We Have It All
"Seek ye first the kingdom...all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
How much time have you spent in your Christian life meditating on the plain instruction from our Saviour - "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The God who has revealed Himself to needy men and women wants us to know that when we have Him, we have everything - we have all the rest!
Any of us who have experienced a life and ministry of faith can tell how the Lord has met our needs - even for food and the essentials of life.
Brethren, we ought to learn, and learn it soon, that it is much better to have God first and have God Himself, even if we have only a thin dime, then to have all the riches and all the influence in this world and not have God with it!
Let us go on to know Him and to love Him more dearly, not for His gifts and benefits, but for the pure joy of His presence. Thus we will fulfill the purpose for which He created us and redeemed us!
Dear Lord, help me make the transition from wanting more and more "things" to being satisfied - and overjoyed - with only Your presence in my life. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Monday, March 30, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
We Were Outcasts Too
We Were Outcasts Too
"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you" (John 15:9).
We confess, do we not, that we have a Christian responsibility to believe God's Word and to obey God's Truth? Then we should accept the fact that it is our task to practice the Christian virtues in the power of the Holy Spirit as we await the coming of Him who will come.
The great spiritual needs around us should drive us back to the Gospel records of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. When evil men crucified Jesus, killed Him, they had no power to change Him. They could not alter the Person or the personality of the Son of God. Putting Him on the Cross did not drain away any of His divine affection for a lost race.
The best thing we know about our Lord and Saviour is that He loves the sinner. He has always loved the outcast - and for that we should be glad, for we too were once outcasts! We are descended from that first man and woman who failed God and disobeyed. They were cast out of the garden, and God set in place a flaming sword to keep them from returning!
Dear Heavenly Father, that You love us at all is amazing. But to think that You came down to earth to redeem us is nearly inconceivable. Such love is worthy of all my praise and obedience. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you" (John 15:9).
We confess, do we not, that we have a Christian responsibility to believe God's Word and to obey God's Truth? Then we should accept the fact that it is our task to practice the Christian virtues in the power of the Holy Spirit as we await the coming of Him who will come.
The great spiritual needs around us should drive us back to the Gospel records of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. When evil men crucified Jesus, killed Him, they had no power to change Him. They could not alter the Person or the personality of the Son of God. Putting Him on the Cross did not drain away any of His divine affection for a lost race.
The best thing we know about our Lord and Saviour is that He loves the sinner. He has always loved the outcast - and for that we should be glad, for we too were once outcasts! We are descended from that first man and woman who failed God and disobeyed. They were cast out of the garden, and God set in place a flaming sword to keep them from returning!
Dear Heavenly Father, that You love us at all is amazing. But to think that You came down to earth to redeem us is nearly inconceivable. Such love is worthy of all my praise and obedience. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Friday, March 27, 2020
Is My Sacrifice Living?
Is My Sacrifice Living?
"Abraham built an altar...and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar..." (Genesis 22:9).
This event is a picture of the mistake we make in thinking that the ultimate God wants of us is the sacrifice of death. What God wants is the sacrifice through which enables us to do what Jesus did, that is, sacrifice our lives. Not - "Lord, I am ready to go with You...to death" (Luke 22:33). But - "I am willing to be identified with Your death so that may sacrifice my life to God."
We seem to think that God wants us to give up things! God purified Abraham from this error, and the same process is at work in our lives. God never tells us to give up things just for the sake of giving them up, but He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having, namely, life with Himself. It is a matter of loosening the bands that hold back our lives. Those hands are loosened immediately by identification with the death of Jesus. Then we enter into a relationship with God whereby we may sacrifice our lives to Him.
It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a "living sacrifice" - to let Him have all your strengths that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus (Romans 12:1). This is what is acceptable to God.
~Oswald Chambers~
"Abraham built an altar...and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar..." (Genesis 22:9).
This event is a picture of the mistake we make in thinking that the ultimate God wants of us is the sacrifice of death. What God wants is the sacrifice through which enables us to do what Jesus did, that is, sacrifice our lives. Not - "Lord, I am ready to go with You...to death" (Luke 22:33). But - "I am willing to be identified with Your death so that may sacrifice my life to God."
We seem to think that God wants us to give up things! God purified Abraham from this error, and the same process is at work in our lives. God never tells us to give up things just for the sake of giving them up, but He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having, namely, life with Himself. It is a matter of loosening the bands that hold back our lives. Those hands are loosened immediately by identification with the death of Jesus. Then we enter into a relationship with God whereby we may sacrifice our lives to Him.
It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a "living sacrifice" - to let Him have all your strengths that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus (Romans 12:1). This is what is acceptable to God.
~Oswald Chambers~
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Could Every Damned Sinner Weep A Whole Ocean!
Could Every Damned Sinner Weep A Whole Ocean!
"They will be tormented day and night forever and ever!" (Revelation 20:10).
Our earthly fires may be quenched and extinguished. The hottest flames, the greatest conflagrations have been quenched and extinguished by water. Fires on our hearths and in our chimneys often die and go out by themselves. Our fire is maintained with wood - and put out with water. But the fire of hell never goes out; it can never be quenched. It is an everlasting fire, an eternal fire, an unquenchable fire!
In Mark 9 from verse 43 to verse 49, this fire is five times said to be unquenchable - as if the Lord could never speak enough ot it. Beloved, the Holy Spirit is never guilty of idle repetitions; but by these frequent repetitions, the Holy Spirit would awaken men, and teach them to look upon hell as a real thing, and as a serious thing, and not sport with unquenchable flames - nor go to hell in a dream!
Certainly the fire into which the damned shall be cast shall be without all intermission of time or punishment. No tears, nor blood, nor time - can extinguish the fire of hell. Could every damned sinner weep a whole ocean - yet all those oceans of tears together, would never extinguish one spark of infernal fire!
The damned are in "everlasting chains of darkness;" they are under the "vengeance of eternal fire;" they are "in blackness of darkness forever."
Said a poor despairing creature on his deathbed, "Oh, that word "forever" - breaks my heart!"
The damned in hell would gladly die - but they cannot. They shall always be dying - yet never dead. They shall be always consuming - yet never consumed.
"The smoke of their torment rises forever and ever!" (Revelation 14:11).
~Thomas Brooks~
"They will be tormented day and night forever and ever!" (Revelation 20:10).
Our earthly fires may be quenched and extinguished. The hottest flames, the greatest conflagrations have been quenched and extinguished by water. Fires on our hearths and in our chimneys often die and go out by themselves. Our fire is maintained with wood - and put out with water. But the fire of hell never goes out; it can never be quenched. It is an everlasting fire, an eternal fire, an unquenchable fire!
In Mark 9 from verse 43 to verse 49, this fire is five times said to be unquenchable - as if the Lord could never speak enough ot it. Beloved, the Holy Spirit is never guilty of idle repetitions; but by these frequent repetitions, the Holy Spirit would awaken men, and teach them to look upon hell as a real thing, and as a serious thing, and not sport with unquenchable flames - nor go to hell in a dream!
Certainly the fire into which the damned shall be cast shall be without all intermission of time or punishment. No tears, nor blood, nor time - can extinguish the fire of hell. Could every damned sinner weep a whole ocean - yet all those oceans of tears together, would never extinguish one spark of infernal fire!
The damned are in "everlasting chains of darkness;" they are under the "vengeance of eternal fire;" they are "in blackness of darkness forever."
Said a poor despairing creature on his deathbed, "Oh, that word "forever" - breaks my heart!"
The damned in hell would gladly die - but they cannot. They shall always be dying - yet never dead. They shall be always consuming - yet never consumed.
"The smoke of their torment rises forever and ever!" (Revelation 14:11).
~Thomas Brooks~
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
The Scriptures Are Suffieient
The Scriptures Are Sufficient
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness - so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Scriptures are sufficient to inform the ignorant, to confute the erroneous, to reform the wicked, and to guide and direct, support and comfort - the godly.
Here is milk for babies - and meat for strong men!
Here is comfort for the afflicted, and support for the tempted, and ease for the troubled, and light for the clouded, and enlargement for the straitened.
Oh, how full of light, how full of life, how full of love, how full of sweetness, how full of goodness, how full of righteousness, how full of holiness, is every chapter, and every verse in every chapter, yes, and every line in every verse!
No human writings are comparable to Scripture:
1. for antiquity;
2. for rarity;
3. for variety;
4. for brevity;
5. for plainness;
6. for harmony;
7. for verity.
All which should greatly encourage Christians, to a serious persual of them, "Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!" (Psalm 119:97).
~Thomas Brooks~
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness - so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Scriptures are sufficient to inform the ignorant, to confute the erroneous, to reform the wicked, and to guide and direct, support and comfort - the godly.
Here is milk for babies - and meat for strong men!
Here is comfort for the afflicted, and support for the tempted, and ease for the troubled, and light for the clouded, and enlargement for the straitened.
Oh, how full of light, how full of life, how full of love, how full of sweetness, how full of goodness, how full of righteousness, how full of holiness, is every chapter, and every verse in every chapter, yes, and every line in every verse!
No human writings are comparable to Scripture:
1. for antiquity;
2. for rarity;
3. for variety;
4. for brevity;
5. for plainness;
6. for harmony;
7. for verity.
All which should greatly encourage Christians, to a serious persual of them, "Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!" (Psalm 119:97).
~Thomas Brooks~
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
The Best Way To Be Holy
The Best Way To Be Holy
"Turn to the Lord with weeping and with mourning" (Joel 2:12).
The best way to be holy is to accuse, indict, arraign, and condemn yourself for your unholiness. Greatly lament and mourn over your own unholiness, over your own wickedness. Go to you closet, and fall down before the most high and holy God, and mourn bitterly over the unholiness of your nature, the unholiness of your heart, the unholiness of your affections, the unholiness of your intentions, the unholiness of your thoughts, the unholiness of your words, the unholiness of your life.
Oh, who can look upon sin as an offence against a holy God, as the breach of a holy law, as the wounding and crucifying of a holy Saviour, as the grieving and saddening of a holy Sanctifier, and not mourn over it?
Oh, who can cast a serious eye upon the heinous nature of sin, upon the exceeding sinfulness of sin, upon the aggravation of sin - and not have his heart humbled, his soul grieved, his spirit melted, his mouth full of penitential confessions, his eyes full of penitential tears, and his heart full of penitential sorrow?
The Christian mourns that he has sinned against a God so great, a God so gracious, a God so bountiful, a God so merciful.
Oh, how should a sinner fall weeping when he looks upon the greatness of his wickedness, and his lack of holiness! As ever you would be holy, mourn over your own unholiness.
Those who weep not for sin here - shall weep out their eyes in hell hereafter! It is better to weep bitterly for your sins on earth, than to weep eternally for your folly in hell.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).
~Thomas Brooks~
"Turn to the Lord with weeping and with mourning" (Joel 2:12).
The best way to be holy is to accuse, indict, arraign, and condemn yourself for your unholiness. Greatly lament and mourn over your own unholiness, over your own wickedness. Go to you closet, and fall down before the most high and holy God, and mourn bitterly over the unholiness of your nature, the unholiness of your heart, the unholiness of your affections, the unholiness of your intentions, the unholiness of your thoughts, the unholiness of your words, the unholiness of your life.
Oh, who can look upon sin as an offence against a holy God, as the breach of a holy law, as the wounding and crucifying of a holy Saviour, as the grieving and saddening of a holy Sanctifier, and not mourn over it?
Oh, who can cast a serious eye upon the heinous nature of sin, upon the exceeding sinfulness of sin, upon the aggravation of sin - and not have his heart humbled, his soul grieved, his spirit melted, his mouth full of penitential confessions, his eyes full of penitential tears, and his heart full of penitential sorrow?
The Christian mourns that he has sinned against a God so great, a God so gracious, a God so bountiful, a God so merciful.
Oh, how should a sinner fall weeping when he looks upon the greatness of his wickedness, and his lack of holiness! As ever you would be holy, mourn over your own unholiness.
Those who weep not for sin here - shall weep out their eyes in hell hereafter! It is better to weep bitterly for your sins on earth, than to weep eternally for your folly in hell.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).
~Thomas Brooks~
Monday, March 23, 2020
A Whore's Forehead!
A Whore's Forehead!
"You have a whore's forehead, you refuse to be ashamed!" (Jeremiah 3:3).
"Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all! They do not even know how to blush!" (Jeremiah 6:15).
They had sinned away shame - instead of being ashamed of sin. Continuance in sin had quite banished all sense of sin and all shame for sin; so that they would not allow nature to draw her veil of blushing before their great abominations. How applicable these scriptures are to the present time, I will leave the prudent reader to judge.
But what does the prophet do, now that they were as bold in sin, and as shameless as so many harlots; now that they were grown up to that height of sin and wickedness; now that they were above all shame and blushing; now that they were grown so proud, so hardened, so obstinate, so rebellious, so bent on self-destruction - that no mercies could melt them or allure them, nor any threatenings or judgments could in any way terrify them or stop them? The prophet goes into a corner, he retires into the most secret places, and there he weeps bitterly; there he weeps as if he were resolved to drown himself in his own tears. "I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears" (Jeremiah 13:17).
In the times wherein we live, hell seems to be broken loose, and men turned into incarnate devils! Soul-damning wickedness ewalk up and down the streets with a whore's forehead, without the least check or restraint.
Ah, America, America! What pride, luxury, lasciviousness, licentiousness, wantonness, drunkenness, cruelties, injustice, oppressions, fornications, adulteries, falsehoods, hypocrisies, atheisms, horrid blasphemies, and hellish impieties - are now to be found rampant in the midst of you! Ah, America! America! How are the Scriptures rejected, God derided, and wickedness tolerated!
And what is the voice of all these crying abominations - but every Christian to his closet - every Christian to his closet - and there weep, with weeping Jeremiah, bitterly - for all these great abominations whereby God is dishonored openly. Oh weep in secret for their sins - who openly glory in their sins, which should be their greatest shame. Oh blush in secret for those who are past all blushing for their sins; for who knows, but that the whole land may fare the better for the sakes of a few, who are mourners in secret!
~Thomas Brooks~
"You have a whore's forehead, you refuse to be ashamed!" (Jeremiah 3:3).
"Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all! They do not even know how to blush!" (Jeremiah 6:15).
They had sinned away shame - instead of being ashamed of sin. Continuance in sin had quite banished all sense of sin and all shame for sin; so that they would not allow nature to draw her veil of blushing before their great abominations. How applicable these scriptures are to the present time, I will leave the prudent reader to judge.
But what does the prophet do, now that they were as bold in sin, and as shameless as so many harlots; now that they were grown up to that height of sin and wickedness; now that they were above all shame and blushing; now that they were grown so proud, so hardened, so obstinate, so rebellious, so bent on self-destruction - that no mercies could melt them or allure them, nor any threatenings or judgments could in any way terrify them or stop them? The prophet goes into a corner, he retires into the most secret places, and there he weeps bitterly; there he weeps as if he were resolved to drown himself in his own tears. "I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears" (Jeremiah 13:17).
In the times wherein we live, hell seems to be broken loose, and men turned into incarnate devils! Soul-damning wickedness ewalk up and down the streets with a whore's forehead, without the least check or restraint.
Ah, America, America! What pride, luxury, lasciviousness, licentiousness, wantonness, drunkenness, cruelties, injustice, oppressions, fornications, adulteries, falsehoods, hypocrisies, atheisms, horrid blasphemies, and hellish impieties - are now to be found rampant in the midst of you! Ah, America! America! How are the Scriptures rejected, God derided, and wickedness tolerated!
And what is the voice of all these crying abominations - but every Christian to his closet - every Christian to his closet - and there weep, with weeping Jeremiah, bitterly - for all these great abominations whereby God is dishonored openly. Oh weep in secret for their sins - who openly glory in their sins, which should be their greatest shame. Oh blush in secret for those who are past all blushing for their sins; for who knows, but that the whole land may fare the better for the sakes of a few, who are mourners in secret!
~Thomas Brooks~
Days of Heaven on Earth
Days of Heaven on Earth
This word "glory" is a very difficult one to translate, define or explain. But there is something in the spiritual consciousness of the quickened Christian that interprets it. It is the overflow of grace; it is the wine of life; it is the foretaste of heaven; it is a flash from the Throne and an inspiration from the heart of God which we may have and in which we may live. The glory which thou gavest Me I have given them (John 17:22), the Master prayed for us. Let us take it and live in it. David used to say, "Wake up my glory." Ask God to wake up your glory and enable you to mount up with wings as eagles, to dwell on high and sit with Christ in heavenly places.
Mounting up with wings as eagles,
Waiting on the Lord we rise,
Strength exchanging, life renewing,
How our spirit heavenward flies.
Then our spirit heavenward flies.
Then our springing feet returning,
Tread the pathway of the saint,
We shall run and not be weary,
We shall walk and never faint.
~A. B. Simpson~
This word "glory" is a very difficult one to translate, define or explain. But there is something in the spiritual consciousness of the quickened Christian that interprets it. It is the overflow of grace; it is the wine of life; it is the foretaste of heaven; it is a flash from the Throne and an inspiration from the heart of God which we may have and in which we may live. The glory which thou gavest Me I have given them (John 17:22), the Master prayed for us. Let us take it and live in it. David used to say, "Wake up my glory." Ask God to wake up your glory and enable you to mount up with wings as eagles, to dwell on high and sit with Christ in heavenly places.
Mounting up with wings as eagles,
Waiting on the Lord we rise,
Strength exchanging, life renewing,
How our spirit heavenward flies.
Then our spirit heavenward flies.
Then our springing feet returning,
Tread the pathway of the saint,
We shall run and not be weary,
We shall walk and never faint.
~A. B. Simpson~
Friday, March 20, 2020
Intimate With Jesus
Intimate With Jesus
"Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?" (John 14:9).
These words were not spoken as a rebuke, nor even with surprise. Jesus was encouraging Philip to draw closer. Yet the last person we get intimate with is Jesus. Before Pentecost the disciples knew Jesus as the One who gave them power to conquer demons and to bring about a revival (Luke 10:18-20). It was a wonderful intimacy, but there was a much closer intimacy to come. "...I have called you friends..." (John 15:15). True friendship is rare on earth. It means identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?
Jesus said, "It is to your advantage that I go away..." (John 16:7). He left that relationship to lead them even closer. It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ (John 15:1-4).
Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful. The Christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control. This is the outcome of allowing Jesus to satisfy every area of life to its depth. The picture resulting from such a life is that of the strong, calm balance that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.
~Oswald Chambers~
"Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?" (John 14:9).
These words were not spoken as a rebuke, nor even with surprise. Jesus was encouraging Philip to draw closer. Yet the last person we get intimate with is Jesus. Before Pentecost the disciples knew Jesus as the One who gave them power to conquer demons and to bring about a revival (Luke 10:18-20). It was a wonderful intimacy, but there was a much closer intimacy to come. "...I have called you friends..." (John 15:15). True friendship is rare on earth. It means identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?
Jesus said, "It is to your advantage that I go away..." (John 16:7). He left that relationship to lead them even closer. It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ (John 15:1-4).
Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful. The Christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control. This is the outcome of allowing Jesus to satisfy every area of life to its depth. The picture resulting from such a life is that of the strong, calm balance that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.
~Oswald Chambers~
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Bits and Pieces to Ponder
Bits and Pieces to Ponder
"The world isn't waiting on a definition of Christianity, they are waiting on a fresh demonstration of Christianity." (Tozer)
"Take God's Word as the only measure of your life." (A.W. Pink)
Pray like Nehemiah, obey like Daniel, serve like Martha, believe like Mary, fight like David, educate like Paul, build like Noah and love like Christ.
______________________
The Happy Exchange
Sin has exchanged: earth for heaven, a wilderness - for a paradise, a prison - for a palace, a house made with hands - for one eternal in the heavens, imperfection - for perfection, sighing - for singing, mourning - for rejoicing, petitions - for praises, the society of sinful mortals - for the company of God, pain - for ease, sickness - for health, a bed of weakness - for a bed of spices, her brass - for silver, her pennies - for gold, her earthly contentments - for heavenly enjoyments, an imperfect, transient enjoyment of God - for a more clear, full, perfect, and permanent enjoyment of God.
And as I desire that one of your eyes may be fixed upon her happiness - so I desire that your other eye may be fixed upon Christ's fullness. Though your brook be dried up, yet Christ the fountain of light, life, love, grace, glory, comfort, joy goodness, sweetness and satisfaction - is still at hand - and always full and flowing - yes, overflowing!
As the worth and value of many pieces of silver is contracted in one piece of gold - so all the sweetness, all the goodness, all the excellencies which are in husbands, wives, children, friends, etc., are concentrated in Christ! Yes, all the whle volume of perfections which is spread through heaven and earth - is epitomized in Christ!
Oh, that your hearts and thoughts were thus busied about Christ, and taken up with Christ, and with those treasures of wisdom, knowledge, grace, goodness, sweetness, etc., which are in Him! This would very much allay your grief and sorrow, and keep your hearts quiet and silent before the Lord.
~Thomas Brooks~
"The world isn't waiting on a definition of Christianity, they are waiting on a fresh demonstration of Christianity." (Tozer)
"Take God's Word as the only measure of your life." (A.W. Pink)
Pray like Nehemiah, obey like Daniel, serve like Martha, believe like Mary, fight like David, educate like Paul, build like Noah and love like Christ.
______________________
The Happy Exchange
Sin has exchanged: earth for heaven, a wilderness - for a paradise, a prison - for a palace, a house made with hands - for one eternal in the heavens, imperfection - for perfection, sighing - for singing, mourning - for rejoicing, petitions - for praises, the society of sinful mortals - for the company of God, pain - for ease, sickness - for health, a bed of weakness - for a bed of spices, her brass - for silver, her pennies - for gold, her earthly contentments - for heavenly enjoyments, an imperfect, transient enjoyment of God - for a more clear, full, perfect, and permanent enjoyment of God.
And as I desire that one of your eyes may be fixed upon her happiness - so I desire that your other eye may be fixed upon Christ's fullness. Though your brook be dried up, yet Christ the fountain of light, life, love, grace, glory, comfort, joy goodness, sweetness and satisfaction - is still at hand - and always full and flowing - yes, overflowing!
As the worth and value of many pieces of silver is contracted in one piece of gold - so all the sweetness, all the goodness, all the excellencies which are in husbands, wives, children, friends, etc., are concentrated in Christ! Yes, all the whle volume of perfections which is spread through heaven and earth - is epitomized in Christ!
Oh, that your hearts and thoughts were thus busied about Christ, and taken up with Christ, and with those treasures of wisdom, knowledge, grace, goodness, sweetness, etc., which are in Him! This would very much allay your grief and sorrow, and keep your hearts quiet and silent before the Lord.
~Thomas Brooks~
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
A Sea of Blood, Wrath, Sin, sorrow, Misery
A Sea of Blood, Wrath, Sin, Sorrow, Misery
Ah, what a sea of blood, of wrath, of sin, of sorrow, and misery - did the Lord Jesus wade through for your eternal good! Christ did not plead, "This Cross is too heavy for Me to bear; this wrath is too great for Me to lie under; this cup of suffering, which has in it all the ingredients of divine wrath, to too bitter for Me to sip of - how much more to drink the very dregs of it!" No! Christ does not plead the difficulty of the service - but resolutely and bravely wades through all!! "I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6).
Christ bears His Father's wrath, the punishment of your sins, the malice of satan, the rage of the world, and sweetly and triumphantly passes through all.
Christ has freed you from all your enemies, the curse of the law, the damnatory power of sin, the wrath of God, the sting of death, and torments of hell.
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).
~Thomas Brooks~
Ah, what a sea of blood, of wrath, of sin, of sorrow, and misery - did the Lord Jesus wade through for your eternal good! Christ did not plead, "This Cross is too heavy for Me to bear; this wrath is too great for Me to lie under; this cup of suffering, which has in it all the ingredients of divine wrath, to too bitter for Me to sip of - how much more to drink the very dregs of it!" No! Christ does not plead the difficulty of the service - but resolutely and bravely wades through all!! "I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6).
Christ bears His Father's wrath, the punishment of your sins, the malice of satan, the rage of the world, and sweetly and triumphantly passes through all.
Christ has freed you from all your enemies, the curse of the law, the damnatory power of sin, the wrath of God, the sting of death, and torments of hell.
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).
~Thomas Brooks~
Monday, March 16, 2020
Smiling Is Infectious
Smiling Is Infectious
Smiling is infectious,
You catch it like the flu,
When Someone smiles at me today,
I started smiling too!
I passed around the corner,
And someone saw my grin,
When he smiled, I realized
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile,
Then I realized it's worth.
A single smile just like mine,
Could travel around the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin,
Don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidimic quick
And get the world infected!
Smiling is infectious,
You catch it like the flu,
When Someone smiles at me today,
I started smiling too!
I passed around the corner,
And someone saw my grin,
When he smiled, I realized
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile,
Then I realized it's worth.
A single smile just like mine,
Could travel around the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin,
Don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidimic quick
And get the world infected!
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Adam's Sin: Rebellion Against God
Adam's Sin: Rebellion Against God
Most os us live away from home. We are hiding as Adam did in the bushes of Eden.
There was a time when God's voice thrilled Adam's soul with joy and gladness, and he thrilled God's heart with joy. They lived in sweet fellowship with each other. God had lifted Adam to the very gates of heaven, had made him lord over all creation. I haven't a doubt that he had plans to raise Adam still higher - higher than the angels, higher than seraphim and cherubim, higher than Gabriel, who stands in the presence of Jehovah, and Michael, the archangel. But the man turned and became a traitor to God who wanted to bless him.
Gen. 3:8-9; 15, 17, 21; Job 31:32; Jere. 32:19; Romans 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:22, 45; 1 Tim. 2:14
_________________
Adoration of God
Adoration has been defined as the act of rendering God honor, including in it reverence, esteem and love. It literally signifies to apply the hand to the mouth, "to kiss the hand." In Eastern countries this is one of the great marks of respect and submission. The importance of coming before God in this spirit is great and is so often impressed upon us in the Bible.
Newman Hall, in his work on the Lord's prayer, says, "Man's worship, apart from that reveled in the Bible has been uniformly characterized by selfishness. We come to God either to thank Him for benefits already received, or to implore still further benefits; food, raiment, health, safety, or comfort.
"Like Jacob at Bethel, we are disposed to make the worship we render to God correlative with food to eat, and raiment to put on. This style of petition, in which self generally precedes and predominates, if it does not altogether absorb, our supplications, is not only seen in the majority of the prayers of professed Christians.
"Our prayers are like the Parthian horsemen, who ride one way while they look another. We seem to go toward God, but, indeed, reflect upon ourselves. And this may be the reason why many times our prayers are sent forth, like the raven out of Noah's ark, and never return. But when we make the glory of God the chief end of our devotion, they go forth like the dove, and return to us again with an olive branch."
Gen. 28:17, 20:22:1; Kings 8:23; 2 Chron. 7:14; Neh. 15:9-4, 32; Psalms 29:2, 50:2; 96:6, 9; Dan. 9:4-7, 16; Mich 7:20; Luke 1:72; Rev. 5:12, 14; 7:12
~D. L. Moody~
Most os us live away from home. We are hiding as Adam did in the bushes of Eden.
There was a time when God's voice thrilled Adam's soul with joy and gladness, and he thrilled God's heart with joy. They lived in sweet fellowship with each other. God had lifted Adam to the very gates of heaven, had made him lord over all creation. I haven't a doubt that he had plans to raise Adam still higher - higher than the angels, higher than seraphim and cherubim, higher than Gabriel, who stands in the presence of Jehovah, and Michael, the archangel. But the man turned and became a traitor to God who wanted to bless him.
Gen. 3:8-9; 15, 17, 21; Job 31:32; Jere. 32:19; Romans 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:22, 45; 1 Tim. 2:14
_________________
Adoration of God
Adoration has been defined as the act of rendering God honor, including in it reverence, esteem and love. It literally signifies to apply the hand to the mouth, "to kiss the hand." In Eastern countries this is one of the great marks of respect and submission. The importance of coming before God in this spirit is great and is so often impressed upon us in the Bible.
Newman Hall, in his work on the Lord's prayer, says, "Man's worship, apart from that reveled in the Bible has been uniformly characterized by selfishness. We come to God either to thank Him for benefits already received, or to implore still further benefits; food, raiment, health, safety, or comfort.
"Like Jacob at Bethel, we are disposed to make the worship we render to God correlative with food to eat, and raiment to put on. This style of petition, in which self generally precedes and predominates, if it does not altogether absorb, our supplications, is not only seen in the majority of the prayers of professed Christians.
"Our prayers are like the Parthian horsemen, who ride one way while they look another. We seem to go toward God, but, indeed, reflect upon ourselves. And this may be the reason why many times our prayers are sent forth, like the raven out of Noah's ark, and never return. But when we make the glory of God the chief end of our devotion, they go forth like the dove, and return to us again with an olive branch."
Gen. 28:17, 20:22:1; Kings 8:23; 2 Chron. 7:14; Neh. 15:9-4, 32; Psalms 29:2, 50:2; 96:6, 9; Dan. 9:4-7, 16; Mich 7:20; Luke 1:72; Rev. 5:12, 14; 7:12
~D. L. Moody~
Clouds and Darkness
Clouds and Darkness
"Clouds and darkness surround Him..." (Psalm 97:2).
A person who has been born again by the Spirit of God will tell you that the teachings of Jesus are simple. But when he is baptized by the Holy Spirit, he finds that "clouds and darkness" surround him. When we come into close contact with the teachings of Jesus Christ we have our first realization of this. The only possible way to have full understanding of the teachings of Jesus is through the light of the Spirit of God shinning inside us. If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet - getting rid of all the excessive informality with which we approach God - it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence. The people who are flippant and disrespectful in their approach to God are those who have never been introduced to Jesus Christ. Only after the amazing delight and liberty of realizing what Jesus Christ does, comes the impenerable "darkness" of realizing who He is.
Jesus said, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:6). Once, the Bible was just so many words to us - "clouds and darkness" - then, suddenly, the words become spirit and life because Jesus re-speaks them to us when our circumstances make the words new. That is the way God speaks to us; not by visions and dreams, but by words. When a man gets to God, it is by the most simple way - words.
~Oswald Chambers~
"Clouds and darkness surround Him..." (Psalm 97:2).
A person who has been born again by the Spirit of God will tell you that the teachings of Jesus are simple. But when he is baptized by the Holy Spirit, he finds that "clouds and darkness" surround him. When we come into close contact with the teachings of Jesus Christ we have our first realization of this. The only possible way to have full understanding of the teachings of Jesus is through the light of the Spirit of God shinning inside us. If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet - getting rid of all the excessive informality with which we approach God - it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence. The people who are flippant and disrespectful in their approach to God are those who have never been introduced to Jesus Christ. Only after the amazing delight and liberty of realizing what Jesus Christ does, comes the impenerable "darkness" of realizing who He is.
Jesus said, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:6). Once, the Bible was just so many words to us - "clouds and darkness" - then, suddenly, the words become spirit and life because Jesus re-speaks them to us when our circumstances make the words new. That is the way God speaks to us; not by visions and dreams, but by words. When a man gets to God, it is by the most simple way - words.
~Oswald Chambers~
Friday, March 13, 2020
Days of Heaven on Earth
Days of Heaven on Earth
"Prayer is the mighty force that will move missionary work. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:38).
We are asking God to touch the hearts of men every day by the Holy Spirit, so that they shall be compelled to go abroad and preach the gospel. We are asking Him to awaken them at night with the solemn conviction that the heathen are perishing and that their blood will be upon their souls. God is answering that prayer by sending persons to us every day who feel that the King's business requires haste (1 Samuel 21:8).
Beloved, pray, pray, pray. And as petitions rise to the heavens there will be a period of silence in heaven, and the coals of fire will be emptied out upon the earth, and the coming of the Lord will begin to draw nearer. Pray until the Lord of the harvest thrust forth laborers into His harvest.
Send the coals of heavenly fire.
From the altar of the skies;
Fill our hearts with strong desire,
Till our prayers like incense rise.
~A. B. Simpson~
"Prayer is the mighty force that will move missionary work. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:38).
We are asking God to touch the hearts of men every day by the Holy Spirit, so that they shall be compelled to go abroad and preach the gospel. We are asking Him to awaken them at night with the solemn conviction that the heathen are perishing and that their blood will be upon their souls. God is answering that prayer by sending persons to us every day who feel that the King's business requires haste (1 Samuel 21:8).
Beloved, pray, pray, pray. And as petitions rise to the heavens there will be a period of silence in heaven, and the coals of fire will be emptied out upon the earth, and the coming of the Lord will begin to draw nearer. Pray until the Lord of the harvest thrust forth laborers into His harvest.
Send the coals of heavenly fire.
From the altar of the skies;
Fill our hearts with strong desire,
Till our prayers like incense rise.
~A. B. Simpson~
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Will You Go Out Without Knowing?
Will You Go Out Without Knowing?
"He went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).
Have you ever "gone out" in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don't know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don't know what God is going to do next. Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to "go out," building your confidence in God. "...do not worry about your life...nor about the body..." (Luke 12:22). In other words, don't worry about the things that concerned you before you did "go out."
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do - He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you "go out" in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?
Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him. Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is! Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to "go out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have a sacred and inexpressable charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus. You must learn to "go out" through your convictions, creeds, or experiences until you come to the point in your faith where there is nothing between yourself and God.
~Oswald Chambers~
"He went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).
Have you ever "gone out" in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don't know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don't know what God is going to do next. Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to "go out," building your confidence in God. "...do not worry about your life...nor about the body..." (Luke 12:22). In other words, don't worry about the things that concerned you before you did "go out."
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do - He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you "go out" in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?
Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him. Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is! Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to "go out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have a sacred and inexpressable charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus. You must learn to "go out" through your convictions, creeds, or experiences until you come to the point in your faith where there is nothing between yourself and God.
~Oswald Chambers~
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
We See God's Purpose
We See God's Purpose
"That...he might gather together in one all things in Christ...in heaven, and...on earth" (Ephesians 1:10).
We trust the Word of God - and the inspired revelation makes it plain to the believing Christian that all things in the universe have derived their form from Christ, the eternal Son!
We are assured that even as an architect builder gathers the necessary materials needed to fashion the structure he has designed, so God will ultimately gather all things together under one head, even Christ (Eph. 1:9-10).
Everything in the universe has received its meaning by the power of His Word; each has maintained its place and order through Him.
Jesus Christ is God creating! Jesus Christ is God redeeming! Jesus Christ is God completing and harmonizing! Jesus Christ is God bringing together all things after the counsel of His own will!
I can only hope that as we grow and nature and delight in our faith, we are beginning to gain a new appreciation of God's great eternal purpose!
~A. W. Tozer~
"That...he might gather together in one all things in Christ...in heaven, and...on earth" (Ephesians 1:10).
We trust the Word of God - and the inspired revelation makes it plain to the believing Christian that all things in the universe have derived their form from Christ, the eternal Son!
We are assured that even as an architect builder gathers the necessary materials needed to fashion the structure he has designed, so God will ultimately gather all things together under one head, even Christ (Eph. 1:9-10).
Everything in the universe has received its meaning by the power of His Word; each has maintained its place and order through Him.
Jesus Christ is God creating! Jesus Christ is God redeeming! Jesus Christ is God completing and harmonizing! Jesus Christ is God bringing together all things after the counsel of His own will!
I can only hope that as we grow and nature and delight in our faith, we are beginning to gain a new appreciation of God's great eternal purpose!
~A. W. Tozer~
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
The Correct Way to Read the Bible
The Correct Way to Read the Bible
(Note: this is the chronological order (the year) in which the books were written)
Start with:
Mark, then:
Matthew, then:
Luke, then:
John.
Then begin with the Epistles:
Galatians
1 Thessalonians
11 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
11 Corinthians
Romans
Ephesians
Colossians
Philemon
Philippians
1 Timothy
Titus
11 Timothy
Hebrews
1 Peter
11 Peter
James
1 John
11 John
111 John
Jude
Revelation
(Note: this is the chronological order (the year) in which the books were written)
Start with:
Mark, then:
Matthew, then:
Luke, then:
John.
Then begin with the Epistles:
Galatians
1 Thessalonians
11 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
11 Corinthians
Romans
Ephesians
Colossians
Philemon
Philippians
1 Timothy
Titus
11 Timothy
Hebrews
1 Peter
11 Peter
James
1 John
11 John
111 John
Jude
Revelation
Friday, March 6, 2020
The Nearness of God
The Nearness of God
If you would have God come nearer; you must draw nearer to Him. That means, first of all, at the beginning of each day afresh to yield ourselves for His holy presence to rest upon us. It means a voluntary, intentional, and whole hearted turning away from the world to wait on God to make Himself known to our souls. It means giving time and all our heart and strength to all Him to reveal Himself. It is impossible to expect the abiding presence of Christ with u through the day, unless there is the definite daily exercise of strong desire and childlike trust in His Word: "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."
And that means further, the simple childlike offering of ourselves and our lives in everything to do His will alone and to seek above everything to please Him. His promise is sure: "If a man love Me he will keep My Words, and My Father will love him, and We will make our abode in him."
Then comes the quiet assurance of faith, even if there is not much feeling or sense of His presence, that God is with us, and that as we go out to do His will, He will watch over us and keep us and, what is more, strengthen us in the inner man with divine strength for the work we have to do for Him.
If you would have God come nearer; you must draw nearer to Him. That means, first of all, at the beginning of each day afresh to yield ourselves for His holy presence to rest upon us. It means a voluntary, intentional, and whole hearted turning away from the world to wait on God to make Himself known to our souls. It means giving time and all our heart and strength to all Him to reveal Himself. It is impossible to expect the abiding presence of Christ with u through the day, unless there is the definite daily exercise of strong desire and childlike trust in His Word: "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."
And that means further, the simple childlike offering of ourselves and our lives in everything to do His will alone and to seek above everything to please Him. His promise is sure: "If a man love Me he will keep My Words, and My Father will love him, and We will make our abode in him."
Then comes the quiet assurance of faith, even if there is not much feeling or sense of His presence, that God is with us, and that as we go out to do His will, He will watch over us and keep us and, what is more, strengthen us in the inner man with divine strength for the work we have to do for Him.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Bits and Pieces You Might Enjoy!
Bits and Pieces You Might Enjoy!
The best weight you will ever lose is the weight of other people's opinions!
First there is the burden of self-pride. The labor of self-love is a heavy one indeed. (Tozer)
"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight" (Proverbs 12:22).
If your religion does not make you holy it will damn you. It is simply painted pageantry to go to hell in! (Spurgeon)
The most effective poison to lead men to ruin is to boast in themselves, in their wisdom and power!
"To argue that God "is doing His best" to save all mankind, but that the majority of men will not let Him save them, is to insist that the will of the Creator is impotent, and that the will of the creature is omnipotent" (A. W. Pink).
With this post, I think I have actually completed my new, daily blog titled "Wisdom From Above." I publish this one to make sure I have done it correctly!! From now on, I will post a new daily "devotional" each day. Thank you for putting up with my nonsense to get this right!! Love you all and pray that God honors my attempts to lead us all to heaven!!
The best weight you will ever lose is the weight of other people's opinions!
First there is the burden of self-pride. The labor of self-love is a heavy one indeed. (Tozer)
"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight" (Proverbs 12:22).
If your religion does not make you holy it will damn you. It is simply painted pageantry to go to hell in! (Spurgeon)
The most effective poison to lead men to ruin is to boast in themselves, in their wisdom and power!
"To argue that God "is doing His best" to save all mankind, but that the majority of men will not let Him save them, is to insist that the will of the Creator is impotent, and that the will of the creature is omnipotent" (A. W. Pink).
With this post, I think I have actually completed my new, daily blog titled "Wisdom From Above." I publish this one to make sure I have done it correctly!! From now on, I will post a new daily "devotional" each day. Thank you for putting up with my nonsense to get this right!! Love you all and pray that God honors my attempts to lead us all to heaven!!
I have a new blog. As you can see, it is named "Wisdom From Above." I have wanted to do a daily posting - short in length, and quick to read - something you may think about each day. There may also be a few longer daily posts but not something that will take you awhile to read through. All postings will be Christian, biblicaly based, and always collected from the Classic Christian writers!!
So here goes!! Please tell me if you like this daily "devotional."
______________________
"A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a man who devises evil." (Proverbs 12:2).
"A strong person may remain silent when people talk behind his back. But that doesn't mean he doesn't notice. It simply means he chooses not to waste energy on foolishness!! He has more important things to do."
"If you live your life as if everything is about you, you will be left with just that. Just you!"
So here goes!! Please tell me if you like this daily "devotional."
______________________
"A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a man who devises evil." (Proverbs 12:2).
"A strong person may remain silent when people talk behind his back. But that doesn't mean he doesn't notice. It simply means he chooses not to waste energy on foolishness!! He has more important things to do."
"If you live your life as if everything is about you, you will be left with just that. Just you!"
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Wise Sayings from Classic Christian writers
I have a new blog. As you can see, it is named "Wisdom From Above." I have wanted to do a daily posting - short in length, and quick to read - something you may think about each day. There will also be a few longer daily posts but not something that will take you awhile to read through. All postings will be Christian, biblicaly based, and and always collected from the Classic Christian Writers.
So here goes!! Please tell me if you like this daily post!!
___________________
"A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a man who devises evil." (Proverbs 12:2).
"A strong person may remain silent when people talk behind his back. But that doesn't mean he doesn't notice. It simply means he choose not to waste energy on foolishness. He has more important things to do."
"If you live your life as if everything is about you, you will be left with just that. Just you!"
So here goes!! Please tell me if you like this daily post!!
___________________
"A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a man who devises evil." (Proverbs 12:2).
"A strong person may remain silent when people talk behind his back. But that doesn't mean he doesn't notice. It simply means he choose not to waste energy on foolishness. He has more important things to do."
"If you live your life as if everything is about you, you will be left with just that. Just you!"
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