DISCIPLE

  In Matthew 22:21, our Lord gave a very important instruction.   “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” There is a clear division between Caesar –human government—and God. According to Romans 13, we indeed have a responsibility to the government. But it pales in comparison to our greater responsibility to God. When Christ spoke those words, they were a rebuke to Israel, which had abandoned its responsibility to God and as a result had become the tail, not the head, of the nations. The coin with Caesar’s inscription, in daily use in Israel, showed that they were under Rome, a Gentile government. Like the fourth beast of Daniel 7—the Roman Empire—Caesar ruled because God had established it that way. That coin with Caesar’s likeness, found in Jewish pockets, was itself a violation of the second commandment against the making of any image or likeness of anything (Ex. 20:4; Rom. 1.23).   In effect, the Lor...

Beloved friends, it becomes to the believer the prevailing character of his life to please God. That is a beautiful testimony that is borne concerning Enoch: "Before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:5). Many have not yet even thought of doing such a thing as this, and there are some who may have thought of it who perhaps have not yet attained to it. But what a blessed thing it is for a man to be brought so to trust in the Lord Jesus, so to seek the glory of the Savior, so to yield his will to God's will, and so to feel that God is his all and in all, that he comes to please God! You know what it is to be pleased with your child and pleased with what he has done. it is not perfect. From your standpoint you can see many imperfections, but still it is most acceptable as coming from your child. He has done it with all his heart, and you are well pleased with him. Well now, that should be the prevailing character, and it is the prevail...

      Often hindsight is filled with painful “If onlys.” If only Eve had not eaten of the fruit of the tree. If only Joshua had sought the will of the Lord before attacking Ai. If only Saul had done what the Lord directed Him concerning the Amalekites. The list could go on and on.      In our own experience maybe we look back and say the same thing. “If only I had followed my parents advice.” “If only I had studied harder.” “If only I had thought before I spoke.” “If only I knew more about the effects of abortion.” “If only I had not watched those immoral soap operas.” “If only we had spent more time preparing our children for spiritual success.” “If only we invested in eternity more.”      Nowhere will “If only” be more painful than in the eternal lake of fire. “If only I had read the Bible.” “If only I had believed the Gospel when I heard it.”      Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Let...

This chapter first appeared in The Alliance Witness in 1937. Twenty-three years later (1960) it was reprinted because, said Dr. Tozer, "apparently it had little or no effect, for the conditions it describes have grown increasingly worse year by year. And to make matters still more serious, crippled churches have now been accepted as normal. . . . When will this abuse end?" The article has been widely circulated since then and still bears repeating. [Note: it is more needful than ever in 2018 when practically all semblance of Christian faithfulness has disappeared and churches have become entertainment and cultural centers. It is doubtful that many give more in offerings to the Lord than what they spend on annual vacations, or show as keen an interest in Christian growth and sacrifice as they do in "fun" and "relaxation." In 1937 When Tozer wrote his article, some churches suspended the evening service in the summer months, and in 1960  when he reprint...

Only One Life By C.T. Studd (1860-1931) Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past,  Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done ...

by Alan Summers (Scotland) This is a subject that divides Christians. Some believe that a Christian should be involved in politics so that the Christian's view of the world and Christianity's moral values can be brought to bear on the legislative process. Others believe that Christians should not be involved in politics because the aims of Christianity are not political. They feel that since Christians will never command the support of the majority, there is little point in trying to influence a process that can never conform to Christian values. Who is right?      In New Testament times authority was largely in the hands of kings whose authority was based on hereditary right or military power. Rome may have had its Senate and Israel its Sanhedrin, but parliaments elected by the citizens of a country were completely unknown. Hence when we read passages that discuss the Christian's relationship with "the powers that be" (Rom. 13:1), we will not find gu...

  The politicians couldn't say this truthfully! Nor the actors or the professional athletes. But never mind them. What about us? What if we had to choose? It's one thing to sing it, another to live it. 1. I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be His than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand. Chorus: Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin's dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today. 2. I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame. I'd rather be true to His holy name. 3. He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He's sweeter than honey from out the comb; He's all that my hungering spirit needs. I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead. by Rhea F. Miller, 1922   ...

DISCIPLESHIP IN THE HOME CHAPTER ONE   If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother,  and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.   Luke 14:26 He exclaimed, “A typical politician!  His stand on the issues depends upon where he is and who he is with. It’s like his lips are sewn together in the middle so that he can talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time!” This expresses the frustration felt by many people over what is called “double-talk”. What a contrast, and what a blessing to be a Christian and belong to a God who never changes and never says anything insincerely. If we can only learn the mind of God on a subject, then we have a basis for behavior in that area for all time. Don’t worry, God will not change His mind! But upon reading the following portions of Scripture concerning the family, one could be excused for doubting!   (1) "So God cr...