For God so loved the world that He gave . . . —John 3:16

To say that we are called to preach holiness or sanctification is to miss the main point. We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:2). The fact that He saves from sin and makes us holy is actually part of the effect of His wonderful and total surrender to us.

If we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us— totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind, because our life will be totally consumed with Him.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

March 13, 2013

Lord, I pray that this day I will recall the magnitude of Your surrender as I seek our intimate relationship. I pray that You will fill me with Your Spirit and keep me mindful of all that You have given. Thank You for Your total surrender, and I ask that You help me totally surrendered to You.

And God says…”You can be surrendered to Me out of love, not obligation. I do not want you surrendered to me because you feel compelled to out of some sense of duty. Your true surrender can only come out of love as you are transformed by the Holy Spirit. Seek first the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else becomes clear. “

Peter began to say to Him, ’See, we have left all and followed You’ —Mark 10:28

Our Lord replies to this statement of Peter by saying that this surrender is “for My sake and the gospel’s” (10:29). It was not for the purpose of what the disciples themselves would get out of it. Beware of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits that may result. For example, “I’m going to give myself to God because I want to be delivered from sin, because I want to be made holy.” Being delivered from sin and being made holy are the result of being right with God, but surrender resulting from this kind of thinking is certainly not the true nature of Christianity. Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself. It is like saying, “No, Lord, I don’t want you; I want myself. But I do want You to clean me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to be on display in Your showcase so I can say, ’This is what God has done for me.’ ” Gaining heaven, being delivered from sin, and being made useful to God are things that should never even be a consideration in real surrender. Genuine total surrender is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Christ Himself.

Where does Jesus Christ figure in when we have a concern about our natural relationships? Most of us will desert Him with this excuse—”Yes, Lord, I heard you call me, but my family needs me and I have my own interests. I just can’t go any further” (see Luke 9:57-62). “Then,” Jesus says, “you ’cannot be My disciple’ ” (see Luke 14:26-33).

True surrender will always go beyond natural devotion. If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God. Most of us have only a vision of what this really means, but have never truly experienced it.

I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision —Acts 26:19

If we lose “the heavenly vision” God has given us, we alone are responsible— not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to “the heavenly vision” is to give our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory. This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to continually remember God’s vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life— sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.

“Though it tarries, wait for it . . .” (Habakkuk 2:3). We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it. We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that “tarries” is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul’s welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision.

Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms. Will you be proven to be an empty pod with no seed inside? That will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of the vision you have seen. Let God send you out through His storm, and don’t go until He does. If you select your own spot to be planted, you will prove yourself to be an unproductive, empty pod. However, if you allow God to plant you, you will “bear much fruit” (John 15:8).

It is essential that we live and “walk in the light” of God’s vision for us (1 John 1:7).

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March 11, 2013

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Thank you Lord for reminding me that You are always there and that my role is too simply surrender into Your arms. I love the vision of falling into You. Thank you again for providing the vision and the help for my life.

And God says…”You are to trust and rely on Me, that is all. You cannot bring enough of your own “goodness” or righteousness to our relationship. You can only bring complete surrender and hope. Trust in Me with all your heart,  do not rely on your own understanding or capabilities, and I will make your paths straight. Seek Me first and I will give you everything else you need. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

. . . in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses —2 Corinthians 6:4

When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.

Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ inJohn 13:1-17 .

. . . so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus . . . —Acts 20:24

Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced came from doing what the Father sent Him to do. And He says to us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it— to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear Him say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord. To do this we must have close fellowship with Jesus and must know Him as more than our personal Savior. And we must be willing to experience the full impact of Acts 9:16 — “I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

“Do you love Me?” Then, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). He is not offering us a choice of how we can serve Him; He is asking for absolute loyalty to His commission, a faithfulness to what we discern when we are in the closest possible fellowship with God. If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is not the same as the call— the need is the opportunity to exercise the call. The call is to be faithful to the ministry you received when you were in true fellowship with Him. This does not imply that there is a whole series of differing ministries marked out for you. It does mean that you must be sensitive to what God has called you to do, and this may sometimes require ignoring demands for service in other areas.

None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself . . . —Acts 20:24

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What do I count in my life as “dear to myself”? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as “dear to myself.” But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, “Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work.” That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use— but always consider that “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.

’By this we believe . . . .’ Jesus answered them, ’Do you now believe?’ —John 16:30-31

Now we believe. . . .” But Jesus asks, “Do you . . . ? Indeed the hour is coming . . . that you . . . will leave Me alone” (John 16:31-32). Many Christian workers have left Jesus Christ alone and yet tried to serve Him out of a sense of duty, or because they sense a need as a result of their own discernment. The reason for this is actually the absence of the resurrection life of Jesus. Our soul has gotten out of intimate contact with God by leaning on our own religious understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6). This is not deliberate sin and there is no punishment attached to it. But once a person realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ, and caused uncertainties, sorrows, and difficulties for himself, it is with shame and remorse that he has to return.

We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus on a much deeper level than we do now. We should get in the habit of continually seeking His counsel on everything, instead of making our own commonsense decisions and then asking Him to bless them. He cannot bless them; it is not in His realm to do so, and those decisions are severed from reality. If we do something simply out of a sense of duty, we are trying to live up to a standard that competes with Jesus Christ. We become a prideful, arrogant person, thinking we know what to do in every situation. We have put our sense of duty on the throne of our life, instead of enthroning the resurrection life of Jesus. We are not told to “walk in the light” of our conscience or in the light of a sense of duty, but to “walk in the light asHe is in the light. . .” (1 John 1:7). When we do something out of a sense of duty, it is easy to explain the reasons for our actions to others. But when we do something out of obedience to the Lord, there can be no other explanation-just obedience. That is why a saint can be so easily ridiculed and misunderstood.

Journal DJR
Good Morning, Lord. Recently I have read several blogposts that were critical of other brothers and ministries. They linked to more … and the more and more I read, the more I felt that these people taking over your job as judge. And after reading several of them I began to wonder if I could ever measure up … even doubted that I was saved. I found myself far away from joy and grace. I decided that for me, those judgmental types of messages are toxic and I have no room for them in my head. There is enough toxic self judgment and self condemnation and self doubt already in my head to last a lifetime. I dont need any more…… So, unless you direct me to one, I wont be reading any more “commentaries” that judge others and show how various groups are not measuring up, missing the mark, etc. Of course we dont measure up. Of course we miss the mark. Isn’t that what grace is for? … And to compel us by love to come home to you…

Good, you are right, you judge and condemn yourself to a fault. It is not wrong to have high standards but when you use them to condemn yourself and stay on an impossible squirrel cage … the high standards hurt more than help. Christlikeness is the highest standard … and you’ll never reach it 100% … But I know that and you know that and Jesus has handled that. So we hold it in that context of grace. You are free of the condemnation … so you are free to connect and love.

Where then do You get that living water? —John 4:11

The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ. When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, “Of course, He can’t do anything about this.” We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, “It can’t be done.” You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him.

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February 27, 2013

Journal Entry for today-JDV

Lord, Sometimes I get lost in the depths of my circumstances instead of the depths of your power and love. Please help me stay connected and aware that You are the living God and everything is within your power.

And God says…”I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. All things work for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart…Simply focus on Me, and you will be transformed and your faith and hope will be renewed.”

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Thanks for this day and loving us so much. It’s amazing the way you put up with us “slow learners” Some of the things that we are learning or re-learning now are things that we learned years ago.
Truths learned need to be exercised if you are to really own them. If you dont exercise a truth, just like a muscle, it will atrophy and then when it comes back around it will seem familiar in a way that you’ve seen that one before, but not in a way that you’ve mastered that truth and can relax in it. When you have exercised a truth, it will build your faith and you can relax and be curious as we walk together.

The woman said to Him, ’Sir, You have nothing to draw [water] with, and the
well is deep’ —John 4:11

Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of
God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those
details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis
of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We
think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in
touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. Each of us
thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or
misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus
away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where
are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take
care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that
our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, “It’s easy
to say, ’Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has
nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things.”
And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings
about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.” If we are honest, we will admit
that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know
exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings
about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we
can’t.

. . . though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved —2 Corinthians 12:15

The institutional church’s idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ’s idea. His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others. Jesus Christ actually “out-socialized” the socialists. He said that in His kingdom the greatest one would be the servant of all (see Matthew 23:11). The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— “What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things.” All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.

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February 25, 2013

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I look to You to lead guide and direct me this day. I will look to you and Your word for connection and direction. Please guide me this day and provide the direction and connection I need to sustain myself as I engage those You would have me engage.

And God says…”I want you available and connected this day so that you can respond when you are needed. Stay available, open and connected and I will bring you opportunities. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own sight and wisdom and I will make your paths straight.  I know you love Me:  loving others manifests and compounds that love. And even when you are not capable, through our connection, I am able to love others through you. Seek Me, and be available…..then observe your transformation and my love through you.”