Morning and Evening with A.W. Tozer
Morning Devotional for January 6, 2026
A.W. Tozer... View MoreMorning and Evening with A.W. Tozer
Morning Devotional for January 6, 2026
A.W. Tozer
Those Sanctifying Effects of Suffering
Instant Christianity tends to make the faith act terminal and so smothers the desire for spiritual advance. It fails to understand the true nature of the Christian life, which is not static but dynamic and expanding. It overlooks the fact that a new Christian is a living organism as certainly as a new baby is, and must have nourishment and exercise to assure normal growth. It does not consider that the act of faith in Christ sets up a personal relationship between two intelligent moral beings, God and the reconciled man, and no single encounter between God and a creature made in His image could ever be sufficient to establish an intimate friendship between them. By trying to pack all of salvation into one experience, or two, the advocates of instant Christianity flaunt the law of development which runs through all nature. They ignore the sanctifying effects of suffering, cross carrying and practical obedience. They pass by the need for spiritual training, the necessity of forming right religious habits, and the need to wrestle against the world, the devil and the flesh. Undue preoccupation with the initial act of believing has created in some a psychology of contentment, or at least of non-expectation. To many it has imparted a mood of disappointment with the Christian faith. God seems too far away, the world is too near, and the flesh too powerful to resist. Others are glad to accept the assurance of automatic blessedness. It relieves them of the need to watch and fight and pray, and sets them free to enjoy this world while waiting for the next. Instant Christianity is twentieth century orthodoxy. I wonder whether the man who wrote Philippians 3:7-16 would recognize it as the faith for which he finally died. I am afraid he would not.
Bible Verses: Philippians 3:7-16
Evening Devotional for January 6, 2026
A.W. Tozer
SPIRITUAL UNANIMITY
The Holy Spirit knew what He was doing when He moved the Apostle Peter to write to the early Christian church about the reality of being "of one mind" in their fellowship. Peter was not asking all the brothers and sisters to settle for some kind of regulated uniformity. He was recommending a spiritual unanimity-which means that the Spirit of God making Christ real within our beings will also give us a unity in certain qualities and disposition. Peter leaves little doubt about the fruits of genuine Christian unanimity within: "Be alike in compassion. Be alike in loving. Be alike in pity. Be alike in courtesy. Be alike in forgiving!" Then he sums it all up: "Finally, be ye all of one mind!" God's love shed abroad in our heart compassion and love which can only be found in Jesus Christ-these are the only elements of true unity among men and women today!
Where in the Bible is it mentioned that grown children are responsible for taking care of their parents?
on Jan 6, 2026
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I heard a preacher on TV say th... View MoreWhere in the Bible is it mentioned that grown children are responsible for taking care of their parents?
on Jan 6, 2026
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I heard a preacher on TV say that grown children are responsible for taking care of their parents. Is this true, and if so, where in the Bible is that mentioned? This would be very hard for me to do, but when I was young, my mother took care of her parents in their last years of life. I’ve suffered with my own problems; I don’t know if I have it in me to do what she did. – A.P.
A: The Bible is filled with passages about comforting others, and it is a ministry that God certainly blesses. Caring for the elderly is Biblical, particularly caring for one’s aged parents. The Bible also instructs us to honor our parents, and Jesus did this from the cross when He spoke to His disciple John about His mother, Mary (see John 19:26–27).
Those who suffer most are best able to comfort those who are passing through suffering. They are able to empathize as well as sympathize with the afflictions of others because of what they have experienced in their own lives. When we are a comfort and encouragement to others, we often experience comfort coming back to us many times over. God blesses those who comfort others, and Scripture commands us to carry one another’s burdens (see Galatians 6:2).
Our sufferings may be rough and hard to bear, but they teach us lessons that, in turn, equip and enable us to help others. Our attitude toward suffering should not be, “Grit your teeth and bear it,” hoping it will pass as quickly as possible. Rather, our goal should be to learn all we can from what we are called upon to endure, so that we in turn can “comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NKJV).
Thoughts on Today's Verse....
When Jesus came the first time, he came to reveal God (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-3). As wonderful, powerful, and gracious as he was in his earthly ministry, he did not full... View MoreThoughts on Today's Verse....
When Jesus came the first time, he came to reveal God (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-3). As wonderful, powerful, and gracious as he was in his earthly ministry, he did not fully reveal all of who he is. Our hope is tied to his return. When he comes this time, he won't come to reveal God, but to reveal himself - the conquering Lord, the Rider on the white horse, our eternal Savior. Every knee will bow. We will get to see him as he really and fully is - Immanuel in power and grace, triumphant in every way. When we set our hope on Jesus' grace at his return, we can be confidently ready for active service to our king today. We can live under his leadership with obedience and praise today because we know that great tomorrow is coming!
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