Verse of the day — 2 Thessalonians 2:17
comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:17(NASB)
Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
The Source Of Service
Without Me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
The Cross simply says that an order, though it be religious, well-motivated, or good-intentioned, but nevertheless proceeding from man in his natural state (not necessarily in defiance of God or in conscious rebellion against Him, but just the expression of man's natural state as he is), the Cross says that this entire order is set aside. God has judicially judged it and put a ban upon it. In the Cross of the Lord Jesus God has said finally: 'You in your natural state cannot serve Me, and cannot bear any fruit to My glory! It is possible to go out and work, labor, and die of the strain of trying to serve Me and yet it still remains true that you cannot, out from yourself, by any natural resources whatever, bear fruit unto Me.' The only thing that can ever get through to God's end, and that can be in Life eternal, Divine, heavenly Life is that which proceeds from the Holy Spirit.
How sweeping that is! How that analyzes and dissects everything! Of the things we say, for example, it continually presents the interrogation: 'Was that spoken in the Holy Spirit?' It is not enough to ask ourselves: 'Did I mean it well? Did I intend it for the Lord?' but: 'Was it said, was it done, in the Holy Spirit, or did I do it?' It is not a question of motive or of intention, but of the source from which we did it. We have daily to recognize that our lives must be subject to the Holy Spirit, and when we are aware that there has been something of our own will, we have to be faithful before God about it.
Morning Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
I will never leave you nor forsake you.
So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you. § Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world… At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. § When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.
Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. § I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. § I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. § My peace I give to you.
Heb. 13:5,6; Gen. 28:15; Deut. 31:6; 2 Tim. 4:10, 2 Tim. 4:16,17; Ps. 27:10; Matt. 28:20; Rev. 1:18; John 14:18; John 14:27
Evening Daily Light by Samuel Bagster
Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . . and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea.
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! … I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.
Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart § My word … shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please. § Neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Luke 5:5; Matt. 28:18,19; Matt. 28:20; Matt. 13:47; 1 Cor. 9:16,22; Gal. 6:9; Isa. 55:11; 1 Cor. 3:7
None but the Hungry Heart by Miles Stanford
Cooperative Living
Put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man" (Eph. 4:22, ASV).
Positionally, in the finished work of the Cross and resurrection, we have been cut off from the old man through death, and have been born into the new Man by the new birth. "Ye have put off the old man...and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Col. 3:9, 10). Experientially, day by day, our part is to choose against the old ("put off") in favor of the new ("put on"), thus allowing the Holy Spirit freedom to apply the finished work of the Cross (Rom. 6:11). "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20, ASV).
"The flesh need not be an ugly form of life, indeed it can be apparently very nice, but it is alien to this new life in the Spirit. It belongs to another race; it is not the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. So we are told that the Holy Spirit is in open conflict against the self-life (Gal. 5:17).
"It is equally true that the flesh lusts (strives) against the Spirit, but He is well able to take up the challenge. He will not quietly accept this rival to the rule of Christ, so He stands, with His great weapon of the Cross, to render inoperative everything which is a menace to the life of Christ in us. He calls us to cooperate with Him in this matter by reckoning, for only so can the excellency of Christ be manifested in the believer." -H.F.
"Put on the new man" (Eph. 4:24).
Devotional Studies by Elizabeth Haworth
A Familiar Word - Grace Thru Faith- study [13]
Grace Thru Faith - STUDY
Precious Peace
How wonderful to know that the love of God is towards us, in Christ Jesus. How comforting to know that we are accepted by God because of His Beloved Son. How precious to know that we have peace with God and the peace of God. But it has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with Christ Jesus.
Privileged Position
I sometimes think we’ve missed the enormity and privilege of our saved status. I sometimes think we don’t appreciate the honour our heavenly position grants us, when from eternity past God looked down and saw our foul, fallen state – a God-rejecting, rebellious, sinful race, bedecked with a necklace of pride. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Perfect Plan
And He, in an inconceivable act, chose to give His dearly Beloved Son.. to save us.. before the world was made – in the unimaginable realm of His TriUnity of love.. before the race was created, in the indescribable sphere of His gracious wisdom. God planned to give His perfect Son, so that imperfect man could be eternally saved.
Gracious God
Once He set His heart on redemption, it exploded into myriads of additional graces: Love; Joy; Peace; Long-suffering; Kindness; Goodness; Faithfulness; Gentleness; Self-Control. And He scripted it in advance in His Holy Word for our learning and understanding.. and chose us to sit with Him on His throne and to be garmented with righteousness. But too often the familiar word does not permeate our outer shell of independence – and too frequently the well-rehearsed story becomes routine, religious reading.
Great Price
And inevitably we are dispassionate of the enormity of our saved status. And sadly we become indifferent to our privileged, heavenly position. And like the Israelites, we also start to murmur with dissatisfaction of our lot – almost dismissive of the great price that our Salvation and acceptance cost Him.
Fluctuating Feelings
Too often we also fluctuate between two extremes – mountain-tops or deep valleys.
read more
Knowing Jesus Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth
Love As I Have Loved
Word of Truth
In John chapter 15 the Lord Jesus tells us to: abide in Me, and I in you. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:4ff
Abiding Love
Some years ago I read of a saint who studied John chapter 15, for many long years, extracting a wealth of choice jewels and prized treasures from this one chapter. Some time ago for one whole summer, following in his exemplary, in-depth deliberations, I too would reflect and ruminate on these verses for many days at a time – to search out God’s nuggets of love… for me. Meditating on precious phrases became a means of daily nourishment – and provender. Oh, believer! walk with me briefly to discover some of the wonders of His abiding love.
Divine Sustainer
Just gaze on, Jesus the true Vine and divine Sustainer, Who pleads:-abide in Me, Rejoice in the Father, the heavenly Husbandman – the surety of our growth and fruiting, Who removes those unfruitful areas in each precious life… to bring forth fruit, more fruit, much fruit. Just gaze on Jesus and rejoice in the Father, Who challenges every jot and tittle of the life of the believer – until He produces.
Abiding in Christ
A life of entire consecration, to the glory of His name. A lesson of perfect conformity, to the nature and character of the lovely Lord Jesus. Absolute dependence on Him, Who alone is our strength, sustenance, and supplier. Undoubting confidence in Him, producing a life yielded to Him alone. Oh, believer! – what sweet mysteries are revealed in this one truth, abide in Me and I in you, for without Me you can’t do anything at all.
read more