NOTE: THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A.W. TOZER 100 YEARS AGO ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THE "PROSPERITY" MOVE IN CHURCH AT THAT TIME. I BELIEVE IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO REVISIT THIS DEVOTIONAL NOW THAN THEN. HELP US OH LORD NOT TO FALL INTO THE TRAP OF LOVING MONEY MORE THAN YOU. PLEASE READ THIS.
The Privilege of Giving
The history of churches and denominations follows pretty closely a rather uniform pattern: It is to begin in poverty and power; get established to a degree that removes all hazard and gives financial security, become accepted by society, outgrow the need for divine intervention; keep Christ as a figurehead, ignore His Lordship and carry on after the traditions of the elders; offer the clergy a reward for staying in line in the form of an old age pension; put enough persons in places of power who profit financially by the prosperity of the group. After that it's requiescat in pace [a prayer for the peaceful repose of a dead person], and the tragic thing about it all is that no one knows he is dead.
No church or denomination need go that way if the members detect the trend before it is too late. But I wonder. So bound are we to the treasurer's report that we habitually forget who we are and what we are called to do. Anyone can do the possible; add a bit of courage and zeal and some may do the phenomenal; only Christians are obliged to do the impossible. If we could rise in faith like Samson and break the ropes that bind us we might see again that a church’s outgo can be greater than its income, as much greater as God is greater than circumstances. We might have demonstrated before our eyes how God works wonders when His people leave a margin for miracles.
By A.W. Tozer
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
UNDER CONTROL
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:16-18)
What a powerful statement this is! Can you just think about the implications of these few passages of scripture for just a moment? The Apostle Paul was writing to the church in Colosse, a small town somewhere in the area that is now Turkey. This church was rooted in love to the brethren and faith in Jesus, something Paul was thanking God for, which they had. And in the midst of his discourse, he made this statement, which is our scripture reference today.
If you will grab hold of the power that is in these few verses today, you will feel the strength and hope and comfort you haven’t had in a long while. It means exactly just what it says; ALL things were created by him. Okay, let me break it down a little more, everything that you see and everything that you can’t see with the naked eye was created by him and for him. And, if he created all things, that also means he has control over all the things he created. Do you see it yet? Okay, maybe this will help; let’s define the word preeminence here. That word in Webster’s dictionary is defined as meaning “Superiority”, something or someone that has power and ability greater and far above anything else around him or it.
Jesus has all power and superiority over all things on this earth and all things in the supernatural realm as well. Do you see it yet? This means that Jesus has power over the devil. He has power over the wicked plans of our world leaders. He has power over all the troubles in our lives. He has power over all the unanswered questions, over the worries, over the doctor’s prognosis of “you’re going to die and not live”. The very reason the church today has no victory, no power and no biblical faith is because we do not believe in this statement. If it were true in our lives, we would not need "on -call" full time psychologists in our pulpits instead of pastors.
Find this rest in Jesus today. Realize all the plans of the enemy are under the final control of Jesus Christ. Understand if you are a born again child of God, your steps are ordered by him. In due time, he will come, and he will help. He has it all under his control
What a powerful statement this is! Can you just think about the implications of these few passages of scripture for just a moment? The Apostle Paul was writing to the church in Colosse, a small town somewhere in the area that is now Turkey. This church was rooted in love to the brethren and faith in Jesus, something Paul was thanking God for, which they had. And in the midst of his discourse, he made this statement, which is our scripture reference today.
If you will grab hold of the power that is in these few verses today, you will feel the strength and hope and comfort you haven’t had in a long while. It means exactly just what it says; ALL things were created by him. Okay, let me break it down a little more, everything that you see and everything that you can’t see with the naked eye was created by him and for him. And, if he created all things, that also means he has control over all the things he created. Do you see it yet? Okay, maybe this will help; let’s define the word preeminence here. That word in Webster’s dictionary is defined as meaning “Superiority”, something or someone that has power and ability greater and far above anything else around him or it.
Jesus has all power and superiority over all things on this earth and all things in the supernatural realm as well. Do you see it yet? This means that Jesus has power over the devil. He has power over the wicked plans of our world leaders. He has power over all the troubles in our lives. He has power over all the unanswered questions, over the worries, over the doctor’s prognosis of “you’re going to die and not live”. The very reason the church today has no victory, no power and no biblical faith is because we do not believe in this statement. If it were true in our lives, we would not need "on -call" full time psychologists in our pulpits instead of pastors.
Find this rest in Jesus today. Realize all the plans of the enemy are under the final control of Jesus Christ. Understand if you are a born again child of God, your steps are ordered by him. In due time, he will come, and he will help. He has it all under his control
Monday, October 12, 2009
WHAT IF STEPHEN HAD NEVER BEEN BORN?
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. (Acts 6:8)
Do you ever stop to think much about Stephen? He is mentioned only one time in the Bible, and his one act of obedience cost him his life. If you are familiar with the story, you know he was a table waiter, that’s all. And his one chance to get to preach in the Holy Ghost caused him to be dragged to the end of town and be stoned to death. Stephen’s moment in time was very small and insignificant some would say. But if it had not been for Stephen, 2/3rds of the New Testament would not have been written!
You see, Stephen’s preaching and subsequent execution was witnessed by a certain man, who would hold the coats of the ones who would stone him to death, Saul of Tarsus. We know him better as the Apostle Paul! Watching Stephen’s stand for Jesus, Saul would go on to finally meet Jesus for himself on the Damascus road, but what if Stephen had not been there? What if he had never been there to be a witness in front of Paul? What shape would we be in today?
I pray you receive this in your spirit today. It is not the ones who have the big time ministry in front of the cameras, not the ones who preach to thousands or sing to millions on the radio that are the most important! These people are the final link in the chain of a plan that belongs to God. It is the ones, the unsung heroes, the ones like Stephen, that to me are the most people in God’s plan.
Without Stephen’s witness, we would not have a Paul, without Esther’s small act of obedience; the nation of Israel would not be here today! If it wasn’t for a suit tailor named J D Prevatt leading a young boy to Christ at the altar, we would not have had a preacher by the name of Billy Graham.
You think because you are not leading thousands, singing to millions, working in some big time ministry that you are not important, WRONG!
It is the Stephens, the J D Prevatts, the people that obey God’s call on their life, that we may never know down here, that produces the greatest warriors, the powerful ministries. And without these people, these ministries and these warriors for God would have never been born! No man or woman lives and dies unto their self; you effect a change in people all around you, even when you don’t know it. One of the greatest things I love about Jesus’ kingdom is this; one person CAN make a difference!
The reason you are fought by the enemy, the reason strange and hard trials happen to you, is because Satan knows you can make a difference in this world.
He knows if you get this in your heart, you would be a danger to the kingdom of Hell. I encourage you, lift up your head and raise your hands in worship to God! You, and what you can do for God, are important! Your obedience might be the reason the next Billy Graham or Apostle Paul rises up! It doesn’t matter that everybody doesn’t know your name, the God of heaven does. And he has trusted you with his greatest, most important work! Every time you witness, pray, fast and obey God YOU make a difference! Be encouraged child of God, he loves you, and you are important. You don’t even know how much you are!
Posted by Watchmen of the Wall Ministries
Do you ever stop to think much about Stephen? He is mentioned only one time in the Bible, and his one act of obedience cost him his life. If you are familiar with the story, you know he was a table waiter, that’s all. And his one chance to get to preach in the Holy Ghost caused him to be dragged to the end of town and be stoned to death. Stephen’s moment in time was very small and insignificant some would say. But if it had not been for Stephen, 2/3rds of the New Testament would not have been written!
You see, Stephen’s preaching and subsequent execution was witnessed by a certain man, who would hold the coats of the ones who would stone him to death, Saul of Tarsus. We know him better as the Apostle Paul! Watching Stephen’s stand for Jesus, Saul would go on to finally meet Jesus for himself on the Damascus road, but what if Stephen had not been there? What if he had never been there to be a witness in front of Paul? What shape would we be in today?
I pray you receive this in your spirit today. It is not the ones who have the big time ministry in front of the cameras, not the ones who preach to thousands or sing to millions on the radio that are the most important! These people are the final link in the chain of a plan that belongs to God. It is the ones, the unsung heroes, the ones like Stephen, that to me are the most people in God’s plan.
Without Stephen’s witness, we would not have a Paul, without Esther’s small act of obedience; the nation of Israel would not be here today! If it wasn’t for a suit tailor named J D Prevatt leading a young boy to Christ at the altar, we would not have had a preacher by the name of Billy Graham.
You think because you are not leading thousands, singing to millions, working in some big time ministry that you are not important, WRONG!
It is the Stephens, the J D Prevatts, the people that obey God’s call on their life, that we may never know down here, that produces the greatest warriors, the powerful ministries. And without these people, these ministries and these warriors for God would have never been born! No man or woman lives and dies unto their self; you effect a change in people all around you, even when you don’t know it. One of the greatest things I love about Jesus’ kingdom is this; one person CAN make a difference!
The reason you are fought by the enemy, the reason strange and hard trials happen to you, is because Satan knows you can make a difference in this world.
He knows if you get this in your heart, you would be a danger to the kingdom of Hell. I encourage you, lift up your head and raise your hands in worship to God! You, and what you can do for God, are important! Your obedience might be the reason the next Billy Graham or Apostle Paul rises up! It doesn’t matter that everybody doesn’t know your name, the God of heaven does. And he has trusted you with his greatest, most important work! Every time you witness, pray, fast and obey God YOU make a difference! Be encouraged child of God, he loves you, and you are important. You don’t even know how much you are!
Posted by Watchmen of the Wall Ministries
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
LET THAT OFFENSE GO!
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
Today, we are going to bring up a subject that has been talked about by many preachers and teachers over the years. I don’t believe anyone reading these devotionals have not heard some kind of sermon on forgiveness in their life. But, coming as close to the end as I believe we are, this age old, often discussed topic, many don’t take to seriously will become one of the most important things to have and to give.
I think our scripture reference speaks for itself, don’t you? How much plainer could Jesus have gotten than this statement? If you hold back your ability to pass forgiveness on to someone who has done you an offense, then your many trespasses you have probably in your life are simply, not forgiven. There are many aspects of forgiveness we could touch on, but I want to focus on just this facet of it for right now. We seem to have, in the body of Christ, the biggest problem with this side of forgiveness. And we as, as representatives of Jesus on earth, trip up on 2 points specifically with this giving forgiveness to others:
1. Giving “forgiveness” to the other means not only forgiving the wrong done, quite a huge act for us, but forgetting the transgression took place at all in our minds!
I know you have heard by many teachers forgetting the offense is impossible, but have we forgotten with God, All things are possible? With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can totally forget the wrong done to us. Instead, we seek to build a shrine in our minds to the offense, and visit it daily to offer sacrifices of self pity and “woe is me” so we can hold on to being the “victim” and blame everyone else but ourselves for our predicament. Hear me, you must not only forgive the person, but you must forget as well. Otherwise, the enemy will continue to have a stranglehold on your life. Let the thing go.
2. Giving forgiveness means you not only forgive them, but you “accept” them back into the family again.
This portion of forgiveness we trip up on the worst in church. We are quick to judge a brother or sister unforgivable. But even if we somehow make that quantum leap of forgiveness, we quickly make this statement; “Well, I forgive him/her, but I don’t want to ever see them in my home/church again!” You might as well stay in your rebellious state, when you make a statement like that. This is the same problem proposed between the prodigal son and his brother. Luke 15 and verse 29 records these words; “And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:”. We are all familiar with this story, but simply, the other son was angry that the father accepted him back in the house, and restored his place, not that he forgave him for leaving.
How many times have you thought a sister or brother, who fell into offense, should be forgiven, but not allowed to ever come back in the fold? Dear saint, if you have thought that, may God have mercy on your soul! A repentant brother or sister, who has made things right, has every right to be restored back into your church, your family, and any where else they once stood. It is a good thing God doesn’t think that way, or you probably wouldn’t have your nice cushioned seat in church last Sunday. God help us to restore true forgiveness back into the body of Christ. I believe those who refuse to do this; will find their self lost, on the way to Heaven in these end times.
Today, we are going to bring up a subject that has been talked about by many preachers and teachers over the years. I don’t believe anyone reading these devotionals have not heard some kind of sermon on forgiveness in their life. But, coming as close to the end as I believe we are, this age old, often discussed topic, many don’t take to seriously will become one of the most important things to have and to give.
I think our scripture reference speaks for itself, don’t you? How much plainer could Jesus have gotten than this statement? If you hold back your ability to pass forgiveness on to someone who has done you an offense, then your many trespasses you have probably in your life are simply, not forgiven. There are many aspects of forgiveness we could touch on, but I want to focus on just this facet of it for right now. We seem to have, in the body of Christ, the biggest problem with this side of forgiveness. And we as, as representatives of Jesus on earth, trip up on 2 points specifically with this giving forgiveness to others:
1. Giving “forgiveness” to the other means not only forgiving the wrong done, quite a huge act for us, but forgetting the transgression took place at all in our minds!
I know you have heard by many teachers forgetting the offense is impossible, but have we forgotten with God, All things are possible? With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can totally forget the wrong done to us. Instead, we seek to build a shrine in our minds to the offense, and visit it daily to offer sacrifices of self pity and “woe is me” so we can hold on to being the “victim” and blame everyone else but ourselves for our predicament. Hear me, you must not only forgive the person, but you must forget as well. Otherwise, the enemy will continue to have a stranglehold on your life. Let the thing go.
2. Giving forgiveness means you not only forgive them, but you “accept” them back into the family again.
This portion of forgiveness we trip up on the worst in church. We are quick to judge a brother or sister unforgivable. But even if we somehow make that quantum leap of forgiveness, we quickly make this statement; “Well, I forgive him/her, but I don’t want to ever see them in my home/church again!” You might as well stay in your rebellious state, when you make a statement like that. This is the same problem proposed between the prodigal son and his brother. Luke 15 and verse 29 records these words; “And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:”. We are all familiar with this story, but simply, the other son was angry that the father accepted him back in the house, and restored his place, not that he forgave him for leaving.
How many times have you thought a sister or brother, who fell into offense, should be forgiven, but not allowed to ever come back in the fold? Dear saint, if you have thought that, may God have mercy on your soul! A repentant brother or sister, who has made things right, has every right to be restored back into your church, your family, and any where else they once stood. It is a good thing God doesn’t think that way, or you probably wouldn’t have your nice cushioned seat in church last Sunday. God help us to restore true forgiveness back into the body of Christ. I believe those who refuse to do this; will find their self lost, on the way to Heaven in these end times.
Monday, October 5, 2009
IS TRUTH IMPORTANT, REALLY?
"For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me." (Romans 7:11)
Deceived, that is a most powerful word. Webster’s dictionary defines this word as one who uses lies and half truths to pull or entice one away from the truth. It says that one does not use a “flat out” lie to beguile one off the right path, no, it is much more subtle. They use part truth – part lies, something sprinkled with just enough truth to not sound stupid or crazy, with just enough lie in it to do the job and lead you astray. This is one of Satan’s main weapons, proven to work well for him, against the children of God.
You see, Satan doesn’t spend a lot of time on elaborate tricks and schemes against unbelievers and the backslidden; he already has those and can work those people like puppets on a string at will. But to a Holy Ghost filled, Bible trusting, Jesus centered Christian, he must manipulate, beguile, and pervert or deceive the truth of the matter to get you off course. As long as you are trusting Jesus completely, and walking in his commandments, you are in a place where the wicked one cannot harm you. He has to pull you out of that protected place in Jesus, to be able to touch you. The Bible records this; “Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” There is a place you can stay in, that the wicked one cannot destroy you.
Contrary to modern preachers and teachers, this “place” in the almighty doesn’t mean you cannot be tried by the enemy. You will still feel temptations, you will still see and hear and feel the enemy trying to pull you off course. But the glory of it all is this, THAT IS ALL HE CAN DO!!!
When you stay in the protection of God, all he can do is present, try to make you come out of the shadow. Beloved, the secret place has been revealed, and that place is in Jesus Christ and his teachings. His truth, what he taught us to do, and how to act is what keeps us safe, protected from the half truths and deceptions that poison our soul and destroy our walk with God. Truth does matter! Jude chapter 1 and verse 3 declares this; “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” What Jude was saying here is it is of the utmost importance that we contend (fight to uphold and declare) the truth delivered to us from the Lord and his Apostles. Why? Because it is this truth, the truth of the Bible, that protects us from deception, from the wiles of Satan, and keeps us on the road to Heaven.
What do you believe in? Is your preacher the only Bible you digest? Have you read your Bible from cover to cover, praying and fasting to know and understand the deep truths that protect your soul? Is truth important? Proverbs 23:7 says it best; “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” What you believe is truth will govern your life; it is what you will live by. I challenge you, read your Bible, put what you know and think is right to the test, see if it stands up to scripture. I believe you will find things are not going to happen the way you thought they would.
Deceived, that is a most powerful word. Webster’s dictionary defines this word as one who uses lies and half truths to pull or entice one away from the truth. It says that one does not use a “flat out” lie to beguile one off the right path, no, it is much more subtle. They use part truth – part lies, something sprinkled with just enough truth to not sound stupid or crazy, with just enough lie in it to do the job and lead you astray. This is one of Satan’s main weapons, proven to work well for him, against the children of God.
You see, Satan doesn’t spend a lot of time on elaborate tricks and schemes against unbelievers and the backslidden; he already has those and can work those people like puppets on a string at will. But to a Holy Ghost filled, Bible trusting, Jesus centered Christian, he must manipulate, beguile, and pervert or deceive the truth of the matter to get you off course. As long as you are trusting Jesus completely, and walking in his commandments, you are in a place where the wicked one cannot harm you. He has to pull you out of that protected place in Jesus, to be able to touch you. The Bible records this; “Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” There is a place you can stay in, that the wicked one cannot destroy you.
Contrary to modern preachers and teachers, this “place” in the almighty doesn’t mean you cannot be tried by the enemy. You will still feel temptations, you will still see and hear and feel the enemy trying to pull you off course. But the glory of it all is this, THAT IS ALL HE CAN DO!!!
When you stay in the protection of God, all he can do is present, try to make you come out of the shadow. Beloved, the secret place has been revealed, and that place is in Jesus Christ and his teachings. His truth, what he taught us to do, and how to act is what keeps us safe, protected from the half truths and deceptions that poison our soul and destroy our walk with God. Truth does matter! Jude chapter 1 and verse 3 declares this; “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” What Jude was saying here is it is of the utmost importance that we contend (fight to uphold and declare) the truth delivered to us from the Lord and his Apostles. Why? Because it is this truth, the truth of the Bible, that protects us from deception, from the wiles of Satan, and keeps us on the road to Heaven.
What do you believe in? Is your preacher the only Bible you digest? Have you read your Bible from cover to cover, praying and fasting to know and understand the deep truths that protect your soul? Is truth important? Proverbs 23:7 says it best; “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” What you believe is truth will govern your life; it is what you will live by. I challenge you, read your Bible, put what you know and think is right to the test, see if it stands up to scripture. I believe you will find things are not going to happen the way you thought they would.
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