Is my primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?____________________________________________________________

March 17, 2014

Journal entry for today-JDV

Lord, it seems that this is too easy and too difficult a path; too easy to say I want to be focused on You and allow my focus on You to transform me, and too hard to stay on track without the rules and regulations of religion. I like the thought of the freedom and spirituality of simply being focused on You, but sometimes it seems too easy to slip back into my old ways and means. How can I solve this dilemma?

And God says…”It is not a dilemma to be solved any more than it is a religion to be followed; it is your life to be lived and you are being transformed as you live it and are connected. Jesus has done the work that needs to be done; the work for you is complete. The work in you is being completed as you are connected to Jesus. You are not to be concerned with the “how” of it, just the goal of being connected to Jesus. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you need, including how to live the life of a believer, will be provided. There is no “your part, My part.” You have no part in your transformation except to trust and obey, and live by faith connected to Me. And when you cannot or do not trust and obey, know that the sacrifice of Jesus has provided for that as well. Grace provides the bridge.”

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Obedience to the “Heavenly Vision”

March 11th, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision —Acts 26:19

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(Oswald Chambers 1901 est.) If we lose “the heavenly vision” God has given us, we alone are responsible— not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to “the heavenly vision” is to give our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory. This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to continually remember God’s vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life— sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.“Though it tarries, wait for it . . .” (Habakkuk 2:3). We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it. We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that “tarries” is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul’s welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision.Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms. Will you be proven to be an empty pod with no seed inside? That will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of the vision you have seen. Let God send you out through His storm, and don’t go until He does. If you select your own spot to be planted, you will prove yourself to be an unproductive, empty pod. However, if you allow God to plant you, you will “bear much fruit” (John 15:8).It is essential that we live and “walk in the light” of God’s vision for us (1 John 1:7).

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March 11, 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, like the song says; won’t You please write Your story on my heart? I don’t believe it is supposed to be my vision; it can only be of real value to me if You write the story; plant Your vision. The vision can only be real if it comes from you. Yesterday in the devotional we learned that we are shaped by the storms of life. Chambers reminds us today that it is the way You plant your children….. “Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms”. Lord, please plant Your vision, and write Your story on my heart today.”

And God says…”Just as you have been learning over the days, weeks, months and years, your life will come alive and be abundant when you are connected to me. Let Me live through you. It is the same with your vision for life. But do not look for Me to roll out the vision in one all consuming, sweeping vision that outlines My entire plan for you. I roll out your vision and your abundant life as you trust me one minute, hour and day at a time. I write my story on your heart one step at a time. With minute by minute faith, it is rolled out to you as you live trusting Me. Let Me be the lamp for your feet and life as I roll out your vision and story, over time; step by step.”

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Being an Example of His Message

March 10th, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

Preach the word! —2 Timothy 4:2

(Oswald Chambers-1901 est.) We are not saved only to be instruments for God, but to be His sons and daughters. He does not turn us into spiritual agents but into spiritual messengers, and the message must be a part of us. The Son of God was His own message— “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). As His disciples, our lives must be a holy example of the reality of our message. Even the natural heart of the unsaved will serve if called upon to do so, but it takes a heart broken by conviction of sin, baptized by the Holy Spirit, and crushed into submission to God’s purpose to make a person’s life a holy example of God’s message.There is a difference between giving a testimony and preaching. A preacher is someone who has received the call of God and is determined to use all his energy to proclaim God’s truth. God takes us beyond our own aspirations and ideas for our lives, and molds and shapes us for His purpose, just as He worked in the disciples’ lives after Pentecost. The purpose of Pentecost was not to teach the disciples something, but to make them the incarnation of what they preached so that they would literally become God’s message in the flesh. “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . .” (Acts 1:8).Allow God to have complete liberty in your life when you speak. Before God’s message can liberate other people, His liberation must first be real in you. Gather your material carefully, and then allow God to “set your words on fire” for His glory.______________________________________________________________March 10, 2014Journal for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord; one more day, one more opportunity to allow You to live through me. God, I pray that you will make me a man after your own heart. But I must confess, I am not anxious to be molded by the trials and flames that seem to be closest at hand in Your toolbox for accomplishing that goal. Just because I know trials can have a perfect result, does not mean I am eager to live them out to their desired result. And while I understand that You will only allow circumstances that are “good for me” to touch me; and I also know that You will bring me through them, better than I was, I still resist. Please help me understand, know and accept that You are working in me so that I can become a man after Your own heart.

And God says…” Some of My very best work in you relative to reaching others has occurred when you are unaware. Many times you have faced difficulties and many times you have trusted Me to bring you through them. This has not gone unobserved. And know that when you feel pain, and heartache, I feel it as well. It is why I sent Jesus. You cannot face any trial or circumstance He has not faced. And the world is filled with trials and difficult circumstances. Trust in Me, and do not rely on yourself, and I will make your paths straight. Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything you need, including the trials, circumstances and opportunities to reach others will be provided. You may not even know you are reaching others, you may not be aware that that I am using a difficult time to teach you and reach someone. Trust Me and know that if I would not spare my own Son, I will likewise not deny you any good thing.”

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Is He Really My Lord?

March 5th, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

. . . so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus . . . —Acts 20:24

Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced came from doing what the Father sent Him to do. And He says to us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it— to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear Him say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord. To do this we must have close fellowship with Jesus and must know Him as more than our personal Savior. And we must be willing to experience the full impact of Acts 9:16 — “I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”“Do you love Me?” Then, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). He is not offering us a choice of how we can serve Him; He is asking for absolute loyalty to His commission, a faithfulness to what we discern when we are in the closest possible fellowship with God. If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is not the same as the call— the need is the opportunity to exercise the call. The call is to be faithful to the ministry you received when you were in true fellowship with Him. This does not imply that there is a whole series of differing ministries marked out for you. It does mean that you must be sensitive to what God has called you to do, and this may sometimes require ignoring demands for service in other areas.

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March 5, 2014

Journal for Today-JDV

Lord, I am not sure about the notion that there is a specific purpose for which I was created, and all that I must do is “discover” the purpose You have laid out for me. I know we spend a lot of time contemplating and searching for the “niche” in life we have been taught is laid out by You. I used to have the idea that all I needed to be fulfilled was to learn my calling and then pursue it. However, lately I have wondered. I cannot imagine that You would be anything less that crystal clear in communicating Your direction and calling for my life. I cannot imagine that I must go looking for my calling. If it is truly my calling I suspect there will be no doubt and You will, like always, be crystal clear.

And God says…”There is no search required, just surrender. You cannot “figure out” or “discern” the mind of God. And your logic has no place in discovering or understanding My plans. You cannot fit Me into your ideas of what is or is not “My way”. Simply trust Me with all your heart, and let go off your own notions of service. When you are surrendered and connected to me I can live and serve through you. When you seek Jesus first, you are transformed and certain about your next steps… the next few steps. I light your way like a lamp, a step or two at a time. And as you continue to live connected to Me, and believe I will meet all your needs, I roll out your vision and your path (s) for service one hour, one day, at a time. And when I bring you to it, you can rest assured that I will bring you through it. Trust in Me with all our heart and do not rely on your own understanding or abilities, and I will make your paths straight.”

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Is This True of Me?

March 4th, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself . . . —Acts 20:24

It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.What do I count in my life as “dear to myself”? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as “dear to myself.” But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, “Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work.” That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use— but always consider that “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.

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March 4, 2014

Journal for Today-JDV

Lord, thank You for reminding me with the devotional and music, that we can do anything when we are connected to You. However, every time I face a major trial or threatening circumstance, I freeze up a bit. It is not that I believe You cannot quiet the storm or rescue me from the “edge” of disaster. I believe You are God and can do anything. But I wonder and question my worthiness. Why would You want to lift me up, and save me from disaster or provide for me given my tendency to stray? I know you can do anything God. But I question your willingness to do anything for me.

And God says…”The enemy wants you to believe that you are not worthy, and of course, on your own you are not worthy. However, Jesus is worthy and as a result of His sacrifice, you become worthy. You are worthy because of Jesus, not because of anything you have done; or will do.

When I look at you, I see Jesus, and His perfection, and I will meet all your needs. Seek first the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will meet every need you have. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. You are not required to do anything except believe in Jesus. And when you surrender your attempts at “being a better person or better Christian” and simply let Jesus live through you, you discover a victorious and abundant life.”

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His Commission to Us

March 3rd, 2014 by JDVaughn No comments »

Feed My sheep —John 21:17

This is love in the making. The love of God is not created— it is His nature. When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).Peter now realizes that he does love Him, due to the revelation that came with the Lord’s piercing question. The Lord’s next point is— “Pour yourself out. Don’t testify about how much you love Me and don’t talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just ’Feed My sheep.’ ” Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God’s love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions— I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.

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March 3, 2014

Journal for Today-JDV

Father God, thank you for the reminder that the love, power, and grace to feed Your sheep comes from Jesus. In my best natural condition, I am neither able nor qualified to represent You to others. And even if I do say the right things, and reference the proper scriptures, in my best natural condition, I am not able to “feed Your sheep”. Thank You for reminding me that I am only able to “feed Your sheep” when I am connected to You and Jesus is living through me. Jesus, please live through me this day.

And God says…” You are a vessel through which I can reach and serve others. I can reach others any way that I choose; and often reach them through the natural wonders and heavenly bodies of the universe. However, when you and I are connected and Jesus is living though you; you can touch others and we are all blessed. Often, when we are connected you will not even be aware that you are feeding My sheep, it simply occurs as a matter of course in your day to day, and hour by hour living. The lesson is the same once again; be connected to Jesus and everything else, including feeding my sheep can and will flow out of our connection. Seek first the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you need, including the blessing of feeding My sheep will be provided.”