"Today Daily Devotional "

"We must allow the cross to work before we can receive the work of our High Priest.

We should follow the example of our Lord Jesus. When He died, He "poured out His soul unto death" (Isa. 53:12). At the same time, He committed His spirit to God (Luke 23:46).

What He did is what we must do. The soul-life must die. If we truly pour out our soul-life unto death and commit our spirit to God, we will soon experience being resurrected by God and have the fullness of the spiritual life in the glory of resurrection."

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

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"Today Daily Devotional "

"I think all of us meet Christian men and women who always seem to look on the gloomy side and are never able to do anything with life's problems but grumble about them!

I meet them often and when I do, I wonder: "Can these people be reading and trusting the same Bible I have been reading?"

The Apostle Peter wrote to the tempted, suffering and persecuted believers in his day and noted with thanksgiving that they could rejoice because they counted God's promises and provisions greater than their trials!

Peter testified that the persecuted and suffering Christians of his day were looking, in faith, to a future state of things immeasurably better than that which they knew, and that state of things would be perfect and complete!"

A W Tozer (1897-1963)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"It is only a fool that will say that a bitter tree by constantly bearing fruit will at last become sweet.

As a matter of fact a bitter tree can become sweet by being grafted on a sweet tree, so that the life and qualities peculiar to the sweet tree will pass into the bitter one and its natural bitterness will pass away. This is what we call a new creation.

So too the sinner may have the desire to do what is right, and yet the only result is sin; but when he repents and by faith is grafted into Jesus the old man in him dies, and he becomes a new creature. Then from this new life which has its origin in salvation good deeds come forth as fruit, and this fruit abides for ever."

Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"The Bible says Jesus is going to rise and shine in the darkness no matter how dark the world becomes!

 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined' (Isaiah 9:2).

We live in a time of widespread death and darkness. But God says that in such times He will shine His light the brightest: "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them" (Isaiah 42:16).

No darkness will ever stop God's light! So get your eyes off the darkness, off the sin, off the fury of violent people, and believe the Lord for the bursting forth of His shining, effusing light!"

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"The man of true humility has God fighting on his side--who can win against God?

Strange as it may seem, we often win over our enemies only after we have first been soundly defeated by the Lord Himself. God often conquers our enemies by conquering us.

He defeated Esau by defeating Jacob the night before on the bank of the Jabbok. The conquest of Esau took place in his brother Jacob.

It is often so. When God foresees that we must meet a deadly opponent, he assures our victory by bringing us down in humbleness at His own feet.

After that, everything is easy. We have put ourselves in a position where God can fight for us, and in a situation like that, the outcome is decided from eternity."

A W Tozer (1897-1963)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"Remember, the relationship between the vine and the branches is such that hourly, daily, unceasingly, the living connection is maintained. The sap does not flow for a time, and then stop, and then flow again. Instead, moment to moment, the sap flows from the vine to the branches.

And just so, my Lord Jesus wants me to take that blessed position as a worker. Morning by morning and day by day and hour by hour and step by step-in every work-I have to go out to abide before Him in the simple, utter helplessness of one who knows nothing. I must be as one who is nothing, and can do nothing. Oh, beloved workers, study that word nothing."

Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"People often ask, "Why do you insist on prayer so much?" The answer is very simple - because Jesus did.

You could change the title of the Gospel according to St. Luke to the Gospel of Prayer. It's the prayer life of Jesus.

The other evangelists say that Jesus was in the Jordan and the Spirit descended on Him as a dove - Luke says it was while He was praying that the Spirit descended on Him.

The other evangelists say that Jesus chose 12 disciples - Luke says it was after He spent a night in prayer that He chose 12 disciples.

The other evangelists say that Jesus died on a cross - Luke says that even when He was dying Jesus was praying for those who persecuted Him.

The other evangelists say Jesus went on a mount and He was transfigured - Luke says it was while He was praying that He was transfigured. There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer."

Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"When the storm is over, things look hopeless.

Yet, look closer; the same storm that opened crevices in the earth around the trunk of the tree has helped the roots go deeper. The tree now has access to new, deeper sources of nutrition and water. And it has been purged of all its dead branches. The buds may be gone, but others will grow back more fully. I tell you, that tree is now stronger, growing in unseen ways. And just wait till harvest, because it's going to bear much fruit!

Maybe you're in a storm right now. The wind is blowing hard, shaking you violently, and you think you're going down. Beloved, don't panic! You've got to know that in the midst of the tempest, you are putting down deep spiritual roots. God is developing in you a deepening humility, a greater mourning and sorrow for sin, a heightened hunger for His righteousness.

God is making you a seasoned soldier of the cross battle-scarred, but battle-smart and courageous. You may get down on yourself at times, but the Lord never does. The fact is, He could have acted sovereignly at any time to pluck you out of your struggle. But He didn't, because He saw it producing in you a greater thirst for Him!"

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

"Today Daily Devotion"

"Prayer is another way of telling God that we have all confidence in Him but no confidence in our own native powers.

Neglect of prayer is an effrontery to God, for by it we are saying that we have confidence in the flesh and can operate the spiritual life on a do-it-yourself basis.

Strong men (self-strong) neglect prayer, or sometimes slight or ignore it, and therefore show their self-esteem and their near-independence of divine help.

But weak men cry to God, because God’s strength is guaranteed to be made perfect in their weakness."

Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994)

"TRUE LOVE "

"Today Daily Devotional "

"We can see the strength of self in the moments of temptation and provocation, when we react with bitter words, angry expressions, self-justification, criticism and judgment of others, unforgiving attitudes, a grabbing-love for material things, fighting for our rights and our reputation, seeking vengeance, etc.

These, and other similar attitudes, show how strong self still is in us - the old wine has not yet run out; and Jesus waits on the sidelines doing nothing for us.Has the wine run out in our personal life, our married life or our assembly life? Then it is about time that we sought the Lord's face and acknowledged our need honestly. He alone can give us the new wine!

The new wine in Cana was not produced by human effort. It was the supernatural work of God. So too can it be in our life. He will write His laws in our heart and mind, making us to will and to do His perfect will (Heb. 8:10; Phil. 2:13). He will circumcise our hearts to love Him and cause us to walk in His commandments (Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27). This will be as much His work as the new wine produced in Cana was His work."

Br Zac Poonen

"Today Daily Devotional "

"Oh, that we might find men today whose hearts are burning with love and devotion, and because their hearts are burning, their speech will burn - with love, with adoration, and with hatred for sin.

My prayer is, "Lord, teach me to hold my tongue. Teach me to do as the psalmist says, set a watch at the door of my lips that my speech may always be seasoned with grace. My tongue never a sword. My speech always edifying, uplifting, and that which glorifies God." Amen."

Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"BE NOT troubled about those who are with you or against you, but take care that God be with you in everything you do. Keep your conscience clear and God will protect you, for the malice of man cannot harm one whom God wishes to help.

 If you know how to suffer in silence, you will undoubtedly experience God's help. He knows when and how to deliver you; therefore, place yourself in His hands, for it is a divine prerogative to help men and free them from all distress."

Thomas A Kempis (1380-1471)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"The true order is: God makes a man holy by blood and fire and sharp discipline. Then He calls the man to some special work, and the man being holy makes that work holy in turn.

Every person should see to it that he is fully cleansed from all sin, entirely surrendered to the whole will of God and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then he will not be known as what he does, but as what he is.

He will be a man of God first and anything else second: a man of God who paints or mines coal or farms or preaches or runs a business, but always a man of God. That and not the kind of work he does will determine the quality of his deeds."

A W Tozer (1897-1963)

"Today Daily Devotional

Freedom from Hypocrisy:

"The Bride has more spiritual content inwardly than others can see in her externally. Her hidden life is better than the opinion that others have of her external life. This is the exact opposite of the 'spiritual adulteress' or the 'Harlot,' whose so-called spirituality is only meant for receiving the honour of men. What she has is actually 'religiosity' and not true spirituality.

The bride watches her inner thoughts, motives and attitudes far more than her external words and actions. She longs for God's approval over her inner life and cares nothing at all for man's approval of her external life. By this test, each of us can know whether we are part of the Bride or of the Harlot."

Br. Zac Poonen

'Today Daily Devotional"

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you"
(1 Peter 5:7).

A great many people seem to embalm their troubles. I always feel like running away when I see them coming. They bring out their old mummy, and tell you in a sad voice:

"You don't know the troubles I have!"

My friends, if you go to the Lord with your troubles, He will take them away. Would you not rather be with the Lord and get rid of your troubles, than be with your troubles and without God? Let trouble come if it will drive us nearer to God."

D L Moody (1837-1899)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"You must, then, learn a species of prayer which may be exercised at all times; which does not obstruct outward employments; which may be equally practised by princes, kings,  priests and magistrates, soldiers and children, tradesmen, laborers, women, and sick persons; it is not the prayer of the head, but OF THE HEART.

It is not a prayer of the understanding alone, for the mind of man is so limited in its operations that it can have but one object at a time; but it is the PRAYER OF THE HEART which is not interrupted by the exercises of reason."

Madam Guyon (1648-1717)

"Today Daily Devotional"

"Joshua and Caleb were among the twelve spies sent to spy out the Promised Land. They didn't shed tears, bemoaning the conditions they had found. Rather, they rejoiced after searching out the land and came back full of hope, faith and vision.

Do you know Christians like this? They are always rejoicing. You know they are enduring awful trials, yet they seem to know how to get hold of God in the midst of their situation.

What about you? Are you always down, always complaining? Perhaps your personal problems or family situations have possessed you and eaten up your soul.

Beloved, no matter what you are going through, you are precious to God. If you come to Him with a repentant heart and a hungry soul, He will give you His vision and hope."

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"Your baptism and your confirmation and your name on the church roll and the big Bible you carry--these are not the things that are important to God. You can train a chimpanzee to carry a Bible.

Every one of us is the sum of what we secretly admire, what we think about and what we would like to do most if we became free to do what we wanted to do.

"Lord, You know the secret thoughts of my heart; nothing is hidden from You. May those thoughts be pure thoughts, pleasing to You, completely under the control of Your Holy Spirit. Amen."

A W Tozer (1897-1963)

"Today Daily Devotional "

"If our hearts are not yet separated from the craving of worldly wealth, our soul-life is not yet on the cross and has not yet passed through the work of the cross.

Hebrews 10:34 speaks of a group of believers whose possessions had been plundered. Yet they "accepted [it] with joy." Not only did they accept it willingly, but they accepted it with joy. This is the result of the work of the cross.

The saints' attitude toward their possessions indicates whether their soul-life is living or being put to death."

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

"Top 15 Christian Writers Blogs"

 https://blog.feedspot.com/christian_writers_blogs/

GOD FORGIVES SINS

GOD FORGIVES SINS

Mark 2:1-7....... "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone.(NASB)

Jesus was God on earth, He had the authority to forgive sins. The apostles were not God on earth. Contemporary pastors and priest are not God on earth. For anyone other than God to claim they have the authority to forgive sin is blasphemous.

Isaiah 43:15-25 "I am the Lord, your Holy One.....25 "I even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.(NASB)

No preachers, pastors, apostles, nor priests can wipe out  transgressions. Only God forgives sin.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You who pardons iniquity...(NASB)

The apostle Peter nor any apostle had the power to pardon sins. There is not an example in the New Testament Scriptures where any apostle said to an individual nor a group of people I forgive you of your sins.

Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:9) Jesus not give Peter and the apostles the authority to grant forgiveness to men. Only God forgives sin.

Peter used the keys on the Day of Pentecost. The keys were faith, repentance, and immersions in water. (Acts 2:22-41)

Peter did not say  I or we the apostles forgive you of your sins against God, nor did he say that to anyone Christians subsequently. [Terms of pardon:FAITH John 3:16, REPENTANCE Acts 3:19, CONFESSION Romans 10:9, IMMERSION IN WATER Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16]

There is no Scriptures that teaches that apostles, preachers, pastors, priests, nor the church as the power of absolution. Only God forgives sin.

1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;(NASB)

The apostle John did not tell those in the body of Christ to ask for absolution for theirs sins by asking the church, the priest nor the pastor to grant them forgiveness from their sins against God.

ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS!

We know that, John 20:23, does not mean the apostles, priests, pastors, nor the church has the authority to forgive men of their sins against God.

Teaching the gospel plan of salvation to men does not mean the teacher has the authority to forgive sin.

Praying for fellow church members does not mean that the one who prays has the authority to forgive sins. 

"Today Daily Devotional "

"You say you love Jesus, so I must ask you: Do you worship Him daily, with all your heart, with no distractions?

Do you dig into the Word of God or do you go for days without opening your Bible or praying to Him in your secret closet?

God will not allow you to sit in your seat anymore and let your mind wander. He loves you and knows the power that pure worship releases in your spirit. It makes you stronger than any lion, bigger than any giant. It pulls down every stronghold because it makes you a pure-hearted, single-minded worshiper of Him!"

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

"Water Baptism"

Water baptism

Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren,what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

All twelve apostles believed water baptism was essential to the forgiveness of sins.

Ananias believed water baptism was essential to be saved.

Acts 22:1-16.....10 And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me , 'Get up and go on to Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do'........12 "A certainAnanias .....16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized,and wash away your sins, calling on His name.

Ananias, a spokesman for Jesus, told Saul to be baptized to wash away his sins.

The Apostle Paul believed water baptism was essential for the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with Him in baptism, ......13 ....He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

Jesus, the Son of God, believes water baptism precedes salvation.

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; ........

"Today Daily Devotional "

‘‘A broken and a contrite heart God will not despise’’; in fact, God only uses broken things.

For example, Jesus took the lad’s bread and brake it; then, and only then, could it feed the crowd. The alabaster box was broken; only then could its fragrance escape and fill the house—and the world. Jesus said, ‘‘This is My body which was broken for you.’’

 If such was the way the Master went, should not the servant tread it still? For in saving our lives, we not only lose them, but we lose other people’s too."

Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994)

"Today Daily Devotional"

"A spiritual leader does all of his work in the will of God, by the power of God, and for the glory of God. Therefore it will come through the final fire of testing as gold, silver and precious stones (1Cor.3:12-15).

In 2 Corinthians 3:5,6, Paul says that we can never become servants of the new covenant unless God equips us and makes us adequate. Since a spiritual leader serves with the adequacy that God gives him, he cannot take any credit for his labours.

If it's really God's life that is flowing through us and blessing others, then we can't take any credit for it ourselves- because we can't take the credit for what we never produced!"

Br Zac Poonen

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