God's Word on That

Tag: christianity

  • Our Place In God

    God honored man above all other beings by creating him in His own image. Man is dependent each moment for his existence upon the One who created him — not man only but everything that exists.

    Everything that exists exists to show God glory.

    Because man is born a rebel, he is unaware that he is one. It is only when in the gospel the soul is brought before the face of the Most Holy One without the protective shield of ignorance that the frightful moral incongruity is brought home to the conscience. To save us completely Christ Jesus must reverse the bent of our nature; He must plant a new principle within us so that our subsequent conduct will spring out of a desire to promote the honor of God and the good of our fellow men. The old self-sins must die, and the only instrument by which they can be slain is the Cross of Christ.

    The simple truth is that the miracle of perpetuation of life is in God, known as the Eternal Continuum. All life is in Him and out of Him, flowing from Him and returning to Him again; a moving indivisible sea of which He is the fountainhead. No creature has life in itself; all life is a gift from God. The correct way to think of God is as the One who contains all, who gives all that is given, but who Himself can receive nothing that He has not first given.

    Nothing is above God, nothing beyond God. No one can promote Him, so no one can degrade Him. Were every man on earth to become atheist, it could not affect God. To believe in Him adds nothing to His perfections; to doubt Him takes nothing away. God is not greater for our being, nor would He be less if we did not exist. That we do exist is altogether of God’s free determination. Man’s only claim to importance is that he was created in the divine image.

    Final assessment: God exists for Himself and man for the glory of God.

    In His love and pity God came to us as Christ. For the blessed news is that the God who needs no one has in sovereign condescension stooped to work by and in and through His obedient children. He needs no one but when faith is present He works through anyone.

    [adapted from The Knowledge of the Holy, by A. W. Tozer]

  • Knowing The God We Serve

    Another book that is out on public domain is A. W. Tozer’s Knowledge Of The Holy. In it we get a very good idea of the God we are supposed to be worshiping, the God we just surrendered ourselves to. I will try to sum up Tozer’s thoughts on this subject.

    “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

    The Church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God. We have lost our spirit of worship and our ability to withdraw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence. It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous or inadequate. If we would bring back spiritual power to our lives we must begin to think of God more nearly as He really is. Let us be encouraged to begin the practice of reverent meditation on the being of our God.

    A right concept of God is basic… to practical Christian living. The man who comes to a right belief about God is relieved of ten thousand temporal problems, for these [any temporal problems] have to do with matters which at the most cannot concern him for very long. But one mighty single burden of eternity begins to press down upon him: his obligation to God.

    No matter how we try to perceive God, He is still God and we are not. We must forever remember the original — and still primary — sin was to try to become like God in terms of knowledge and understanding. We are to get to know God, but we will never fully know [everything there is to know] about Him. We are to take on His character, but we cannot approach His majesty. This is both exciting and frustrating. But the promise remains that one day we will be like Him and see Him as He is.

    The philosopher and the scientist will admit that there is much that they do not know; but that is quite another thing from admitting that there is something which they can never know. To admit that there is One who lies beyond us, who exists outside of all our categories, who will not be dismissed with a name, who will not appear before the bar of our reason, nor submit to our curious inquiries — this requires a great deal of humility.

    We are the handiwork of God; all our problems and their solutions are theological. Some knowledge of what kind of God it is that operates the universe is indispensable to a sound philosophy of life and a sane outlook on the world.

  • God Blesses Your Surrender

    A life of absolute surrender has two sides — on the one side, absolute surrender to do the work that God wants you to do; on the other side, to let God work what He wants to do in you.

    O the joys that follow the surrendered heart!

    Give up yourself absolutely to the will of God. You know something of that will; not enough, far from all. But still, you know some. Say “Lord God, not a word upon my tongue but for Your glory, not a movement of my temper but for Your glory, not an affection of love or hate in my heart but for Your glory, and according to Your blessed will.”

    God wants to bless you in a way even beyond what you expect. It is God who will enable you to carry out the surrender. He is waiting to help you do it. Come and say: “I give myself absolutely to You, God, to let You work in me to will and to do of Your good pleasure, as You have promised to do.” Only let your absolute surrender be one of simple, childlike, and unbounded trust.

    God wants us to be separate from the world; we are called to come out from the world that hates God. You have been praying for blessing. But do remember there must first be absolute surrender. At every tea-table you see it. Why is tea poured into that cup? Because it is empty and given up for the tea. But put vinegar into it, and one cannot pour tea into it. Can God fill you, can God bless you if you are not absolutely surrendered to receive from Him?

    Let us believe God has wonderful blessings for us, if we will but stand up for God and say, be it with a trembling will, yet with a believing heart: “O God, I am Yours and all that I have is Yours. Absolute surrender is what my soul yields to You.” As you bow before Him, just accept God’s teaching that in your flesh “there dwells no good thing,” and that nothing will help you except another life which must come in. You must deny self, and then Christ will come in and take possession of you.

    As the Spirit reveals Christ Jesus to us, Christ comes to live in our hearts forever, and the self-life is cast out. Separation and death — separation from the world and death to self. Surely one ought to say: “Anything is good that brings me to separation and to death, for a life of full fellowship with God and Christ.”

    Cast this self-life and flesh-life at the feet of Jesus. Then trust Him. Do not worry yourself with trying to understand all about it, but come in the living faith that Christ Jesus will come into you with the power of His death — and the power of His life; and then the Holy Spirit will bring the whole Christ – Christ crucified and risen and living in glory – into your heart.

    [adapted from Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray]

  • God Accepts Your Surrender

    God urges us, by the hidden power of His Holy Spirit, to come and talk it out; then we are to bring and to yield to Him that absolute surrender. It may, as far as your feelings or your consciousness go, be a thing of great imperfection, and you may doubt and hesitate and say: Is it absolute? But remember there was once a man to whom Christ Jesus had said: “If you can believe; all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

    God always accepts a yielded heart.

    If you come and say: “Lord, I yield myself in absolute surrender to my God,” even though it be with a trembling heart and with a conscience of “I do not feel the determination”, it will still succeed. Be not afraid, but come just as you are, and even in the midst of your trembling the power of the Holy Ghost will work.

    We want to get help, every one of us, so that in our daily life God shall be clearer to us, God shall have the right place and be “all in all”. And if we are to have that through life, let us begin now and look away from ourselves, and look up to God. Let each believer, a poor worm on earth and a trembling child of God, full of failure and sin and fear, bow here and now, and say, “O God, I accept Your terms; I have pleaded for blessings on myself and others and not received. I now accept Your terms of absolute surrender.”

    Remember there is a God present that takes note of it! You may not feel it, you may not realize it, but God does take possession if you will trust Him.

    When God has accepted your surrender, then God holds Himself bound to care for it and to keep it. In this matter of surrender there are only two: God and I — I, a worm; God, the everlasting and omnipotent Jehovah. Believe that He can keep you continually, day by day, and moment by moment. If God allows the sun to shine upon you without intermission, is God not also able to allow His life to shine upon you every moment?

    A life of absolute surrender has its difficulties. I don’t deny that. It is a life that with men is absolutely impossible. But by the grace of God, by the power of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, it is a life to which we are destined. A life that is possible for us, praise God! Let us believe.

  • Absolute Surrender

    God had placed on my heart the need for His children (including me) to grow closer to Him. I have found this little book by Andrew Murray that is entitled ABSOLUTE SURRENDER. I adapt pieces of it in this blog to get us started on this undertaking. Please follow me on my journey to draw closer to our Father, to see what delights He may have in store for us who believe!

    A fresh and wholesome beginning.

    The condition of God’s blessings is absolute surrender of all into His very capable hands. If our hearts are willing for that to be so, there is no end to what God will do for us! Your God in Heaven answers the prayers which you have offered for blessing on yourself and for blessings on those around you by this one demand: Are you willing to surrender yourself absolutely into His hands?

    Who is God? He is the Fountain of Life, the only Source of existence and power and goodness, and throughout the universe there is nothing good but what God works. God has created the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the flowers, and the trees, and the grass; and are they not all absolutely surrendered to God?

    God is life and love, and blessing and power, and infinite beauty; and God delights to communicate Himself to every child who is prepared to receive Him. But this one lack of absolute surrender is just the thing that hinders God. And as God, He has a right to claim it.

    Every one of us is a temple of God in which God will dwell and work mightily on one condition — absolute surrender into His hands. God claims it, God is worthy of it, and without it God cannot work His blessed work in us.

    Many a heart will say, “Ah, but that absolute surrender implies so much… There is so much of the self-life still remaining, and I dare not face the entire giving of it up!” Alas, that God’s children should have such cruel thoughts of their God. Do not be afraid God will change you into something you do not want — He gave you what desires you have to begin with. He knows you! Trust in God’s goodness.

    Also, God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your own strength, or by the power of your own will; God is willing to work it in you. “It is God that works in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 ). The everlasting God Himself will come in to turn out what is wrong, to conquer what is evil, and to work what is well-pleasing — trust Him for this.

    Did not God say to Pharaoh: “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16)? And if God said that of a heathen, will not God say it far more earnestly of every child of His?

    Cast away every fear. Come with that feeble desire; and if there is the fear which says: “I am not willing for everything that may come, I do not feel bold enough to say I can conquer everything” — then learn to know and trust your God now. Say: “My God, I am willing that You should make me willing.” If there is anything holding you back, or any sacrifice you are afraid of making, come to God now and prove to yourself how gracious your God is!

    Be not afraid that He will command from you what He will not also bestow.

  • Using My Tongue

    I am in the Body of Christ. I am redeemed from the curse. Because of what Jesus Christ did for me, ALL that He did for me, none of the curse can befall me. Therefore I profess with confidence that I forbid any sickness or disease to come on this body! In Jesus’ mighty name: every disease germ, every virus touching this body dies instantly. Every poisonous thing coming onto or into this body has no effect. Every bone in this body aligns to God’s plan for it. Every muscle of this body strengthens according to God’s plan for it. Every organ and every tissue of this body functions to the perfection to which God created it to function. And I forbid any malfunction in this body — in the mighty name of Jesus the Christ, my Sovereign Lord. Thank You, Lord Jesus and Gracious Father in Heaven, for giving such authority to men. (Galatians 3:13; Romans 8:11; Mark 16:18; Matthew 16:19)

    Once we pass through and enter into the life IN Christ, we can ask for anything (Mark 11:24). It is our heritage (Psalm 61:5). O love God and His Word with all that is within you (Psalm 119:111).

    I pray for and thus receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of my God, and the eyes of my understanding are being enlightened. So I confess I have perfect knowledge of every situation and circumstance that I come up against. I have asked and I am being filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, for I have wisdom from God — Jesus has been made unto me wisdom. (1 John 5:14-15; Ephesians 1:17-18; Colossians 1:9; James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 1:30)

    The Holy Spirit abides in me and teaches me all things, and will bring to my remembrance all things. Therefore I confess my memory is as strong as it ever was, and even better. (John 14:26)

    For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world: my faith. I agree with the Word of God; I believe the Word of God; I confess the Word of God, and thus change my circumstances and gain victory through Jesus Christ, my Champion. I thank God, my Glorious Father, that though it looks like the mountain of getting my family finally saved is getting bigger, in the Name of Jesus, my Lord and King, I confess and see it totally removed through my eyes of faith. (1 John 5:4, 1 John 4:4). So let it be done unto me according to my faith!

    Every scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 Amplified)

    These words I have spoken are of God. God’s Word is alive and full of power, it is active and operative. It energizes me and affects my world. As I speak God’s Word — it is sharper than any two-edged sword — it is penetrating into my joints and into the marrow of my bones. It is healing to my flesh, and it is strengthening my spirit. It is prosperity for me. It is the magnificent Word of the Almighty God! So to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all I can ask or even imagine, according to His power that is at work within me, I give glory and honor and praise and thanksgiving to my God forever. Amen. Alleluia!

    God created the universe by the method I have just put into motion: by the words of His mouth. God released His faith in words. Man is created in the image of God. Therefore man releases his faith in words. Words are the most powerful things in the universe. Let me say it this way: “The Word of God, conceived in the human spirit, formed by the tongue, and spoken out of the mouth, becomes creative power!” If the Body of Christ would only grasp the principles and truths taught through God’s promises in His Word, and put them in action, they would change the world!

  • A Good Life Awaits

    I am a wise person, so I turn away from anger; a fool gives full vent to anger, but I am a wise person and thus I must keep myself under control (Proverbs 29:8, 11). Through Jesus Christ living in me, and by His power, I am quick to hear, slow to speak, and even slower to anger (James 1:19).

    A good life awaits us, we have but to follow His call.

    O Lord, I desire not to grieve Your Holy Spirit with whom I am sealed unto the day of redemption. By the great power of Your Spirit, please guide me to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and all kinds of malice. (Ephesians 4:30-31). By Your Spirit teach me to practice hospitality and to be kind to others without grumbling or complaining (1 Peter 4:9). Teach me to not always speak in regard to need, but help me learn to be content (Philippians 4:11). For Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

    Just as You are Holy, so I want desperately to be holy in all I do (1 Peter 1:15).

    Father God, I desire to be kind and compassionate to others; forgiving others just as, in Christ Jesus, You forgave me (Ephesians 4:32). Empower me, dearest Father, so I may walk worthy of the calling with which I was called, by being completely humble and gentle; patient; bearing with others in love (Ephesians 4:1-2).

    Victorious God, I thank You and boldly acknowledge that the weapons with which I fight are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they are from You and have divine power to demolish all strongholds of every kind. Your power in me can demolish every argument and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of You. Teach me to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) that I may fight the good fight.

    May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). I ask that You allow no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but only what is good for edification, that it may impart grace to the hearer (Ephesians 4:29). According to my faith please let it be done unto me (Matthew 9:29).

  • Learning To Speak Out Truth

    I am a temple of the Living God, as God said, “I will live in them and walk among them; I will be their God and they shall be My people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

    Lord God, put Your words into my mouth and cover me in the shadow of Your hand (Isaiah 51:16). Heavenly Father, please give me the tongue of the learned that I may know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary (Isaiah 50:4).

    With Your strength, O Lord my God, I can guard my mouth and my tongue to keep myself from calamity (Proverbs 21:23). Let there not be any obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse jesting which are out of place in my mouth, but rather thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4).

    I will strive to avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly; and I truly want to be closer to my God (2 Timothy 2:16).

    Jesus Lord, in Your keeping I will only open lips to speak what is right. Please let my mouth only speak what is true, for I detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth need to be just; none of them should be crooked or perverse (Proverbs 8:6-8).

    Please, Lord, I want to do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14). I do not want anything to do with foolish or stupid arguments because I know they produce quarrels (2 Timothy 2:23). With Your strength, I will refrain from quarrelling about words; it is of no value and only ruins those who listen (2 Timothy 2:14). I will avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law [and differing doctrines], because these are also unprofitable and useless (Titus 3:9). I want nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales. Rather I ask You please to train me to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7).

    Lord, teach me not to complain, grumble, or whine; I do not want to open myself up to be destroyed by the destroyer! (1 Corinthians 10:10). So I must not grumble against others lest I be condemned (James 5:9).

  • We Must Control Our Tongue

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. (Proverbs 18:21 Amplified) Jesus said, “By your words you will be justified and acquitted; and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced” (Matthew 12:37). The tongue has living power in it to cause life or death. I love speaking God’s Word and will bear much fruit for the glory of God because of it.

    Father God, You told me “whatsoever I say will come to pass”, that I can have whatever I say as long as I believe it will be so (Mark 11:23-24). This gives me added incentive to watch what I say and make sure the negativity does not spew out from between my lips. But it also gives me incentive to speak Your words with conviction and determination!

    Therefore, because of this mighty promise, I speak out and declare: My mouth is to be used for edification, for thanksgiving, and for praise (Ephesians 4:29). I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalms 34:1). And in dealing with people, my mouth shall speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

    I am determined that hell will not set my tongue on fire (James 3:6). So I renounce, reject, and repent of every word that has ever proceeded out of my mouth against You, my Father God, or Your plans. I cancel its power, and dedicate my mouth to speak excellent and right things. With the Holy Spirit directing me, my mouth shall utter truth!

    I love life with Jesus and desire to see many good days serving Him. So I will keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking lies. I will turn from evil and do good. I will seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:12-14)

    I choose to be an imitator of God, for I am dearly loved by Him (Ephesians 5:1). Is He not my Father, my Creator, who made me and formed me? Shouldn’t I strive to imitate Him? (Deuteronomy 32:6). Lord Jesus, the words You have spoken to me are spirit and they are life (John 6:63). I desire nothing but Your life in me.

    Because of Jesus, for Jesus, and in Jesus’ name, I refuse to compromise or err from pure and sound words. In Jesus’ name and with His strength and wisdom, I will learn to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5).

  • Praying For My Country

    Bless this country, O dearest Lord God, that we may ever be a stronghold of peace, and an advocate of peace in the councils of nations. Strengthen the bonds of friendship and fellowship among all the inhabitants of this land, and may the love of Your name be hallowed in every home and heart. O Lord of Hosts, stretch forth Your mighty arm to strengthen the men and women of our armed forces. Keep them temperate in all things, that they may serve You without stumbling and without stain; that they may lead us into greater service in Your kingdom, through Christ Jesus our Lord, we pray. Grant to the rulers of this country, and to all who shepherd Your people, the wisdom and strength to know and to do Your will for all Your people’s sake. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in fear of You.

    May all countries be blessed of God. May all countries bless God.

    Dear God, ruler over all the nations, preserve our commitment to the common good. Let “vested Interest” wane and “advocacy” see beyond pure personal gain. Above all, help our elected officials to refrain from self-serving and to commit themselves to those things that benefit us all. Grant them wisdom to discern what elevates our goals and preserves our values. Teach them to speak with integrity and to hear with openness, so the opinions of all are given their due. Do not let them grow weary in their difficult tasks, for You uphold the weary. Give them — and us — joy in our citizenship and confidence in our future. Our only hope is in Your unfailing Love, O Lord our God.

    Lord God, Almighty One, You are enthroned above and You observe the whole earth. You alone are God of all kingdoms. You alone created heaven and earth. Listen and hear, O Lord. Open Your eyes and see, O Loving God. Listen to the enemy’s words of defiance against the Living God — for we are known by Your name, to be Your people. Now, O Lord, our God and Father, rescue us from the power of the enemies that surround us. Then all the kingdoms of the earth will know You alone are God. (Isaiah 37:16-20)

    I will obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power under our God’s watchful eye (Romans 13:1). You have urged us to pray for all peoples, O Lord God. To plead for mercy upon them, and give thanks for them. So I pray for kings and presidents and all who are in authority, so we can all live in peace, in godliness and dignity. For this is good and pleases You, my God and Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

    Jesus, You have given the keys of [not ‘to’, but ‘of’] the Kingdom of Heaven to Your followers (Matthew 16:19). So I say with confidence: Jesus gave me His authority to use His mighty name, and told me that what I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and what I loose on earth is loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18-19). Therefore in the name of the Lord Jesus, the Christ of God, I bind the principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this world from taking captive the innocent people of this land, from spreading terror and fear across this land, and from blinding the eyes of those who want to see beyond the darkness. I bind and cast down spiritual wickedness in high places and render them harmless and ineffectual against me and my extended family in the name of the Lord Jesus, the Christ. (Ephesians 6:12).

    O God our Father, who gives food for the body and truth for the mind, enlighten and nourish us so we may grow wise and strong to do Your will.