Though it tarries, wait for it . . . —Habakkuk 2:3

Patience is not the same as indifference; patience conveys the idea of someone who is tremendously strong and able to withstand all assaults. Having the vision of God is the source of patience because it gives us God’s true and proper inspiration. Moses endured, not because of his devotion to his principles of what was right, nor because of his sense of duty to God, but because he had a vision of God. “. . . he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). A person who has the vision of God is not devoted to a cause or to any particular issue— he is devoted to God Himself. You always know when the vision is of God because of the inspiration that comes with it. Things come to you with greatness and add vitality to your life because everything is energized by God. He may give you a time spiritually, with no word from Himself at all, just as His Son experienced during His time of temptation in the wilderness. When God does that, simply endure, and the power to endure will be there because you see God.

“Though it tarries, wait for it . . . .” The proof that we have the vision is that we are reaching out for more than we have already grasped. It is a bad thing to be satisfied spiritually. The psalmist said, “What shall I render to the Lord . . . ? I will take up the cup of salvation . . .” (Psalm 116:12-13). We are apt to look for satisfaction within ourselves and say, “Now I’ve got it! Now I am completely sanctified. Now I can endure.” Instantly we are on the road to ruin. Our reach must exceed our grasp. Paul said, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on . . .” (Philippians 3:12). If we have only what we have experienced, we have nothing. But if we have the inspiration of the vision of God, we have more than we can experience. Beware of the danger of spiritual relaxation.

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May 2, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, sometimes I just don’t get it. It seems to me that the vision Chambers speaks about is very close to being one of those spiritual “highs” he has cautioned us about. I am convinced and my experience  demonstrates that that when (and if) I see the spiritual vision you have for me, I am committed, energized and focused; just as You would have me. Based on my experience, and your word, I would be foolish to take action without the vision from You.

And God says…”That is exactly the point about waiting. Why would you take off on a mission or work in your life, without the spiritual vision? You already know that all your work is “unto the Lord”. You know that when you wait on Me I will make you strong and raise you up with wings of eagles. Why would you embark on any venture without My vision and the inspiration that accompanies it? The issue is simply- what to do while you are waiting….and the lyrics to the song resonate; 

I will move ahead, bold and confident 
Taking every step in obedience 
While I’m waiting 
I will serve You 
While I’m waiting 
I will worship 
While I’m waiting 
I will not faint 
I’ll be running the race 
Even while I wait

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May 2 2011 Journal DJR
Good morning, Lord,
Vision is a word that is popular these days but I think we dont see it and use it with the quality and intensity that you intended. Otherwise we wouldn’t be so swayed and give up on our visions so quickly. I recently heard of Nelson Mandella’s description of his vision of freedom in his 27th year of captivity … it was a stronger vision of freedom than that of his captors, who were free to go home every evening, but returned to prison every morning.

I’m waiting 
I’m waiting on You, Lord 
And I am peaceful 
I’m waiting on You, Lord 
Though it’s not easy 
But faithfully, I will wait 
Yes, I will wait 
I will serve You while I’m waiting 
I will worship while I’m waiting 
I will serve You while I’m waiting 
I will worship while I’m waiting 
I will serve you while I’m waiting 
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

There is human vision and there is vision from Me. But that isn’t the point. Even human vision can be grasped strongly or held lightly. A lightly held vision won’t last through adversity.

What do we do to learn to grasp it tighter?

When you know it is from me, it helps. But that is not enough. If you know it is from me and it is for you and you know that you are committed 100%, live or die … then the vision will have pulling power. When you know it is for you and you are like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace … our God will rescue us, but if he doesn’t, we still wont bow down to you…

I’m concerned about substituting plain old bull headedness for this level of commitment to the vision … not on purpose but just confusing the two. Like the guy in the flood who you sent a boat and a helicopter before he drowned … sure that he had a vision of you rescuing him than was different than the one you really chose.

Yes, human stubbornness and commitment to a previous vision can cloud the new vision. Commitment to the status quo and the way things used to be and are expected to stay will prevent people from seeing and grasping my new works.

So staying curious and connected is still the key?

You said it.

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April 21, 2011

Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? —John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us-astounded at how “un-simple” we are. It is our own opinions that make us dense and slow to understand, but when we are simple we are never dense; we have discernment all the time. Philip expected the future revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in Jesus, the Person he thought he already knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be-it is now, though we look for it to be revealed in the future in some overwhelming, momentous event. We have no reluctance to obey Jesus, but it is highly probable that we are hurting Him by what we ask-”Lord, show us the Father . . .” (John 14:8). His response immediately comes back to us as He says, “Can’t you see Him? He is always right here or He is nowhere to be found.” We look for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but God only exhibits Himself in His children. And while others see the evidence, the child of God does not. We want to be fully aware of what God is doing in us, but we cannot have complete awareness and expect to remain reasonable or balanced in our expectations of Him. If all we are asking God to give us is experiences, and the awareness of those experiences is blocking our way, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus, because they are not the questions of a child.

“Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (14:1, 27). Am I then hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? . If I believe in Jesus and His attributes, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to disturb my heart, or am I allowing any questions to come in which are unsound or unbalanced? I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.

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April 21, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord sometimes I feel like there is way too much to remember after the three hundred and eighty fifth devotional….one more reminder by Chambers that I need to try and remember.  Or in Chambers’ case two or three more important things to remember. He says..I need to remain balanced in my expectations. Avoid asking You to give me experiences, or I will hurt You….and not allow questions that are unbalanced. These are just the admonitions of Chambers for today! How can I keep it all together when I am also trying to keep a handle on my nature?

And God says…”You are not capable of remembering all the lessons, and sometimes My greatest teachers can deliver too much. Come to Me as a little child, trust Me as children trust their parents. Focus on Me and let Me transform you. There is only one thing to remember; love Me and trust in Me with all your heart, mind and soul and you will be transformed into the image of Christ. Everything else will take care of itself. You do not have to remember or recall all the lessons you have been taught, you are not strong enough. But I am strong enough and I live through you.”

April 20, 2011

All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen . . . —2 Corinthians 1:20

Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30  was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities, but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.

The servant justified himself, while condemning his lord on every point, as if to say, “Your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave to me.” Have we been falsely accusing God by daring to worry after He has said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? (Matthew 6:33). Worrying means exactly what this servant implied— “I know your intent is to leave me unprotected and vulnerable.” A person who is lazy in the natural realm is always critical, saying, “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and someone who is lazy in the spiritual realm is critical of God. Lazy people always strike out at others in an independent way.

Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

April 20, 2011

This lesson really hit home this morning Lord; the thought that You have provided me all that I need to live a victorious life here on earth. This idea that all my needs are (already) addressed by You , regardless of what I can see, touch or sense brings me right back to the idea that I am to praise You at all times.  When I do not feel close to You I am not to trust anything as fickle as my feelings, I am to take You at your word, and praise You for what You have provided and will provide….and more importantly I am to praise for who You are. For it is within this praise and worship that our intimate relationship manifests itself in my sense of well being.

And God says…”When you praise and worship Me, the Holy Spirit joins with you so that you are intimately connected with Me at the very highest level. Your faith, hope and joy are renewed and restored and as you worship, praise and pray, you will notice the peace that passes all understanding permeates your heart, mind and soul. Seek the kingdom of God through your worship and praise and then realize that I have met all your needs according to MY riches in heaven.”

Joab had defected to Adonijah, though he had not defected to Absalom —1 Kings 2:28

Joab withstood the greatest test of his life, remaining absolutely loyal to David by not turning to follow after the fascinating and ambitious Absalom. Yet toward the end of his life he turned to follow after the weak and cowardly Adonijah. Always remain alert to the fact that where one person has turned back is exactly where anyone may be tempted to turn back (see 1 Corinthians 10:11-13). You may have just victoriously gone through a great crisis, but now be alert about the things that may appear to be the least likely to tempt you. Beware of thinking that the areas of your life where you have experienced victory in the past are now the least likely to cause you to stumble and fall.

We are apt to say, “It is not at all likely that having been through the greatest crisis of my life I would now turn back to the things of the world.” Do not try to predict where the temptation will come; it is the least likely thing that is the real danger. It is in the aftermath of a great spiritual event that the least likely things begin to have an effect. They may not be forceful and dominant, but they are there. And if you are not careful to be forewarned, they will trip you. You have remained true to God under great and intense trials— now beware of the undercurrent. Do not be abnormally examining your inner self, looking forward with dread, but stay alert; keep your memory sharp before God. Unguarded strength is actually a double weakness, because that is where the least likely temptations will be effective in sapping strength. The Bible characters stumbled over their strong points, never their weak ones.

“. . . kept by the power of God . . .”— that is the only safety. (1 Peter 1:5).

DJR Journal 4 19 11

Good Morning, Lord      Is the reminder to stay alert and rehearse our reliance and connection to you related to your command, “do this in remembrance of me?”

It is one of the reasons it was put in the book.

This is the first time I have really seen the value of the rest of that admonition, “as often as you gather.”   Almost none of the Protestant church see the need to obey that “as often” part.   Perhaps if we more often reminded ourselves of what you did, what it provided and what you conquered, and that without you, we could (will) fall, but in the power that is ours provided by your sacrifice … that we can stand … perhaps we wouldn’t have so many stumbles.    My current church is the first place I’ve been that does communion every week.  I like it.   It’s an opportunity to review and rehearse all that you provided and also remind myself that without diligence I can relax and easily get tripped up.   It’s a way of tightening up my connection with you.     Thank you.

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April 19, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

We are to be vigilant. I understand that we can be tempted from anywhere and even in our supposed strengths fall….or perhaps it is within our supposed strengths that we do fall.

And God says…” When you feel strongest, you are the most vulnerable. When you are capable of meeting your needs, you are the least filled with Me. When you are strong you “soldier on” and “man up”. These traits take you inside of yourself, trusting your own strength.  I do not allow trials and difficulties in your life so that you can “soldier on” and “man up’, I allow them so that you can see your need for Me. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own strength, and I will make your paths straight.”