"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9)
Seekers and inquirers have often voiced this deep question of concern: "Why does God forgive? And how does Hod forgive sin?"
There is plain teaching throughout the Old and New Testaments concerning God's willingness to forgive and forget. Yet there are segments of the Christian church which appear to be poorly taught concerning God's clear remedy, through the atonement of Christ, for the believer who has yielded to temptation and failed his Lord.
God knows that sin is the dark shadow standing between Himself and His highest creation, man. God is more willing to remove that shadow than we are to have it removed!
He wants to forgive us - and that desire is a part of God's character. In the sacrificial death of a lamb in the Old Testament, God was telling us that one day a perfect Lamb would com to actually take away sin.
That is how and why God forgives sin now. In John's words: "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation of our sins" (1 John 2:1-2)
I am truly thankful, Lord, for Your constant willingness to forgive me when I stumble in my walk with You. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Thursday, July 3, 2014
The Impact of Prayer
Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the Father. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don’t hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.
Will God’s plans fail if I don’t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us.Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.
Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God’s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.
In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn’t even think to request.
Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
The Presence of God
"The righteous shall give thanks ... the upright shall dwell in thy presence" (Psalm 140:13)
The spiritual giants of old were those who at some time became acutely conscious of the presence of God. They maintained that consciousness for the rest of their lives.
How otherwise can the saints and prophets be explained? How otherwise can we account for the amazing power for good they have exercised over countless generations?
Is it not that indeed they had become friends of God? Is it not that they walked in conscious communion with the real Presence and addressed their prayers to God with the artless conviction that they were truly addressing Someone actually there?
Let me say it again, for certainly it is no secret: We do God more honor in believing what He has said about Himself and coming boldly to His throne of grace than by hiding in a self-conscious humility!
Those unlikely men chosen by our Lord as His closest disciple might well have hesitated to claim friendship with Christ. But Jesus said to them, "You are my friends!"
Lord, my prayer this morning is that I will become "acutely conscious of the presence of God". Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
The spiritual giants of old were those who at some time became acutely conscious of the presence of God. They maintained that consciousness for the rest of their lives.
How otherwise can the saints and prophets be explained? How otherwise can we account for the amazing power for good they have exercised over countless generations?
Is it not that indeed they had become friends of God? Is it not that they walked in conscious communion with the real Presence and addressed their prayers to God with the artless conviction that they were truly addressing Someone actually there?
Let me say it again, for certainly it is no secret: We do God more honor in believing what He has said about Himself and coming boldly to His throne of grace than by hiding in a self-conscious humility!
Those unlikely men chosen by our Lord as His closest disciple might well have hesitated to claim friendship with Christ. But Jesus said to them, "You are my friends!"
Lord, my prayer this morning is that I will become "acutely conscious of the presence of God". Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
When A Fellow Christian Stumbles
The Lord doesn't want the members of His body to live in isolation; believers are intended to function as a loving family who actively care for each other. One of our responsibilities as part of God's household is to come alongside a brother or sister who has stumbled. Paul specifies that those "who are spiritual" are to restore the fallen ones to fellowship with the Father and the family. "Spiritual" doesn't mean some elite group of pious leaders; it refers to any Christians who are living under the Spirit's control. A key element in this process is the attitude of the one who seeks to restore a fellow Christian.
A Spirit of Gentleness: This isn't a time for harshness, anger, judgment, or condemnation. Our goal is not to heap pain and guilt upon a hurting brother or sister but to show mercy and forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:5-8).
A Spirit of Humility: Those who have a superior attitude look down on a fallen brother and think, I would never make those mistakes. But the humble know their own vulnerability. Instead of judging others, they examine their own lives in order to recognize and deal with areas of weakness.
A Spirit of Love: When we love others, we'll willingly sharing their burden. This requires an unselfish investment of our time, energy, and prayer on their behalf.
How do you react when a fellow Christian has stumbled? One of the ugliest human traits is our tendency to feel better about ourselves when another person misses the mark. Instead of sharing the latest gossip about a fallen brother or sister, let your heart break, and come alongside to love and help.
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Power of the Cross
"The Cross ... by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14)
Only a person with a perfect knowledge of mankind could have dared to set forth the terms of discipleship that our Lord Jesus Christ expects of His followers.
Only the Lord of men could have risked the effect of such rigorous demands: "Let him deny himself" (Matthew 16:24).
Can the Lord lay down such severe rules at the door of His kingdom? He can - and He does!
If He is to save the man, He must save him from himself! It is the "himself" which has enslaved and corrupted the man. Deliverance comes only by denial of that "self".
No man in his own strength can shed the chains with which self has bound him, but in the next breath the Lord reveals the source of the power which is to set the soul free: "Let him take up his cross."
The cross was an instrument of death - slaying a man was its only function. "Let him take his cross," said Jesus, and thus he will know deliverance from himself!
Dear Lord, I have much to learn about denying myself and bearing my cross daily - especially in the midst of so many mundane activities. Have Your way with me, Lord. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Only a person with a perfect knowledge of mankind could have dared to set forth the terms of discipleship that our Lord Jesus Christ expects of His followers.
Only the Lord of men could have risked the effect of such rigorous demands: "Let him deny himself" (Matthew 16:24).
Can the Lord lay down such severe rules at the door of His kingdom? He can - and He does!
If He is to save the man, He must save him from himself! It is the "himself" which has enslaved and corrupted the man. Deliverance comes only by denial of that "self".
No man in his own strength can shed the chains with which self has bound him, but in the next breath the Lord reveals the source of the power which is to set the soul free: "Let him take up his cross."
The cross was an instrument of death - slaying a man was its only function. "Let him take his cross," said Jesus, and thus he will know deliverance from himself!
Dear Lord, I have much to learn about denying myself and bearing my cross daily - especially in the midst of so many mundane activities. Have Your way with me, Lord. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Which Cross Do We Carry?
"Having made peace through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20)
One of the strange things under the sun is a "crossless" Christianity. The cross of Christendom is a "no cross," an ecclesiastical symbol. The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is a place of death!
Let each one be careful which cross he carries!
Thousands turn away from Jesus Christ because they will not meet His conditions. He watches them as they go, for He love them, but He will make no concessions.
Admit one soul into the kingdom by compromise and that kingdom is no longer secure. Christ will be Lord, or He will be Judge. Every man must decide whether he will take Him as Lord now, or face Him as Judge then!
"If any man will ... let him... follow me" (Matthew 16:24). Some will rise and go after Him, but others give no heed to His voice. So the gulf opens between man and man, between those who will and those who will not.
The Man, the kindly Stranger who walked this earth, is His own proof. He will not put Himself again on trial; He will not argue. But the morning of the judgment will confirm what men in the twilight have decided!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience as You wait for people to repent and turn to You. I pray that this will be a day when many will respond to Your voice calling them to follow You. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
One of the strange things under the sun is a "crossless" Christianity. The cross of Christendom is a "no cross," an ecclesiastical symbol. The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is a place of death!
Let each one be careful which cross he carries!
Thousands turn away from Jesus Christ because they will not meet His conditions. He watches them as they go, for He love them, but He will make no concessions.
Admit one soul into the kingdom by compromise and that kingdom is no longer secure. Christ will be Lord, or He will be Judge. Every man must decide whether he will take Him as Lord now, or face Him as Judge then!
"If any man will ... let him... follow me" (Matthew 16:24). Some will rise and go after Him, but others give no heed to His voice. So the gulf opens between man and man, between those who will and those who will not.
The Man, the kindly Stranger who walked this earth, is His own proof. He will not put Himself again on trial; He will not argue. But the morning of the judgment will confirm what men in the twilight have decided!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience as You wait for people to repent and turn to You. I pray that this will be a day when many will respond to Your voice calling them to follow You. Amen
~A. W. Tozer~
Practical Ways to Bear Burdens
There are hurting people everywhere, but at times we just don't know what to say or do to ease their pain. Here are six practical ways to bear someone else's burden.
- Be there. At times the best "method" of helping is simply to be present. During our darkest hours, we don't need someone who tries in vain to fix everything; we just need a friend.
- Listen. Don't attempt to give answers or tell people what to do next. Injured souls frequently want simply a listening ear so they can express what's on their mind.
- Share. Never parade yourself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, allow your own pain and failures to help others.
- Pray. There is power in speaking people's names before the Lord. When they hear someone talk to Jesus on their behalf, healing often starts taking place.
- Give. Sometimes helping others involves more than a handshake or warm hug. Maybe they need something financial or material. One of the best measures of sincerity is how much we're willing to give to others.
- Substitute.You may know an individual who bears the burden of caring for someone else. If you step in and take his or her place for a while, you are emulating your Savior--He, too, was a substitute.
Because we were unable to do it ourselves, Jesus bore all of our sin and sorrow, even unto death. As a result, we can live happily and eternally in communion with our Father. If Christ did that for us, how can we ever say, "I'm too busy to bear someone else's burden"?
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
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