Devotional: Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” This verse, if it stood alone, would seem to indicate the favor given to someone who CHOOSES the LORD GOD. Rather! This was about Israel and their backsliding and lack of following GOD. I thank GOD that HE runs to us though prodigal children we all are! I thank GOD that HE doesn’t push aside because our pride gets in the way. Thankfully, HE often brings us to a Damascus Road experience and as such, “assists” our frail flesh to grasp the obvious! We can do nothing without HIM! Therefore, whatever the cost might be, for me to gain CHRIST…then all things must be counted loss! Phillipians 3:7- “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” Yes, thank you, LORD, for showing me the fault lines within my walk so that – much quicker – I bend my knees and submit to YOUR way! Amen and amen!
Assisted Surrender
Forfeiture of Self…in its’ purest form
is never an attained point where
every direction was followed.
To reach the bottom where “surrender”
is the most desirous choice…
regardless the cost…
is then the decision made by the
“unconciously competent” soul.
Yes, when the joy of HIS training
exceeds the reward one shall gain;
when the experience of Time’s passage
is welcomed though one’s flesh
is intensely afflicted;
then HIS rescue is met with Hope’s height of emotion
yet only displayed inwardly
and thus…unconsciously.
For to choose Self debasement…without exception –
in the pursuit of HIS will and HIS ways…
is an impossible task
to achieve by oneself…unless HE intervenes.
Thus, ‘tis how HE shall come as a thief in the night
yet providing rescue and not theft
of our hopes and dreams. Yes! It is HE
who awakes me from such a vision
to discover – at last – I had "surrendered all".
As HIS servant in your service,
WVW Jasnoch (12/10/07)