The Brave Friendship of God

August 4th, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

August 04,  2011


He took the twelve aside . . . —Luke 18:31

Oh, the bravery of God in trusting us! Do you say, “But He has been unwise to choose me, because there is nothing good in me and I have no value”? That is exactly why He chose you. As long as you think that you are of value to Him He cannot choose you, because you have purposes of your own to serve. But if you will allow Him to take you to the end of your own self-sufficiency, then He can choose you to go with Him “to Jerusalem” (Luke 18:31). And that will mean the fulfillment of purposes which He does not discuss with you.

We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience— all of that is of no avail in this concern. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). God’s friendship is with people who know their poverty. He can accomplish nothing with the person who thinks that he is of use to God. As Christians we are not here for our own purpose at all— we are here for the purpose of God, and the two are not the same. We do not know what God’s compelling purpose is, but whatever happens, we must maintain our relationship with Him. We must never allow anything to damage our relationship with God, but if something does damage it, we must take the time to make it right again. The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack.

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August 4, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

My value comes from the Lord. This is a lesson I can readily embrace; that I must reach the end of my value so the true value of God can shine through.  Seeing myself spiritually bankrupt allows me to let go of any notion that I have been chosen by God because of my value. I don’t know why You chose me Lord, but I am grateful that You have.

And God says…”I chose you before the world began, and My ways are not for your understanding. But understand that I love you beyond measure, and ….

I am with you always, even until the end of the age. Trust in Me with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. Seek first the kingdom of God (Jesus) and all that you need; material goods, spiritual and emotional stability, and care and concern for others will be given you. Seek Me in all you do and live a life of value and hope. You can begin by finding the kingdom of God, that is Jesus, fresh every morning.”

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The Compelling Purpose of God

August 3rd, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

August 3, 2011

He . . . said to them, ’Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem . . —Luke 18:31

Jerusalem, in the life of our Lord, represents the place where He reached the culmination of His Father’s will. Jesus said, “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Seeking to do “the will of the Father” was the one dominating concern throughout our Lord’s life. And whatever He encountered along the way, whether joy or sorrow, success or failure, He was never deterred from that purpose. “. . . He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem . . .” (Luke 9:51).

The greatest thing for us to remember is that we go up to Jerusalem to fulfill God’s purpose, not our own. In the natural life our ambitions are our own, but in the Christian life we have no goals of our own. We talk so much today about our decisions for Christ, our determination to be Christians, and our decisions for this and that, but in the New Testament the only aspect that is brought out is the compelling purpose of God. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you . . .” (John 15:16).

We are not taken into a conscious agreement with God’s purpose— we are taken into God’s purpose with no awareness of it at all. We have no idea what God’s goal may be; as we continue, His purpose becomes even more and more vague. God’s aim appears to have missed the mark, because we are too nearsighted to see the target at which He is aiming. At the beginning of the Christian life, we have our own ideas as to what God’s purpose is. We say, “God means for me to go over there,” and, “God has called me to do this special work.” We do what we think is right, and yet the compelling purpose of God remains upon us. The work we do is of no account when compared with the compelling purpose of God. It is simply the scaffolding surrounding His work and His plan. “He took the twelve aside . . .” (Luke 18:31). God takes us aside all the time. We have not yet understood all there is to know of the compelling purpose of God.

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August 3, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Father God, where does the spiritual fire go, one day to the next? Yesterday I was so certain, so focused and then this morning I seemed to have mislaid that surety of purpose. Yesterday I knew the direction you laid out for me, and yet I am not quite so certain this morning. What happened?

And God says…”I give you manna for each day. Do not try to carry over yesterday’s certainty for today. Arise knowing that I will give you the manna you need each morning, afternoon and evening. Do not worry about tomorrow or this morning, or even the next hour. Live in the moment knowing I am with you. The purpose I gave you yesterday is still there, you simply need to meet Me fresh each morning knowing I will reinforce your sense of purpose and certainty. I will remind you of your “promised land’ and give you the strength, purpose and provision to energize your new day.”

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The Teaching of Adversity

August 2nd, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

August 2, 2011

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world —John 16:33

The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being deliveredin adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . .” (Psalm 91:1,10)— the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.

God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life . . .” (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.

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August 2, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I believe this is a testimony that comes to us later in our spiritual journey; that your children will have difficulties and tough times. Early in our Christian lives we believe, think and hope that you will rescue us from the tough stuff. But later we learn that we get to go through difficult times.

This is not the message we want to hear; that You save us in the storms, not from the storms. Given a choice, I would rather not experience the storms Lord; however, I can look back and see their value. I can feel roots that reach down deep and strong; attached to your very solid foundation. They did not get there overnight, and I now know they will only grow strong and deep when watered by your blood and my tears.

And God says…”I love you very much, and am doing more than you could ever imagine to facilitate your transformation. I love you enough to allow the sandpaper and whetstones of life to touch you liberally. Do not try and get out of your trials too early; let them have their perfect result. Praise Me in the storms and look for rainbows that will surely arrive at precisely the right times.”

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Learning About His Ways

August 1st, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

August 1, 2011

When Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples . . . He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities —Matthew 11:1

He comes where He commands us to leave. If you stayed home when God told you to go because you were so concerned about your own people there, then you actually robbed them of the teaching of Jesus Christ Himself. When you obeyed and left all the consequences to God, the Lord went into your city to teach, but as long as you were disobedient, you blocked His way. Watch where you begin to debate with Him and put what you call your duty into competition with His commands. If you say, “I know that He told me to go, but my duty is here,” it simply means that you do not believe that Jesus means what He says.

He teaches where He instructs us not to teach. “Master . . . let us make three tabernacles . . .” (Luke 9:33).

Are we playing the part of an amateur providence, trying to play God’s role in the lives of others? Are we so noisy in our instruction of other people that God cannot get near them?

We must learn to keep our mouths shut and our spirits alert.God wants to instruct us regarding His Son, and He wants to turn our times of prayer into mounts of transfiguration. When we become certain that God is going to work in a particular way, He will never work in that way again.

He works where He sends us to wait. “. . . tarry . . . until . . .” (Luke 24:49). “Wait on the Lord” and He will work (Psalm 37:34). But don’t wait sulking spiritually and feeling sorry for yourself, just because you can’t see one inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our own spiritual fits of emotion to “wait patiently for Him”? (Psalm 37:7). Waiting is not sitting with folded hands doing nothing, but it is learning to do what we are told.

These are some of the facets of His ways that we rarely recognize.

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August 1, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I believe in your faithfulness, truth and your word, even when I do not see. And while I understand that patience builds endurance and faith grows while I wait, I ask You to reassure me one more morning of your love and plan for this day and every day.

And God says…”Remember, that all things work for the good of those that love the Lord, and are called according to My purpose. If I care for every sparrow, how much more I care for you and yours. I know the number of hairs on your head and help construct your dreams and visions. Seek Me first this morning, and watch everything else fall into place. When you seek Me first, you find your daily bread……..and your work, hope,  faith, dreams and vision for this day.”

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Do You See Jesus in Your Clouds?

July 29th, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

July 29, 2011

Behold, He is coming with clouds . . . —Revelation 1:7

In the Bible clouds are always associated with God. Clouds are the sorrows, sufferings, or providential circumstances, within or without our personal lives, which actually seem to contradict the sovereignty of God. Yet it is through these very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were never any clouds in our lives, we would have no faith. “The clouds are the dust of His feet” (Nahum 1:3). They are a sign that God is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow, bereavement, and suffering are actually the clouds that come along with God! God cannot come near us without clouds— He does not come in clear-shining brightness.

It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials. Through every cloud He brings our way, He wants us tounlearn something. His purpose in using the cloud is to simplify our beliefs until our relationship with Him is exactly like that of a child— a relationship simply between God and our own souls, and where other people are but shadows. Until other people become shadows to us, clouds and darkness will be ours every once in a while. Is our relationship with God becoming more simple than it has ever been?

There is a connection between the strange providential circumstances allowed by God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Until we can come face to face with the deepest, darkest fact of life without damaging our view of God’s character, we do not yet know Him.

“. . . they were fearful as they entered the cloud” (Luke 9:34). Is there anyone except Jesus in your cloud? If so, it will only get darker until you get to the place where there is “no one anymore, but only Jesus . . .” (Mark 9:8 ; also see Mark 2-7).

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July 29, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I can recall what C. S. Lewis said regarding our pain… “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” It has certainly been the case in my life Lord. And I know the scripture in Hebrews about correcting and directing those that You love. (Although my natural man sometimes wishes you would go love someone else for a while though). But I know I must (or rather get to) praise you in the storms, valleys and difficult circumstances if I am to act on the knowledge and faith that you are making all things work for my good.

And God says…”I want you to be pain free and successful; however, success in large doses (early and often) is not healthy for most, if not all, humans. And as you noted in your journal, man seems to hear Me more clearly in painful circumstances. However, as the scripture says, there is a time for all things. Trust in Me with all your heart and seek first the Kingdom of God. As you are waiting for Me to respond to your pain and prayers, (and I I will answer in the very best timetable for your good), build your faith and patience. Reach out and share the Gospel…………… using words only when necessary.”

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God’s Purpose or Mine?

July 28th, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

July 28, 2011
He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side . . . —Mark 6:45

We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.

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July 28, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, just when I think I am about to have a breakthrough in my circumstances I read a devotional like this one that implies my circumstances don’t really matter;  that all you are concerned with is my growth and transformation. This devotional tells me that you are not really concerned with my success or failure in this life and that my goals are not necessarily what you have in mind for me.

And God says…”When you are aligned with Me, when you are allowing Me to live through you, your goals and my goals for your life are aligned. And one of My goals for you is that you live each day, hour and minute in the present;  not putting off your natural idea of happiness that can only seem to arrive after do this thing or accomplish that goal, or secure that opportunity. I am concerned about your success or failure, success or failure at being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. I am engaged in showing you how to be happy and fulfilled today, right now, this minute. I know the keys to your happiness and fulfillment and that is where I lead you. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own devices (goals or plans) and I will make your paths straight.”

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The Way to Knowledge

July 27th, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

July 27

Jesus said, “I didn’t make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it’s from God or whether I’m making it up. John 7:17 (Msg)
The golden rule to follow to obtain spiritual understanding is not one of intellectual pursuit, but one of obedience. If a person wants scientific knowledge, then intellectual curiosity must be his guide. But if he desires knowledge and insight into the teachings of Jesus Christ, he can only obtain it through obedience. If spiritual things seem dark and hidden to me, then I can be sure that there is a point of disobedience somewhere in my life. Intellectual darkness is the result of ignorance, but spiritual darkness is the result of something that I do not intend to obey.

No one ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test regarding it. We disobey and then wonder why we are not growing spiritually. Jesus said, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). He is saying, in essence, “Don’t say another word to me; first be obedient by making things right.” The teachings of Jesus hit us where we live. We cannot stand as impostors before Him for even one second. He instructs us down to the very last detail. The Spirit of God uncovers our spirit of self-vindication and makes us sensitive to things that we have never even thought of before.

When Jesus drives something home to you through His Word, don’t try to evade it. If you do, you will become a religious impostor. Examine the things you tend simply to shrug your shoulders about, and where you have refused to be obedient, and you will know why you are not growing spiritually. As Jesus said, “First . . . go . . ..” Even at the risk of being thought of as fanatical, you must obey what God tells you.

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July 27, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Obedience. This is hard Lord, perhaps even impossible. The things that I want to do I do not. The things that I ought to do I do not. But You lift me up Lord and set me right, even though I deserve none of it. Your mercy and grace astounds me. And when I am able to do the things that you command, when I find that I have accomplished something on behalf of Your kingdom, I am often proud of myself and of my spiritual growth and accomplishments. I look around and notice that I am more spiritual that that person, or that denomination. And just when I notice what a spiritual failure I am, You wash me in a sea of mercy and grace and tell me I am yours; and that you have already made me the man I need to be in Christ Jesus. Mine is to just surrender and let You live through me.

And God says…”Obedience is not an action I have chosen for you to simply keep you subservient to Me. Obedience is the easier way to life and life more abundantly. Many of your trials are trials that need not be. Many of your circumstances are circumstances that arise when you choose to follow another path. I do not necessarily punish you for your disobedience; you accomplish that by yourself by choosing your way and not mine. I love you and want you to live life and life more abundantly. When you choose to obey it means that you trust Me and have chosen the road I have laid out for you. When you first choose to seek My kingdom, the person of Jesus Christ, then all other things can be added unto you.”

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The Way to Purity

July 26th, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »
July 26, 2011
Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20

Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.

The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.

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July 26, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Sometimes I just cannot believe my first reactions to the pressure cooker of life. Just when I think I have progressed so far as a believer Lord, my real nature exposes itself. Just when I thought I had left narcissism, fear, anger, greed, and lust behind, I show myself what I sinner I am at heart.

And God says…”Yes you are a sinner at heart. But I am not, so let Me live through you. When you do exhibit love, peace, joy, loving-kindness, and are giving and selfless, do you really think that comes from inside of you? It does not and cannot come from you. It comes from Me. Like every lesson you have learned over the last few years, once again be reminded that when you stay connected to Me and allow Me to live through you, you live a transformed life. Stay connected and stay pure.”

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Am I Blessed Like This?

July 25th, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »
July 25, 2011
Blessed are . . . —Matthew 5:3-11
When we first read the statements of Jesus, they seem wonderfully simple and unstartling, and they sink unnoticed into our subconscious minds. For instance, the Beatitudes initially seem to be merely soothing and beautiful precepts for overly spiritual and seemingly useless people, but of very little practical use in the rigid, fast-paced workdays of the world in which we live. We soon find, however, that the Beatitudes contain the “dynamite” of the Holy Spirit. And they “explode” when the circumstances of our lives cause them to do so. When the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance one of the Beatitudes, we say, “What a startling statement that is!” Then we must decide whether or not we will accept the tremendous spiritual upheaval that will be produced in our circumstances if we obey His words. That is the way the Spirit of God works. We do not need to be born again to apply the Sermon on the Mount literally. The literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount is as easy as child’s play. But the interpretation by the Spirit of God as He applies our Lord’s statements to our circumstances is the strict and difficult work of a saint.
The teachings of Jesus are all out of proportion when compared to our natural way of looking at things, and they come to us initially with astonishing discomfort. We gradually have to conform our walk and conversation to the precepts of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies them to our circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations— it is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His unhindered way with us.
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July 25, 2011
Andrew said something during the sermon yesterday that reminded me of one of the lessons You have been teaching me Lord; namely that You will cause All things to work for my good regardless of how good I am. Like Andrew mentioned, I used to believe that your promise in Romans 8 was conditional: All things work for the good of those that love the Lord …. (As long as I am doing good things). But of course that is not a requirement. It is interesting how we intertwine things we think we must do in order to receive Your promises. My love and hope is all you need.
And God says…”My love grace and forgiveness are available to you regardless of who you are or what you do. My love, grace and forgiveness are available all day, every day. Many feel like as if they must perform and or conform to certain standards after they come to belief in order to justify or signify their actual conversion. It is a trap…do not go there. Your transformation is my responsibility, your responsibility is to believe, surrender and receive your transformed life. And when you cannot grasp the meaning in a difficult circumstance that calls Romans 8:28 to mind-let the Holy Spirit minister the meaning to you. Simply accept my love, hope and promise.”
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July 25 Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
I wish I didn’t blow it so much. Where are you, where am I, Where are we … when I say something that was so carnal and “unlike me?” … and I suspect is really at the core of me … Stuff that I wish I could pull back….
Well we were temporarily disconnected. Peter was that way when he denied me. Obviously I didn’t move. My love didn’t change. So let me put the question back to you … Where did you go?
I see that when my schedule gets compressed that my stress seems to go up and as my peace gets squeezed out, so does my Christlikeness. It doesn’t have to, but it does.
You’re right, it doesn’t have to. In fact that’s a mark of maturity and character … when you can experience stressors and still keep your peace. Dont beat yourself up. That’s just helping Satan. I’ll keep arranging circumstances for you to practice this skill. You’ll never get it 100% till you get here. Just keep walking. Just keep coming.
There are several areas, many areas where I can see a gap between where I am and Christlikeness. It seems overwhelming to work on all of them at the same time.
It is. So Holy Spirit will make it clear which are for you to focus on right now and at any particular time.
There are some things that I know aren’t the best but I dont seem to have any energy or willpower to fight them ….
You will never win long term with will power alone anyway. Those issues are not on the docket right now. Dont worry, I see them. We’ll get to them in due time. I’ll let you know when it’s time to work on those. Right now you have your plate full. So let’s go to work.
Good, thanks for letting me know … that you’ve got it under control, and I dont have to worry about it, just work on the stuff that you set before me.
Yes. Actually trying to do more than I have planned will aid the enemy as you will fail and have guilt and that’s his specialty. You can do the title of these writings … My Utmost For His Highest. Just know that when you get past my plans and into your own will power … you are exactly that … beyond my plans … outside of my perfect will for sure … and maybe outside of my blessing. Look at history. All the people who started out to please me and went beyond or took a wrong turn. Denominational rivalry, Aparthied, Crusades … Yuck! That wasn’t me. Once again, we are back where we started and always end… To stay the course, to stay on track, —-STAY CONNECTED.
Yes, it’s getting clearer and clearer. As we have less to look at … and more to see. Less of the world and Satan and his lies and more of you and your agenda. Thanks, I love you.

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Sanctification (1)

July 22nd, 2011 by JDVaughn No comments »

July 22, 2011

This is the will of God, your sanctification. . . —1 Thessalonians 4:3

The Death Side. In sanctification God has to deal with us on the death side as well as on the life side. Sanctification requires our coming to the place of death, but many of us spend so much time there that we become morbid. There is always a tremendous battle before sanctification is realized— something within us pushing with resentment against the demands of Christ. When the Holy Spirit begins to show us what sanctification means, the struggle starts immediately. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate . . . his own life . . . he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26).

In the process of sanctification, the Spirit of God will strip me down until there is nothing left but myself, and that is the place of death. Am I willing to be myself and nothing more? Am I willing to have no friends, no father, no brother, and no self-interest— simply to be ready for death? That is the condition required for sanctification. No wonder Jesus said, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). This is where the battle comes, and where so many of us falter. We refuse to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ on this point. We say, “But this is so strict. Surely He does not require that of me.” Our Lord is strict, and He does require that of us.

Am I willing to reduce myself down to simply “me”? Am I determined enough to strip myself of all that my friends think of me, and all that I think of myself? Am I willing and determined to hand over my simple naked self to God? Once I am, He will immediately sanctify me completely, and my life will be free from being determined and persistent toward anything except God (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

When I pray, “Lord, show me what sanctification means for me,” He will show me. It means being made one with Jesus. Sanctification is not something Jesus puts in me— it is Himself in me (see 1 Corinthians 1:30).

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July 22, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Sweetly broken? It sounds like a contradiction, but as I look back Lord, that is what has occurred. Looking forward, I am certain of more of the same. I am thankful and grateful for the changes you have wrought in me Lord. I do not choose to be broken Lord, but I am very grateful for the transforming power of Your Spirit as You put the pieces back together in Your likeness.

And God says…”It is the Holy Spirit that works within you to bring you to and through life changing circumstances, people and opportunities. Unfortunately, human nature is not often well served by or with success. When you are being “sweetly broken” you can be certain I am right in the middle of the trial waiting for you to give up yourself and be transformed………..”

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

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