Yet people abound in the church who are praying for power and neglecting the Bible. Men are longing to have power for bearing fruit in their own lives and yet forget that Jesus has said: "The seed is the Word of God" (Luke 8:11).
They are longing to have power to melt the cold heart and break the stubborn will of those to whom they witness, and yet forget that God has said:
"Is not My Word like as a fire?...and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces." (Jer. 33:23:29).
If we are to obtain fullness of power in life and service, we must feed upon the Word of God. There is no other food so strengthening.
If we will not take time to study the Bible, we cannot have power, any more than we can have physical power if we will not take time to eat nutritious food.
God's Word Has Power to Convict of Sin. In Acts 2:37 we read. "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? "
If we look back and see what it was they had heard that produced this deep conviction, we find that it was simply the Word of God. If you will read Peter's sermon, you will find it one of the most biblical sermons ever preached.
It was Scripture from beginning to end. It was, then, the Word of God, carried home by the Spirit of God, that pricked them to the heart.
If you wish to produce conviction, you must give men the word of God.
God's Word Has Power to Regenerate. In James 1:18 we read, "Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."
In First Peter 1:23 we read, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
The process of regeneration on our side is the simplest thing in the world. On God's side it is mysterious, but with that we have nothing to do.
The process is this: the human heart is the soil; you and I are sowers. The Word of God is the seed which we drop into the soil.
God's Word Has Power to Produce Faith. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom. 10:17). You can never get faith by merely praying, nor can you ever get it by any effort of the will.
You can never get it by trying to pump it up in any way. Faith is the product of a certain cause, and that cause is the Word of God.
It is so for example with saving faith. If you want a man to have saving faith, simply give him something definite from God's Word upon which he can rest.
The Philippian jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30), and Paul answered: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31. But Paul did not stop there.
Read verse 32: "And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house."
They did not merely tell the Philippian jailer to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and then leave him floundering in the dark without giving him something to believe, or something for his faith to rest upon.
They gave that which God has ordained to produce faith.
[Taken from Herald of His Coming Newspaper, Vol. 75 No. 2 (890), front page, used by permission. Part 2 on this great work of R. A. Torrey is scheduled for the 17th of April]
Our thought today:
The book of Acts is the testimony of Jesus' gifts of the Holy Spirit's leading as the need arrived. The disciples could recognize His moving on Jews and Gentiles alike. There were physical manifestations.
The book of Acts is the testimony of Jesus' gifts of the Holy Spirit's leading as the need arrived. The disciples could recognize His moving on Jews and Gentiles alike. There were physical manifestations.
Our question today:
Are we asking/looking for Holy Ghost-lead physical manifestations in our churches today? Why not? Jesus is the same today!
Are we asking/looking for Holy Ghost-lead physical manifestations in our churches today? Why not? Jesus is the same today!
Let's pray-
Father, thank You, that You convict us of sin, as otherwise, we won't know when/how it offends Your holiness.
When I acknowledge my wrong actions, thoughts or words, help me repent and be determined with Your help to forsake them.
I understand that the reading and hearing of Your Word produces faith, so speak to my heart through it, however it comes to me.
May my heart receive Your instructions of conviction and acceptance that makes/keeps me in good relationship with You.
I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today’s Bible verses:
Ps. 36:9 "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light."
Ps. 68:11 "The LORD gave the word; great was the company of those that published it."
Today’s quote:
"By putting off a decision for Christ, you not only lose the immediate blessings of a deeply personal relationship with God now; you also risk future separation from Him for all eternity. Don't procrastinate! Some to Christ today: Acknowledge your sin, ask His forgiveness, and trust him as your Savior."
(Taken from IN TOUCH Daily Readings for Devoted Living / March 2016, p. 23 by Dr. Charles F. Stanley)
"By putting off a decision for Christ, you not only lose the immediate blessings of a deeply personal relationship with God now; you also risk future separation from Him for all eternity. Don't procrastinate! Some to Christ today: Acknowledge your sin, ask His forgiveness, and trust him as your Savior."
(Taken from IN TOUCH Daily Readings for Devoted Living / March 2016, p. 23 by Dr. Charles F. Stanley)
Upcoming posts:
22nd- Tuesday’s post by Wesley L. Duewel
#27 The Reality of Throne Life
24th- Thursday's post by Wesley L. Duewel
#28 You Sit Beside Christ on His Throne
26th- Saturday's post by Kim Damon
Taming the Tongue
27th- Sunday evening's post by James H. Cagle
Our Nation's at War
A popular post:
Praying Scripture Over Children
children rise up and call her blessed.
She is a “wife of noble character” (NIV),.."
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