Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people? For instance, if I allow any turning away from God in my private life, everyone around me suffers. We “sit together in the heavenly places . . .” (Ephesians 2:6). “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it . . .” (1 Corinthians 12:26). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness, everyone in contact with you will suffer. But you ask, “Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?” “Our sufficiency is from God . . .” and God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5).
“You shall be witnesses to Me . . .” (Acts 1:8). How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous, mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ? That is what God means when He uses the word witness. But it takes time, so be patient with yourself. Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified? No, it is to be at work in service to Him. Am I willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one purpose and one alone— to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life of service to God is the way I say “thank you” to Him for His inexpressibly wonderful salvation. Remember, it is quite possible for God to set any of us aside if we refuse to be of service to Him— “. . . lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
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February 15, 2011
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
I woke up again at 4:00 AM this morning, wondering where there was a beginning and ending to all the thoughts fighting for space in my mind. My mind was racing on about my brother and all the family dynamics surrounding his last days. My mind raced over to mom and her wellbeing and then to my business with so many threads and wondering which one do I pull? I could only feel the needs and I could not see my place in them. Where do I start? What do I do? It feels like so many starts with so few endings. It feels like one foot is nailed to the floor and someone yelled …RUN!! And I run in circles.
And God says…”I will open doors and I will close doors and in between these two things happening, you will wait. You only feel as if you are running in circles because you feel as if you must do something. You must wait. You must be obedient and wait on Me. I will take the action; I will show you positively which way you are to go. Pray and rest in Me…Remember that ALL things work for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to My purpose. Those that wait upon the Lord will rise up with wings like eagles…run and not be weary. I know the future I have for you, a future that is good. Trust in Me and do not rely on your own understanding. Rest and be at peace knowing I will do more than you could ever imagine.
Journal 2 15 2011 DJR
Good morning, Lord. I see that you are taking my friend and I into new territory.(s) Very different journeys, but character building, each of the customized paths. He in the pressure cooker around a dying brother and continuing tent making uncertainty … me in finally deciding to dig in to old pains and losses. The devo’s of the recent past have certainly spoken to us and encouraged us to not only hang in there, but to even press in … to see what you have for us.
It is good. Keep coming.
I dont know what I believe about this concept of digging up the past and processing hurts and grieving losses etc. Part of me says, “suck it up, take it to the cross, the past is done, Jesus is all I need, He heals everything and digging stuff up is a waste of time….
Yes, and how has that worked out for you?
Not too well. Not on anything changing, external circumstances. And internally, between my ears, I can see some improvement, but not enough, and especially under pressure, I can still flare in pretty carnal and immature ways. That’s part of the reason I’m ready to do some deep diving. I’ve put this whole journey up to You and am doing my best to hold it in an open palm. Initially I’ve asked you for some guides for the journey. I think I’ve heard and am moving forward. Help me keep hearing you and catching the indicators.
I am here for you. Remember that my ways are higher than yours and on a whole different level. So expect some things to not make sense from the worldly point of view.
You got that right. I’m praying for 3 guys who have lost adult children. No way I can make sense of that. At least I’m smart enough to know what I dont know, so I try to stay away from Job’s comforting. My own stuff doesn’t make any sense from any perspective that I’ve come up with so far. Is there anything I’m missing?
You’re kidding? How about, My perspective, The View From Eternity, The Balcony View, The fact that a War is going on… And it has casulaties….. stuff like that.
Ouch. Casualties. I dont like the sound of that.
Well we dont talk about that early on in most journeys. But if you look, most of my most cherished men had to carry some pretty heavy crosses. Even real ones at the end. They are all here now. None of them want to go back and take an easier path.
OK. I guess I’ll leave it to you and do my best to just follow.
Good Idea… You’ll find it’s the best way of all… It’s what I did. Remember John 5:19. (I only do what I see the Father doing, etc)
Yes, OK I love you. Let’s go.
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