He Himself has said . . . . So we may boldly say . . . —Hebrews 13:5-6

My assurance is to be built upon God’s assurance to me. God says, “I will never leave you,” so that then I “may boldly say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). In other words, I will not be obsessed with apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God’s words of assurance. I will be full of courage, like a child who strives to reach the standard his father has set for him. The faith of many people begins to falter when apprehensions enter their thinking, and they forget the meaning of God’s assurance— they forget to take a deep spiritual breath. The only way to remove the fear from our lives is to listen to God’s assurance to us.

What are you fearing? Whatever it may be, you are not a coward about it— you are determined to face it, yet you still have a feeling of fear. When it seems that there is nothing and no one to help you, say to yourself, “But ’The Lord is my helper’ this very moment, even in my present circumstance.” Are you learning to listen to God before you speak, or are you saying things and then trying to make God’s Word fit what you have said? Take hold of the Father’s assurance, and then say with strong courage, “I will not fear.” It does not matter what evil or wrong may be in our way, because “He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you . . . .’ ”

Human frailty is another thing that gets between God’s words of assurance and our own words and thoughts. When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God seems to be nonexistent. But remember God’s assurance to us— “I will never. . . forsake you.” Have we learned to sing after hearing God’s keynote? Are we continually filled with enough courage to say, “The Lord is my helper,” or are we yielding to fear?

Journal DJR

Good Morning Lord,
Not that Spiritual Life is a game, or just a game … but there are some similarities between my life with you and a close basketball game. First one team is ahead, then the other. There are times of momentum when one team seems uncatchable, then they seem to run out of gas and the other team catches them. Sometimes there are surprises, and cliff-hangers as the ball bounces back and forth across the rim … will it go in, will it go out? My life is kind of like all of that. Sometimes I seem invincible. I’m walking with you and it’s all good. The good guys are winning. Then the momentum changes (it’s probably that invincible feeling… dangerous to humans on a mission) and doubts creep in and I start stressing out. Sometimes the other team get’s way ahead and I really run amuck. But after a time-out and your pep talk, the good team (you and me) comes from behind to re-gain the lead.
Well, since my experience is like a game anyway, why dont I look for more parallels from sports and use them to get competitive and see if I can start winning more. Kicking in the competitive nature that you created me with.
I have no problem with that. I did make you that way. Remember what Paul said comparing life to an athletic competition. Also a military battle. Remember Jonathan who was feeling competitive …

And of course remember that We win in the end. That’s always the last line in my pep talks. And if you carry that in your heart and your head you will win more and more of the encounters brought by the circumstances of life. You can think of yourself as an athlete in a competition or a soldier in a war. Walk with me and remember my pep talks and win.

He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you’ —Hebrews 13:5

What line of thinking do my thoughts take? Do I turn to what God says or to my own fears? Am I simply repeating what God says, or am I learning to truly hear Him and then to respond after I have heard what He says? “For He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

“I will never leave you . . .”— not for any reason; not my sin, selfishness, stubbornness, nor waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never leave me? If I have not truly heard this assurance of God, then let me listen again.

“I will never . . . forsake you.” Sometimes it is not the difficulty of life but the drudgery of it that makes me think God will forsake me. When there is no major difficulty to overcome, no vision from God, nothing wonderful or beautiful— just the everyday activities of life— do I hear God’s assurance even in these?

We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing— that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life.

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
This is so good to hear, “I will never leave you . . .”— not for any reason; not my sin, selfishness, stubbornness, nor waywardness. ….If I have not truly heard this assurance of God, then let me listen again.” Not that we haven’t heard it before, but we need to hear it and hear it and hear it until we really get it down deep inside. And it becomes an integral part of who we are … unshakeable by the circumstances.
Lord, help us to stay close and hear these words today. As we hear these words over and over, we’ll be better able to hear your other words. Then help us obey quickly.

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him . . . —Psalm 25:14

What is the sign of a friend? Is it that he tells you his secret sorrows? No, it is that he tells you his secret joys. Many people will confide their secret sorrows to you, but the final mark of intimacy is when they share their secret joys with you. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys? Or are we continually telling God our secrets, leaving Him no time to talk to us? At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God. But then we find that God wants to get us into an intimate relationship with Himself— to get us in touch with His purposes. Are we so intimately united to Jesus Christ’s idea of prayer— “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10)— that we catch the secrets of God? What makes God so dear to us is not so much His big blessings to us, but the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us— He knows every detail of each of our individual lives.

Jesus did not commit Himself to them . . .for He knew what was in man —John 2:24-25

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.

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May 31, 2013

Lord, thank you once again for the reminder and reassurance. The reminder that You have answered all my questions and uncertainties. And if I will only trust You instead of myself, and other imperfect people just like me,  I can live a life of hope, truth and fullness. Help me trust You completely this day. And Lord, You know my weaknesses. You know how I can go off chasing my own ideas of what I want and need. Help me to surrender my will and myself to You and let You lead.

And God says…”Remember  when I look at you My child, I can only see Jesus. I can only see your perfection. I knew your strengths and weaknesses before I even breathed life into you. Why do you think my plan for our reconciliation is wrapped in love, trust, faith and grace? Did you think I would leave our reconciliation to humans to complete? Do you think I did not know of your ongoing imperfection? However; your perfection is complete in Jesus.  I trust Jesus to live through you; you do the same this day. Live this day in eager anticipation; waiting on Jesus to lead you into life and life more abundantly.”

Lord, I will follow You, but . . . —Luke 9:61

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, 2013

Lord I would like to believe that when and if I am certain it is You speaking to me, giving me direction, that I will listen and obey. In fact I am certain I will follow you when I know it is You speaking to me. The difficulty I have is not knowing if it is You speaking to me or am I hearing something else entirely.

And God says…”When you are closely connected to me and walking with Me, you can hear my voice as clear as a bell. When you are in pain and find that you must trust Me, you hear Me as if I am speaking through a megaphone. If you say you do not hear Me clearly it is because you are not listening closely. I am speaking to you all the time. The Holy Spirit within you communicates with Me all the time. If you are uncertain that it is My voice it is because we are not tightly connected and you are not surrendered to Me. Simply be still; close your eyes and listen for me right now….tell me you are surrendered or want to be surrendered…and then listen for Me.”

In that day you will ask in My name . . . for the Father Himself loves you . . . —John 16:26-27

“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).

“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.

In that day you will ask Me nothing —John 16:23
When is “that day”? It is when the ascended Lord makes you one with the Father. “In that day” you will be one with the Father just as Jesus is, and He said, “In that day you will ask Me nothing.” Until the resurrection life of Jesus is fully exhibited in you, you have questions about many things. Then after a while you find that all your questions are gone— you don’t seem to have any left to ask. You have come to the point of total reliance on the resurrection life of Jesus, which brings you into complete oneness with the purpose of God. Are you living that life now? If not, why aren’t you?

“In that day” there may be any number of things still hidden to your understanding, but they will not come between your heart and God. “In that day you will ask Me nothing”— you will not need to ask, because you will be certain that God will reveal things in accordance with His will. The faith and peace of John 14:1 has become the real attitude of your heart, and there are no more questions to be asked. If anything is a mystery to you and is coming between you and God, never look for the explanation in your mind, but look for it in your spirit, your true inner nature— that is where the problem is. Once your inner spiritual nature is willing to submit to the life of Jesus, your understanding will be perfectly clear, and you will come to the place where there is no distance between the Father and you, His child, because the Lord has made you one. “In that day you will ask Me nothing.”

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Clarity about this verse comes here for me … “In that day” there may be any number of things still hidden to your understanding, but they will not come between your heart and God. “In that day you will ask Me nothing”— you will not need to ask, because you will be certain that God will reveal things in accordance with His will.”
So, once again we see that connection with You is the answer. For the Christian, it is the answer to all the questions. Actually it puts our questions in the proper perspective. We still will have un answered questions but they dont come between us.
Help us this day to live so tightly connected with You that our unanswered questions and things we would stress about can just be brought to you and left there. Knowing that you you have a plan for us that we can rest in.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

. . . 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

“. . . 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.

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May 23, 2013

Thank you Lord for the reminder that the troubles of this life are to be expected and I should expect them to come at me day after day after day… Just as I can expect You to allow these troubles to work for my good and Your glory.

And God says…”Do not resist the difficulties that come your way.  They are simply the steps to growth, blessings, maturity and connection. You can trust Me to take care of all your day to day needs, be they physical, emotional, financial or spiritual. Trust Me, rely on Me, not on what you can see, or discern. Trust in Me with all your heart, and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. You will have difficulties, but they can be viewed as your opportunities for trusting Me. All things work for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”

. . . that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us . . . —John 17:21

If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17 . It will explain exactly why you are where you are— because Jesus has prayed that you “may be one” with the Father as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or do you have some other goal for your life? Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.

God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. Yet there is one prayer which God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22). Are we as close to Jesus Christ as that?

God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn’t ask, “Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?” No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. If we will pray, regarding our own lives, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42), then we will be encouraged and comforted by John 17, knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom, accomplishing what is best. When we understand God’s purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical. Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself, just as He was one with the Father. Some of us are far from this oneness; yet God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him— because Jesus prayed, “. . . that they all may be one . . . .”

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
It is a hard thing. Answering the question from a hurting friend, “Why would God allow this __________ fill in the blank. These scriptures, John 17 and Matt 26:42 are probably the best answers … but if delivered “raw” they can come across religious and pious and not very helpful.

That is why I treasure my veteran servants who have been thru hard times. Those are the ones who can deliver my message and my intent with accuracy and love. Know that when you go thru a trial, that you have become more One with me and my Father and that we will use your experience to expand our Kingdom. You dont have to preach it or go looking for a target. The place to share it will show up without your searching for it. And when it does, you will be ready. No one can be expert in all things. But when you have been thru a trial, treasure that, and be ready to share. I will send you someone to encourage.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you —Matthew 6:33

When we look at these words of Jesus, we immediately find them to be the most revolutionary that human ears have ever heard. “. . . seek first the kingdom of God . . . .” Even the most spiritually-minded of us argue the exact opposite, saying, “But I must live; I must make a certain amount of money; I must be clothed; I must be fed.” The great concern of our lives is not the kingdom of God but how we are going to take care of ourselves to live. Jesus reversed the order by telling us to get the right relationship with God first, maintaining it as the primary concern of our lives, and never to place our concern on taking care of the other things of life.

“. . . do not worry about your life. . .” (Matthew 6:25). Our Lord pointed out that from His standpoint it is absolutely unreasonable for us to be anxious, worrying about how we will live. Jesus did not say that the person who takes no thought for anything in his life is blessed— no, that person is a fool. But Jesus did teach that His disciple must make his relationship with God the dominating focus of his life, and to be cautiously carefree about everything else in comparison to that. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Don’t make food and drink the controlling factor of your life, but be focused absolutely on God.” Some people are careless about what they eat and drink, and they suffer for it; they are careless about what they wear, having no business looking the way they do; they are careless with their earthly matters, and God holds them responsible. Jesus is saying that the greatest concern of life is to place our relationship with God first, and everything else second.

It is one of the most difficult, yet critical, disciplines of the Christian life to allow the Holy Spirit to bring us into absolute harmony with the teaching of Jesus in these verses.