What’s For Dinner?
29 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Joe Stowell Tags: Abraham, Book of Genesis, Christianity, God, Isaac, Jesu, Religion and Spirituality, Sacrifice
“It came to pass . . . that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Genesis 22:1“
I can hardly imagine inviting special friends over for dinner and then throwing a few leftovers into the microwave to serve up to them. But if I were to do that, it would speak volumes about how I really feel about them.
Giving God the leftovers of our lives speaks volumes about His true worth to us. When God asked Abraham to give Isaac back to Him as an act of worship, Genesis 22:1 calls it a test. A test to see if there was anything in his life that he treasured more than God.
It’s no different for us. There are times when God requires something really important to get His work done. He’ll ask us to give up our natural instincts to seek revenge so that we can communicate His forgiving love by forgiving our enemies. He may call us to sacrifice portions of our time or money or comforts to advance His cause. Or He may require us to allow our sons and daughters to go to a far-off land to tell others about His saving love. The way we respond to what He requires says volumes about how we really feel about Him.
Anyone can offer the leftovers. Only those who love God more than anything else will serve up the very best for Him.
“Take up thy cross and follow Me,” I hear the blessed Savior call; How can I make a lesser sacrifice When Jesus gave His all? —Ackley
No sacrifice we make is too great for the One who sacrificed His all.
http://getmorestrength.org/daily/whats-for-dinner/
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Tozer Devotional-Daring to be Different
29 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in A. W. Tozer Tags: Christian, Christianity, Evangelism, God, holyspirit, Jesu, Old Testament, Religion & Spirituality
Daring to be Different
The fear of man brings a snare, said the prophet, and this enemy, too, must be defeated. Our whole modern world is geared to destroy individual independence and bring all of us into conformity to all the rest of us. Any deviation from the pattern, whatever that pattern may be at the time, will not be forgiven by society, and since the Christian must deviate radically from the world he naturally comes in for the world’s displeasure. If he surrenders to fear he has been conquered, and he dare not let this happen. Other enemies may be identified, such as love of luxury, secret sympathy with the world, self-confidence, pride and unholy thoughts. These we must resist with every power within us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
The Lord’s Times
28 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in O Christian.com Tags: Christianity, George MacDonald, God, Jesu, Marah, Morning, Spirit, Sweet
“Thou makest the outgoing of the morning and evening to rejoice” (Ps. 65:8).
Get up early and go to the mountain and watch God make a morning. The dull gray will give way as God pushes the sun towards the horizon, and there will be tints and hues of every shade, that will blend into one perfect light as the full-orbed sun bursts into view. As the King of day moves forth majestically, flooding the earth and every lowly vale, listen to the music of heaven’s choir as it sings of the majesty of God and the glory of the morning.”
In the holy hush of the early dawn
I hear a Voice
“I am with you all the day,
Rejoice! Rejoice!”
The clear, pure light of the morning made me long for the truth in my heart, which alone could make me pure and clear as the morning, tune me up to the concert-pitch of the nature around me. And the wind that blew from the sunrise made me hope in the God who had first breathed into my nostrils the breath of life; that He would at length so fill me with His breath, His mind, His Spirit, that I should think only His thoughts, and live His life, finding therein my own life, only glorified infinitely. What should we poor humans do without our God’s nights and mornings? –George MacDonald
“In the early morning hours,
‘Twixt the night and day,
While from earth the darkness passes
Silently away;
“Then ’tis sweet to talk with Jesus
In thy chamber still
For the coming day and duties
Ask to know His will.
“Then He’ll lead the way before you,
Mountains laying low;
Making desert places blossom,
“Would you know this life of triumph,
Victory all the way?
Then put God in the beginning
Of each coming day.”
http://devotionals.ochristian.com/mrs-charles-cowman-streams-in-the-desert-devotional.shtml
Tozer Devotional-Looking Back While Pressing On
28 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in A. W. Tozer Tags: A. W. Tozer, Christ, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, God, Jesu, Religion & Spirituality
Looking Back While Pressing On
Another enemy is complacency.“ Woe to them that are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1). The contended Christian is not in danger of attack, he has already been attacked. He is sick and does not know it. To escape this we must stir up the gift of God which is in us. We must declare war on contentment and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Again there is self-righteousness. The temptation to feel morally pleased with ourselves will be all the greater as our lives become better. The only sure defense against this is to cultivate a quiet state of continual penitence. A sweet but sobering memory of our past guilt and a knowledge of our present imperfections are not incompatible with the joy of the Lord; and they are of inestimable aid in resisting the enemy.
How Jesus Taught Us to Pray (3)
28 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in The Encouraging Word Tags: Christianity, God, holyspirit, Jesus, Lord, New King James Version, Prayer, Satan
“Forgive us…as we forgive.” Mt 6:12 NKJV
Let’s clear up some misconceptions about the words, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Satan will try to convince you that if your feelings haven’t changed toward the person who wronged you, you haven’t truly forgiven them. No, you can make the right decision and still have the wrong feelings! This is when you need faith to carry you through. You have done your part, now you are waiting for God to do His. God has the power to change your feelings toward the one who hurt you, and He will. Another misconception is that all you have to do is make a decision to forgive and then your job’s finished. No, you are instructed to “Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you” (Lk 6:28 AMP). You say, “Bless them? Are you serious?” Yes. The word “bless” means “to speak well of.” You’re extending mercy to those who don’t deserve it. But isn’t that what God does for you? The truth is, you cannot truly forgive without the Holy Spirit’s help. So today why don’t you pray, “Holy Spirit, breathe on me and give me strength. I forgive _____________ [name] for what they did. I release them from this debt and ask You to bless them. I turn the situation over to You. I trust You for my total restoration. Help me, Lord. Heal my heart, in Jesus’ name, amen.” Now, by faith, leave it all in your Father’s hands, move forward and anticipate His blessing. You won’t be disappointed.
http://theencouragingword.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/how-jesus-taught-us-to-pray-3/
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Tozer Devotional-Faith Living and Faith Believing
27 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in A. W. Tozer Tags: Christ, Christ Jesus, Christian, Christianity, God, holyspirit, Jesu, Lord
Faith Living and Faith Believing
One enemy we must resist is unbelief. The temptation is strong to reject what we cannot explain, or at least to withhold belief till we have investigated further. This attitude is proper, even commendable, for the scientist, but wholly wrong for the Christian. Here is the reason: The faith of the Christian rests down squarely upon the man Christ Jesus who declares that He is both God and Lord. This claim must be received by pure faith or rejected outright; it can never be proved by investigation. That is why Christ’s appeal is directed to faith alone. The believer thinks, it is true; but he thinks because he believes, not in order that he may. Faith secures from the indwelling Spirit confirmation exquisitely perfect, but only after it is there without other support than Christ Himself.
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How Jesus Taught Us to Pray (2)
27 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in The Encouraging Word Tags: Bread, Christianity, God, Jesus, Lord, Lord's Prayer, New King James Version, Prayer
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Mt 6:11 NKJV
Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Notice the word “daily.” You can’t fight today’s battles on the strength of yesterday’s bread; you must have a fresh supply. In the wilderness God’s people were only permitted to collect enough manna for one day; if they tried to collect more it rotted. It’s wonderful to talk about what God did yesterday and what He’s going to do tomorrow, but all you’ve got is today. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Only as you partake of what God’s provided for you today will you be able to stand up to the challenges you face. This prayer is an expression of faith. The very fact that you ask means you believe God’s got what you need and that He cares enough to provide for you. It says, “I don’t need to go to anybody else but You, Lord.” So hang up the phone, turn off the TV, shut the door, get down on your knees, approach God in faith and pray, “Give me what I need for this day.” God knows what you need, you don’t! As you partake of what He provides for you each day you’ll be able to handle whatever life throws at you. And one more thought. When people start getting on your nerves for no apparent reason, or you start having all sorts of mood swings, or you begin living by feelings instead of faith, it’s probably because you’re not eating right. If that’s so, it’s time to go back to your source and say, “Lord, I’ve come for my daily bread.”
http://theencouragingword.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-jesus-taught-us-to-pray-2/
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“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. iv. 6).
26 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in O Christian.com Tags: Anxiety, Christianity, First Epistle of Peter, God, Israel, Jesu, Psalms, Worry
Commit means to hand over, to trust wholly to another. So, if we give our trials to Him, He will carry them. If we walk in righteousness He will carry us through.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time.” There are two hands there–God’s hand pressing us down, humbling us, and then God’s hand lifting us up. Cast all your care on Him, then His hand will lift you up, exalt you in due time.
There are two cares in this verse–your care and His care. They are different in the original. One means anxious care, the other means Almighty care. Cast your anxious care on Him and take His Almighty care instead.
Make no account of trouble any more, but believe He is able to sustain you through it. The government is on His shoulder. Believe that, if you trust and obey Him, and meet His will, He will look after your interests.
Simply exchange burdens. Take His yoke upon you, and let Him care for you.
http://devotionals.ochristian.com/a-b-simpson-devotional.shtml
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Tozer Devotional-In the World But Not of It
26 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in A. W. Tozer Tags: Christ, Christian, Christianity, Church, God, holyspirit, Human body, Religion and Spirituality
In the World But Not of It
The Church lives in a hostile world. Within and around her are enemies that not only could destroy her, but are meant to and will unless she resists force with yet greater force. The Christian would collapse from sheer external pressure were there not within him a counterpressure sufficiently great to prevent it. The power of the Holy Spirit is, therefore, not optional but necessary. Without it the children of God simply cannot live the life of heaven on earth. The hindrances are too many and too effective. A Church is a living organism and is subject to attack from such enemies as prey on living things. Yet the figure of the human body to stand for the Church is not adequate, for the life of the body is nonintelligent, whereas the Church is composed of moral beings having intelligence to recognize their enemies and a will to enable them to resist. The human body can fight its enemies even while it is asleep, but the Church cannot. She must be awake and determined or she cannot win.
