From Tozer
The God We Must SEE
“To regain her lost power the Church must see heaven opened and have a transforming vision of God.
But the God we must see is not the utilitarian God who is having such a run of popularity today, whose chief claim to man’s attention is his ability to bring them success in their various undertakings and who for that reason is being cajoled and flattered by everyone who wants a favor. The God we must learn to know is the Majesty in the heavens, God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, the only wise God our Savior. He it is that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, who stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in, who bringeth out his stary host by number and calleth them all by name through the greatness of his power, who seeth the works of man as vanity, who putteth no confidence in princes and asks no counsel of kings.”
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Romans 5:
17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
I love how that is put--the abundance of grace. The free gift of righteousness. The reigning in life! How beautiful
17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
I love how that is put--the abundance of grace. The free gift of righteousness. The reigning in life! How beautiful
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
June 25, 08
Romans 4
20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification
Read Numbers 16--such a scary picture of what it means to rebel against God's leaders and His way of worship. Over 250 died --that was the number of the chiefs, but their families died also. Then more rebelled and 14,700 died. What saved more from dying was Aaron taking his censor with fire from the altar and incense and thus making atonement for them--it says he stood between the dead and the living an the plague was stopped. I like what Matthew Henry says about this:
"Observe especially, that Aaron was a type of Christ. There is an infection of sin in the world, which only the cross and intercession of Jesus Christ can stay and remove. He enters the defiled and dying camp. He stands between the dead and the living; between the eternal Judge and the souls under condemnation. We must have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins. We admire the ready devotion of Aaron: shall we not bless and praise the unspeakable grace and love which filled the Saviour's heart, when he placed himself in our stead, and bought us with his life? Greatly indeed hath God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8."
20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification
Read Numbers 16--such a scary picture of what it means to rebel against God's leaders and His way of worship. Over 250 died --that was the number of the chiefs, but their families died also. Then more rebelled and 14,700 died. What saved more from dying was Aaron taking his censor with fire from the altar and incense and thus making atonement for them--it says he stood between the dead and the living an the plague was stopped. I like what Matthew Henry says about this:
"Observe especially, that Aaron was a type of Christ. There is an infection of sin in the world, which only the cross and intercession of Jesus Christ can stay and remove. He enters the defiled and dying camp. He stands between the dead and the living; between the eternal Judge and the souls under condemnation. We must have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins. We admire the ready devotion of Aaron: shall we not bless and praise the unspeakable grace and love which filled the Saviour's heart, when he placed himself in our stead, and bought us with his life? Greatly indeed hath God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
June 24
Psalm97:
1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 100
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
A Psalm for giving thanks.
100:1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him;
bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 94
17 If the Lord had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
18 When I thought, “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul
1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 100
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
A Psalm for giving thanks.
100:1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him;
bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 94
17 If the Lord had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
18 When I thought, “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul
Monday, June 23, 2008
June 14-23
Vacation time ;-). "Thy will be done" ==as in the Mitford series, it is the prayer that never fails.
Friday, June 13, 2008
June 13, 08
Ps 73
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength [6] of my heart and my portion forever
Gal 5
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matt 16
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
The above reminds me of Bonhoeffer's book on discipleship---some good quotes:
Quotes from Bonhoeffer:
“Cheap graced is the deadly enemy of our Church. We are fighting to-day for costly grace.”
“Cheap grace…amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.”
“Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner.”
“Let the Christian beware of rebelling against the free and boundless grace of God and desecrating it.”
“Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
“Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
“Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: ‘ye were bought at a price……Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
“Luther laid hold upon grace. Just as the whole world of monasticism was crashing about him in ruins, he saw God in Christ stretching forth his hand to save. He grasped that hand in faith, believing that ‘after all, nothing we can do is of any avail, however good a life we live.’ The grace which gave itself to him was a costly grace, and it shattered his whole existence.”
“Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means the life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship. Happy are they who have become Christians in this sense of the word. For them the word of grace has proved a fountain of mercy.”
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength [6] of my heart and my portion forever
Gal 5
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matt 16
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
The above reminds me of Bonhoeffer's book on discipleship---some good quotes:
Quotes from Bonhoeffer:
“Cheap graced is the deadly enemy of our Church. We are fighting to-day for costly grace.”
“Cheap grace…amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.”
“Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner.”
“Let the Christian beware of rebelling against the free and boundless grace of God and desecrating it.”
“Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
“Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
“Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: ‘ye were bought at a price……Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
“Luther laid hold upon grace. Just as the whole world of monasticism was crashing about him in ruins, he saw God in Christ stretching forth his hand to save. He grasped that hand in faith, believing that ‘after all, nothing we can do is of any avail, however good a life we live.’ The grace which gave itself to him was a costly grace, and it shattered his whole existence.”
“Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means the life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship. Happy are they who have become Christians in this sense of the word. For them the word of grace has proved a fountain of mercy.”
Thursday, June 12, 2008
June 12, 08
Ecclesiastes 11: 5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
july 11,08
Ps 72--
18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
June 10, 08
'This is such a comforting Psalm
Psalm 61
Lead Me to the Rock
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
61:1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint
.Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.
Psalm 61
Lead Me to the Rock
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
61:1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint
.Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 9, 08
Ps 56:
8 You have kept count of my tossings; [3]put my tears in your bottle.Are they not in your book?9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call.This I know, that [4] God is for me.10 In God, whose word I praise,in the Lord, whose word I praise,11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.What can man do to me?
12 I must perform my vows to you, O God;I will render thank offerings to you.13 For you have delivered my soul from death,yes, my feet from falling,that I may walk before Godin the light of life.
Ps 57
2 I cry out to God Most High,to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3 He will send from heaven and save me;he will put to shame him who tramples on me. SelahGod will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness
8 You have kept count of my tossings; [3]put my tears in your bottle.Are they not in your book?9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call.This I know, that [4] God is for me.10 In God, whose word I praise,in the Lord, whose word I praise,11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.What can man do to me?
12 I must perform my vows to you, O God;I will render thank offerings to you.13 For you have delivered my soul from death,yes, my feet from falling,that I may walk before Godin the light of life.
Ps 57
2 I cry out to God Most High,to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3 He will send from heaven and save me;he will put to shame him who tramples on me. SelahGod will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!Let your glory be over all the earth
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!Let your glory be over all the earth
Ps 65
5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,O God of our salvation,the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;6 the one who by his strength established the mountains,being girded with might;7 who stills the roaring of the seas,the roaring of their waves,the tumult of the peoples,8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
Eccl. 7
8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit
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