. . . work out your own salvation . . . for it is God who works in you . . . —Philippians 2:12-13
Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a nature that renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do. When the Lord initially comes in contact with our conscience, the first thing our conscience does is awaken our will, and our will always agrees with God. Yet you say, “But I don’t know if my will is in agreement with God.” Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him every time. What causes you to say “I will not obey” is something less deep and penetrating than your will. It is perversity or stubbornness, and they are never in agreement with God. The most profound thing in a person is his will, not sin.
The will is the essential element in God’s creation of human beings— sin is a perverse nature which entered into people. In someone who has been born again, the source of the will is Almighty God. “. . . for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” With focused attention and great care, you have to “work out” what God “works in” you— not work to accomplish or earn “your own salvation,” but work it out so you will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord. As you do this, you do not bring an opposing will up against God’s will— God’s will is your will. Your natural choices will be in accordance with God’s will, and living this life will be as natural as breathing. Stubbornness is an unintelligent barrier, refusing enlightenment and blocking its flow. The only thing to do with this barrier of stubbornness is to blow it up with “dynamite,” and the “dynamite” is obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Do I believe that Almighty God is the Source of my will? God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it.
Lord, I need you in so many areas of my life, and I wonder if I am worthy enough to receive your love, grace and hope. I wonder if I matter enough or if I am good enough to receive your care and provision. And then I remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
When I recall the magnitude of your sacrifice I grasp a bit of the truth…and then the Holy Spirit speaks to me quietly reminding me that I am yours….not because of anything I have or have not done, but because of Jesus.
And God says…”You will have doubts and concerns in this life, but they can serve as reminders to stay connected to Me. You may stray and defy Me and My word and direction … that too can serve to drive you back to Me. You come to learn that because You are mine, I will never let you go…ever. All things work together for good for those that love Me and are called according to My purpose. Trust Me and rest, you are spoken for.”
Are you obsessed by something? You will probably say, “No, by nothing,” but all of us are obsessed by something— usually by ourselves, or, if we are Christians, by our own experience of the Christian life. But the psalmist says that we are to be obsessed by God. The abiding awareness of the Christian life is to be God Himself, not just thoughts about Him. The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God. A child’s awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her, when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is that with the mother. In that same way, we are to “live and move and have our being” in God (Acts 17:28), looking at everything in relation to Him, because our abiding awareness of Him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.
If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives— not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.
“He himself shall dwell in prosperity . . .” (Psalm 25:13). God will cause us to “dwell in prosperity,” keeping us at ease, even in the midst of tribulation, misunderstanding, and slander, if our “life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). We rob ourselves of the miraculous, revealed truth of this abiding companionship with God. “God is our refuge . . .” (Psalm 46:1). Nothing can break through His shelter of protection.
Obsessed is a word that brings some negative connotations to my mind. One primary definition of obsessed is: preoccupied with concern. And when You are the first and last thing on my mind and in my heart, I really do not feel any concern at all, Lord. Chambers was right about forgetting worry and fears. I have learned that when you occupy my heart, mind and thoughts, even though my circumstances may be challenging, I can face life in eager anticipation. It is not a question of bringing you my prayers and petitions, or my worries and concerns. When I simply bring myself and seek You…every worry, concern and challenge pales in comparison and I am at peace. Thank you Lord.
And God says…”You will face challenges and trials in this life, I have told you this over and over. But these challenges and trials can work to your advantage when you let Me navigate your life. Remember, nothing can touch you that has not first touched my hands, and I love you more than you can imagine or even understand. …Philippians 4 (Message)6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
He said to me, ’Son of man, can these bones live?’ —Ezekiel 37:3
Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer— “O Lord God, You know” (Ezekiel 37:3). Never forge ahead with your religious common sense and say, “Oh, yes, with just a little more Bible reading, devotional time, and prayer, I see how it can be done.”
It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we see the activity and mistake panic for inspiration. That is why we see so few fellow workers with God, yet so many people working for God. We would much rather work for God than believe in Him. Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do? The degree of hopelessness I have for others comes from never realizing that God has done anything for me. Is my own personal experience such a wonderful realization of God’s power and might that I can never have a sense of hopelessness for anyone else I see? Has any spiritual work been accomplished in me at all? The degree of panic activity in my life is equal to the degree of my lack of personal spiritual experience.
“Behold, O My people, I will open your graves . . .” (Ezekiel 37:12). When God wants to show you what human nature is like separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace. My “grave” has been opened by God and “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18). God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.
Just as I think I have graduated from immature Christian to mature believer, or have been promoted from Private Christian to corporal or sergeant…perhaps even Colonel Christian, I go and do something really off the way…..
Then as I am chiding and condemning myself, asking for your grace and forgiveness, You send me a lesson and song like this, reminding me that You love me anyway. You remind me that your grace is an ocean and I can drown in it if I choose. I may not be able to choose to always be obedient and faithful even as I try my very hardest. But I can choose Your grace.
And God says…”Whenever, whatever, however you find yourself, you can always choose Me. There is no need to be separated from Me, even when you “do something really off the way”. You can be immediately restored. When you are immediately restored through confession and repentance, and are connected to Me you allow Me to once again (and again, and again, and again….) to live and love through you, changing you from the inside out. If you confess your sins, I am faithful and just and will forgive you… and purify you. There is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.
Trust in Me and recall Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans…Romans 7:22-28 -It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Jesus did not commit Himself to them . . .for He knew what was in man —John 2:24-25
Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others. If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God.
Put God’s Will First. “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9).
A person’s obedience is to what he sees to be a need— our Lord’s obedience was to the will of His Father. The rallying cry today is, “We must get to work! The heathen are dying without God. We must go and tell them about Him.” But we must first make sure that God’s “needs” and His will in us personally are being met. Jesus said, “. . . tarry . . . until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The purpose of our Christian training is to get us into the right relationship to the “needs” of God and His will. Once God’s “needs” in us have been met, He will open the way for us to accomplish His will, meeting His “needs” elsewhere.
Put God’s Son First. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:5).
God came as a baby, giving and entrusting Himself to me. He expects my personal life to be a “Bethlehem.” Am I allowing my natural life to be slowly transformed by the indwelling life of the Son of God? God’s ultimate purpose is that His Son might be exhibited in me.
Lord, I know you have been reaching out to me in a number of ways lately, preparing me for a “next step”. I do not know what that “next step” is, but you have been reminding me that I am to put my trust in you, seek your will and to put Jesus first. You have placed me in positions where I must “get out of the boat and walk” and live the faith and trust you have provided. It feels like the rehearsals have been accelerated and it is almost time for the curtain to be raised on the very next step.
.” And God says…”All things work for the good of those that trust the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. Those that wait upon the Lord will run and not be weary and will rise up as if they had wings of eagles. Trust, rest in Me, and let Jesus live through you…..and have life and life more abundantly.”
May 31 2011 DJR
Good morning, Lord
I have been wondering about vision. Vision from you …. Vision that is of my own making? What’s the difference? Finding your vision for me and jumping on that instead of asking you to bless my vision. These are things that I’ve thought about over the years. Last nite Tony was sharing his vision for a career in Green. Is it from you? Or just something nice. Can we use the assumed close? And start marching and be guided by closed doors – open doors?
All of that is secondary. The main thing that will keep you on track is keeping tight with me. Then we can update and modify your vision and your passion in good time. Even if you are on an impure, or second rate or carnal vision … if you stay tight with me, it will become clear. I am always there to guide you … if you slow down and spend the time with me you will know the vision and the passion will follow.
Suppose God tells you to do something that is an enormous test of your common sense, totally going against it. What will you do? Will you hold back? If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the true point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender. Yet we tend to say, “Yes, but— suppose I do obey God in this matter, what about . . . ?” Or we say, “Yes, I will obey God if what He asks of me doesn’t go against my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.”
Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him that the natural man exhibits. If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says. Once you obey, you will immediately find that what He says is as solidly consistent as common sense.
By the test of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but when you test them by the trial of faith, your findings will fill your spirit with the awesome fact that they are the very words of God. Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis— only one out of an entire crowd is daring enough to invest his faith in the character of God.
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May 30, 2011
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, over the past few days You have been speaking to me through lessons, sermons, songs and that still small voice. You also sent a lesson about hearing your voice clearly so I would not miss this leading. You have been reminding me that Your sheep hear Your voice. I am beginning to learn how “to know” it is You leading.
Knowing You intimately and knowing Your voice is a critical element if I am to walk in Your will as I face the day to day issues and decisions.
And I know it takes practice, listening for You in all I do… over and over until my immediate response is always obedience….because I just know it is Your voice and Your leading. I have used my natural filters in the past to determine if it is really your voice…my common sense, analytic skills and natural mind. Not so much (or as much) anymore…..thank you for that gift. Thank You for leading me to a place where I know it is You leading. I know it is You because You also provide that awareness as well. I know now that You are always communicating with Me, I just need to listen with my spiritual ears.
And God says…”As you pray and ask for discernment…listen, and you will hear My voice. I speak to you in many, many ways….My word, sermons, songs, other believers, and that still small voice, just to name a few ways. The test for My voice and discerning My will for your life is not found in common sense, or your resources or abilities. The test is found in My word and in our intimate relationship built on prayer and day by day, hour by hour communications. You come to know my voice and learn to trust and obey immediately. Seek Me first through Christ Jesus, and everything else will follow. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Acknowledge the Lord in all you do and do not rely on your own devices (or resources) and He will make your paths straight.
Journal DJR
May 30, 2011
Good Morning, Lord
As I was beginning to read today’s devotional, I realized that my mind is “SWAYABLE” (spell check says that’s a new word) … Able to be swayed by the stressors, chaos, & pressure of the current context. Probably we all are capable of being swayed by the influences around us. This could be in a good way … emulating a selfless hero, but usually in a not so good way … Germany in the 1930’s etc. So I’m thinking about this “swayability” I probably cant totally eliminate it … this side of heaven. But minimizing it seems to be a good project. The reason, of course is to not be swayed away from You and your best plan for me.
Yes, this is a good project to think about and work on. Remember I said a few things about it. Let your yes be yes, etc and remember how even my disciples tried to sway me away from my mission, but my face was “set like a flint” toward Jerusalem and my destiny. Some of my men & women have had that type of determination. Most dont. But you can. It is an exciting way to live.
I see people having great determination and focus in athletics and business and politics … and I’ve had some of that at times. It has some value but pales in significance compared to focusing that intensity on following You.
Remember that to follow me to the max, you must know me and see me and hear me. Of course you can basically follow me by just following the commandments. But the more exciting ride comes when you know me and hear me and see me. Then we can walk together in the details that go beyond just following the instruction book. Then you will get customized visions that are for you and you alone. Sometimes they will seem foolish to those around you. Remember:
Dont Doubt In The Dark, What I’ve Shown You In The Light!
I’m seeing that certain times are more likely to have swaying influences and it helps to precondition my mind toward unswayability … like when preparing to attend a time share sales pitch. Or when going in to any marketing situation. Of course we are surrounded by marketing, everything is marketing and Satan is the Master Marketer of all time. … So I will push my mind toward You and the dreams and mission that you give me … especially at times of vulnerability.
. . . tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high —Luke 24:49
The disciples had to tarry, staying in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost, not only for their own preparation but because they had to wait until the Lord was actually glorified. And as soon as He was glorified, what happened? “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). The statement in John 7:39 — “. . . for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified”— does not pertain to us. The Holy Spirit has been given; the Lord is glorified— our waiting is not dependent on the providence of God, but on our own spiritual fitness.
The Holy Spirit’s influence and power were at work before Pentecost, but He was not here. Once our Lord was glorified in His ascension, the Holy Spirit came into the world, and He has been here ever since. We have to receive the revealed truth that He is here. The attitude of receiving and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives is to be the continual attitude of a believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive reviving life from our ascended Lord.
It is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit that changes people, but the power of the ascended Christ coming into their lives through the Holy Spirit. We all too often separate things that the New Testament never separates. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an experience apart from Jesus Christ— it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit does not make you think of time or eternity— it is one amazing glorious now. “This is eternal life, that they may know You . . .” (John 17:3). Begin to know Him now, and never finish.
Over the last two days I have encountered my pastor preparing a sermon (and we prayed over him and the sermon) about knowing God and then I find this lesson and the music about knowing God. Hmmmm. I have come to learn, Lord, that these kinds of “coincidences” are not coincidental at all. I have come to learn that you are directing me to pay attention. So I stop and listen for clear direction.
And God says…”You have the very mind of Christ and when you listen with your spiritual mind and abandon your natural mind, you come to know Me in ways that are beyond natural comprehension. I want you to know Me more intimately; with a knowing that adds to your faith, hope and trust. The more intimately you know Me, the more you realize just how much I love you and care for you and the more quickly you respond to my direction. You become more obedient and you obey more quickly. The more you know Me, the more you understand that you must give up all control and the need to know your future. You save your life by giving it to Me. Let Me take care of your future… you are to simply trust and obey.”
Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. “Pray without ceasing . . .”— maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.
Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have through the Spirit of God that inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, “. . . everyone who asks receives . . .” (Matthew 7:8). Yet we say, “But . . . , but . . . .” God answers prayer in the best way— not just sometimes, but every time. However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?
The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.
Pray without ceasing…when I first read this scripture I wondered how can I do that? How is that possible? I have to work, eat, communicate and interact with others. How can I pray all the time and still be functional? I thought this scripture was about other kinds of Christians; monks or people without daily responsibilities. Then one day I went looking for Jesus in everything I encountered. I was so overwhelmed and devastated by my circumstances; I could not communicate or function. I needed God’s help for everything. And right there inside of my needs I discovered I could find Him in everything and everything in Him.
And God says…”Praying without ceasing is simply communicating and engaging God in all you do, all day every day. The reason you stop praying without ceasing is because you want to take control back on issues about which you do not want or think you need Me. You want to be God of your own life in certain situations…so you stop praying without ceasing and take back your life. And when you choose to take your life back I will release you and let you make your own choices. However, deep down you know that if you are to have your life, you must surrender it to Me. …… Matthew 16:25…. for whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. When you lose your life in Me you pray without ceasing. When you give me control of your life this is your way of life.”
If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left —Genesis 13:9
As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice.
Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best. In this passage, it would seem that the wisest thing in the world for Abram to do would be to choose. It was his right, and the people around him would consider him to be a fool for not choosing.
Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has its eyes focused on God. And God says to us, as He did to Abram, “. . . walk before Me. . .” (Genesis 17:1).
It is naturally hard to imagine that the very best things come to us as a result of giving up on what we think will provide us the greatest happiness. But, it is simply not in my nature to let go of the desire to reach for the things that I believe will make me happy. It is hard to give up the pursuit of goals I have set for myself.
I have been taught to set goals, visualize the goals and then move forward taking the steps necessary and critical to achieve my goals…all the while mitigating risks and avoiding potential roadblocks. It is what I do! It is even my life’s work. ……..And then I read that I often search for the good at the expense of Your best.
And God says…”That is it exactly. However, that does not mean that you cannot use your skills (talents) to pursue the very best that I have in store for you and yours. Rememebr you are wonderfully made. I gave you these goal setting skills, and I will bless you as you use them….as you give Me the outcomes. You are simply to be obedient and trust Me to provide the result that I want. It may not be the result that you thought or believed would provide you the most benefit. Leave that part to me…there is much you cannot see. Oftentimes I will ask you to step out when you cannot see or even believe there is a way.”
“When you set your goals continue as you have, and begin with prayer and petition asking Me to guide you and provide the direction and confirmation. Continue to write out your goals, and review them daily-being open and objective about My leading….Be open and accepting of My will for your life.
“And know that I will operate in ways you cannot imagine even as you cannot fathom the depths of My love for you. Trust in Me. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own devices and I will make your paths straight. But first delight yourself in the Lord….and know I will give you the desires of a transformed heart.”
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead —Revelation 1:17
It may be that, like the apostle John, you know Jesus Christ intimately. Yet when He suddenly appears to you with totally unfamiliar characteristics, the only thing you can do is fall “at His feet as dead.” There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awesomeness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair. You experience this joy in hopelessness, realizing that if you are ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God.
“He laid His right hand on me . . .” (Revelation 1:17). In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory, the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, saying, “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17). His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet. Do I know Him like that?
Take a look at some of the things that cause despair. There is despair which has no delight, no limits whatsoever, and no hope of anything brighter. But the delight of despair comes when “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells . . .” (Romans 7:18). I delight in knowing that there is something in me which must fall prostrate before God when He reveals Himself to me, and also in knowing that if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.
5 24 11 Journal DJR
Good Morning, Lord.
I’ve felt pieces of what is described here, peace, assurance, belief that You can do anything and with You nothing can defeat me … but not as often or completely as I would like. What’s a guy to do?
You are not designed to live on a mountaintop all the time. None of my men did. Check it out. Delight in those times. But realize that the valleys and deserts and desperation is where some growth occurs that will let you appreciate the mountain tops.
I have this background sense that it will all be good in the end, even in the bad times. But I wish it was stronger and more dominant in my thinking as I go thru my days.
Walking with me, consciously, will amplify that sense. Many times I’m walking with you and seem distracted by “problems” and go running off to solve them yourself.
Guilty as charged.
I realize that you need to eat and sleep and make tents and solve problems. But I will go with you thru all of that if you let me. If you want to handle the tough stuff on your own and forget about me until you get out the other side … I’ll be there waiting for you. As always. But it wont be as much fun, you’ll give yourself ulcers, and we’ll miss out on a lot.
You’re right. Like the man said, “Lord, I believe, Help my unbelief” I want to be conscious of you every minute of the day like you did.
John 5:19 … the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,
From looking at my track record, this tight a communication seems impossible. Oh yeah, that’s where you come in ….. I really do need you
. . . do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on —Matthew 6:25
Jesus summed up commonsense carefulness in the life of a disciple as unbelief. If we have received the Spirit of God, He will squeeze right through our lives, as if to ask, “Now where do I come into this relationship, this vacation you have planned, or these new books you want to read?” And He always presses the point until we learn to make Him our first consideration. Whenever we put other things first, there is confusion.
“. . . do not worry about your life . . . .” Don’t take the pressure of your provision upon yourself. It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details of our lives, and it is never anything but those details that worry us. Have you ever noticed what Jesus said would choke the Word He puts in us? Is it the devil? No— “the cares of this world” (MatthewMatthew 13:22). It is always our little worries. We say, “I will not trust when I cannot see”— and that is where unbelief begins. The only cure for unbelief is obedience to the Spirit.
The greatest word of Jesus to His disciples is abandon.
We are taught that we are to leave our day to day concerns about our needs with our God. And I know I am learning thereality of this by finding myself in circumstances where I can do nothing less. And I wonder why? Over and over the lesson is presented to me and over and I have and am learning the lesson…..”Seek first the kingdom of God…do not worry about what you are to eat or how you are to be clothed”. I often wonder why we must learn the lesson over and over…
And then you make it clear.
And God says…” You are in New York City right now so perhaps you should be reminded of the old joke about how to get to Carnegie Hall-Practice, practice, practice. I want only the best for you and the very best includes allowing Me to always meet your daily needs. But how can that happen when you focus first on your job, your business and/or your bank account as your sources?”
“So over and over and over, I help you get into circumstances where you must focus on Me first. Either because the circumstances are too large for your sources to work or because your dreams are so large they always require Me. But the immediate response of looking to Me in all your circumstances; small, large and overwhelming requires practice to the point where it is your immediate and only response. In this way you come to learn the reality of how I meet all your needs, all the time, according to My riches in glory.”
This CO2- (Church Of 2) is where two guys meet each day to tighten up our Connections with Jesus. We start by placing the daily “My Utmost For His Highest” in this WordPress blog. Then we prayerfully select some matching worship music and usually pick out a few lyrics that fit especially well. Then we just start praying and editing and Bolding and adding comments and see where the Spirit takes us.
It’s been a blessing for both of us.
If you’d like to start a CO2, we’d be glad to help you and your partner get started. Also click the link below to see how others are doing CO2.Odds Monkey
Steve Harvey Introduces Jesus To A Secular Audience
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