A. W. Tozer Quotes (Faith, Fear, Forgiveness, Future)

Posted on June 24, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

AWTzer TozerHead

 

Faith
“In the Book of Acts faith was for each believer a beginning, not an end; it was a journey, not a bed in which to lie while waiting for the day of our Lord’s triumph. Believing was not a once-done act; it was more than an act, it was an attitude of heart and mind which inspired and enabled the believer to take up his cross and follow the Lamb whithersoever He went.” [Born After Midnight, 16]

“Faith never means gullibility. The man who believes everything is as far from God as the man who refuses to believe anything.” [The Root of the Righteous, 120]

“Faith is not a once-done act, but a continuous gaze of the heart at the Triune God. Believing, then, is directing the hearts’ attention to Jesus. It is lifting the mind to ‘behold the Lamb of God,’ and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives.”
[The Pursuit of God, 90]

Faith as Paul saw it, was a living flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ. Faith in our day often means no more than a meek assent to a doctrine. [Paths to Power, 56-57]

Faith and Obedience
In the New Testament there is no contradiction between faith and obedience. Between faith and law-works, yes; between law and grace, yes; but between faith and obedience, not at all. The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith.
[Paths to Power, 24]

Fear
The only fear I have is to fear to get out of the will of God. Outside of the will of God, there’s nothing I want, and in the will of God there’s nothing I fear, for God has sworn to keep me in His will. If I’m out of his will that’s another matter. But if I’m in His will, He’s sworn to keep me.”
[Success and the Christian, 80]

Fear of God
The greatness of God rouses fear within us, but His goodness encourages us not to be afraid of Him. To fear and not be afraid–that is the paradox of faith.
[The Knowledge of the Holy, 84]

Foolishness
“The notion that the careless sinner is the smart fellow and the serious-minded Christian, though well-intentioned, is a stupid dolt altogether out of touch with life will not stand up under scrutiny. Sin is basically an act of moral folly, and the greater the folly the greater the fool.”
[Man The Dwelling Place of God, 48]

Forgiveness
“The idea that God will pardon a rebel who has not given up his rebellion is contrary both to the Scriptures and to common sense.”
The Root of the Righteous, 43.

Future
“We must face today as children of tomorrow. We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come.”
— Of God and Men, 132-133 —

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Messy Growth (June 24)

Posted on June 24, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 24
Messy Growth

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 138:1-8 | 2 Kings 6:1-7:20 | Acts 15:36-16:15 | Proverbs 17:24-25

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 15-16

So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. (Acts 16:5 NIV)

The church in the book of Acts was growing in numbers, in faith, and in problems. Sometimes when we think of the church in Acts we forget that growth is often a difficult and messy process. It is wonderful to see the growth in faith and growth in numbers. Yet with all the excitement of growth there inevitably comes struggle, conflict and problems. All these require creativity and flexibility.

As a ministry team Paul and Barnabas had a great run. Barnabas was there at the beginning of Paul’s ministry encouraging everyone to give Paul a chance. He had been there to travel and minister with Paul. Issues developed and there came a day when these two godly men had to part ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. Paul partnered with Silas. Despite the disagreement, the church continued to grow. Growth is messy sometimes.

———

Paul had ministry plans, but God had a better idea. Confronted by a vision, Paul shows creative flexibility and sets aim to bring the gospel to Macedonia. The church, now entering the European continent, grows more than geographically: it continues to grow in numbers and the believers continue to be strengthened in faith.

Growth is often messy. It can lead to conflict, to struggle and all sorts of problems. Remain flexible, follow God’s leading and trust him to give you wisdom and creativity. As you do, God works and the church continues to grow in numbers and to be strengthened in faith. What appears to us to be merely a problem is often a path to growth.

[Excerpts from today’s devotional from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson]

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I’ve Got A Better Idea (June 23)

Posted on June 23, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 23
I’ve Got a Better Idea

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 137:1-8 | 2 Kings 4:18-5:27 | Acts 15:1-35 | Proverbs 17:22

Today’s Scripture Focus:  2 Kings 4:18-5:27

Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.“ (2 Kings 5:10-11 NIV) 

Naaman was a valiant warrior, but he was also a leper. Urged by his wife’s helper, he set off to find healing from the healing prophet whose reputation for doing extraordinary miracles was already becoming well established: Elisha.

——
Naaman’s healing required humble submission to the simple acts of obedience prescribed by God through his prophet Elisha. When he stopped negotiating and started obeying, God answered and brought the miracle he desired.

Often the answer to our prayers requires an act of obedience. The miracle we seek depends on following through on the revealed will of God. We suggest alternate scenarios. We try to set the conditions for obedience. We want the miracle—the answer—but we want to dictate the steps it takes to get there.

The answer comes as we humbly submit to the acts of obedience that the Lord sets out in front of us. Often the path we have been seeking opens when we follow through on that one thing God has asked us to do but that we are resisting.  Do it—stop resisting, complaining, or trying to dictate alternate scenarios—follow through and see the miracle God brings.

[Excerpts from today’s devotional from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. The e-book is now available at Amazon.com.]

 

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Breakthrough!

Posted on June 22, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Praying through to a Breakthrough! This is one of the keys to bringing joy to your prayer gathering….check it out at my other blog “Joy in the House of Prayer”

pastorjeffsneighborhood's avatarJoy in the House of Prayer

prayerbs

Breakthrough

Having discerned the burden God has placed on our hearts as a group, we “pray through.” We persevere until we come to a sense of release. In some cases, we pray until we see the answer (this is the most obvious sign of a breakthrough). Other times we will pray until we sense that a breakthrough has come. This might be a sense of release of the burden, but it often comes with a sense of confidence and victory. The battle may have been long and hard, but there is a collective sense that today we have broken through and the answer is on the way. There are also times when we pray and pray and pray and while we have no sense of victory, we know that we have done all we can do for this time. Perhaps we will revisit it again another time to do further…

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Prayer Retreat coming soon!

Posted on June 22, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

 

flame

Malou and I have been enjoying a personal prayer retreat near the site of our upcoming prayer retreats. It is so good to get away from the rush of the city and up into the mountains to pray and read and listen.

I need refreshing times like this in my life. Maybe you do too. Can I invite you to join me for one of the two prayer retreats that are coming up in July and August?

It is just over a month before the first of the two retreats, it would be a great time to register. Need more information? Go to our ministry website: http://www.joyinthehouseofprayer.org

You can register online at http://www.joyinthehouseofprayer.org

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God’s Abundant Supply (June 22)

Posted on June 22, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 22
God’s Abundant Supply

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 136:23-26 | 2 Kings 3:1-4:17 | Acts 14:8-28 | Proverbs 17:22

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 3:1 -4:17

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. [4] Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” (2 Kings 4:3-4 NIV)

The widow found herself in a desperate place. Unable to pay her debts, her children were about to be taken into slavery. God saw the need and sent his prophet Elisha. God intended to work in such a way that His power and provision would magnify his goodness (as he so often does).

Elisha told her to gather jars from her neighbors—as many as she could. Then she began to pour the little bit of oil she had left into the jars. God began to multiply the oil and it continued to pour until she had filled all the jars she could gather. Then she was able to sell the oil and pay off the debt and have some left over to live on.

Elisha’s word to the woman demanded two things: obedience to God and expectant faith. As she obeyed the word of the Lord (gathering jars) and as she acted in expectant faith (pouring the oil in the jars), God provided.

God sees your need. He is more than able to meet it. His ability to provide is unlimited. Walk in obedience to God’s leading step by step, expecting his provision.

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Burden: “The B’s Of Praying Together in a Prayer Gathering”

Posted on June 21, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Never allow your prayer meeting to be hijacked by requests for Aunt Matilda’s Sore Toe….check out the article from my other blog…”Joy in the House of Prayer”

pastorjeffsneighborhood's avatarJoy in the House of Prayer

prayerbs

This week we are focusing on the “B’s” of praying together with others in a prayer group. We’ve already considered, Be brief, be bold, be biblical and build on each other’s praying. Today we consider the issue of prayer “burdens.”

Burden. No one has taught me more on this subject than another of my prayer mentors, Wesley Duewel. His book, Mighty, Prevailing Prayer, is must reading for any serious intercessor. He describes prayer burden like this: “A prayer burden is a spiritual concern on the heart of God that is imparted by the Holy Spirit to someone whose intercession the Holy Spirit desires to use” (200). He elaborates,“Prayer burden begins as an inner impression that you should pray for a known or unknown need. It is a gracious work of the Holy Spirit applying spiritual pressure upon your heart” (194). He sometimes cites as an example, Paul’s burden for…

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Bumps Along the Road (June 21)

Posted on June 21, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 21
Bumps Along the Road

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 136:10-22 | 2 Kings 1:1-2:25 | Acts 13:42-14:7 | Proverbs 17:19-21

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 13:42-14:7

“Some of the Jews convinced the most respected women and leading men of the town that their precious way of life was about to be destroyed. Alarmed, they turned on Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave. Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples.” (Acts 13:50-52 The Message)

The narrow road of life in Christ can be a bumpy road sometimes. But even then, we can find joy in Christ.

Paul and Barnabas got a mixed reaction as they preached. The crowds showed up, but so did the persecution. Jealous religious leaders stirred up the crowds against Paul and Barnabas.

—-
But the mixed reaction, the opposition and even the persecution could not steal their joy. The gladness found in our relationship with Christ and bubbling up from within by the Holy Spirit can not be taken away by mere circumstances. They went on their way “brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit.”

The road can get bumpy sometimes, but Jesus is always there with you. Depend on him to bring you joy by the Holy Spirit. Depend on him to give you strength to press on in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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The B’s of Praying Together in a Prayer Gathering–Build

Posted on June 20, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

pastorjeffsneighborhood's avatarJoy in the House of Prayer

prayerbs

Today’s Principle: “Build Upon Each Other’s Praying”

Build upon each other’s praying. This is so important to a prayer gathering. If we don’t build upon each other’s prayers, it really isn’t a prayer meeting. It is just a collection of people praying in the same room.

This works best when we are praying short focused prayers, each person actively participating in building the prayer. In traditional prayer settings, where each person prays only once, it is easy while you are waiting for your turn for the mind to wander, or to become preoccupied by thinking how you are going to word your prayer. It is tempting to try to impress others, or to feel intimidated by others who use lofty language and lots of Bible verses. Further, it is easy for us to get stuck in “prayer ruts” where we use the same phrases week after week.

Instead of encouraging…

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Inquire of the LORD (June 20)

Posted on June 20, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 20
Inquire of the Lord

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 136:1-9 | 1 Kings 22:1-53 | Acts 13:16-41 | Proverbs 17:17-18

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 22

“Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses. But Jehoshaphat also said to the King of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the LORD.”(1 Kings 22:4-5 TNIV)

Ahab and Jehoshaphat were ready to join forces to recapture Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat made one wise request before pledging full support, Let’s seek the counsel of the LORD. He knew that to make a decision with out inquiring of the LORD was to make a decision too quickly.

The LORD’s wisdom includes information about the seen and the unseen. We see only part of the picture. God knows what will happen. He knows the hidden purposes he will accomplish. His ways are higher than ours—but he has promised to reveal his wisdom if we ask for it.

The LORD’s wisdom is not always what we want to hear, either.

————

But there is wisdom in seeking the LORD’s counsel from one who has the integrity to tell us the truth—even when the truth hurts.

————–

Seek the LORD and his counsel. When he speaks, listen, even if it is not what you want to hear.

When you are asked for counsel, seek the LORD and his wisdom first. Do not presume to know his will without seeking his counsel. Do not just tell people what they want to hear. Hear from the LORD and speak the truth even when it isn’t popular.

 

[Excerpts from “Inquire of the LORD,” today’s devotional from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. The full text of this devotional along with 364 others is available at Amazon.com]

 

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