Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Saving Faith ... And Do I Have It?
I have been reading Faith Beyond Reason by AW Tozer and thought this was well said. While talking about saving faith, Tozer writes:
Knowledge is not enough!
You can stand on the outside and have all the information and know all about it and yet not be a true disciple who really knows Christ. I once read a book about the inner spiritual life by a man who was not a Christian at all. He was a sharp intellectual, a keen Englishman. He stood outside and examined spiritual people from the outside, but nothing ever reached him. And that is possible!
You cannot argue around this. You can read your Bible—read any version you want—and if you are honest you will admit that it is either obedience or inward blindness. You can repeat Romans word for word and still be blind inwardly. You can quote all the Psalms and still be blind inwardly. You can know the doctrine of justification by faith and take your stand with Luther and the Reformation and be blind inwardly. It is not the body of truth that enlightens; it is the Spirit of truth who enlightens.
If you are willing to obey the Lord Jesus, He will illuminate your spirit. He will inwardly enlighten you. The truth you have known intellectually will now be known spiritually. Power will begin to flow up and out, and you will find yourself changed, marvelously changed. It is rewarding to believe in a Christianity that really changes people.
I would rather be part of a small group with inner knowledge than part of a vast group with only intellectual knowledge. In that great day of Christ's coming, all that will matter is whether or not I have been inwardly illuminated, inwardly regenerated, inwardly purified.
The question is: Do we really know Jesus in this way?
Faith Beyond Reason by AW Tozer.
Knowledge is not enough!
You can stand on the outside and have all the information and know all about it and yet not be a true disciple who really knows Christ. I once read a book about the inner spiritual life by a man who was not a Christian at all. He was a sharp intellectual, a keen Englishman. He stood outside and examined spiritual people from the outside, but nothing ever reached him. And that is possible!
You cannot argue around this. You can read your Bible—read any version you want—and if you are honest you will admit that it is either obedience or inward blindness. You can repeat Romans word for word and still be blind inwardly. You can quote all the Psalms and still be blind inwardly. You can know the doctrine of justification by faith and take your stand with Luther and the Reformation and be blind inwardly. It is not the body of truth that enlightens; it is the Spirit of truth who enlightens.
If you are willing to obey the Lord Jesus, He will illuminate your spirit. He will inwardly enlighten you. The truth you have known intellectually will now be known spiritually. Power will begin to flow up and out, and you will find yourself changed, marvelously changed. It is rewarding to believe in a Christianity that really changes people.
I would rather be part of a small group with inner knowledge than part of a vast group with only intellectual knowledge. In that great day of Christ's coming, all that will matter is whether or not I have been inwardly illuminated, inwardly regenerated, inwardly purified.
The question is: Do we really know Jesus in this way?
Faith Beyond Reason by AW Tozer.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Ground Hog Day Bed & Breakfast
This was the home used as the Bed & Breakfast in the movie Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day. It is a few blocks away from our home in Woodstock, IL. A fence has been added since the movie filming, probably to keep all the movie buffs off the lawn. Years ago, the previous owners held an adult Sunday School class in this home. That's how I had the fortune to see inside this beautiful estate.
IT'S GROUNDHOG DAY! Oh, I would say the chance of departure is around 30-40%.
His Promise Is True! ALWAYS!
Are you feeling the pressure this world is heeping on you? Call upon the Lord! This is my prayer for you today!
Many of you know I am unemployed right now. And I DO feel the heat! This song is a great reminder to me that God isn't late. He hasn't forgotten me. He's right on time and speeding to deliver exactly what I need. He may be using this period in life to make me a more compassionate person ... but either way He is right on time in achieving His purpose in me. It's humiliating being without employment. This is the first time I have been able to identify with others who have experienced the pain.
I will go anywhere and do anything for the Lord. Here I am! Lord, What would you have me do in this world?
Psalm 27:13-14
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
I pray He lifts and encourages you and that you will trust in the Lord Jesus! Listen to these words and surrender your burdens to the Lord.
God bless you.
nikonsniper steve
Always
by Kristian Stanfill
My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
From You Lord, from You Lord
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always, always
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
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