The True Church!

The True Church!

"For it is we who are the true circumcision 
we who worship by the Spirit of God,
who glory in Christ Jesus, and
who put no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3:3)

But for the Holy Spirit, the Church could never have arisen, continued, and spread as we know that it has. Though the Father gave the Son, and Jesus lived and died and rose again, and ascended to the Father - yet without the descent of the Spirit, and His continual working in the Church, there could never have been a body of faithful people, nor the possibility of such continuing amidst the perils to which the Church has been exposed.

But what is the Church? It is "the blessed company of all faithful people." It is the company of all those who love God, and are joined to the Lord Jesus by the link of true faith. In its essence, it is a heavenly and spiritual body quickened by the Holy Spirit from a death of sin; crucified with Christ, risen with Christ, sitting in heavenly places with Christ now, and hereafter to reign with Him in glory.

The Church is described in Holy Scripture as a TEMPLE - how is this temple formed?

Christ is the one Foundation Stone. The soul lies heedless of and without spiritual perception or desire, in the quarry of our corrupt and fallen nature. But the Holy Spirit awakens, arrests, and convinces of sin.

Then further, the same Spirit leads the soul into the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and fixes it on this Rock by a steadfast faith. So, one by one, through the years and ages, the Spirit brings many to Jesus.

And what is the result? A glorious Church; all the living stones of this temple knit one to another, because all built on the one Foundation; and thus is formed that Church, which is the habitation of the Triune Jehovah.

I am quite aware there is another view of the Church. As seen by the eye of man, as sojourning on earth - the VISIBLE Church must have its ordinances, its pastors, its assemblies, its ordinances; and these are absolutely necessary to its well-being, and for the various purposes for which Christ provided them. 

But let me here add a word or two of caution. Beware also of making too much of the Church as a visible institution. Just as it is the office of the Holy Spirit to bear witness not to Himself but to Christ, so is it with His Church. She is to witness not to herself, but to Him. The golden candlestick is nothing but as it holds up the Light.

So the glory of the Church is not to exalt herself, and cry "The Church! the Church!" but to point away from herself to Christ, in all His variety of office and fullness of grace. Let Christ be her glorying, and God will honor the Church for His sake.

But we must never forget the vast difference between the Church as seen by the eye of man - and by the eye of God.

The Church, as seen by man, is the mixed mass of
The true and the false,
good coin and base,
the genuine and counterfeit people of God.

The Church, as seen by God, is the unmixed company of those whose hearts are right before Him. It is the flock who hear the Shepherd's voice, and follow in His footsteps. It is those who are cleansed in His blood from guilt, and renewed in the inner man by the working of His Spirit.

In the passage at the head of this chapter we have three distinct marks of such. The Apostle is describing those who are to be reckoned as God's people. The Jew gloried in circumcision, and accounted the Church of God to be limited to such as had received this rite. But Paul goes deeper. Those who have but the outward circumcision may be very far from God. But the true circumcision, the circumcision of the Spirit - this marks the Church of the saved.

Then he names three points. And if you would know whether you are a member of the mystical body of Christ, the Church of the living God, whose names are written in Heaven, try yourself by these three marks.

1. "Who worship by the Spirit of God." Is this your worship?

Are your prayers and praises offered by the aid of the Holy Spirit?
Do you guard well your thoughts in devotion?
Do you hate wandering thoughts, and watch against them?
Do you come to God as a child to a tender Father?
Do your hearty desires go with the words you utter?
Do you thoroughly believe that the ear of God is open to your petition, and do you look for an answer in His own time and way?

2. "Who glory in Christ Jesus."  Is Jesus your rejoicing and glorying? Do you glory in Christ as your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption? Do you glory in Him as being the Rock, the Resting-place, the Refuge of your soul? Do you glory in Him as being your great High Priest, your Shepherd, your King, your Redeemer? Do you glory in His changeless love, in His unshaken fidelity, in His Almighty power to help and save? Do you glory in Him as the source and spring of your happiness, as well as your salvation and your hope?

3. "Who put no confidence in the flesh." Is this the case with yourself? Have you cast aside all confidence in all that is merely external? Have you learned to put away all confidence in ordinances, duties, church work, and all that is merely on the surface? Have you refused to rely in the least degree on your zeal, or good feelings, or works, or gifts, or self-improvement, or prayers - that to you Christ alone may be all in all?

Here was Paul's ground of rejoicing - it is yours? Are you a member of that Church of God's true saints whose marks are such as these? God grant that you may be; for then you abide in the favor of God, and will hear at last the word of welcome, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

"A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision in circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God." (Romans 2:28-29)

~George Everard~

A Testimony To Entire Sanctification

A Testimony To Entire Sanctification

You will find this young man's testimony a confirmation that sanctification is real and accomplishes a definite work in one's life.

" ... then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea" (Isaiah 48:18)

"...and there was a great calm" (Matthew 8:26)

Praise the Lord for His goodness to the children of men! Last night I received a wonderful experience of sanctification! My heart has been rejoicing all day, and I want to tell you what great things the Lord has done for me!

As I was praying it seemed that my heart was sincere and contrite before the Lord. All my struggles had not availed, and I cried brokenly to Jesus to somehow help me, and give me a real "washing" of the Word! Then I began to see how much the Lord loves us, with such an everlasting love. My mind became lost in meditation, and I could see Jesus breathing upon the disciples, saying, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit." This had a great meaning to me, perhaps like a gentle wind that brings peace. Then I saw the sea, calm as glass, with the moon reflecting on the surface. Then a broad river, peacefully flowing by; and next a quiet pool, deep in the heart of the woods somewhere. I don't know how it happened, but this PEACE entered into my very soul! It just came right in, and calmed all the turmoil and unrest of so many months! What a glorious Gospel! Now I know why the Bible says so much about peace and quietness, about resting in the Lord. I believe the Lord sent rest in place of restlessness, and peace in place of troubled waters.

Today was a wonderful day at work. Many things happened, but not once did that sense of peacefulness down inside leave me!

Only God knew how much I have needed this! I have often felt like David, when he said his sore ran in the night. My inner life has been one long battle this past year, even after the Lord definitely delivered me from sin. He has indeed taught me many things, and yet that inadequacy  and betrayal of "self" within my heart has been a grief of mind to me, to believe nearly every moment of the day. At times I have almost resigned myself to it, feeling there must be no deliverance. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness! But I think that anyone who has once tasted the blessed fruit of holiness will always be unhappy until they find it once more. My, how great is God's power! My faith has surely been at a low ebb, with enemies without and within. The aspect of water and cleansing are wonderful and deep. I can really see it in the Word; but as plain as it is to me now, and clear. I can see that it is hidden to most people in its true significance. Only, I think, as we begin to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and tarry before the Lord, will He reveal Himself fully to our hearts. Praise His Name!

It seems there is a new love in my heart. Rather than a great emotional upheaval, my experience was that everything already within me ceased. Oh what a rest our God has provided for the saints. I had really forgotten what it is like to release ourselves and all our works, and enter into rest! Friends, it is my deepest conviction that this is the most needed experience for God's people today! If they only knew how those billows could cease to roll, and a confidence and rest take over in perfect peace! My heart is so full with what I see in Jesus Christ, and His full provision for us, that I can hardly bear it. How different Christianity would be in the world, if all Christians walked in this grace, and great peace of mind! Oh, how the world would desire to inquire deeply into the Gospel! My life in the outer court has been lonely and shallow; for it is within the inner Tabernacle that God's presence dwells.

I'm like David, when he went just a few steps, but couldn't proceed without offering sacrifices of Praise! Bless the Lord, Who has done marvelous things for us, all for His glory. I confess very plainly, that accusations, feelings, discouragements and loneliness have warred constantly within me, seeking my destruction. Furthermore, I have come to realize that they have sprung from a very deep seat within me; so that I couldn't help their appearance. It was this fact in particular that often caused me near-despair: for I wondered if I would ever be free from these, my worst enemies! Now I know there is no deliverance too hard for the Lord. He delights to do it for us, but we are so blinded most of the time to the true extent of His love for us!

Holiness is now a reality to me, and I don't know how I have lasted so long without it. It is PEACE, REST, CALMNESS OF MIND, and HAPPINESS of heart.

~Unknown~

Standing At Heaven's Gate

Standing At Heaven's Gate

As the congregation of the White Temple came near to the city, the great gate of pearl, which was directly before them, swung open, and Peter came out and looked at the approaching company, and then took his seat in a large chair at the right-hand side of the gate, while the angel with the sword of flame stood on the left side of the gate, and the other two angels, one with the church register, and the other with the Bible from the pulpit of White Temple, took their stand one on either side of the gate.

The superintendent of the Sabbath school with the people gathered close about him, had by this time come up, and stood before Peter. With some hesitation, he finally said (this man had been a lawyer): "Please, your honor, is this the place of Judgment?" "No, said Peter, "this is neither the time nor place of general judgment."

Superintendent: "Into what place does this open gateway lead?"

Peter: "It leads into Paradise."

Superintendent: "Are you the gate-keeper?"

Peter: "No, I do not keep the gate. The gate does not need any keeper except the Word of God."

Superintendent: "Well, what must we people do?"

Peter: "Who is all this multitude you have here?"

Superintendent: "This is the congregation of While Temple Church, located in the city of _______."

Peter: "How does it happen that you all come here together?"

Superintendent: "We were giving an entertainment at our church, and all the membership were present except the children and a few old people of peculiar notions, who think it wrong to give church festivals, and a cyclone struck the church and killed us, as they call it down there. You understand, it broke up our bodies and turned our spirits out of them, and these angels guided us up to this place, and I hope it is the right place for church members, for we are tired. Besides, we have most of us been business men, and we want to get settled down and get at something."

Peter: "Yes, this is the resting place of redeemed souls, walk in and make yourselves at home."

Superintendent: "Well, is there no ceremony or examination of any kind?"

Peter: "No, the time of the judgment is not yet. You are all church members, and, of course are acquainted with the Scriptures. You can judge yourselves, and go in and make yourselves at home."

Superintendent: "I beg your pardon, sir, but we are new comers here, and we do not exactly understand the situation. Can't we get some one to attend to the matter for us?"

At this a great clamor arose among the people, and cries of "no," "no," were heard in every quarter. "Let us all judge ourselves. What better could we ask?" cried many voices at once. "Go on in or get out of the way,and let us in," shouted a number of voices. "I am perishing for water and a beer," said several at once.

The superintendent saw that the people were displeased with his hesitation, and he said: "Very well, friends, very well; it is all so different from what I thought it would be, that you must excuse me for any blunders I make." And then turning to Peter, who was not intently reading a book which he held in his hand, and addressing him, the superintendent said: "Could you not suggest to us some Scripture by which we may best judge ourselves?"

"Oh, most any text in the Bible," said Peter. "Take, for instance, the inscription over the gate; that will answer your purpose fully."

At this every eye in the throng was lifted to the arch above the gate, and all read, in great letters of fire: "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."

For several moments the people stood and gazed in silence without a movement or a word. Then a whispered discussion arose among them as to whether or not the inscription over the gate was a quotation from the Scriptures.

Peter looked up from the pages of his book, and said: "Well, what is the difficulty?"

"I fear the standard is too high," said one. "Well, said Peter, "we have the same standard here that you have down in the world from which you came. I suppose that is fully understood by you all."

"No," answered a gruff old business man, a millionaire, who had made vast sums of money by dealing in tobacco. "No, I did not so understand it. If memory serves me right, our pastor did not believe in this holiness. Indeed, preached against it."

"Where is Dr. Star?" said many voices at once. "Yes, get him. He can fix matters," said one and all.

There was no small stir looking for the pastor. "I know where he is," said a young woman, "I saw him hide among the rocks on the hillside." "Show him to us," said a half dozen strong men, who followed the young woman to the Doctor's hiding place. "Here, what does this mean? We are having trouble up at the gate," said one of the men, in a severe tone. It was a banker who had been one of Dr. Star's greatest admirers.

The Doctor rose up pale and haggard, and crept out of his hiding place, and with a man holding to each arm, he was marched up before Peter, more like a criminal than like a great city pastor.

"Here is the man from whom we learned what we know about the Bible and the future," said one of them to Peter.

Peter: "You were the pastor of these people, were you?"

Dr. Star: "I was, sir."

Peter: "What did you preach to the people?"

Dr. Star: "The inspired Scriptures."

Peter: "Well, I am not your judge, but your people seemed troubled with the inscription over the gate, and from what I can learn, there seems to have been a mistake made somehow in their instructions."

"I want permission to speak a word here," said the old railroad king. "This man, Star, came to us claiming to be a messenger called and sent by the King of this country. We paid him a large salary,and spent thousands of money on our beautiful Temple. But we were taught by this man, our pastor, that we could not be holy, and it is his duty to see that we are cleared of all blame in the matter."

Peter reached out his hand, and taking the Bible from the angel, said: "What Bible is this?" "That is the Bible that lay on our pulpit in the White Temple," said one.

Peter: "Did you read this book, pastor?"

Dr. Star: "I did."

Peter: "Did you believe it to be an inspired book, and to contain the truths by which men are to be saved?"

Dr. Star: "I did."

Opening the book, Peter placed his fingers under these words, and read them aloud: "Be ye holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy." "Did you ever see those words?" said Peter, looking at the pastor.

Dr. Star: "Yes, I read them many times."

Peter: "And yet you told the people that they could not be holy."

Dr. Star tried to speak, but his voice was drowned with a great clamor of voices, saying, "Yes, Peter, that is exactly what he did."

Again Peter opened the book, and read: "Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." Peter looked up after a moment's pause and said: "What did you make out of that, pastor?"

There was the stillness of death. Dr. Star's lips seemed to be sealed.

"He told us," said a society woman, "that that meant we would be saved when we came to die, and it might have turned our all right but you see we all died so suddenly."

"His teachings were false there," said Peter. "Listen to this," and he turned again and read: "The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life."

"Is that in the book out of which Star preached to us?" said the banker. Peter turned the book so that all the people could see the page.

"Star," said the Sabbath school superintendent, "you are a perjured liar." "Let me at him," said a burly fellow who had giggled and flirted in the While Temple choir, and before any one could interfere, he struck the miserable Doctor a blow that felled him to the ground. A fearful scene followed. Some interfered to try to protect their old pastor, and others heaped bitter curses upon his head. Finally order was restored, and Peter again opened the book.

Dr. Star was gotten to his feet, and was supported by a man on either side of him. Looking up at Peter he said, "Please do not read any more from that book." "Read on," said a multitude, "we want to know what it contains."

Peter read: "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate."

"Hold there, Peter," said a merchant, "let me speak a word. Friends, we should be deeply ashamed for what has just occurred here; let's give our pastor a fair change to clear himself of all blame, if he can do so." Then turning to Dr. Star, he said: "Doctor Star, you well remember when you preached your set of sermons against sanctification - we all remember the time - it was just after the great revival on those lines in our city. Now, I wish to ask you this question: When you preached those sermons were you aware that our Bible contained the Scriptures which Peter has just read?"

Dr. Star remained silent.

"You well remember the sermons," said the merchant; "they came just before that series of sermons you preached to us, in which you explained away all the fire out of hell. You remember how happy we all were over those sermons. Don't you remember that both the president of the brewing company and the president of the jockey club joined our church just after you preached Holiness and Hell out of the Bible? You have not forgotten it. It resulted in a great ingathering to our church. You took in many of the most wealthy and fashionable people in the city into our church just after those sermons, and we increased your salary two thousand dollars. Now, tell me plainly, when preaching those sermons did you know this Scripture, which Peter has just read, was in the Bible?"

"I knew it was there," said the pastor, "but if I had preached it to you, you would not have accepted it, and no doubt would have turned me out to suffer for bread."

"No doubt you will suffer for water hereafter," said a spiteful little woman, whose eyes sparkled with hate."

Again Peter opened the book. "Read on," said a voice from the throng.

"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin."

"That will do," roared a voice from the throng. "It is a waste of time to read more. We all know full well that this hireling preached just the opposite of this to us all those years. Chain the deceiver and hand him over to us."

While this investigation was going forward, a company of the less serious and more worldly of the congregation of White Temple had gathered about the gate,and one of the young women, peeping in, said: "What a beautiful place that would be for a lawn festival." "Could a fellow get a case of liquor in there?" called out a young man to a passing angel.

"Oh, don't I wish I could pull some of the feathers out of that angel's wing for my summer hat!" said a society leader.

"I am certain the fruit on yonder tree could be made into hard cider," said a red-faced individual, who looked about with hungry eyes.

"But don't I wish I could get hold on a few of those yellow paving stones from yonder street," said a young financier.

It would fairly make one's blood run cold to hear them talk. They had brought with them the same depraved nature and appetites that had dominated them in the world below.  Had they gotten into Paradise they would have blighted and ruined the place in less than twenty-four hours. It was perfectly plain now, that men must be made heavenly minded before they can enter heaven.

Meanwhile a chain had been brought from a hole in the side of the hill, and a number of men, frantic with anger, were closing about Dr. Star, whose face had taken on more the look of a demon than that of a man. They seized their old pastor, and with many a kick, cuff, and bitter oath, they bound him with a great heavy chain, which seemed glowing red with heat, from which he was never to be released.

Just as the men who had bound Dr. Star completed their task and dragged him to his feet, the great gate of Paradise closed, and the angel with the sword of flame, attended by more than a legion of others, gathered about the company and drove them from the gate toward the foot of a great mountain that could scarcely be outlined in the distance.

For the first time the entire congregation seemed to realize the fearfulness of the situation. Many of them made frantic efforts to escape, but they were caught and chained together like slaves. Proud women, who had sneered at Holiness,and had mocked at the idea of future punishment, now hung down their heads in speechless horror and shame.

After conducting the people for some distance, the angel handed them over bound to a legion of devils, who came out of the mouth of a great pit that opened at the foot of the mountain. When they finally reached the mouth of the pit, they made a stand, and begged for time for parley and explanation. "We were always taught by our pastor," said one of the people, "that there was no hell, and it seems now that he should bear the blame and we should go free."

"Bring a Bible here," demanded satan,and it was brought, and turned out to be the same book that had lain on the pulpit at the White Temple Church. "Is this the book from which your pastor preached?" demanded satan,and the people assented that it was.

"But can we not have some other book opened here? I fear that book," said the wife of the millionaire.

"No," answered satan, "this is the Book out of which you must be acquitted or condemned." satan then turned to the following passages and read aloud: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." He turned again and read: "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Again he turned and read: "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." He read still further: "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire."

By this time the fury of the multitude had become something awful. There was yet one man in the throng who was self-possessed and calm. He had for years been a distinguished criminal lawyer, and of later years judge on the bench. He had been elected to office by the whiskey element of the district over which he presided. "You need not read more," said the Judge. "Now that it is too late to remedy our sad condition, we shall simply have to face it with as much fortitude as possible. We have pampered and flattered this miserable ecclesiastic for years, and he has deceived us; but we are without excuse. We all see now, as never before, that the Bible is a plainly written book, and easily understood. When Dr. Star first commenced to preach against holiness, and to please us with his sermons against the doctrine of hell-fire, so plainly taught by Christ, we should at once recognized him as a wolf in sheep's clothing, seeking our dollars instead of our souls, and should have dismissed him from our pulpit. But, deluded wretches that we were, we loved deception more than we loved the truth."

As the Judge proceeded with these remarks, Dr. Star was crouching close to the ground, and trying to cover his feet with the skirts of his coat, which he could not do, but with his efforts only succeeded in attracting the attention of the people to the fact that both of his feet were cloven, horns shot up from his head, and a great tail, like a serpent, dropped down behind him.

The Doctor uttered a shriek of horror as he beheld himself taking on the image of his diabolical master. Meanwhile the Judge continued his remarks: "The only shadow of a hope of any sort of gratification that I can see left us, is that of haunting and torturing this foul deceiver throughout eternity. It shall be my business to add all I can to his woe and shame."

With this the entire congregation of White Temple Church, with imprecations on their lips, rushed upon their old pastor, and he turned and fled into the mouth of the pit, followed by the people, and in a moment they were all lost to view. As the last one entered the cavern a mighty iron door, with the word ETERNITY written across it, slammed shut with such a thunder clap of deafening sound, that I leaped to my feet, thoroughly aroused from the dream-like reverie that had been passing through my mind. But as I dismissed the train of thought, I could but reflect on the vast number of pastors and churches of our times, who seem to be utterly blind and indifferent to the great Bible doctrines of Holiness and Hell.

[Should it be added here that these same people, hell-bound, never read their Bibles (if they had one), never prayed, never talked to God, never loved Jesus Christ their Lord and Saviour,with such heart-felt love they could hardly stand it, never placed God before all else, never thirsted and hungered to have more of God's wisdom in their hearts, never cared until it was way too late! Their excuse was to blame all on the false preacher. Same thing, if I remember correctly, that Adam and Eve did - blamed each other, blamed the serpent. It takes guts to pick up and carry our own cross. It takes a love of Christ for what He did for us, it takes an honest effort to follow God wherever He leads us. It takes full dependence on the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. It takes a full surrender, total dependence upon God - just like Jesus.  Remember, the Old Testament was faith by GRACE and law, whereas the New Testament is of spiritual, inward understanding and GRACE. I know folks that can quote Scripture by the bucketfulls but without grace and mercy, without the "spiritual understanding, without the daily guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit, it is all to no avail. And it is all worth every serious effort we can make to do just that before it is too late. We desperately need the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us to heaven. We can't become holy in one hour, or a day, or a year. It takes a lifetime. Oh! but the pleasures of a walk into a deeper faith, and an ecstatic lifetime in heaven!!]

~Author Unknown~

Devotions and Prayers

Worship

"For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2)

For the Christian, everything begins and ends with worship. Whatever interferes with one's personal worship of God needs to be properly dealt with and dismissed. Keep in mind that above all else, worship is an attitude, a state of mind and a sustained act. It is not a physical attitude, but an inward act of the heart toward God. The mighty bestowment of God Almighty upon us who trust in Him is that we might be worshipers. Unfortunately, we have become everything else but worshipers. Sin robs God of this pristine pleasure of worship from those created in His image. Through the miracle of the new birth our alienation with God has been done away with; and through His atonement we have become friends of God and have been brought back again into the sphere of worship. Each day is a special call for all of us to worship God.

Awake, my soul to joyful lays,
And sing thy great Redeemer's praise.

My heavenly Father, I begin today in joyful worship. Thou hast called me, and I answer Thee in praise and adoration. In Jesus' name, amen.

~A. W. Tozer~
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Praise All The Day Long

"And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of right praise all the day long" (Psalm 35:28)

Worship embodies a number of spiritual and emotional factors. Worship is to feel in the heart I do not apologize for using the word "feel." As Christians we are not to be people without feelings. I certainly do not think we should follow our feelings alone, but I believe that if there is no feeling in our hearts, then we are dead.

Certainly, there is danger in relying only upon feelings.

If you woke up one morning with no feeling in your arm at all, you would call a doctor, because anything without feeling you can be quite sure is dead.

Real worship is, among other things, a feeling in the heart that is appropriately expressed. You can worship God in any manner appropriate to you by feeling in the heart and expressing that humbling but delightful sense of admiring love. Let your heart dictate your worship to the God you love, and who loves you.

Soon, the delightful day will come
When my dear Lord will bring me home,
And I shall see His face.

Oh, come, dear Lord, and fill my heart with blessed desire for Thee. I left my heart anticipating the shining of Thy blessed face. Amen

~A. W. Tozer~
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The Love of God

Our Father which art in heaven, we Thy children are often troubled in mind, hearing within us at once the affirmations of faith, and the accusations of conscience. We are sure that there is in us nothing that could attract the love of One as holy and as just as Thou art. Yet Thou hast declared Thine unchanging love for us in Christ Jesus. If nothing in us can win Thy love, nothing in the universe can prevent Thee from loving us. Thy love is uncaused and undeserved. Thou art Thyself the reason for the love wherewith we are loved. Help us to believe the intensity, the eternity of the love that has found us. Then love will cast out fear; and our troubled hearts will be at peace, trusting not in what we are but in what Thou hast declared Thyself to be. Amen
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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

~Martin Luther~

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sided.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.

Genesis 18:25 and John 1:7 and 2 Timothy 1:12

Genesis 18:25

"That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

A judge sits on the bench, sentencing people under the law that he may not want to, but he did not establish the law; he is merely the servant of the law.

In contrast to this, God is the servant of none. He is not making decisions based on any exterior criteria apart from Himself. If God has to abrogate justice to take you to heaven, then God will not take you to heaven. If God has to abrogate His holiness to save the man, He will never save that man.

How, then, can it be that God can be just and yet spare the wicked?

Simply because the attributes of God do not clash with each other.

When God punishes the wicked, it is just, because it is consistent with the man's wickedness. When God spares the wicked, that also is just because it is consistent with God's goodness. God is never unjust to save any man. God's unitary being, being Himself, one God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, coequal and co-eternal - permits God to exercise His attributes as He chooses, as He wills. So when God wills to show mercy to a man, it never contradicts His justice.

O God of justice and mercy, I celebrate Thy faithfulness in being to us what we absolutely need. You never fail, and I praise Thee today! In Jesus' name, Amen

~A. W. Tozer~
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John 1:7

"The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe" (John 1:7)

Do not imagine that because Abraham Lincoln was a good man and Adolf Hitler was a bad man that Christ died for Lincoln and not for Hitler. We categorize man as good and bad, but as far as God is concerned, "all have sinned and come short." Therefore, He died for all men, good and bad, vicious and wicked, around the world.

He died for the homosexual, the dope fiend, the alcoholic, the prostitute; He died for all. Ah, the infinite patience of Jesus and the patience of God with the power to save. He has infinite power to save and breaks the power of canceled sin.

Paul Rader used to say, "You name it and God will break it." He was so right. If you can name it, God can break it for His honor and glory.

God's being infinite is not a theological bit of lumber to put up inside of somebody's attic labeled "This is the infinitude of God."

If this is your last hour, and you expect to face that awful judgment hour, look to the infinite protection of the atoning Lamb who died from the foundation of the world. Glory be to the Lamb that was slain!

Dear Lamb of God, Thy precious blood shed on the Cross cleanses me from all my sin; and not mine only, but it can avail every person that has ever been born and ever will be born. I thank Thee for this marvelous provision. Amen and amen

~A. W. Tozer~
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2 Timothy 1:12

"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12)

There are two kinds of faith: nominal faith and real faith.

Nominal faith accepts what it is told and can quote text after text to prove it. It is amazing how nominal faith, nominal belief, can weave texts into garments, cloaks and curtains for the church. We have so many of these all around the church, and I must admit that for the most part they are beautiful. But they serve no function in our spiritual walk.

The other kind of faith is what I refer to as real faith. This faith depends upon the character of God and looks nowhere else.

The Scripture does not say of Abraham that he believed the text and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Abraham believed God. It is not what Abraham believed, but WHO Abraham believed that truly counted.

The man who has real faith, as over against nominal faith, has found the right answer to one important question: What is God like? No question is more important and demands a proper answer.

What is God like? The men of true faith have found an answer to that question, by revelation and illumination. They know in whom they have believed.

Dear God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, my faith is rooted deep in whom Thou art. Not the God of the scientists or philosophers or theologians. My faith is not in what I believe, but in whom I believe, and I believe in Thee. In the blessed name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

~A. W. Tozer~

Hymns/Prayers or Praise and Worship

The Omnipotence of God

Our Heavenly Father, we have heard Thee say, "I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect." But unless Thou dost enable us by the exceeding greatness of Thy power how can we who are by nature weak and sinful walk in a perfect way? Grant that we may learn to lay hold on the working of the mighty power which wrought in Christ when Thou didst raise Him from the dead and set Him at Thine own right hand in the heavenly places. Amen
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Almighty One!

~John Bowring~

Almighty One! I bend in dust before Thee;
Even so veiled cherubs bend;
In calm and still devotion I adore Thee,
All-wise, all-present Friend!

Thou to the earth its emerald robes hast given,
Or curtained it in snow;
And the bright sun, and the soft moon in heaven,
Before Thy presence bow.

Thou Power sublime! whose throne is firmly
seated
On stars and glowing suns;
O, could I praise Thee, - could my soul, elated,
Waft Thee seraphic tones, -
Had I the lyres of angels, - could I bring Thee
An offering worthy Thee, -
In what bright notes of glory, would I sing Thee,
Blest notes of ecstasy!

Eternity! Eternity! how solemn,
How terrible the sound!
Here, leaning on Thy promises, - a column
Of strength, - may I be found,
O, let my heart be ever Thine, while beating.
As when it will cease to beat!
Be Thou my portion, till that awful meeting
when I my God shall greet!
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The Divine Transcendence

O Lord our Lord, there is none like Thee in heaven above or in the earth beneath. Thine is the greatness and the dignity and the majesty. All that is in the heaven and the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, O God, and Thou art exalted as head over all. Amen
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God Is A Name My Soul Adores

~Isaac Watts~

God is a name my soul adores,
The almighty Three, the eternal One;
Nature and grace, with all their powers,
Confess the infinite unknown.

From Thy great self Thy being springs;
Thou art Tine own original,
Made up of uncreated things,
And self-sufficient bears them all.

Thy voice produced the sea and spheres,
Bade the waves roar, the planets shine;
But nothing like Thyself appears
Through all these spacious works of Thine.

Still restless nature dies and grows;
From change to change the creatures run:
Thy being no succession knows,
And all Thy vast designs are one.

A glance of Thine runs through the globes,
Rules the bright worlds, and moves their frame;
Of light Thou compose Thy robes;
Thy guards are formed of living flame.

Thrones and dominions round Thee fall,
And worship in submissive forms;
Thy presence shakes this lower ball,
This little dwelling place of worms.

How shall affrighted mortals dare
To sing Thy glory or Thy grace?
Beneath Thy feet we lie so far,
And see but shadows of Thy face.

Who can behold the blazing light?
Who can approach consuming flame?
None but Thy wisdom knows Thy might
None but Thy Word can speak Thy name.
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God's Omnipresence

Our Father, we know that Thou art present with us, but our knowledge is but a figure and shadow of truth and has little of the spiritual savor and inward sweetness such knowledge should afford. This is for us a great loss and the cause of much weakness of heart. Help us to make at once such amendment of life as is necessary before we can experience the true meaning of the words "In Thy presence is fullness of joy." Amen
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God Reveals His Presence

~Gerhard Tersteegen~

God reveals His presence:
let us now adore Him,
and with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple:
all within keep silence,
prostrate lie with deepest reverence.
Him alone,
God we own,
him our God and Saviour:
praise His Name for ever.

God reveals His presence:
hear the harps resounding!
See the hosts the throne surrounding!
"Holy, holy, holy,"
hear the hymn ascending,
angels saints, their voices blending!
Bow Thine ear
to us here:
hear, O Christ, the praises
that Thy church now raises.

O Thou Font of blessing, 
purify my spirit,
trusting only in Thy merit.
Like the holy angels
who behold Thy glory,
may I ceaselessly adore Thee.
Let Thy will 
ever still
rule Thy church terrestrial,
as the hosts celestial.

Praying God's Will (and other devotionals)

Today’s Reading: Nahum 1; Revelation 14

Today’s Thoughts: Praying God’s Will

But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. - 2 Timothy 2:16-26

Can you honestly say that you know what God’s will is for your life, or a specific area of your life? Most Christians today do want to know God’s will but many of us are not sure how to find it. The answer lies in His Word, the Bible. It sounds simple, yet so many of us make it more complicated than it needs to be. We need to open the Bible and ask the Lord to speak to us. We need to start praying God’s Word back to Him. It is in praying God’s Word that we begin to truly understand His will for us.

Our Prayer revised from 2 Timothy 2:16-26:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that I will “shun profane and idle babblings” that increase ungodliness and “spread like cancer.” Lord, I pray that I “will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful” to You, my Master.  I pray for Your guidance in leading me to “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Dear Father, lead me away from “foolish and ignorant disputes” that “generate strife.” And, Lord, give me a servant’s heart that does not “quarrel but (is) gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition.” Use me Lord in those whose lives You want to touch “that they may know the truth,” “come to their senses,” and “escape the snare of the devil.” In Jesus name, Amen.

~Daily Disciples Devotional~

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He went out to relax in the field in the early evening. Then he looked up and saw that there were camels approaching.—Gen 24:63

We should be better Christians if we were more alone; we should do more if we attempted less, and spent more time in retirement, and quiet waiting upon God. The world is too much with us; we are afflicted with the idea that we are doing nothing unless we are fussily running to and fro; we do not believe in “the calm retreat, the silent shade.” As a people, we are of a very practical turn of mind; “we believe,” as someone has said, “in having all our irons in the fire, and consider the time not spent between the anvil and the fire as lost, or much the same as lost.” Yet no time is more profitably spent than that which is set apart for quiet musing, for talking with God, for looking up to Heaven. We cannot have too many of these open spaces in life, hours in which the soul is left accessible to any sweet thought or influence it may please God to send.

“Reverie,” it has been said, “is the Sunday of the mind.” Let us often in these days give our mind a “Sunday,” in which it will do no manner of work but simply lie still, and look upward, and spread itself out before the Lord like Gideon’s fleece, to be soaked and moistened with the dews of Heaven. Let there be intervals when we shall do nothing, think nothing, plan nothing, but just lay ourselves on the green lap of nature and “rest awhile.”

Time so spent is not lost time. The fisherman cannot be said to be losing time when he is mending his nets, nor the mower when he takes a few minutes to sharpen his scythe at the top of the ridge. City men cannot do better than follow the example of Isaac, and, as often as they can, get away from the fret and fever of life into fields. Wearied with the heat and din, the noise and bustle, communion with nature is very grateful; it will have a calming, healing influence. A walk through the fields, a saunter by the seashore or across the daisy-sprinkled meadows, will purge your life from sordidness, and make the heart beat with new joy and hope.

“The little cares that fretted me,
I lost them yesterday,
… Out in the fields with God.”

Chistmas Eve

BELLS ACROSS THE SNOW

O Christmas, merry Christmas,
Is it really come again,
With its memories and greetings,
With its joy and with its pain!
There’s a minor in the carol
And a shadow in the light,
And a spray of cypress twining
With the holly wreath tonight.
And the hush is never broken
By laughter light and low,
As we listen in the starlight
To the “bells across the snow.”

O Christmas, merry Christmas,
’Tis not so very long
Since other voices blended
With the carol and the song!
If we could but hear them singing,
As they are singing now,
If we could but see the radiance
Of the crown on each dear brow,
There would be no sigh to smother,
No hidden tear to flow,
As we listen in the starlight
To the “bells across the snow.”

O Christmas, merry Christmas,
This never more can be;
We cannot bring again the days
Of our unshadowed glee,
But Christmas, happy Christmas,
Sweet herald of good will,
With holy songs of glory
Brings holy gladness still.
For peace and hope may brighten,
And patient love may glow,
As we listen in the starlight
To the “bells across the snow.”
—Frances Ridley Havergal

~L. B. Cowman~

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Samson and Jesus-Part 1

For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines  (Judges 13:5). 

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS… And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God"  (Luke 1:31 & 35). 

There are some striking similarities between Samson the Nazarite and Jesus the Nazarine. Here are a few of them.

Both the birth of Samson and the birth of Christ were announced through angelic messengers.

Samson's father said, "Let your words come to pass."  Mary, the mother of Jesus, said, "Let it be unto me according to your word."

Samson was born to deliver the Israelites who were in bondage to and oppressed by the Philistines.  Jesus was born to deliver the world that was in bondage to and oppressed by Satan.

The Spirit moved upon Samson.  The Spirit descended upon and anointed Jesus.

Samson was a thorn in the Philistines' side, going about destroying their yoke over Israel.  Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil and thereby destroying Satan's yoke of bondage.

Samson's own people rejected him and turned him over to the Philistines.  Jesus' own people (the Jews) rejected Him and turned Him over to the Romans.

These similarities between Samson and Jesus are not coincidental.  Samson's story is meant to point the way to Jesus. God wants people to know about the blessed Savior.  You can point the way to Him as well.  Tell someone today about Jesus!

~Bayless Conley~

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Samson and Jesus—Part 2

For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines  (Judges 13:5). 

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS  (Luke 1:31). 

In yesterday's devotional we examined some amazing similarities between Samson and Jesus.  Here are a few more parallels to ponder:

• Samson was betrayed by Delilah.  Jesus was betrayed by Judas. 
• Samson was taken prisoner and tortured by the Philistines.  Jesus was taken prisoner and tortured by the Romans. 
• Samson, while being mocked in Dagon's temple, wrought his greatest victory and gave the Philistines their worst defeat—the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life. Jesus, while being mocked on the cross by his persecutors, wrought His greatest victory and handed hell its ultimate defeat.  And He did it through His death.

It is said that Samson "began to deliver Israel," indicating that his work was to be carried on by others. Jesus has left the work of evangelism to us. Though He paid the price, we are to carry the good news of His victory to the ends of the earth.

As you think about these similarities, I want you to especially consider the last one I presented. Once we receive the gospel, we are then to be carriers of the gospel. Tell someone about Jesus and what He has done for them—today! 

~Bayless Conley~

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Why Do People Follow Jesus?

John 6:22-71

When Jesus walked this earth, a vast multitude followed Him. They came for all sorts of reasons—some noble, some selfish. The same is true today. It’s important that we understand what motivates people to come to Christ, because not all who seek Him are really His followers. In fact, we each need to analyze our own walk with the Lord: What do we want from Him? How committed are we to being His disciples?

Many of the people who followed Jesus did so because they had urgent needs that He alone could meet. Everywhere He went, the sick and demon-possessed were brought to Him—this is one of the ways that God draws us to Himself. Those who can solve all their own problems never need a Savior.

Other folks came for sensationalism. They wanted to see the signs and miracles and feel a thrill of excitement. Today some people come to church or conferences to get pumped up, but mountaintop experiences are always followed by valleys. When hardships or challenges come, such people are quick to abandon the Lord.

But Jesus’ disciples followed Him because they genuinely believed He was the Messiah, the very Son of God (Matt. 16:16). Their commitment went beyond emotions or needs. They wanted to know Christ and walk closely with Him.

Are you more interested in what Jesus can do for you than in just being with Him? Do you find it hard to stay committed without an emotional experience to sustain you? Our physical and emotional needs can draw us to the Lord, but they should never be the foundation for our walk with Him.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

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"Take My yoke upon you," (Matthew 11:29) by which Christ connoted: surrender yourself to My Lordship, submit to My rule, let My will become yours. As Matthew Henry rightly pointed out, "We are here invited to Christ as Prophet, Priest and King—to be saved, and in order to this, to be ruled and taught by Him."

As the oxen are yoked in order to submit to their owner's will and to work under his control, so those who would receive rest of soul from Christ are here called upon to yield to Him as their King.

He died for His people—that they should not henceforth live unto themselves, "but unto Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:15). Our holy Lord requires absolute submission and obedience in all things—both in the inward life and the outward, even to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Alas that this is so little insisted upon in a day when the high claims of the Savior are whittled down in an attempt to render His Gospel more acceptable to the unregenerate."

~ Arthur Pink~

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Oswald Chambers

6 hrs · 

He said to them, ’This kind [of unclean spirit] can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting’ —Mark 9:29

His disciples asked Him privately, ’Why could we not cast it out?’ ” (Mark 9:28). The answer lies in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “This kind can come out by nothing but” concentrating on Him, and then doubling and redoubling that concentration on Him. We can remain powerless forever, as the disciples were in this situation, by trying to do God’s work withou...

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“Someone now warns us lest we become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use. Brother, this generation of believers is not, by and large, suffering from such a complex! The brutal, soul-shaking truth is that we are so earthly minded we are of no heavenly use.

~Leonard Ravenhill~

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Invest Your Time—Don’t Just Spend It

Ephesians 5:15-17

Time is a most valuable commodity. Since it’s irreversible and irreplaceable,
we ought to give careful consideration to how we spend our days—and even our minutes. Time is a gift from God. That means we are not owners but stewards and will one day be held accountable for how we used what was entrusted to us. According to verse 15, there are only two possible ways to live: wisely or foolishly.

Let’s first consider what is involved in using our time wisely. Those who realize that their days belong to God are careful how they live. Their goal is to understand the Lord’s will and align their schedules
and activities with His purposes. As they seek guidance each day through intimate fellowship with Him in the Word and prayer, their spiritual eyes are opened to discern which opportunities are from the Father and which are not a part of His plans for them.

But those who are foolish do not give adequate thought to the way they live. Some become unproductive and lazy, living for their own pleasures while missing out on God’s purpose for their lives. However, others may be very busy and extremely successful by worldly standards, but if their days are occupied with activities that aren’t God’s will for them, they’re wasting their time.

To make the most of your opportunities, begin each day with the Lord, submitting to His will and asking that He direct your activities. After all, none of us want to get to heaven and discover that even though we’ve been busy spending our time,we have failed to invest it for eternity.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~