The Cost of Sanctification

February 8th, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely . . . —1 Thessalonians 5:23


When we pray, asking God to sanctify us, are we prepared to measure up to what that really means? We take the word sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared to pay the cost of sanctification? The cost will be a deep restriction of all our earthly concerns, and an extensive cultivation of all our godly concerns. Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God’s point of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God’s purpose alone. Are we really prepared for God to perform in us everything for which He separated us? And after He has done His work, are we then prepared to separate ourselves to God just as Jesus did? “For their sakes I sanctify Myself . . .” (John 17:19). The reason some of us have not entered into the experience of sanctification is that we have not realized the meaning of sanctification from God’s perspective. Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the nature that controlled Him will control us. Are we really prepared for what that will cost? It will cost absolutely everything in us which is not of God.Are we prepared to be caught up into the full meaning of Paul’s prayer in this verse? Are we prepared to say, “Lord, make me, a sinner saved by grace, as holy as You can”? Jesus prayed that we might be one with Him, just as He is one with the Father (see John 17:21-23). The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit’s work in us?______________________________________________February 8, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, it was ten days ago that you taught us that we could best pursue sanctification as we engaged others with the gospel of our lives, that pursuing sanctification for the sake of sanctification was a selfish act. Today we read that sanctification can be pursued but it is very costly. I am a bit confused.

And God says…”Pursuing for the sake of being righteous is by itself a selfish pursuit. And pursuing sanctification so you can enhance your peace or personal feelings and wellbeing is also pointless and selfish. However, it is My will for you to pursue an
intimate relationship with Me, through Jesus, and for us to be connected. Sanctification will follow being connected and you will take on the likeness of Christ as you live out the Gospel for others. As a result of this kind of living,  and giving that  can only come from the inside out, you will have peace and life more abundantly. It is the priority of the relationship that is always at issue. Do not pursue the outcomes of peace, good feelings, health, and wellbeing. Simply pursue our intimate relationship, and everything else will follow…..or not. When you are connected, you will notice that it does not matter what else may……. or may not follow.” 

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

Spiritual Dejection

February 6th, 2012 by Dave No comments »

We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened —Luke 24:21




Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. Dejection stems from one of two sources— I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means “I must have it at once.” Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today “the third day” and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.

_________________________________________________________________

February 7, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, just about the time I start feeling dejected and separated from You, I receive a lesson that strikes right at the heart of the matter, namely myself. Thank you for the lessons last evening I heard on the radio about your mercy and grace, about how You never run out of patience, mercy or grace. So whatever it takes for me to know I am next to You and whatever it takes in my life to bring You glory, Lord, please work it in my life.

And God says…”Whatever the circumstance whether victory, defeat or in between, stay focused and connected to Me and be refreshed, and at peace. Pray for this. Focus on Me not your failure, success or plans for either. Acknowledge Me in all your ways, and I will make your paths straight…..and you will be blessed.”

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

Are You Ready To Be Poured Out As an Offering?

February 6th, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

 I am already being poured out as a drink offering . . . —2 Timothy 4:6


Are you ready to be poured out as an offering? It is an act of your will, not your emotions. TellGod you are ready to be offered as a sacrifice for Him. Then accept the consequences as they come, without any complaints, in spite of what God may send your way. God sends you through a crisis in private, where no other person can help you. From the outside your life may appear to be the same, but the difference is taking place in your will. Once you have experienced the crisis in your will, you will take no thought of the cost when it begins to affect you externally. If you don’t deal with God on the level of your will first, the result will be only to arouse sympathy for yourself.“Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27). You must be willing to be placed on the altar and go through the fire; willing to experience what the altar represents-burning, purification, and separation for only one purpose-the elimination of every desire and affection not grounded in or directed toward God. But youdon’t eliminate it, God does. You “bind the sacrifice . . . to the horns of the altar” and see to it that you don’t wallow in self-pity once the fire begins. After you have gone through the fire, there will be nothing that will be able to trouble or depress you. When another crisis arises, you will realize that things cannot touch you as they used to do. What fire lies ahead in your life?Tell God you are ready to be poured out as an offering, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be.__________________________________________________________________________February 6, 2012

Lord, this song is my prayer, again today. I surrender once again, to You and ask that Your Spirit be poured out in me so I can be poured
out for others.

And God says…”The very thing that makes you whole is when you surrender yourself and allow Jesus to live through you out to others. Accept the gift of today with the knowledge and awareness that it is to be poured out to and for others. And at the end of this day, you can and will rejoice.”  

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

The Compelling Force of the Call

February 2nd, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! —1 Corinthians 9:16


Beware of refusing to hear the call of God. Everyone who is saved is called to testify to the fact of his salvation. That, however, is not the same as the call to preach, but is merely an illustration which can be used in preaching. In this verse, Paul was referring to the stinging pains produced in him by the compelling force of the call to preach the gospel. Never try to apply what Paul said regarding the call to preach to those souls who are being called to God for salvation. There is nothing easier than getting saved, because it is solely God’s sovereign work— “Look to Me, and be saved . . .” (Isaiah 45:22). Our Lord never requires the same conditions for discipleship that he requires for salvation. We are condemned to salvation through the Cross of Christ. But discipleship has an option with it-”If anyone . . .” (Luke 14:26).Paul’s words have to do with our being made servants of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us as broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be “separated to the gospel” means being able to hear the call of God (Romans 1:1). Once someone begins to hear that call, a suffering worthy of the name of Christ is produced. Suddenly, every ambition, every desire of life, and every outlook is completely blotted out and extinguished. Only one thing remains— “. . . separated to the gospel. . . .” Woe be to the soul who tries to head in any other direction once that call has come to him. The Bible Training College exists so that each of you may know whether or not God has a man or woman here who truly cares about proclaiming His gospel and to see if God grips you for this purpose. Beware of competing calls once the call of God grips you.
__________________________________________________________________

February 2, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, help me to understand and live as if the quality of my life is dependent on living out the Gospel. Lord, I pray for the care,  compassion and love for others that can only come from You. Please help me to trust, obey and step out in faith this day.

And God says…”When you reach out to help others out of love, you are living out the life of Jesus, which is within you.  And when you are reaching out to others out of this compelling love of Jesus, your life is (being) supernaturally changed.When you
give up your life to Jesus and for others, you discover life and life more abundantly.

“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your slave: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”—Matt. 20:26, 27, 28.

 

 

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

The Call of God

February 1st, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . . —1 Corinthians 1:17


Paul states here that the call of God is to preach the gospel. But remember what Paul means by “the gospel,” namely, the reality of redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are inclined to make sanctification the goal of our preaching. Paul refers to personal experiences only by way of illustration, never as the end of the matter. We are not commissioned to preach salvation or sanctification— we are commissioned to lift up Jesus Christ (see John 12:32). It is an injustice to say that Jesus Christ labored in redemption to make me a saint. Jesus Christ labored in redemption to redeem the whole world and to place it perfectly whole and restored before the throne of God. The fact that we can experience redemption illustrates the power of its reality, but that experience is a byproduct and not the goal of redemption. If God were human, how sick and tired He would be of the constant requests we make for our salvation and for our sanctification. We burden His energies from morning till night asking for things for ourselves or for something from which we want to be delivered! When we finally touch the underlying foundation of the reality of the gospel of God, we will never bother Him anymore with little personal complaints.The one passion of Paul’s life was to proclaim the gospel of God. He welcomed heartbreak, disillusionment, and tribulation for only one reason— these things kept him unmovable in his devotion to the gospel of God.
_____________________________________________________

February 1, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, You have taught us for three years the same lesson,  over and over; the most important element of our spiritual lives is our daily,  minute by minute intimate relationship with You.  You have been teaching David and me this  lesson and continually bringing us back to this primary truth. Now it seems  that You have shifted into a lesson about living out the Gospel. Yesterday we  learned that our sanctification does not come about because we aim or try to  become better people; our sanctification evolves as a result of the Gospel of our lives touching others.  Today, Chambers seems to  reaffirm this notion; that sanctification, personal salvation and spiritual development and growth come about as a result of raising up Jesus.

And God says…”Again I  remind you that Jesus provided but two commandments; love God with all that you  are, and love your neighbor as yourself. As a result of obedience to these two commandments,  everything else in your life will take care of itself. This does not mean that  everything you need and want will come your way, nor does it mean that you will  develop the character of a saint when and how you expect and interpret it. It  means that when you are connected to Me through Jesus, and live out the good  news by loving your brothers and sisters, you are transformed into the very  person of Jesus and are no longer concerned about the circumstances of this  life. You simply know that I will meet all your needs as you are committed to  Me and reach out to others.”

“Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus,  and all that you need will be provided”.

 

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

Do You See Your Calling?

January 31st, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

. . . separated to the gospel of God. . . —Romans 1:1


Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God. The one all-important thing is that the gospel of God should be recognized as the abiding reality. Reality is not human goodness, or holiness, or heaven, or hell— it is redemption. The need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. As workers, we have to get used to the revelation that redemption is the only reality. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes.Paul did not say that he separated himself, but “when it pleased God, who separated me . . .” (Galatians 1:15). Paul was not overly interested in his own character. And as long as our eyes are focused on our own personal holiness, we will never even get close to the full reality of redemption. Christian workers fail because they place their desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God. “Don’t ask me to be confronted with the strong reality of redemption on behalf of the filth of human life surrounding me today; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes.” To talk that way is a sign that the reality of the gospel of God has not begun to touch me. There is no reckless abandon to God in that. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose— to proclaim the gospel of God (see Romans 9:3).
_________________________________________

January 31, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, it feels like You have been listening to my prayers lately, the ones about helping me become a better man; to help me lose my bad habits and selfish inclinations. I have been asking you to improve and strengthen my character and integrity, and all the while I thought it sounded pretty noble. But Chambers tells me this morning that is not what you desire for me. As I read this devotional, I understand the message to be: “we are transformed into people of the right character and integrity, not by asking for those attributes, but by reaching out to others proclaiming the Gospel.

Lord, help me become recklessly abandoned to You and the Gospel of Christ….with my life”

And God says…”Jesus gave you but two commandments; to love your God with all that you are, and to love your neighbor as yourself. And remember, proclaiming the Gospel has less to do with what you say and more to do with how you live out your love of God. Seek to proclaim the Gospel with your life, and over time, as a by product, the character of Christ will inhabit your life. “

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

The Dilemma of Obedience

January 30th, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision —1 Samuel 3:15

 


God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, “I wonder if that is God’s voice?” Isaiah said that the Lord spoke to him “with a strong hand,” that is, by the pressure of his circumstances (Isaiah 8:11). Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as mere occurrences?Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13 , or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.Should I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to me? This is where the dilemma of obedience hits us. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences and thinking, “I must shield ’Eli,’ ” who represents the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli— he had to decide that for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your “Eli,” but trying to prevent suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut off or right eye being plucked out (see Matthew 5:29-30).Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. “. . . I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood . . .” (Galatians 1:16).
____________________________________________

January 30, 2012

Journal for Today-JDV

Lord, sometimes I wonder if it is your voice that I hear, or  my own. Is it your leading or my own mind taking me where I think I ought to  go? God I don’t want to hear my own voice, or the voice of the pastor or my brothers,  I want to hear Your voice and know it is You. When I know it is You I know I  can be obedient. Please help me discern the sound of Your voice.

And God says…”You will  learn to discern My voice among all the others calling you, when you are  obedient and practiced at hearing My voice.  Listen for Me all day long, and you will know the sound of My voice.  Search for Me and you will find Me throughout your day. I am right beside you  and you find Me right inside of your obedience and listening. However, knowing it is My voice has not  historically guaranteed your obedience. Are you obedient to my every word in the Bible? Your obedience, your ability to obey comes from being connected to Me and responding to every word and call. The more you are conformed into obedience, the greater your propensity and ability to hear and obey…”the next time”.

 “Seek and you shall find,  knock and the door will be open, search and you will find. All those that  search for Me find Me, and most of the time you will find Me right at the point of  your need as the result of your trust and obedience.”

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

Look Again and Think

January 27th, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

Do not worry about your life . . . —Matthew 6:25


A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.“I say to you, do not worry about your life . . . .” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing-our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I mustconsider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).
____________________________________________________
January 27, 2012

Lord it seems so…..so natural to wander into worry about how we shall live. It seems so natural to be concerned about houses, mortgages, jobs, income and opportunity. How is it we can live without the planning and concern associated with our needs? I know the scriptures, but it seems, so, so irresponsible to not be concerned about the things of this world that we need.  How do we actually live without getting caught  up in our needs?

And God says…”Trust in me with all your heart, do not rely on your own devices and I will make your paths straight. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and all you need will be given you. …You can live without getting caught up in your needs when you let go of your need to be “in control”. Learn to trust Me. Learn to trust in Me, and I will meet all your needs according to my riches in heaven. And when you are unable to trust in Me, bring your need to trust…. to Me as well.”

 

Psalms 37

4 Take
delight in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit
your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.

7 Be still
before the LORD

and wait patiently for him;

 

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

Look Again and Consecrate

January 26th, 2012 by JDVaughn No comments »

If God so clothes the grass of the field . . . , will He not much more clothe you . . . ? —Matthew 6:30


A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that “if God so clothes the grass of the field . . .” how “much more” will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed “the cares of this world” to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the “much more” of our heavenly Father.“Look at the birds of the air . . .” (Matthew 6:26). Their function is to obey the instincts God placed within them, and God watches over them. Jesus said that if you have the right relationship with Him and will obey His Spirit within you, then God will care for your “feathers” too.“Consider the lilies of the field . . .” (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere. Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, He would look after all other things. Did Jesus Christ lie to us? Are we experiencing the “much more” He promised? If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries. How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him? Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?
_____________________________________________

January 26, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, it seems if I can go forward one or two steps and then slip back one. Then I read a devotional or scripture that reminds, corrects and directs me. I wonder if it is possible to stay connected, all the time, 24 hours a day. Is it possible to stay in relationship with You, in obedience all the time, and if so, how can I accomplish this?

 

And God says…”Yes it is possible to stay in relationship with Jesus 24 hours, 1440 minutes per day. It is possible to pray without ceasing. However, this requires trust in God, believing I will meet all your needs. It requires you to believe in my provision and plan for your life. When you “get off track” it is generally because  you are concerned with meeting your own needs, concerned that you will miss out.  You abandon your trust and faith relationship with Me and strike out on your  own.

Matthew 6:33

The Message (MSG)

“If God gives  such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even  seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for  you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so  preoccupied with getting, so  you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you  know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative,  God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday  human concerns will be met.

 

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized

God’s Overpowering Purpose

January 24th, 2012 by Dave No comments »

 

I have appeared to you for this purpose . . .—Acts 26:16

The vision Paul had on the road to Damascus was not a passing emotional experience, but a vision that had very clear and emphatic directions for him. And Paul stated, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Our Lord said to Paul, in effect, “Your whole life is to be overpowered or subdued by Me; you are to have no end, no aim, and no purpose but Mine.” And the Lord also says to us, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go . . .” (John 15:16).

When we are born again, if we are spiritual at all, we have visions of what Jesus wants us to be. It is important that I learn not to be “disobedient to the heavenly vision”—not to doubt that it can be attained. It is not enough to give mental assent to the fact that God has redeemed the world, nor even to know that the Holy Spirit can make all that Jesus did a reality in my life. I must have the foundation of a personal relationship with Him. Paul was not given a message or a doctrine to proclaim. He was brought into a vivid, personal, overpowering relationship with Jesus Christ.Acts 26:16 is tremendously compelling “. . . to make you a minister and a witness . . . .” There would be nothing there without a personal relationship. Paul was devoted to a Person, not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ’s. He saw nothing else and he lived for nothing else. “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

 

___________________________________________________

Journal DJR
Good morning, Lord. It’s clear today that you are the source of the call and the vision and the power to get the vision built. And if you call me and empower me, why dont I get more done?

That is not the right focus. I am not worried about getting projects or visions done. You are the project that I focus on. When you see that and start seeing my workings in all the day to day circumstances, things will go much smoother and even the things you call projects will go better.

I know that you said you were the potter and I am the clay. And I suspect you are teaching me in the shop with the wood and the lathe.

Yes, I will teach anyone who comes to me … anywhere they are.

I’ve expected you were in there when I’ve had some near misses and said “thank you” … but I know you have more than that to teach me.

Indeed I do. Stay expectant and curious and you will see it more and more.

Will do. I love you.

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized