The following is a collection of thoughts, revelations, and convictions collected during my devotional studies over the last couple of weeks. Most come from devotional readings of A. W. Tozer (Tozer on Leadership), Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest), and Andrew Murray (Abiding in Christ); a couple, directly from the Holy Spirit.
I pray one or more will encourage, edify, and equip you to become a better disciple maker and transformation agent in your spheres of influence. I pray also that they are witness to Proverb 25:2 – It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Whatever we think of Jesus Christ, it is not enough (Chambers, 1963). Of course, the same is true of our Father in heaven and the Holy Spirit. Perhaps we should give more time and attention to our thinking, that we would neither demean nor slander the Godhead in our prayers or in our representation of the Holy Trinity to others.
There are at least two areas where our subconscious thinking must be carefully examined. The first relates to our concepts of goodness. Are we good so God will answer? When we are good, do we expect God to be more responsive? Do we really think we are sufficient of ourselves for the goodness God desires?
We must not measure our spiritual capacity by education or intellect, but by the promises of God (Chambers, 1963). Moreover, God never answers prayer based on our goodness, but on His (Tozer, 2001). All good things come from the LORD. Would it not be more accurate to pray, “Thank you God for manifesting your goodness in me today?”
Secondly, we should examine ourselves when what we consider to be best for us is lacking. Are we qualified to make that determination? Like the servant who buried his talent, when we consistently fail at discerning and accomplishing God’s will, do we blame shift – “You expect too much of me. You have not given me the power to do it.”? If we get less than God wants us to have, before long we will slander Him (Chambers, 1963). Eventually, we may fall into the trap of allowing our carnal mind to excuse us from the effort altogether.
The secret of the prayer of faith is the life of faith – the life that abides in Christ alone (Murray, 2003). We must build our faith, not on the fading light (of men), but on the light that never fails (Chambers, 1963). Living from the faith and wisdom of others should be a temporary state; the faith and mind of Christ have been offered to all who will follow Him.
Prayer is, without a doubt, the most important spiritual discipline (Tozer, 2001). It touches, leads to, and/or completes every other discipline. Compromise in prayer compromises my relationship with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit – not just in my prayer time, but in every moment, encounter, act, and endeavor. Compromise in prayer compromises my spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health.
If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to manifest in us (Chambers, 1963). His personality and work far exceed what most have been taught. For example, He is the fruit-bearer, the gift-giver, and our transformer. He is our access to all knowledge – teaching us how to abide in Christ and His love, and how to pray effectually. Relationship with the Father and Son are impossible without the Holy Spirit.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Peter 1:2-4
I pray there is some truth here that will make you more free to pursue the divine nature with abandon. You may have to “go outside the camp, bearing His reproach (Hebrews 13:13)” to enjoy the fullness of them.
God bless you with the courage to do so.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen
Chambers, O. (1963). My Utmost for His Highest. Uhrichsville, OH; Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Murray, A. (2003). Abiding in Christ. Bloomington, MN; Bethany Houses Publishers.
Tozer, A. W. (2001). Tozer on Leadership. Bible Gateway; https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/tozer-on-leadership.