If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17 . It will explain exactly why you are where you are— because Jesus has prayed that you “may be one” with the Father as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or do you have some other goal for your life? Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. Yet there is one prayer which God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus— “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22). Are we as close to Jesus Christ as that?God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn’t ask, “Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?” No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. If we will pray, regarding our own lives, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42), then we will be encouraged and comforted by John 17, knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom, accomplishing what is best. When we understand God’s purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical. Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself, just as He was one with the Father. Some of us are far from this oneness; yet God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him— because Jesus prayed, “…that they all may be one….”

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May 22 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, thank you for Chamber’s devotional today. It reminded me of the prayer Dave and I frequently pray together…”Please make us men after your own heart….please make us more like Jesus.”  The lines in the first paragraph give me pause…”He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. Are my trials and difficult circumstances making me a better, sweeter, nobler man, or as Chambers asks, are they making me more critical, fault finding and insistent in my own way?

And God says…”When you are in an intimate relationship with Jesus, you are connected to the vine and the vine sends life, love, understanding, knowledge and strength to you.  You know this, and experience it daily; when you are surrendered and connected to Jesus you can remain curious about how God will address your circumstances. Difficult circumstances do not frighten you. You know that ALL THINGS work for the good of those that love the Lord. You know that I am good all the time and all the time I am good.  When you are surrendered and connected, you know that I love you immeasurably and keep my promises. It is only when you want your outcome, and want to arrive at the destination of your own agenda to avoid uncertainty,  hurt, pain or difficulties that you feel disconnected and often feel as if I do not care. But I did not change…and the uncertainty, hurt, pain and difficulties of this life are there to help mold and shape you into a man after my own heart.”

“Trust Me, in all your ways; do not rely on your own ideas of what should happen, or what is fair and not fair. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you require will be provided.”

When a person is born again, there is a period of time when he does not have the same vitality in his thinking or reasoning that he previously had. We must learn to express this new life within us, which comes by forming the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:5). Luke 21:19 means that we take possession of our souls through patience. But many of us prefer to stay at the entrance to the Christian life, instead of going on to create and build our soul in accordance with the new life God has placed within us.

We fail because we are ignorant of the way God has made us, and we blame things on the devil that are actually the result of our own undisciplined natures. Just think what we could be when we are awakened to the truth!There are certain things in life that we need not pray about— moods, for instance.

We will never get rid of moodiness by praying, but we will by kicking it out of our lives. Moods nearly always are rooted in some physical circumstance, not in our true inner self. It is a continual struggle not to listen to the moods which arise as a result of our physical condition, but we must never submit to them for a second.

We have to pick ourselves up by the back of the neck and shake ourselves; then we will find that we can do what we believed we were unable to do. The problem that most of us are cursed with is simply that we won’t. The Christian life is one of spiritual courage and determination lived out in our flesh.

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May 20 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord.  This seems like another devotional about using our own courage and determination to overcome our own undisciplined nature. I wonder what truth You will show us from this Chambers’ devotional that once again tells us to simply pick ourselves up by the nape of our necks, shake ourselves and just “get on with it”. Doing this he says will result in us …. (as Nike says) just doing it. The trouble he says is that we simply won’t do it: we won’t use our self-discipline, and he says even prayer won’t work. We must just do it.

And God says…”You well know that you can discipline your spirit, mind and body to accomplish many things you previously thought impossible. Like writing a journal and sending out a devotional to a mailing list for almost five years; like writing a book. The issue is not whether or not to “simply do it” it is to simply be connected to Jesus and allow Him to “just do it “through you.  All these tools; courage, determination, self-discipline do not help grapes grow. Being connected to the vine is what creates fruit. Self-discipline, courage, determination are all tools I will use to help make you in My image. And you will become aware of these tools after the fact, much like you should become aware that you have been used to spread the gospel…..after the fact.”

“When you stop being concerned and or even aware of the desired outcomes, you can look back and see that courage, determination, and self-discipline have been used by the Holy Spirit to accomplish My goals through you. And prayer does work; especially prayer to be connected….I will give the Holy Spirit to those that ask…..how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and do not rely on your own understanding, determination, courage, and or self-discipline, and I will make your paths straight.  Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus and I will provide everything else you need, including the courage, determination and self-discipline when and if required. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. ”

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf! So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.

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May 18 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, this devotional seems like it was written especially for us to reinforce the  most recent lessons you have been providing. If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him. Lord this sounds like the message You have been giving us for some time; focus and be connected to Jesus, and within the abundant life, You will make use of us. And when You are using us we may not even be aware. Our circumstances may not change or they may remain difficult, we may not know our next steps, but You know and will guide and provide. When we are connected, all we need do is to live in our connection, being immediately unaware of the transformation(s) taking place.

 

And God says…”When you consciously and unconsciously understand that Jesus paid it all, there is nothing left for you to do except focus on Jesus, be connected, and live out an abundant life. I can and will then use you. And when you are of the most use to My Kingdom, you will not even be aware. When you focus on Jesus, and are connected to Me, you are part of the vine, and the fruit you bear does not manifest because you are doing heavy lifting and/or gritting your teeth so you can demonstrate the right discipline and self-control. You do not need to read your Bible, pray or study to get closer to Me. You add not one iota of justification or sanctification as a result of your self-discipline; your study, prayer and self-discipline. These disciplined actions occur as a result of your connection with Jesus. You can do nothing less. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own ways, means and self-control, and I will provide everything else you need. Acknowledge God in all your ways and I will make your paths straight. Do not worry about anything, but pray about everything, and you will experience a peace that passes all understanding.”

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you._________________________________________________________________ 

May 14 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, the most recent devotionals by Oswald Chambers seem to reflect a pattern of eager self-denial as a trait for demonstrating our membership and growth in the family of God. Chambers seems to be teaching that I must face (and embrace) adversity and difficult times. He says I must eagerly face difficult circumstances. And he says we must immediately obey when placed in adverse circumstances otherwise we grieve the Holy Spirit. Well Lord that does not seem to be the way that I roll. I have studied, obeyed, and prayed that my loved ones and I NOT encounter difficult times. I pray for healing, blessings and prosperity.  And while I understand the scripture in James that says I am not to get out of difficult circumstances too soon … (let them have their perfect result), I look to You for healing, blessings and prosperity. Is that wrong?  I want the abundant life You promised, the plans for good not evil, I want to be able to say to the mountain, jump into the sea and have it happen. Is this wrong?

And God says…”The abundant life becomes clear when you are not moved by your circumstances; good or difficult. When you surrender your life and are connected to Me you are molded in the image of Jesus over time. All things work for your good in this respect, and you are not moved by your changing circumstances, because when you are surrendered and connected to Me you know, really know, deep down that I am good all the time, and I love you beyond measure. When you acknowledge Me in all your ways, and give up your own ideas of healing, blessings, health and prosperity, I can make your paths straight. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will meet all your needs. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. You are not to necessarily embrace difficult times…but when you are surrendered, connected and curious about how I will respond to your needs you are transformed to a level of understanding and faith to supernaturally and joyously let Me be the God of your life.”

God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey. Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23).God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.

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May 13 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, once again Chambers sets the bar very high….. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23). …Of course I SHOULD be living in perfect harmony with God’s Son that my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and I should be able to quickly prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God. But that is not how it has been working (or not working) for me Lord. I have tried to be more disciplined, gritting my teeth and willing myself to higher standards. But that does not seem to work. And I wonder if it ever really works for anyone.

And God says…”Have you noticed that when you are surrendered and connected you are transformed, not out of self-discipline or your own “higher self”? Do you know that the very best you can do does not (and never will) measure up? Even if you were able to set your focus and discipline and for a while obey out of your strong sense of obedience, do you know it does not measure up? When you try to do the right things, you do not. Have you noticed how in trying to control your fears and lust that you just give them more strength and power? Have you noticed that whenever you promise yourself that you will “do better”; the results are at best short term? But when you surrender your self-discipline to Me, and seek our connection…. you are transformed.  Change does actually occur. And when you take over and demonstrate your humanity and lack of discipline, know and believe that my love, grace and mercy fills the gaps. Trust in Me with all your heart, do not rely on your own discipline or understanding and I will make your paths straight…..and you can live with a very clear conscience.”

When we first begin to form a habit, we are fully aware of it. There are times when we are aware of becoming virtuous and godly, but this awareness should only be a stage we quickly pass through as we grow spiritually. If we stop at this stage, we will develop a sense of spiritual pride. The right thing to do with godly habits is to immerse them in the life of the Lord until they become such a spontaneous expression of our lives that we are no longer aware of them. Our spiritual life continually causes us to focus our attention inwardly for the determined purpose of self-examination, because each of us has some qualities we have not yet added to our lives.Your god may be your little Christian habit— the habit of prayer or Bible reading at certain times of your day. Watch how your Father will upset your schedule if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes. We say, “I can’t do that right now; this is my time alone with God.” No, this is your time alone with your habit. There is a quality that is still lacking in you. Identify your shortcoming and then look for opportunities to work into your life that missing quality.Love means that there are no visible habits— that your habits are so immersed in the Lord that you practice them without realizing it. If you are consciously aware of your own holiness, you place limitations on yourself from doing certain things— things God is not restricting you from at all. This means there is a missing quality that needs to be added to your life. The only supernatural life is the life the Lord Jesus lived, and He was at home with God anywhere. Is there someplace where you are not at home with God? Then allow God to work through whatever that particular circumstance may be until you increase in Him, adding His qualities. Your life will then become the simple life of a child.

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May 12 2015Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I do not want to “sleepwalk” through any part of our relationship. I want to be aware and conscious of our connection. How can I do this? How can I be in the moment, in the Spirit, surrendered, connected, curious, expectant and obedient?

And God says…”Have you ever noticed that we are the most intimate and connected when you are in the most need? Your needs and circumstances drive you to Me. We have the most raw and engaging conversations when you are at your weakest; often your quiet and worship times become rudimentary places in your schedule when you are healthy, wealthy and wise in your own mind.  But when your peace meter is pegged out in the red, when you do not have the resources to face the challenges of the day, and when you feel adrift in the sea of humanity, historically that is when you and most of humanity, often seek a tighter, more connected relationship with Me. And that is just fine.” 

“The world is filled with trials and troubles, and consequently will remind you to be surrendered and connected to Me.  Do not try to get out of your troubles too early, let them have their perfect result. And remember to seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will give you everything else you require, including the desire to be surrendered and connected. Delight yourself in the Lord,  that is be surrendered, connected and curious and I will give you the desires of your heart. ”

 

Love is an indefinite thing to most of us; we don’t know what we mean when we talk about love. Love is the loftiest preference of one person for another, and spiritually Jesus demands that this sovereign preference be for Himself (see Luke 14:26). Initially, when “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5), it is easy to put Jesus first. But then we must practice the things mentioned in 2 Peter 1 to see them worked out in our lives.The first thing God does is forcibly remove any insincerity, pride, and vanity from my life. And the Holy Spirit reveals to me that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, “…love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). He is saying, “I will bring a number of people around you whom you cannot respect, but you must exhibit My love to them, just as I have exhibited it to you.” This kind of love is not a patronizing love for the unlovable— it is His love, and it will not be evidenced in us overnight. Some of us may have tried to force it, but we were soon tired and frustrated.“The Lord…is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish…” (2 Peter 3:9). I should look within and remember how wonderfully He has dealt with me. The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way. I may get irritated because I have to live with an unusually difficult person. But just think how disagreeable I have been with God! Am I prepared to be identified so closely with the Lord Jesus that His life and His sweetness will be continually poured out through Me? Neither natural love nor God’s divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured. Love is spontaneous, but it has to be maintained through discipline.

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May 11 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Love one another even as I have loved you…. Lord I am certain I cannot do this in my own strength. I frequently rationalize and justify my behavior and feelings for those that have not been so loveable. For those that have hurt me and mine, I often find very little love.  For those that seemingly want to hurt and destroy my family and or our country and way of life, I find little love or affection.  How can I honestly speak about love and loving one another when I often find myself silently cheering when a hater or destroyer gets their “just reward”?

And God says…”I loved you when you were not so loveable. I have asked you to love one other even as I have loved you. And I know you are unable to do this in your own strength and power. And when you know you do not love ….as I have loved you, simply surrender and seek your intimate connection with Me. My Spirit can and will transform your heart. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything you require will be provided…including the capacity to love the unlovable. When and as you surrender and live in connection with Me, you are transformed.”

Our Lord was not referring here to a cost which we have to count, but to a cost which He has already counted. The cost was those thirty years in Nazareth, those three years of popularity, scandal, and hatred, the unfathomable agony He experienced in Gethsemane, and the assault upon Him at Calvary— the central point upon which all of time and eternity turn. Jesus Christ has counted the cost. In the final analysis, people are not going to laugh at Him and say, “This man began to build and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:30).The conditions of discipleship given to us by our Lord in verses 26, 27, and 33 mean that the men and women He is going to use in His mighty building enterprises are those in whom He has done everything. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple ” (Luke 14:26). This verse teaches us that the only men and women our Lord will use in His building enterprises are those who love Him personally, passionately, and with great devotion— those who have a love for Him that goes far beyond any of the closest relationships on earth. The conditions are strict, but they are glorious.

All that we build is going to be inspected by God. When God inspects us with His searching and refining fire, will He detect that we have built enterprises of our own on the foundation of Jesus? (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). We are living in a time of tremendous enterprises, a time when we are trying to work for God, and that is where the trap is. Profoundly speaking, we can never work for God. Jesus, as the Master Builder, takes us over so that He may direct and control us completely for His enterprises and His building plans; and no one has any right to demand where he will be put to work.