The Warfare of the Spirit

It was good to get together in the local group today! Our next meeting will be on August 12.

Let’s keep Heather, Pastor, Pam and Jen in prayer as they leave for Russia on Saturday!

Chapter 26 – The Easter Emphasis

This editorial was first published on March 25, 1959

We’ve gone from Christmas to New Year’s to Easter! Easter has always been my favorite holiday. After the sorrow of Holy week, to come into the joy of Easter!

1 Cor 15:55: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

In our neck of the woods, the old order Mennonites celebrate Ascension day in a big way. Their shops are closed and they have church services that day. Maybe they have it right…even more important than Jesus’ Resurrection is his Ascension and the fact that He is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, His church.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

In Christ, Lisa

This chapter on THE EASTER EMPHASIS really encouraged my heart and mind regarding Jesus and His redemptive work. The 3 major epochs are mentioned on p. 107. His birth, death and His subsequent elevation to the right hand of God.

I was blessed by the reminder on page 109 (middle)

" His appearance at the mercy seat is not history past, but a present, continuing fact, to the instructed Christian the most glorious fact his trusting heart can entertain." I must confess that sometimes I do forget that Jesus is interceding for each of us believers there at the mercy seat of God.

What a joy and blessed assurance of His continued love and great grace and care.

This truth was confirmed on p. 110 "but the crown of all our hopes is with Him at the Father's right hand."

I also was blessed by the last two paragraphs of the chapter. It quotes Matthew 28:18 and states "our risen Lord before He went up on high, and the first Christians believed Him and went forth to share His triumph."

My heart's prayer is Acts 4:33 "With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all".

Linda S.

What a good chapter!

I can't speak for what the rest of Christendom focuses on, but it sure made me reflect on where my emphasis is. Before I was saved, my thoughts about Christ focused on His birth and life - the rest I couldn't grasp. When I became a Christian, my focus changed to include Jesus' substitutionary death for me. As I grew in the Lord, I have come to more fully understand the importance of Christ's resurrection as it shows that He has conquered death, proves that we have a living savior, validates all of His claims, justifies us, and probably much more. However, as I read the chapter, it showed me that I do not often focus on what Christ is doing now at the right hand of the Father and that I do not often enough think about His coming again.

Gayle

This was a good reminder not to forget the importance of Easter morning. Truthfully, Christmas is my favorite holiday and Easter tends to get buried among all the "stuff" that has to get done and trying to keep the bunnies at bay. Obviously, there could be no Easter without Christmas, but the significance of Christmas would be lost without Easter.

Bethany

Question...pg. 109..."Indeed, N.T. theology nowhere presents the Christ child as an object of saving faith."??????

A few incidents came to mind...when Simeon took the infant Jesus into his arms and said "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace...For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel."

And it says of Anna...."And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

and to Joseph the angel said..."And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

aren't these incidents where the infant Jesus was being acknowledged as the Savior of the world. Why am I confused with this, it doesn't seem to run parallel with Tozer's statement.

I did like what Tozer said "The glory of the Christian faith is that the Christ who died for our sins ROSE again for our justification."

The word that really stuck out to me was ROSE...
there were and continue to be babies born in poverty,
there were and continue to be innocent men killed for crimes that they never committed.

BUT there has NEVER BEEN A MAN RISEN FROM THE DEAD and has OVERCOME DEATH. So we see WHY it is the most importance of the RESURRECTION of our Savior that seperated all other religions from Christianity.

Renee'

In regard to Simeon and Anna and any others who recognized Jesus as the Messiah at His first coming, I believe they recognized Him as just that - the promised Savior. However, at that point in history He had not been crucified nor had risen. They, as well as OT saints did not know how their (and our) salvation would be accomplished - only that it would somehow happen because God had promised it.

At this point in history, however, we know what happened as it is recorded in the Bible, and, therefore, we need to believe the whole truth about Jesus as recorded in God's word. It sort of reminds me of Apollos who was preaching about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:24-25). Priscilla and Aquila filled him in on the whole story, and he was used greatly by God.

Gayle

Chapter 26 Easter Emphasis

I think we have to start at the manger in order to get to the cross.
We have to include his teachings and miracles.
We need to know why he went to the cross.
Otherwise Easter would make no sense.
Especially for the unbeliever.

Once we are saved our emphasis must be on why he died , what he accomplished by dying and what a wonderful future he gave to all who believe in him.

Linda K.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Background

Thanks for all the activity on Chapter 26! I enjoyed your posts.

Keep Heather, Pastor, Pamela and Jen in prayer as they minister in Russia this week and next.

Also, start thinking about a good Sunday in September for the women at church to get together and pray. I'd especially like to remember the kids as they go back to school, and for our children's programs at Grace. It will also be a good time to praise God for His answers to prayer since our May prayer gathering!

On to Chapter 27: The Teachings of Christ are for Christians.

This was first published on April 8, 1959.

I started this chapter, and as I read on, I kept saying to myself, "He has it all wrong! We're not going to destroy ourselves with nuclear weapons! That's not in the Bible!" Then I read his line on page 112: "We know well enough that such a catastrophe will never occur." Whew, I was starting to get disappointed in Tozer.

It's interesting to read an article written during the height of the cold war, now that we're in a post-Soviet world. In many ways, we're in more danger now, than when this article was written. Now, instead of world wide annihilation, the possibility exists of a localized nuclear attack. No matter what happens, we can depend on God, and His care for us, and our home in heaven.

I can't say I agree with his title for this chapter. The teachings of Christ are for the world. For Christians, they are sweet. For non-Christians, they are harsh.

Matt: 10:34 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

2 Peter 3:7 "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."

Men will be judged according to what they did with the Word of God here on earth.

Enjoy your week. I'd love to hear your comments on this chapter!

In Christ, Lisa

Chapter 27
Teachings of Christ are for Christians

I agree with Tozer that man will not be wiped out by nuclear bombs or Jesus would have no reason to come back for the living.
He could just raise the dead.
I do think that Jesus's teachings are for everyone to hear.
I don't know of anyone who would disagree with Thou shall not murder or Thou shall not steal except for the murderer or the thief.
Our country alone would be alot better off if the 10 commandments were still in the public eye.
Jesus talked to everyone, it was and still is their choice to listen.
Linda K.

p.113
"The West, it is true, pays lipservice to Christianity, but selfishness, greed, ambition, pride and lust rule the rulers of these lands almost to a man. While they will now and then speak well of Christ, yet the total quality of their conduct leaves little doubt that they are not much influenced by His teachings."

Thought this was an interesting quote. This can be true of Christians also.

I pray each of us as believers will be influenced by Christ's teachings and let His spirit flow through us and thus show Christ alive and well today in us.

As a child in VBS I learned a song that said...

"what you do speaks~ so loud that the world can't hear what you say.
They are looking at your walk, not listening to your talk.
They are judging by your actions everyday.
Don't believe you'll deceive, by claiming what you've never known
They'll accept what they see and know you to be~
They'll judge by you life alone."

I pray that the teachings of Christ will greatly show in my life.

I do agree heartily with the last paragraph of this chapter...

"It might be well for us Christians to listen less to the news commentators and more to the voice of the Spirit, And the inspired prophets will prove a fine antidote to the uninspired scientists."

Linda S.

As I read this chapter, I thought of the many times we, as Christians, look at the world's actions and shake our heads because those actions are so contrary to the teachings of God's word. Yet, should we be surprised? Since the world does not recognize Jesus as Lord, is it any wonder that the world is the way it is? Rather we should be appalled to look at how far short we, as Christians who claim Christ as Lord, fall from living as He want us to. We, who have the Holy Spirit, often choose to disobey, how much more so will the unsaved (as individuals and in groups) not live up to the standards of Jesus' teachings even when they say the ideals of those teachings are correct (Golden Rule, etc.).

Gayle

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Background

Chapter 28 -- The Decline of Good Reading

First published on April 22, 1959

**sigh**

I’m sorry, I like reading Christian fiction. I read heavier Christian works as well, and I read the Bible too. I think of it the same way I think of dessert…it’s a nice addition, but I can’t make a steady diet of it.

I think that this chapter is basically a rant against Christian fiction. Are there better things to read? Yes. But there are certainly worse things to read as well. Should we be reading Christian classics more? Probably. They certainly challenge us.

I read The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer two years ago while we were reading Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. Both books were very challenging to me. Certainly more challenging than the books by Beverly Lewis that I read this year. I think that I can find time for both levels of reading in my life.

This was one of those chapters that didn’t do much for me.

I’d like to hear your comments on this one.

In Christ, Lisa

GASP!

Yes, I actually am replying to this week's post. I like Christian fiction because I can read it and not have to worry about bad language and racy scenes. It's kinda like watching the Disney Channel. It maybe really predictable but you know that its gonna be clean! Its also a nice way to relax before going to bed, and I won't feel guilty if I forget it the next day.

Emily

OUCH! OK, I really did not think much of the chapter this week. I, too, really like Christian fiction. I find it a way to relax, unwind, and forget about everyday life. I'm certainly not getting my doctrine from fiction, and I've got a whole shelf of Christian living books, too. As long as I don't read fiction exclusively or count on it for growth, I don't see what the harm is.

Bethany

I agree with Lisa.

I, too, enjoy reading good, Christian fiction. In fact, I admit, it's one of my favorite ways to relax. I agree with Tozer in that some Christian fiction is not worth reading and that sometimes the literary value is rather low. Reading Christian fiction should never replace Bible reading, and reading classic (I'm not sure if that's the proper word) Christian literature is certainly of far more spiritual value than reading novels. However, there are times when I just want to relax, and that's when I enjoy good, Christian fiction (sometimes some truly good not-necessarily Christian fiction as well). I have sometimes even found that my spiritual thinking is stretched by some of those books as the characters may face challenges that I have not faced.

I think discretion is important. Maybe some good questions to ask about any book are things like:

Does this encourage godly thoughts?
Am I spending too much time with this?
Am I neglecting more important things?

I also think this is a matter of personal preference. Some people just don't like fiction (or certain kinds of fiction)! Some people don't like participating in sports either!

OK, so maybe this hit a nerve with me! It will help to keep me on my toes.

Gayle

I did not realize Tozer was refering to Christian fiction when I read this chapter.
I just thought it was sad that he had never read a good Christian book.
There are alot of good christian authors who tell stories to help you to understand what they are talking about.
Max Lucado for one.
I love his books and I have cracked up laughing some times at some of the stories he tells.

As for Christian fiction, I myself do not like reading it.
I was given a book one time by a friend and I started reading it, but it did not teach me anything so I put it away and went on to something else.
I think with my background those books are just too calm for me.

But if you enjoy them, keep reading them.
God wants us to enjoy ourselves and there is alot worse you could read.
Just remember there are stories in the bible too.

As for me, when I want some fun I play Sudoku or a computer game.
They may not teach me anything, but they keep my mind sharp.
And they are good stress relievers for me.

Variety in your life is what makes it worth getting out of bed each morning.

Linda K.

Hi all!!!! Sorry I have been behind. Between sickness and no internet access--it has been hard, but I have been reading. Thank you all for your wonderful comments :)

I will begin with this weeks chapter--28

This topic is just a matter of preference--or maybe even conviction. If you feel strongly against it, like it appears Tozer does--then don't read it.

As for me, I also agree with Lisa

I don't read too much Christian fiction--since my time is limited, but when I have gotten the chance they have been nice to read.

Along with Gayle's questions (which were Excellent by the way and should be asked with everything we read--or do!!):

Does this encourage godly thoughts?
Am I spending too much time with this?
Am I neglecting more important things?

We could go deeper and ask--Am I replacing my quiet time with this book?
What is this book teaching me about living a godly life? Is it helping me grow in the Lord? Does it glorify Him?

Anyway--there are many to ask, but I think Gayle hit the nail in the head :)

Sandra

What can I say about chapter 28? Lisa said "Sigh" and I confess...when I read it...for once...I wanted to jump ten feet up in the air and yell a loud..."YES!" to Tozer~~ but now that I've seen all your emails coming in I know for sure...I REALLY MUST BE NUTS! (I currently misplaced the Tozer book, so I can't comment on anything specific) What can I say? I agree with him wholeheartidly....will anyone ever speak to me again? sigh.

Lisa wrote..."This was one of those chapters that didn't do much for me." and I confess this chapter is one of the few that DID speak to me.

My opinion is...there are so many TRUE stories, why read a made up one? There are so many books about saints that have gone before us that stir and inspire even little ol' me, why should I waste my time reading about nonexisting people? I do recall Piper writing that everyone should be in the habit of reading an old, and difficult book once in a while, it is good for us and stretches us.

I always hated reading as a kid...but once God saved me..my hunger and thirst for God grew more and more and I always wanted to read something that would challenge me, make me a better Christian, vs. simply being entertained.

I am so thankful for our pastor who spurred me on by introducing me to some Christian biographies and more difficult books. I may not get a whole lot out of a difficult book, but if I just get one thing out of it, I have learned something that I would not have otherwise learned. I remember about 10 years ago Pastor LaShell gave me an old autobiography on DL Moody...and it really changed my life and outlook. To read about people that seemed so unlikely, and how God did such mighty things through a simple person that was obedient...I find very few other things that can match that. I really am a very unintelligent person, so these old books opened up a new world of strengthening faith and history that I was clueless about before.

A few months ago an unsaved friend of mine gave me two fiction secular books to read and I read them, for the sake of Christ. What an interesting ministry towards the unsaved, I've concluded! I would have never read those books of my own choice but because I am willing to do so much more for the sake of an unbeliever to enter the kingdom, I decided it was a good thing to do - - read the book. I do recall, as one of the books was simply a light and entertaining story...that I was thinking how easy and unconvicting it is to read such books...and how it can become a habit to not be held accountable.

Am I offended that Christians like to read fiction? No, of course not, although I probably have haggled a few just for the fun of it! I just don't quite understand why they want to, when there is so many real events to read about. To me it is like being satisfied with the crumbs, while the Lord has spread a banquet table before us to take of! So that is my take on Tozers writing this week. Is there anyone still out there that will speak to me? Renee'

Well, Renee, thanks for making us fiction readers feel so unspiritual!! You are NOT UNintelligent (you know 2 negatives make a positive). Personally, I think it takes more concentration and commitment to read biographies of great Christians and theology books, which is a good thing to cultivate. Maybe I am just too lazy to want to cultivate my mind at 10 p.m. before I go to bed, which is about the only reading time I have. I suppose I will still talk to you when I'm up for a visit :-).

Bethany

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Background

Welcome home Kathy! I hope you had a good time in Indiana! Pray for Emily, Jen and Renee, as they're on a missions trip to Rochester this week. Also, keep Heather and the Russian team in prayer as they're on their way home.

Don't forget, the local group meets on Sunday afternoon, August 12, and Sunday afternoon, September 9. Also, I'd like to have some feedback from you folks as to a good Sunday in September to get together in prayer. Which works better for you folks, September 16 or September 23?

Chapter 29 -- The Way of the Cross

This was first published on May 20, 1959

I was a bit dismayed last week, but Chapter 28 sure elicited a lot of discussion! A big "Thank You" to everyone who wrote last week!

I agree with Tozer this week. I think too many people do not allow their faith to interfere with their "private lives". Too bad they don't realize that with an omniscient God, they have no "private lives". God sees everything!!

David Jeremiah said, in his book "Life Wide Open" that "We all have as much of God as we truly want". Do we control our destiny, or do we let God control it? Do we limit God in our lives because we don't want to step out in faith?

On page 120 Tozer alludes to Revelation 3:15-16: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

I don't want to be luke warm, but too often, I let the cares of this world get in my way. I like to place emphasis on the word "daily" in Luke 9:23: "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." If I fail to take up my cross today, tomorrow, I have another chance to do so.

I'm not sure that I agree with Tozer's statement on page 122: "But we must not get the impression that the Christian life is one continuous conflict, one unbroken irritating stuggle against the world, the flesh and the devil." I think we do continuously struggle against the world. That's not to say that we don't have joy and peace through Christ, but that joy and peace is with God, not the world. I find in my own life, if I'm getting along with the world, it's at the expense of my walk with God.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this chapter.

Have a great week!
In Christ, Lisa

Chapter 29

When religion is permitted to interfere with our private lives.

I guess that depends on what kind of life you want to live.

Religion does not interfere with my life.
It has only made my life better.

Yes it has made changes in my life, but they are all good things. I guess the only thing I sometimes miss is my old world of friends who I never see anymore, because we do not have anything in common. They are part of the world I left behind when I got saved.

But my life is good now. God is with me everyday, all day. The changes I have made have made me a much better and nicer person. My priorities have changed, and that is great.

I don't care what the world thinks, I do what I need to do and if they don't understand then it is their problem. I really don't seem to have a problem with the world interfering in my walk. That might be because I lived in the world for 43 years, what does it have to offer me that I have not already done ?

That is not to say that I live a perfect Christian life. I make mistakes everyday and I disappoint God constantly. But I try to learn and I try not to repeat mistakes over and over again. So he knows I am trying, and he is not looking for perfection or he would not have saved ME !!!!!
It took him 13 years to get me saved, he knew I would be a slow learner.

I think most real Christians are way to hard on themselves. They expect more from themselves than God does.

The people I feel sorry for are the ones who go to church every week, but do not have a relationship with God or Jesus at all. They will be so very disappointed when they do not get into heaven.

Linda K.

On page 120 Tozer alludes to Revelation 3:15-16: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

"God Himself is all fire; and His Church, if it is to be like Him, must also be as white heat." -E.M Bounds

I'm not sure that I agree with Tozer's statement on page 122: "But we must not get the impression that the Christian life is one continuous conflict, one unbroken irritating stuggle against the world, the flesh and the devil." I think we do continuously struggle against the world. That's not to say that we don't have joy and peace through Christ, but that joy and peace is with God, not the world. I find in my own life, if I'm getting along with the world, it's at the expense of my walk with God.

Hmmmm....so when we are out there loving the sinners of the world, it is not considered getting along with the world, because when we are loving the sinners of the world, it is NOT done at the expense of my walk with God, but it is done BECAUSE of my walk with God.

Another thought...what about Jesus? did He get along with the world? Had an interesting conversation with a Christian the other day.Our conclusion was...the only people that Jesus rebuked were....the Pharisees. All others He showed unconditional love, but to the Pharisees, who knew better, He had harsh words for.
Renee'

This chapter brought to my mind much to consider. How do we, as children of the Lord, live out our lives? What do we value most?

Where I live, religion is not an interference, but rather a "way of life" Can this be said of most Christians? Or is it a bother us?

As part of our ministry, we began a class for believers on how to effectively reach out to Muslims w/o building barriers , but instead build bridges to lead them to Christ. This issue was brought up--Muslims see Christians as people who go to church then go home and "live their life" as they please. Are we guilty of this? Is this because we are letting our flesh gain control--are we living the lukewarm life? As Tozer said, we do live in this world--but are we living for the world or for Christ? Let all we do glorify HIM and HIM alone. Let's live so that others may see HIS love shine in and through us. What joy we will feel--

I like Tozer's closing "A heart that learns to die with Christ soon knows the blessed experience of rising with Him, and all the world's persecutions cannot still the high note of holy joy that springs up in the soul that has become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit." (pg 122)
Sandra

This was one of Tozer's most challenging chapters in the book. It is a challenge as stated on p. 119
"to look into our own hearts."

I do like the middle paragraph on p.121
"Let a man become enamored of Eternal Wisdom and set his heart to win her (truth), and he takes on himself a full-time, all engaging pursuit. Thereafter he will have room for little else. Thereafter his whole life will be filled with seekings and findings, self-repudiations , tough disciplines and daily dyings as he is being crucified unto the world and the world unto him.

Were this an -unfallen world the path of truth would be a smooth and easy one."

Last few words on p. 121
"the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary one to the other."

I am sure you heard the testimony of the native African who gave his heart to the LORD on what it was like when he became a Christian. He said before he became a Christian a black dog lived in his heart. Then when he became a Christian a white dog came to live in his heart. The white dog and the black dog fight.

The person interviewing the man said who wins the fight and his answer was it is the dog that he feeds.

I experience those two dogs daily, the flesh and the spirit.
I try to feed my spirit the truth so that the white dog will win.

It is a daily battle.
Linda S.

Chapter Thirty

Background