. . . present . . . your members as instruments of righteousness to God —Romans 6:13

The atonement of Jesus must be exhibited in practical, unassuming ways in my life. Every time I obey, the absolute deity of God is on my side, so that the grace of God and my natural obedience are in perfect agreement. Obedience means that I have completely placed my trust in the atonement, and my obedience is immediately met by the delight of the supernatural grace of God.

Beware of the human holiness that denies the reality of the natural life— it is a fraud. Continually bring yourself to the trial or test of the atonement and ask, “Where is the discernment of the atonement in this, and in that?”

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October 9, 2013 JDV

Lord, thank you for the reminder that I cannot sanctify myself. I cannot atone for my sin nor make myself a better person in your eyes.  Every once in a while I evaluate my position with You based on my work, study, attendance, tithing, and what I am doing for others. Thank you for the reminder that my position with You is all based on Jesus and the cross.

And God says…”The daily lesson you have found in your journey through co2 Manna Today has been the same day after day; that all love, hope, grace, truth, redemption and atonement begins and ends with Jesus. Start here every day. And the work, study, attendance and tithing will have meaning.

Come to Me . . . —Matthew 11:28

Isn’t it humiliating to be told that we must come to Jesus! Think of the things about which we will not come to Jesus Christ. If you want to know how real you are, test yourself by these words— “Come to Me . . . .” In every dimension in which you are not real, you will argue or evade the issue altogether rather than come; you will go through sorrow rather than come; and you will do anything rather than come the last lap of the race of seemingly unspeakable foolishness and say, “Just as I am, I come.” As long as you have even the least bit of spiritual disrespect, it will always reveal itself in the fact that you are expecting God to tell you to do something very big, and yet all He is telling you to do is to “Come . . . .”

“Come to Me . . . .” When you hear those words, you will know that something must happen in you before you can come. The Holy Spirit will show you what you have to do, and it will involve anything that will uproot whatever is preventing you from getting through to Jesus. And you will never get any further until you are willing to do that very thing. The Holy Spirit will search out that one immovable stronghold within you, but He cannot budge it unless you are willing to let Him do so.

How often have you come to God with your requests and gone away thinking, “I’ve really received what I wanted this time!” And yet you go away with nothing, while all the time God has stood with His hands outstretched not only to take you but also for you to take Him. Just think of the invincible, unconquerable, and untiring patience of Jesus, who lovingly says, “Come to Me. . . .”

Journal DJR

A couple of verses at the beginning and end of Psalm 139 say it so well……

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
………..
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

That’s my prayer. Help me do that today.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him —2 Corinthians 5:21

. . . to those who are . . . called to be saints . . . —1 Corinthians 1:2

There are times when we do know what God’s purpose is; whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends on us, not on God. If we prefer to relax on the mountaintop and live in the memory of the vision, then we will be of no real use in the ordinary things of which human life is made. We have to learn to live in reliance upon what we saw in the vision, not simply live in ecstatic delight and conscious reflection upon God. This means living the realities of our lives in the light of the vision until the truth of the vision is actually realized in us. Every bit of our training is in that direction. Learn to thank God for making His demands known.

Our little “I am” always sulks and pouts when God says do. Let your little “I am” be shriveled up in God’s wrath and indignation–”I AM WHO I AM . . . has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14). He must dominate. Isn’t it piercing to realize that God not only knows where we live, but also knows the gutters into which we crawl! He will hunt us down as fast as a flash of lightning. No human being knows human beings as God does.

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October 4, 2013

Journal Entry for Today JDV

Lord, help me find the road I should walk. You have never let me down and yet when I find myself wandering, frightened by the pressure and circumstances of life, and what I believe to be my needs, I often do not trust You to do what you have done dozens and dozens of times.  Why do I seem to trust only what I can see, touch and feel? Your love, provision and rescues are also a part of my “knowing”. I wonder why I am unable to hang onto those memories and experiences as tightly as I often hang onto my fear and uncertainty. Lord, help me find your peace and the faith that passes all understanding as I try to trust you completely. As the man said Lord, “I believe, help me in my unbelief”.

And God says…”Just stay open, engaged and transparent with Me. Stay curious; wondering how I will deal with every issue and circumstance that you believe is important. I may provide immediate impactful solutions and provision, or you may discover the fear you held onto was misplaced and unwarranted when I simply let you confront your worst fears. I am God, you are not. I know what you are, what you need and I have demonstrated my love through the gift of Jesus. Seek first the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need. And you should remember that I truly know your wants, needs and the shaping and sanding required to make you more and more like Jesus. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Acknowledge me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight. I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

He said to them, ’This kind [of unclean spirit] can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting’ —Mark 9:29

His disciples asked Him privately, ’Why could we not cast it out?’ ” (Mark 9:28). The answer lies in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “This kind can come out by nothing but” concentrating on Him, and then doubling and redoubling that concentration on Him. We can remain powerless forever, as the disciples were in this situation, by trying to do God’s work without concentrating on His power, and by following instead the ideas that we draw from our own nature. We actually slander and dishonor God by our very eagerness to serve Him without knowing Him.

When you are brought face to face with a difficult situation and nothing happens externally, you can still know that freedom and release will be given because of your continued concentration on Jesus Christ. Your duty in service and ministry is to see that there is nothing between Jesus and yourself. Is there anything between you and Jesus even now? If there is, you must get through it, not by ignoring it as an irritation, or by going up and over it, but by facing it and getting through it into the presence of Jesus Christ. Then that very problem itself, and all that you have been through in connection with it, will glorify Jesus Christ in a way that you will never know until you see Him face to face.

We must be able to “mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31), but we must also know how to come down. The power of the saint lies in the coming down and in the living that is done in the valley. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) and what he was referring to were mostly humiliating things. And yet it is in our power to refuse to be humiliated and to say, “No, thank you, I much prefer to be on the mountaintop with God.” Can I face things as they actually are in the light of the reality of Jesus Christ, or do things as they really are destroy my faith in Him, and put me into a panic?

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
We’ve been learning that relationship with you is the key to everything … But today we see a specific aspect of that relationship … concentrating more and more on you. And that seems to go along with what you said in John 5:19, you only did what you saw the Father doing. But you were able to concentrate on watching what Father was doing and yet it is never recorded that you were “staring off into space.” You were able to “multi-task?” with at least two things getting full attention … the person in front of you, and what Father wants. That is the challenge. I find that if I focus on one, I lose focus on the other. And if I try to multi task on several things at once, as productivity gurus counsel, I find that concentration on you is squeezed out of my mind.

You have free will. You get to choose, which will take priority. Sometimes intense circumstances will high jack your mind. I understand. But keep on practicing keeping a focus on me and what Father recommends in all the circumstances that come your way. You won’t get it perfect until you get here with us. But it’s the main thing you can do until then. Concentrate on me and what Father wants … And then when you hear it or see it … Then just do it. It’s the best way to live. It’s what I did for those 33 years.

The verse in Mark indicates more than just watching watching and listening during the day. Fasting and Prayer.

Yes, separate times apart for fasting and prayer without distractions will charge your batteries and make you stronger at focusing on me when those distraction opportunities come along.
Once again, you get to choose … how well charged your batteries are and how well you can keep your focus in the middle of intense circumstances will depend to a large extent on the time we spend together apart and on purpose. The Fasting and Praying that I referred to in Mk 9:29 had gone on in the days and weeks prior to that event. I didn’t pray and fast for a specific issue when it came up … Rather I just stayed “prayed up” with regular times away for just that purpose … and so can you.

« Previous Day

If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us —Mark 9:22

After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God— that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6 , Mark 9:14-23).

“If you can do anything . . . .” It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop you could believe anything, but what about when you were faced with the facts of the valley? You may be able to give a testimony regarding your sanctification, but what about the thing that is a humiliation to you right now? The last time you were on the mountain with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus— will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?

Journal DJR

Good Morning Lord,
I understand the mountain top experience, and its value. And the valley experience and their value … although that usually happens when looking back after exiting the valley. But the time in between the mountaintops and the valleys, where much of life is lived, what are we to do there? How are we to live for you in those neutral places? And is there a way to live there that makes us better able to live well in the valleys and the mountaintops?
All of life is preparation and character building. One thing to strive for in all three states is connection with me … like I did with Father when I was there (John 5:19 etc) If you stay connected and curious, you will be ready for what’s next. Staying connected is hardest for most of you in the neutral place, it’s where you forget who you are and who I am. There is neither agony nor ecstasy and you wander off on your own pursuits…. That is where a continual attitude of Curiosity will help you keep your connection with me strong. And then the blindsiding events of life …wont really blindside you. Together we’ll get through everything.

. . . Jesus took . . . them up on a high mountain apart by themselves . . . —Mark 9:2

We are inclined to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching. In actual fact, it is to be turned into something even better than teaching, namely, character. The mountaintop is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something. There is a terrible trap in always asking, “What’s the use of this experience?” We can never measure spiritual matters in that way. The moments on the mountaintop are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God’s purpose.

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October 1, 2013

Lord, why is it that I seem to be much more pliable and connected when I am experiencing the rain and valleys of this life Lord? Was it C S Lewis that said C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains?… It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” I wish I were not so hard of hearing Lord, and could and would hear you very clearly all the time.

And God says…”I know the human condition very well. I too wish it were simply a matter of us talking and walking along together, being connected in relationship.  But the fact of the matter is that in your fallen world, you will always experience and cause heartbreak and pain.  You will always seek your own counsel, chase after your own pleasures and paths to avoid pain. And there will be times on the mountaintop where you will be well connected to Me.  But much like a child, you turn to Me in your times of struggle, doubt and pain. Those are the times that you pay very close attention to Me.  Those are the refining times of your life.”

If you . . . remember that your brother has something against you . . . —Matthew 5:23

“First be reconciled to your brother . . . .” Our Lord’s directive is simple— “First be reconciled . . . .” He says, in effect, “Go back the way you came— the way indicated to you by the conviction given to you at the altar; have an attitude in your mind and soul toward the person who has something against you that makes reconciliation as natural as breathing.” Jesus does not mention the other person— He says for you to go. It is not a matter of your rights. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus.

“. . . and then come and offer your gift.” The process of reconciliation is clearly marked. First we have the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, then the sudden restraint by the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, and then we are stopped at the point of our conviction. This is followed by obedience to the Word of God, which builds an attitude or state of mind that places no blame on the one with whom you have been in the wrong. And finally there is the glad, simple, unhindered offering of your gift to God.

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September 26, 2013 JDV

Lord, the line in the devotional by Oswald Chambers, The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus, tells me that surrendering my rights to myself is the right and proper step in becoming a man after your own heart.  But sometimes it is so very hard Lord. I want the right to be heard, to be defended, to be….right. Deep down I still want the right to pursue my own agenda, my own sense of right and wrong, and my wants and needs. Lord help me surrender the need to pursue my rights, and receive your love and direction.

And God says…”I cannot live through you if you will not surrender. And like many, you choose to surrender certain portions of your life, especially those that are under pressure and attack. When refining fires are burning all around you in key areas of your life, you then focus on your surrender. When things are difficult in key areas and you see the futility of your own efforts, you then surrender. It is no secret that you can hear Me more clearly, like a megaphone, when you are in pain. Practice your surrender daily and hold up those key areas before the refining fires and tribulation ignite from the sparks of holding tightly to the rights you believe are yours… Seek Me first, acknowledge Me in all your ways, and delight yourself in the Lord. Start here every day.”

Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two—Matthew 5:41 

The Sermon on the Mount is not some unattainable goal; it is a statement of what will happen in me when Jesus Christ has changed my nature by putting His own nature in me. Jesus Christ is the only One who can fulfill the Sermon on the Mount.

If we are to be disciples of Jesus, we must be made disciples supernaturally. And as long as we consciously maintain the determined purpose to be His disciples, we can be sure that we are not disciples. Jesus says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. . .” (John 15:16). That is the way the grace of God begins. It is a constraint we can never escape; we can disobey it, but we can never start it or produce it ourselves. We are drawn to God by a work of His supernatural grace, and we can never trace back to find where the work began. Our Lord’s making of a disciple is supernatural. He does not build on any natural capacity of ours at all. God does not ask us to do the things that are naturally easy for us— He only asks us to do the things that we are perfectly fit to do through His grace, and that is where the cross we must bear will always come.

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September 25, 2013 JDV

Lord, take me over.  Like the song says, let Your love take me over. Take my life, thoughts and who I am.  On my own, I am unable to live the life I want to live, unable to be a man after Your own heart. But I know I can become that man, and live that life if you take me over.

And God says…”I can live the life of love, peace; happiness and abundance through you, but only after you surrender your life to me; every aspect, every area, every little hidden piece of your life.  And even though you are not really sure how to do this, I can help once you are truly committed to your surrender.  Once you seek Jesus first, everything else falls into place.  Seek first the Kingdom of God. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

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 

The sense of sacrifice in the Christian life is readily appealing to a new Christian. From a human standpoint, the one thing that attracts us to Jesus Christ is our sense of the heroic, and a close examination of us by our Lord’s words suddenly puts this tide of enthusiasm to the test. “. . . go your way. First be reconciled to your brother. . . .” The “go” of preparation is to allow the Word of God to examine you closely. Your sense of heroic sacrifice is not good enough. The thing the Holy Spirit will detect in you is your nature that can never work in His service. And no one but God can detect that nature in you. Do you have anything to hide from God? If you do, then let God search you with His light. If there is sin in your life, don’t just admit it— confess it. Are you willing to obey your Lord and Master, whatever the humiliation to your right to yourself may be?

Never disregard a conviction that the Holy Spirit brings to you. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to bring it to your mind, it is the very thing He is detecting in you. You were looking for some big thing to give up, while God is telling you of some tiny thing that must go. But behind that tiny thing lies the stronghold of obstinacy, and you say, “I will not give up my right to myself”— the very thing that God intends you to give up if you are to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

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September 24, 2013 JDV

Lord, I want you to take over all aspects of my life so please help me surrender all that I am and will be to You. I know, as do You, that I hold back certain aspects of my life; little treasures that I think I need to find my own way. Jesus, help me surrender it all to You.

And God says…”Surrender is not easy. Just as soon as you determine that our connection and your happiness are tied to the surrender …of yourself, you try to rethink your position with Me.  I have given you life and life more abundantly, I promise you the desires of your heart, and if you will seek the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, all you need will be provided.  Simply surrender and let Jesus live through you.  The gifts are yours, simply accept them and let your God love you.”