Tag Archives: Jesu

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Receiving The Blessing Of The Cross

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By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

God delights in using failures—men and women who think they can do almost
nothing right. A woman wrote to me recently saying, “My marriage is failing. I
seem to do everything wrong in raising my children. I feel like I’m not worth
anything to anybody. I’ve not been a very good wife, mother or Christian. I’ve
got to be the world’s worst failure.”

She is just the kind of person the Lord is looking for—people who know that
if anything good happens through them, it must be because of God. All the
hotshot Christians who go about bowling people over with their great abilities
never impress God. God looked down on a scheming, base, weakling of a man
called Jacob and said, “Fear not, thou worm Jacob . . . I will help thee . . .
behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth . . .
thou shalt rejoice in the Lord” (Isaiah 41:14–16).

Men often use God to achieve fortune, fame, honor and respect. Talent,
personality and cleverness are used to advance God’s kingdom, but He is not
impressed. His strength is perfected in our weakness, our inability to obey His
commandments in our own strength.

God calls us to a life of holiness and separation. He tells us we can be free
from the bondage of sin. His Word comes to us with some impossible challenges:
“Resist the devil. Walk in the Spirit. Come out from among them. Love your
enemies. Leave behind all your fears. Put down your lustful desires. Let no sin
have dominion over you.”

When you think honestly about how little you can do on your own to fulfill
these challenges, you realize how very weak you are. Your heart begins to cry,
“Lord, how can we do such great, holy things?” That is when our Lord takes
over! He comes with such a comforting message: “Lay down your weapons. Quit
trying to be so self–sufficient and strong. I am your weapon and your
strength. Let Me do what you never can do. I will give you My righteousness, My
holiness, My rest, My strength. You cannot save yourself or please Me in any way
other than by receiving the blessings of the cross by faith. Let Me be in charge
of your growth in holiness.”

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/22537?src=devo-email

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Silent Change

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Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine…praise

 

When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom, - John 2:9

 

Christ wrought this miracle without noise or ostentation. He said nothing to call attention to what He was going to do. The people about Him did not know of the wonderful work He had wrought. So He works today. He is not in the storm, the earthquake, the whirlwind; but in the “still small voice.” His kingdom comes into men’s hearts, not with observation and show, but silently, without parade. The bad life is changed, by His work, into moral purity, and yet no one saw the change made or the hand that wrought it. Silently help comes in the hours of need; silently prayer’s answers glide down; silently the angels come and go.

It is significant also that the “servants which drew the water knew.” Those who work with Christ are admitted into the inner chamber where omnipotence is unveiled. The lesson is very simple and beautiful. Christ takes into His confidence those who serve Him; calls them no more servants but friends. Those who do Christ’s will know of His doctrine, and see His ways of working. If we would see Christ’s power and glory, we must enter heartily into His service. Ofttimes it is in the lowliest ways, and in the paths of humble, self-denying service, that the most of His glory appears.

The ruler did not know whence the wine came; is it not often so with us? People do not know whence the blessings come which glide so softly into their hearts. Many a troubled Christian kneels in prayer in great fear, oppressed by a sense of need, and rises with new rich joy in his heart, yet knowing not whence the strange sweet blessing came. We drink the cups which God fills for us with heavenly sweetness, we receive the gifts which are brought down to us from the very throne, and yet ofttimes we do not know whence these things come, nor recognize the divine presence that works so close beside us.

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We Are His Body! 

praise
By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

"Ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:27).
We are the very members of Christ's body! By faith, we are made bone of His
bone and flesh of His flesh. And now we all have been adopted into one family:
"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another" (Romans 12:5).

You see, out of the grave came a new Man. And from the time of the cross, all
who repent and believe in this new Man are gathered up in Him: "By one Spirit
are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we
be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body
is not one member, but many" (1 Corinthians 12:13-14).

There is no longer any black, white, yellow, brown, Jew, Muslim or Gentile. We
are all of one blood in Christ Jesus. And because of Christ's work on the
cross, man could no longer attempt to be holy by keeping the law and the
commandments. He could not become holy by good works, righteous deeds, human
effort or strivings of the flesh.

"That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain
the enmity thereby" (Ephesians 2:16). "Having abolished in his flesh the
enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in
himself of twain [two] one new man, so making peace" (verse 15).

Only one Man would be accepted by the Father—the new, resurrected Man! And
when this new Man presented to His Father all who had faith in Him, the Father
responded, "I receive you all as holy—because you are in My holy Son!" "He
hath made us accepted in the beloved" (1:6).

Moreover, we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit: "That in the dispensation of
the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ . . .
in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of
promise" (1:10, 13).

So, you see, holiness is not something we do, or attain, or work up. Rather, it
is something we believe. God accepts us as holy only as we have faith in Christ
and abide in Him. The path to holiness is not through human ability, but
through faith!
 



Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21716?src=devo-email
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Christ Our Friend

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“I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known unto you.”– Jn  15:15.

I HAVE READ somewhere that when Michael Angelo was in the height of his fame, a boy named Raphael, destined to be his worthy successor –was introduced to him as a promising-pupil. At first the lad was employed in the simplest duties of the studio, cleaning brushes and mixing paints, but as he developed the qualities of exactness, punctuality, and sympathy, he became entrusted with increasing responsibility, until the master made him his friend and confidant. So we come to Christ, first, as redeemed from the slavery of Satan, to be His Servants, and He calls us His friends.

A friend will reveal himself. All the world may suppose that it knows a famous man, but after all, if he calls me his friend, I expect to get closer to him and hear from his own lips items of confidential information. Thus it is with the Lord Jesus. He manifests Himself to those who love Him, and keep His word, as He does not to the world.

A friend will interest his friends in his undertakings. It is a joy to Christ when those whom He loves are able to take a share in His world-wide redemptive schemes. For us, of course, it is a high honour, but it is as great a pleasure and delight to Him as it is for some loving soul to have the pleasure of working with that other twin-soul, to which it is attached. It is wonderful that Jesus is glad to have us as His fellow-workers.

A friend will be interested in our failures and successes. Not otherwise is it with our Lord. When He sees some peril menacing us, does He not make the trial-hour one of special intercession? If we fail, He meets us with the same tender affection, not alienated from us, but only intensely sorry, ready to point out the cause of our failure and to encourage us to try again. If we stand our ground, He meets us as we come forth from the fight, glad for us, eager to refresh us in our weariness, careful to heal any wound that we may have received.

Such is the Friendship of Jesus. He is always the same, His love never wanes, its manifestations are never remiss. Is it not worth while to make every effort so to keep His commandments that our entire abandonment to Him may induce His entire abandonment to us?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we pray that Jesus Christ may become dearer to us. May we love Him as a personal Friend, and hide ourselves in the hourly consciousness of His presence. May we have no taste or desire for things which He would disapprove. Let His love constrain us not to live unto ourselves, but to His glory. AMEN.

F.B. Meyer

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Take It To The Cross

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By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

Under the Old Covenant, absolute obedience was required. God’s law made no
allowances for even the slightest disobedience. Simply put, the soul that
sinned died.

Those commandments were laid out clearly, describing the perfect obedience a
holy God requires. Yet the law made no provision in the flesh for such
obedience and man found himself utterly unable to keep the law’s demands.
Paul called the law “. . . a yoke upon the neck . . . which neither our
fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10).

Yet, Paul also describes the law as a “schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,
that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). The law exposes our
hearts, teaching us we are weak-willed, helpless as babies, in need of a
savior.

At this point, you may be wondering, “Why would God demand perfect obedience
from us, and yet not provide us with power to comply?” The Bible makes it
clear: God had to bring us to a place where we realized we had no power to
escape our sin.

It took Israel four hundred years of affliction to learn they could not provide
their own deliverance. They couldn’t rid themselves of their slave masters in
their own strength. They had to have a deliverer—a God who would reach down
and bring them out of their bondage.

And it took centuries—up to the time of Zechariah—for Israel to recognize
their need for a redeemer. They finally became convinced they needed a savior
who would “be unto [them] a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory
in the midst of [them]” (Zechariah 2:5). God himself would be the fire around
them and the glory within them!

Yet many Christians today still have not learned this lesson. They are living
under the law, striving in their flesh, making promises to God, trying to get
free from their sin. They wake up each day saying, “This is the day, Lord!
I’m going to find the strength and willpower to break these chains. With just
a little more effort, I’ll be free!”

No! It will never happen. It will only end in more guilt. The law is meant to
drive us to the cross to acknowledge our helplessness, our need for a redeemer.

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21607?src=devo-email

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Guarding Your Affection For Him 

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By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick
out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). 

Jesus is saying: “Think back to what you were like when I first saved you.
You rejoiced that I came to live in your heart! You couldn't wait for church on
Sunday and you spent all your free time digging into My word, learning about My
love for you. You never considered prayer to be a burden, because I meant
everything to you. You loved Me more than life itself. But now you've fallen
away from all that. I get so little of your time now, so little of your
attention. You've grown cold toward Me. Something else has your heart!”

Look at the serious warning in this verse: “Repent . . . or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except
thou repent.” For many years theologians have tried to soften this warning,
wanting it to mean something different. But it cannot be softened—it means
exactly what it says. 

Jesus is saying to us: “If you claim to have the fire of God, and yet I am no
longer the delight of your heart, I will take away every bit of light you have!
No matter what good works you do for Me, you will no longer be My witness. I
simply won't recognize anything you do because you have lost your love for
Me.”

Is your love for Jesus exclusive? Do you regularly take quality time to be with
Him? Or have other things crept into your heart, taking up your thoughts and
affections?

Jesus is asking you right now to repent and start over. He wants you to stop
and realize, “Wait a minute. I see how this thing has crept into my life and
it is robbing me of my exclusive love for Jesus. I can't let this go on any
longer. Lord, forgive me! Light my candle anew.”

Go back to your first love today. Ask Him for grace and strength to begin again
to guard your affection for Christ.

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21605?src=devo-email
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Favor Makes For A Dangerous Life

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By Gary WilkersonThe angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and said “‘Greetings,
O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the
saying” (Luke 1:28-29).

I believe Mary was troubled when the angel spoke to her because she was aware
of her people’s history. She knew what had happened to the Israelites who
found favor with God. The result was blessed, true, but it wasn’t always
pleasant. Consider these examples:

Abel found God’s favor through his acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. But
Abel’s brother, Cain, was jealous because he did not find the same
favor—and Abel paid with his life.

Noah found favor with God. He lived righteously in an evil generation and was
spared the destruction of the flood. Yet every comfort that Noah knew in the
world was wiped out. The story of his building an amazing ark wasn’t some
children’s story; it was a sad story of judgment on a global scale. Although
Noah and his family survived, they lost everything they held dear.

Lot found favor with God and was able to escape judgment. God delivered him
from Sodom, a city poised to face fiery destruction. But by escaping, Lot lost
almost everything dear to him, including his wife.

Joseph found favor with God and was blessed with prophetic dreams. But the very
gift that marked Joseph’s favor also angered those around him.

My point is that favor is dangerous—and Mary knew this. The Hebrew Scriptures
made it clear in story after story: Favor can be accompanied by danger,
hardship, pressure, persecution, pain, and tribulations. Sadly, much of the
American church will not acknowledge this about God’s favor. Many pastors
teach that favor means being prosperous, having a nice house or car, never
being persecuted, living without difficulties, always being on top.

Mary knew better and it showed in her response to the angel: “Behold, I am
the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
That is the response I want to have! No matter how dangerous God’s favor is, I
do not want to trade it for an easy, comfortable life. I do not want to be off
the hook for trouble if it means missing His favor.

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21604?src=devo-email

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Our Father’s Provision 

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2013


By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

In my lifetime I have never talked to as many frightened people as I have in
the past three months. America is downright scared!

Builders, Wall Street professionals, retailers, executives, lawyers, small
business owners are all saying the same thing: “It's worse than most people
know. And it's going to get worse!” We are racing toward very hard times.

No one likes to hear these kinds of reports; in fact, they can be very
depressing. But the Puritans had a saying: "Our affections bribe our
discernments." We all love America and our way of life, but unless we face the
truth that hard times in this nation are upon us, we will never have the trust
and confidence we are going to need. 

Rest assured, none of this is taking Jesus by surprise. He saw it all coming.
He who has numbered every hair on a person’s head and counted every fallen
sparrow knew beforehand what His followers would face in the last days.

He knew where every dollar in the federal budget would go—and that your rent
and taxes would escalate. He knew about every job layoff His children would
face, about all your bills, even the number of children you have. There is not
one thing our blessed Savior did not know when He told us very specifically in
Matthew 6:25-33: "Don't give these things a second thought. Your heavenly
Father knows all about your personal needs and He will take care of you!"

You wonder how a Christian in need can give no thought to his physical
condition and I say that we cannot shrink from Jesus' promise to us. His very
words are eternal: "I say unto you. . . ." In fact, you can take those very
words to the throne room of God and say to Jesus, “These are the red letter
words: ‘I say unto you, give no thought to your needs!’”

No matter how many banks close or how long the unemployment lines grow, our
Lord will be feeding the fowl of the air, dressing the lilies of the fields,
and supplying the daily needs of an ocean full of fish! “Your heavenly Father
feedeth them” (Matthew 6:26). Not one creature will suffer without our Lord
knowing it.

Hard times will never stop our Father’s provision: “Are ye not much better
than they? . . . Shall He not much more clothe you?” (Matthew 6:26, 30).
 



Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21417?src=devo-email
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You Are Being Tested 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013blue18

By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

Rest assured that if you are trying to walk righteously before the Lord, you
are being tested. In fact, the deeper your walk with Christ, the more intense
your testing will be. Scripture makes this clear:

"The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. . . . Now
when they shall fall, they shall be [helped] with a little help. . . . And some
of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them
white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed"
(Daniel 11:32-35).

A great time of testing is coming upon "those of understanding." Just who are
these who will be tested? They are the righteous, those who do exploits for the
Lord, who walk with God and have the wisdom of Christ.

Right now, you may be asking, "Why am I being tested? Why is this happening to
me?"

Remember your school days? When a test in school was given, it revealed how
much you had actually learned of what you had been taught. Yet Paul spoke of a
different school, one where we are "learning Christ" and are "being taught by
Him, as the truth is in Jesus" (see Ephesians 4:20-21). If you belong to Jesus,
you are in His school. You may have thought you had graduated, but that will not
happen until you are in glory.

When I was in school, I hated "pop quizzes," unannounced tests. Yet the Lord
has told us to be ready to be tested at any time, and these tests will continue
until Jesus returns. All who love the Lord are going to go through fiery trials
and be purged of all that is not like Christ, in preparation for the wedding of
the Lamb.

David often spoke of being tested and tried: "I know also, my God, that thou
triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness" (1 Chronicles 29:17). "Thou
has proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me,
and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress"
(Psalm 17:3).

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21373?src=devo-email
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The Spirit That Conquers

Jan 01, 2013

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Read | Philippians 3: 7-14

Paul was a man with a spirit that conquered. Throughout his ministry, he faced countless obstacles but never gave up. He pictured the Christian life as a race, and we each need this same kind of spirit if we hope to finish well.

Courage: A conquering spirit is willing to risk failure. Though we naturally want to appear strong and capable, God delights in empowering us in our weaknesses so He gets the glory.

Confidence: We’re likely to stumble when we doubt our ability to do what God requires. However, when our confidence is placed in the Lord instead of in ourselves, we can move ahead, knowing that He’ll enable us to do His will.

Commitment: The Lord promises to: guide us as we run the race; provide whatever is needed; and strengthen us along the way. However, we must be committed to Him and determined to carry out His will.

Persistence: The road we’re traveling is full of distractions, opposition, and obstacles that tempt us to give up. That’s why Paul advises us to “press on” through hardships toward that which is of eternal value (v. 14).

Forward Focus: We must also forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead (v. 13). Those weighed down by baggage from the past lose sight of the goal.

The key to success in this race is an all-consuming desire to reach the goal. If we find no value in the prize, we’ll readily give up along the way and settle for the immediate gratification the world offers. But if we understand what awaits us at the finish line in heaven, we’ll press on.