The Warfare of the Spirit

Good Afternoon!

I enjoyed getting together with the local group today. We had a good discussion. Our next meeting is May 20, the week after Mother's day. Put it on your calendars now, so you can make it.

Also, the Women's day of prayer is on May 6 (the week before Mother's day). Please put that on your calendars as well. Invite a teen or young adult to come as well. Coming together corporately in prayer is important for us as a church. Pray for the men and boys as they come together in prayer this Friday, April 20.

Chapter 14 -- Christmas Reformation Long Overdue

This editorial was published December 25, 1957

If anything, Christmas displays have become more garish than they were in 1957. I guess they didn't have the ACLU complaining about public displays of Christmas in 1957.

We've always tried to put Christ first in Christmas, but we did do the Santa thing while the girls were young. We weren't planning to do that, but both sets of Grandparents kept asking Greta and Sarah about Santa when they were young. So...Santa brought them each one present, and we supplied the rest.
It kept the Grandparents off our backs, and kept Santa from being too important.

Also, while we're at it, what do you do about Halloween? It's not a religious holiday for Christians, but it's an important one for the Wiccans, and other pagans. Do you celebrate the secular version of it, or do you ignore it? We allowed Greta and Sarah to celebrate it at school (Halloween parade, etc. ) while they were in public school, but once we started homeschooling, we ignored Halloween altogether.

I think the bigger picture here is...how do we keep our religious celebrations intact when the secular version of the same holiday is all around us? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Perhaps this is good timing, since we've just finished with Easter.

Have a great week!

In Christ, Lisa

Yes there is a need for reformation of all holidays, not only Christmas. We live in such an affluent, materialistic culture and it is not easy to resist the drift to materialism in each day.

I think Tozer hit the "nail on the head" in the last paragraph of this chapter.

"What shall we do? Cultivate humility and frugality. Put the emphasis where the Bible puts it, on Christ at the right hand of God....Return to the simplicity that is in Christ."

This is not easy. It takes an intentioned effort to return to simplicity in this world of computers, cell phones, ipods, etc.. I think these things will intensify as we get closer to the return of the LORD, and so we must open our eyes and see what is happening and make a conscious effort to "cultivate this humility and frugality."

It certainly is swimming against the current to do this. It seems to me that today many believers do not even realize what is happening in our culture to draw us away from God and to the material things that are passing away.

As followers and believers we must meditate more on scriptures like:

Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in the fashion as man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore brethern, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God which is you reasonable service. And be not conformed to the world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

Humility, frugality and simplicity seem like worthy goals as I meditate on God's Word more and more.

Linda S.

I think you should celebrate the holidays as to what is in your heart and not what the world thinks is necessary. It is fine to buy gifts for friends and family because you want them to know how much you care for them. It is also OK to decorate for the holidays if you remember to put Christ in your decorations.

But to me the most important thing to do is to give to people in need. People you will never get a thank you from, but they will know a Christian cares enough to do something for them.

It may be the only time they hear about Christ.

I do know a Scrooge. He hates the holidays, all of them. I do feel sorry for him. Holidays give us special times to spend with loved ones and what more could you ask for.

So enjoy your holidays, I do.
God and I always have a good time.
Linda K.

Probably after I confess this, none of you will speak to me anymore!!! My confession is...I like Christmas! It is the most favorite time of the year for me. I know I shouldn't feel that way, but I do. I loved it as a kid and I still do! I worked for a company that's main retail selling was Christmas decorations...we would start advertising work in August already...you would think after ten years of that, I would be sick of it...but I'm not. I like the lights, and the trees and the candles, and yes even the cookies, and I know the meaning of it all has been lost. HOWEVER, this is not to say that it troubles me deeply that the birth of our Savior gets lost in all the 'stuff' of this important holiday.

After I read the chapter the second time, I thought to myself...why should we be surprised? yes, we should be greatly troubled...but not surprised. For EVERY truth of God...Satan has always had a counterpart. Therefore the fact that Christmas, as the world celebrates it, is so far from the truth of God... this should be no surprise to us. Satan is busy about his OWN business, trying to distract both his own children and God's children from the One True God.

I thought the contrasts he made on the bottom of pg. 56 and 57 were rather interesting. "Christ came to bring peace and we celebbrate His coming by making peace impossible for 6 weeks of ea. year. He came to free us of debt and many respond by going into debt ea. year to buy luxuries fo people..."

Perhaps in our own sinfulness we are crying out - unknown to ourselves, HOW MUCH WE REALLY NEED A SAVIOR. It made me think of my Jewish neighbor who though she claims she does not believe in Christ as I do, she herself testifies the very things that have been written in the N.T....Christ would be a stumbling block to the Jew, and she testifies of this and many other n.t. truths, with her very own lips, though she maintains she does not believe them.

We as God's children, should have pity on those who become drunk with the secularism of Christmas and any other thing that they choose to be filled with, other than God's Spirit. Of course, even worse than that, God must see His children who choose to be filled with other things, rather then the Spirit of God, as EVEN MORE PITIFUL then those who are lost, and do not know their right hand from their left.

Is that not what was written about Nineveh?? people who cannot tell their right hand from their left. I suppose there is a call here for righteous anger against those who exploit Christmas for their own benefit, and personal gain. And though we all know there was an incident (or was it two?) where Jesus showed righteous anger...there were MORE incidents where Jesus showed merciful pity on the lost, so what do you think we should show more of?

Also, while we're at it, what do you do about Halloween? It's not a religious holiday for Christians, but it's an important one for the Wiccans, and other pagans. Do you celebrate the secular version of it, or do you ignore it?
I enjoy the time of the year tremendously. I love the fall colors, and the fall smells and all the beauty of fall, and since Halloween falls in the middle of that time period....I can enjoy all those things even when the calendar says Oct. 31st. I have already given gospel tracts out with trick or treat goodies, although I am not always diligent about it.

I think the bigger picture here is...how do we keep our religious celebrations intact when the secular version of the same holiday is all around us? Maybe to keep in mind that the Lord Jesus seemed to use EVERY opportunity to glorify God...so instead of ignoring some holidays, and trying to be like an ostrich that sticks his head in the sand...may God grant us wisdom and opportunity to use these holidays to glorify and magnify Him.
Renee'

I agree with Renee'

Our family loves Christmas--esp. the kids! We use it as an opportunity to share the Gospel, as well as enjoy Christ's birth as family. It doesn't have to be about gifts and Santa. We give gifts and share that Christ gave so much to us, so we want to give to others to show His love. Santa does not come to our house--and if he does, it is just for fun. My husband and I have always felt that to tell our kids Santa is coming is just like lying.When they found out we lied to them--how will we explain it? So Santa is just like any other cartoon character.

We love to see the lights and decorations--it is adds excitement and beauty to the time of year. It will be neat to see it again while we are on Home Assignment :)

It has been nice to avoid most of the "rushing, hustle and bustle" as we live here in Africa, but sadly, you can see it creeping in more and more every year.

As for Halloween, all I care about is the candy :)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No seriously, it isn't celebrated here in Mombasa, so that is something I don't need to worry about at the time.

The most important thing to remember here is that in EVERYTHING we do, we need to do it for the honor and glory of the Lord!
Sandra

OK, at least I will not be the only one: I admit it, I love Christmas! I love presents! I love the decorations, the music, everything! I actually enjoy the change in seasons and decorating for all kinds of holidays. That said, I love God more. I try to have decorations that bring attention to God and we always (when applicable) talk about the real "reason" for whatever season we're celebrating. Most of our music is Christian (or classical), especially the "seasonal" music. And, needless to say, there is always an emphasis on extra church activities. Santa doesn't visit our house, much to my mother-in-law's distress. One year, Emily insisted on being really "into" Santa, but that interest died down since we didn't really feed into it. We don't exactly "celebrate" Halloween, but we do let the girls dress up in costumes (no witches, ghosts, or devils, etc), and trick-or-treat (free candy!).
Bethany

Although I really love Christmas, it is a challenge to keep focused on Christ amidst the busyness of the season. I can't say that I am always successful at it, and sometimes I even look forward to returning to the normal routine. However, Christmas brings opportunities - even if it's simply sending a Christ-centered Christmas greeting to people who need to know Jesus
Gayle

Chapter Fifteen

Background

Lift Your Glad Voices

This editorial was first published on March 26, 1958.

Psalm 100
¹Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
²Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
⁴Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

I can definitely identify with this chapter! I grew up in a liberal Presbyterian Church. I learned more doctrine from the hymns than I ever learned from the Minister. I still love singing the hymns, and there�s still passages in certain hymns that will bring tears to my eyes:

�Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here�s my heart O, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.�
(Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing)

It�s too bad that the Liberal Church has also watered down its hymnals.

While I also enjoy the newer praise songs, I find that most of them don�t reach the depth that the hymns do. I�m glad our church does a mixture of both.

Have a great week! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Lisa

If this was published in March 1958, I wonder what A.W. Tozer would publish today April 2007?

page 58-59 "In the hymns all the basic doctrines of the Christian faith are celebrated. Were the scriptures to be destroyed or made inaccessible to the Church, it would NOT be too difficult to extract from our hymns a complete body of Bible doctrine."

How sad for this younger generation because they have little or no knowledge of the great hymns of the faith. Perhaps this is the enemy's subtle way of taking truth from this younger generation. There is little scripture memory today as well as hymn singing. I was raised on hymns and memorizing the Word-(hiding it in my heart-Psalm 119:11). I am so thankful this was part of my life, yet I grieve that this is not part of the church today.

I agree that the newer praise songs fail to reach the depth of the old hymns.

Recently I heard Ravi Zacharis say one of the saddest things in the church today is that worship has been watered down to singing.

He then mentioned that worship should be a way of life as written in Romans 12:1-2

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present yourselves a living sacrifice unto God, holy acceptable which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable , and perfect will of God."

I have so many favorite hymns.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (Last stanza touches my heart everytime I sing it)

What language shall I borrow ~To thank Thee dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end.
O make me Thine forever, And should I fainting be,
Lord let me never never ~Outlive my love for Thee.
Linda S.

Sorry for the delay. I like to think about these things :-).

I like some of the old hymns, but I like a lot of the newer songs, too (although just a few times through is enough - I don't need to sing the same thing for 1/2 an hour!). I think a balance of both is the best thing, but also the most challenging thing for churches to manage. I wish more churches would try, though :-).

My favorite hymn to play is "Wonderful Grace of Jesus." It's just so fun & I can dress it up and really go to town! My most memorable hymn moment is when Dad made us paste all 5 (yes, 5) verses of "And Can It Be?" into the front of all the hymnals at church, since there were only 3 in there.

Have a great, warm, springy, sunny week!!
Bethany

I did read the chapter, and I agree with him that the old hymns seem to have much more scriptural content than some that are written today, that is not to say that there are none being written today with good scriptural content, though. When I think of the ol' hymns that were sung when I was a child, I think of my father glaring down at me, making me hold a hymnal. Once in a while, I would want to sing, but I worked hard to NEVER move my lips, IN CASE he may have seen them moving - - I didn't want him to have that satisfaction. Though I stood up, and sat down, when told to do so in church, though I held the hymnal open to the right page, in my heart...I was SITTING down when I was supposed to be standing up...and standing up when I was supposed to be sitting down. Though I held a hymnal in my hands every week, in my heart...my hands were held criss crossed in TOTAL DEFIANCE! I HATED CHURCH!!!...so I confess I have no wonderful, sweet feelings about singing hymns as a child. I hated to sing and worst of all...to sing in church I found repulsive!!!

So NOW, when I sing..whether it is a traditional hymn chocked full of scriptural content, or a contemporary hymn or chorus with scriptural content, ...MY HEART IS NEW AND HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED TO LOVE MY SAVIOR! Perhaps my heart doesn't grieve like some people's do, over the missing traditional hymns not being sung, but my heart leaps for joy that it is no longer defiant to God and what He has done for me! My heart rejoices NOW because He has changed me and made me to see His glory and grace! So whether I'm singing a traditional hymn or a contemporary praise song...it is all to His glory!!

HOPEFULLY, there are a lot of others like me out there...who wouldn't give God the time of day, but now have been lavished upon by His mercy, love and grace because God has given us His Son!! All to His glory, whether we're singing traditional - - or contemporary!! PTL we should sing! :)
Renee'

Guess I agree with Bethany too, liking a combination of the old and the new. It's kind of fun when reading through Scripture to "sing" a verse as I come to it. Yes, the old hymns have much Scriptural content, but many of the newer choruses are also lifted straight from the Bible.

My favourite is probably hearing Bethany play Wonderful Grace of Jesus. His grace is wonderful!

Heather

I am with Bethany on this :) A balance is definitely important.

On page 59 Tozer states, "Hymns do not create truth, nor even reveal it; they celebrate it. They are the response of the trusting heart to a truth revealed or a fact accomplished. God does it and man sings it. God speaks and a hymn is the musical echo of His voice."

I think this is true of any song that is focused on glorifying the Lord and remembering what He has done!

"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord"
Sandra

I love the old hymns and I am thankful for the people who wrote them. Many times when I am reading the bible, I see phrases that have been used in a hymn.

I don"t quite agree with Tozer - hymns may not be God"s inspired word as written in the bible, But I do believe the people who have written hymns were inspired by God to write them.

I do agree with Tozer that Sundays should be a holy day and we should try very hard to keep it as such.

I do things on Sunday, but I really try to do things I enjoy and not WORK things. I fail at this sometimes, but I keep trying.

PS - I like some of the new songs, but I enjoy old hymns the best.
Linda K.

I like both the old hymns and many of the new choruses. Once I get a little familiar with a new chorus, I find it to be a fresh way to worship. I am grateful that the choruses that we sing at church are God-oriented (some that you hear are not). However, if we were to give up the hymns, I would greatly miss them for their depth and for their familiarity. From a pianist's standpoint, some of the new choruses drive me crazy; I find some of the rhythms beyond my abilities. Probably my favorite hymn to sing if "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less" (both tunes). I like it because no matter how "up" or "down" I feel and no matter what is happening in my life, I can cling to my hope - Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me. My favorite hymn to play is probably "Victory in Jesus" - we have a fun accompaniment for the hymn, and the congregation really sings out.
Gayle

Chapter Sixteen

Background

Chapter 16 -- Laboring the Obvious

This editorial was published on May 21, 1958

�Sermons � should be �Crisp as biting into a fresh apple�� (page 64). What a great description!

I�ve been in a church where the Pastor loved the Lord, but couldn�t preach his way out of a paper bag (Romans 12:1 � for a year!) Thankfully, I�m not there now. I really appreciate the caliber of teaching at Grace.

Tozer points out that too many speakers repeat elementary truths, and he states the reason is �our failure to meet God in a living encounter.� (p. 65). Sadly, too many pastors get too busy with the business of running a church and forget to �live in the heart of God� (p. 65).

We too, can get into this rut. A few years ago I read a book by Joanna Weaver �Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life�. In Luke 10:38-42, we read the story of Mary and Martha. I�m sure it�s familiar to all of you. While we know that there�s stuff (good stuff, important stuff) to do, we need to remember to �choose what�s better� (Luke 10:42) and sit at the feet of Jesus when the opportunity presents itself.

Hmmm...I think I need to re-read that book.

How can you have a �Mary Heart in a Martha World?� How do you choose what�s better? I�d like to hear your thoughts.

Next Sunday (May 6) is our time of Prayer. Please join us as we set aside a portion of our day to approach the throne of God.

In Christ, Lisa

I, too, am thankful for the good preaching we have at GCC.

About this Mary and Martha thing - I feel like I've been busy being a Martha lately not spending much quality time at Jesus' feet, and, to be honest, have felt distant from the Lord. But what do you do when those things you are busy with really have to be done? What do you do when the things you are doing are supposed to be service to the Lord? Do you just quit?

I could use some advice.

Gayle

Could it be that some preachers "Labor the obvious" for the benefit of new believers and visitors? Are they teaching more "meat" in Sunday School classes, cell groups, and evening services? Should the preaching be more in depth and a special class aside for others? Should there be a balance in the service? I don't know.

But I do agree with Tozer about Paul's writings. So often,one can get excited when they know the text of the sermon, but end up sleeping or looking at the clock half way through.

It is always wonderful when the preacher speaks with passion and love.

To the Mary and Martha questions, How can you have a "Mary Heart in a Martha World?" How do you choose what's better?---

1 Cor. 10:31-33 states,"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or ,whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."

Col. 3 tells us, "...set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. ² Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. ³ For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory."

If we do everything in this way and rest in the Lord, we will have a "Mary heart" as we live and serve in this "Martha world" And ..NEVER QUIT!! There needs to be a balance in our life. We also need to set our priorities in order (God 1st!!! --spouse--children--work--then all other things.....)And church ministry is NOT considered in the God 1st category :)
Sandra

I don't usually do this, but I just have to say, "Yeah, what she said!" Sandra said it so well, why try to duplicate it?? :-)
Bethany

The sentence on P. 65 is a sad testimony... "Our tendency to repeat endlessly a half dozen basic doctrines is the result of our lack of prophetic insight and our failure to meet God in living encounter."

as the paragraph goes on ~ "the teacher who lives in the heart of God, reads scripture with warm devotion...."

Yes if we are too busy to meet with God in the scriptures daily we are too busy.

God speaks clearly through His Word and failing to meet with HIM is failing in the most basic relationship communications with our Living LORD.

I have gone through a day without having my quiet time with God, and I know something is missing.

Just like the manna was collected daily by those Israelites we MUST go daily to God's Word to feed on the living Bread of life. God never fails but shows me something new and exciting.

Not getting into the Word does cause me to grow stale and boring... it is almost like trying to drive my car on the fumes.

We MUST pray for those in the pulpit so they will not labor on the obvious, but will be fresh and filled with God's Spirit and His truth to challenge each new day without laboring on the obvious.
Linda S.

Chapter 16 was as boring as some sermons are.
I guess if you are expecting to be entertained then most sermons would be boring.
If you want to learn something then I find most sermons interesting. A pastor may not be the best speaker, but I have yet to hear a sermon where I did not learn something.
Linda K.

Chapter Seventeen

Background

I really enjoyed praying together at church today!
Don't forget, our next local meeting is on May 20, after church.

Chapter 17 -- Ability and Responsibility

This editorial was published on June 4, 1958

"For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. " Matthew 25:29

God gives us varying abilities, and various gifts. We are responsible for using those abilities and gifts to further the kingdom. I believe that our ability varies with our station in life. I have alot more time to use in service for the Lord than I did when the kids were small.

Mark 12:29-31 says:
Jesus answered him, �The first of all the commandments is: �Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: �You shall love your neighbor as yourself.� There is no other commandment greater than these.�

No matter where we are in life, we're to love the Lord with all that we have. Since we're also to love our neighbor, we shouldn't compare ourselves with others, either favorably or unfavorably. We should just do the work the Lord sets before us, and encourage our brothers and sisters to do the same.

How do we know what the Lord has set before us? By prayer and Bible Study, which is the way we find out God's will for our lives. "Every Christian who has this problem to face should prayerfully consider his larger responsibility in the light of his increased ability." (p. 71)

I like his final sentences: "While the size and the amount of fruit a life bears will vary with the individual, the quality is expected to be equal with all. To be holy is the duty and privilege of every true Christian. Ability is something else and the two should never be confused." (p. 72)

I'm looking forward to hearing your comments on this chapter. Have a great week!

In Christ, Lisa

Wow, this chapter had a lot in it!

First, on taxes: sometimes I think our government does imposes more than we can pay! But then I do appreciate all that is ours in this country of protection, good roads (before you complain about our potholes, visit Russia!), public parks, etc., etc.

p. 70 "The heathen are not innocent before they have heard the gospel, but their responsibility is vastly increased after they have heard it". Now there's a scary thought for those to whom we've witnessed numerous times! It is not our responsibility to get them saved. But they are responsible if they continue to reject God's grace.

Now about money, always a touch subject! Certainly we can and must use some of the money God has blessed us with to help others here and abroad, "laying up treasures in heaven". But how much is enough to live on? What should be our standard of living? We have a modest house and live simply, but look in our garage and see two cars and two boats! I believe the answer is that we should live within our income and agree before the Lord what we do with all of our money and what our "standard of living" is. Then just stop, and not be coveting what our neighbour has, nor criticizing how other Christians live. We must each answer for ourselves.

I love Tozer's expression: "from the largest sheep the shepherd expects the most wool". I have sometimes complained when I feel too much is expected of me. To which my husband replies "from everyone who has been given much shall much be required". God has blessed me with many abilities. As 1 Peter 4:10 says:"as each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God".

In the last paragraph, Tozer reminds us that though our abilities vary, the quality of what we do for the Lord should be equal with all. "To be holy is the duty and privilege of every true Christian."

Lots of good reminders here, bringing me humbly before the Lord.

Heather

This chapter was very convicting. Tozer's statement on the bottom of p.70, top of page 71 was quite thought provoking.

"To use increase income to feed the flesh and enjoy greater luxuries is perfectly natural- and that is precisely why it is wrong; it accords with fallen human nature and is of the essence of selfishness and sin."

How we have sinned as a nation by our vast consumption of resources and drowning in all the materialism our increase of income affords.

I like how Tozer challenged us as believers... p.71 "Every Christian who has this problem to face should prayerfully consider his responsibility in the light of his increased ability."

The scripture quoted Romans 12:3 is equally convicting...
Sometimes we do not think soberly...
too often we think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think.
Linda S.

Yes, I agree with Heather..there sure is a lot packed in to this chapter. The first few paragraphs make me cringe...when I think of the responsibility before so many lost people we all know. Oh, if we could only do something about it!

pg. 70 forces all of us to ask this question...WHY do I want to earn more money? (and NO ONE would ever say you'd like to earn less...has anyone ever said that?) It seems to me there are two reasons...

1.)For my own personal enjoyment (going beyond the basic necessities)
2.)For the expansion of God's kingdom...which means...for the enjoyment of God in the lives of others, which incidentally will produce in me, a personal, intimate and ULTIMATE ENJOYMENT that no money could ever buy ...YES...ENJOYMENT in Christ Jesus, by being counted a privileged one in the work of His kingdom.

I see at the end of pg. 70, dated stuff is showing again. Tozer equates the desire to feed the flesh with great luxuries as perfectly natural....but he calls this WRONG!! How often do we Christians live up to something that is 'natural' as wrong? Today it seems, many of us Christians will say ...if its natural, it is normal. (not wrong) and at best, God understands..This is normal, human way. And after all, God made us the way we are, so how would God feel towards us other than understanding? How could He get angry over something He's made, anyway.

It is a humbling thought, that indeed, more wool is expected from a larger sheep. Not that I'm one of the larger ones, but we are expected in proportion to what God CAN expect of us.

Last page, "opportunities, talents, holy, duty, privilege" to name a few...

So God gives us opportunities, privileges...so why do I grumble when God lays before me an opportunity for His names sake to be glorified? We are so drunk with self-absorption because we are so self -centered, we can't even walk a straight line....for Christs sake. But instead we ask 'whats in it for me?".
Renee'

This chapter made me think of the church body. And the passage in 1 Corinthians...

"... But now indeed there are many members, yet one body... those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ..."

God has given each of us different gifts--but we all serve the same Lord. It is our responsibility to use these gifts in a way that pleases the Him--to edify the body and enable the church body to function properly and shine the Love of Christ. We should NOT compare our abilities or gifts, but rather focus on our responsibility to God--to use what talents He has blessed us with--the best we can for His glory.

Tozer summarizes this topic beautifully on pg. 72."The size of a man's mind, the opportunities he enjoys and the talents he has received determine his responsibility to God and his fellow men...
TO BE HOLY IS THE DUTY AND PRIVILEGE OF EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN.
Ability is something else and the two should never be confused."
Sandra

I cannot agree with the statement that a government would not demand more of its citizens than they are able to pay. This maybe was true when the article was written, but it is not so anymore. We pay way too many taxes and our government does not seem to care at all.

To use increased income to feed the flesh. That is why it is wrong. I have tried this before I was saved. It might fill up your house, but it does not make you happy.

Using your gifts to help others, your church etc. is the best feeling one can have. I usually don't think about getting a reward for it in heaven. I just fell a satisfaction that I have done something God wanted me to do. Sometimes I just do it and don't even think of anything else.

It would be ashamed for someone to waste the gifts God has given them.
Linda K.

Hi!

I'm a little behind, but I still wanted to respond to Chapter 17.

This was a convicting chapter! In thinking about the verses in this chapter such as Romans 12:3 and 1 Peter 4:11, I was thinking I wonder what affect my life would have had and could have if I truly gave all of my time, talents, and money for the Lord and used all the opportunities properly that He has given me. I realize that that does not mean spending all of my time at church and putting all of my money in the offering plate, but truly using all He has given me in the way He would want me to use it. To me, that is a sobering thought.

I have found it freeing to give more rather than spend on myself. Although I won't say that I never think "I would like this or that", I have those thoughts less since I can see more and more that spending money on things only means that I will have more things to maintain. How much better to give to God's kingdom where "moth and rust do not corrupt" and eternal good will be done.

Gayle

Chapter Eighteen

Background