Morning and Evening with A.W. Tozer
Morning Devotional for September 19, 2026
A.W. Tozer... View MoreMorning and Evening with A.W. Tozer
Morning Devotional for September 19, 2026
A.W. Tozer
THE WORD MADE FLESH
I have given much thought and contemplation to the sweetest and tenderest of all of the mysteries in God's revelation to man-the Incarnation! Jesus, the Christ, is the Eternal One, for in the fullness of time He humbles Himself John's description is plain: the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. I confess that I would have liked to have seen the baby Jesus. But the glorified Jesus yonder at the right hand of the Majesty on high, was the baby Jesus once cradled in the manger straw. Taking a body of humiliation, He was still the Creator who made the wood of that manger, made the straw, and was Creator of all the beasts that were there. In truth, He made the little town of Bethlehem and all that it was. He also made the star that lingered over the scene that night. He had come into His own world, His Father's world. Everything we touch and handle belongs to Him. So we have come to love Him and adore Him and honor Him!
Evening Devotional for September 19, 2026
A.W. Tozer
Our Faith Reflects Our Concept of God
All things else being equal, the destiny of a man or nation may safely be predicted from the idea of God which that man or that nation holds. No nation can rise higher than its conception of God. While Rome held to her faith in the stern old gods of the Pantheon she remained an iron kingdom. Her citizens unconsciously imitated the character of her gods, however erroneous their conception of the Deity might have been. When Rome began to think loosely about God she began to rot inwardly, and that rot never stopped till it brought her to the ground. So it must always be with men and nations. A church is strong or weak just as it holds to a high or low idea of God. For faith rests not primarily upon promises, but upon character. A believer's faith can never rise higher than his conception of God. A promise is never better or worse than the character of the one who makes it. An inadequate conception of God must result in a weak faith, for faith depends upon the character of God just as a building rests upon its foundation. This explains why unbelief is such a grievous sin; it is pure libel against the Lord of heaven and earth. Unbelief judges God to be unworthy of confidence and withholds its trust from Him. Can there be a more heinous sin than this" He that believeth not God hath made him a liar" (1 John 5:10). Our hearts shrink from the full implications of such a statement, but would not this seem to teach that unbelief attributes to God the character of Satan" Jesus said of Satan, He is a liar and the father of it. Unbelief says virtually the same thing of God.
Bible Verses: 1 John 5:10
Wisdom is justified by her deeds
Matthew 11:16-19 (ESV)
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 ‘We playe... View MoreWisdom is justified by her deeds
Matthew 11:16-19 (ESV)
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
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There are many naysayers in the world today, and in every generation, people who oppose anything they disagree with, or do not understand, dismissing everything they think unworthy of consideration or discussion.
So when John the Baptist came telling people to repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and proclaiming that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, the Jewish leaders, the scribes and Pharisees and chief priests, would not listen to him, and they wanted to get rid of him as quickly as possible, for He was stirring up the people.
Almost all of Jesus’ generation, just like all the generations of Jews before Him, continued in unrighteousness and ungodliness, turning their back on God and on Jesus Christ, following their own heart’s desires rather than listening to the prophets God sent to them, warning them to repent.
For the most part, the heart of Jesus’ generation had grown cold and self-indulgence, and they would not follow after God and all of His ways, refusing to mourn for their sins, and refusing to rejoice in God’s perfect gift of salvation.
Most people refused to listen to John the Baptist’s message of repentance, and the Jewish leaders looked for ways to get rid of Him, but they would not do that openly because they feared people’s reaction, for the people knew and acknowledged John was God’s prophet, sent to them after about four hundred years of God’s silence.
John came neither eating nor drinking, as others did, and some thought him to be demon possessed.
The angel Gabriel told John’s father that John must not drink wine or strong drink, and Matthew described him as wearing a garment of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Most people avoided John, but many came to him, to be baptized by him, repenting of their sins, cleansing their heart and soul in the waters of baptism.
John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” (Matthew 3:1-3).
And Jesus came eating and drinking, and associating with sinners and tax collectors, and many thought Him to be demon possessed, believing all that their Jewish leaders told them.
Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi [Matthew], sitting at the tax booth. And He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed Him. (Luke 5:27-28).
And Levi made Him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:29-32).
Jesus went where sinners and tax collectors gathered, and some repented and believed and followed Him!
And Jesus told the Pharisees and the scribes three parables, about a lost sheep and a lost coin and a lost son, for He came to seek and to save the lost.
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2).
So Jesus told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:3-7).
Jesus always finds His lost sheep, leaving all the rest to their own devices!
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:8-10).
Jesus always finds His lost coins, leaving all the rest where they are!
And Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.” (Luke 15:11-16).
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:17-24).
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” (Luke 15:25-32).
Jesus always finds His lost son or daughter, faithfully bringing them back into His good graces, but those who do not repent He leaves to their own devices!
Wisdom is justified by her deeds!
As James said, wisdom comes from above.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his [or her] good conduct let him [or her] show his [or her] works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18).
Are you sowing righteousness in all you do and say?
Are you a wise servant of your Lord and Father in heaven, all day, every day?
If not, why not?
Wisdom is justified by her deeds!
Live and walk and talk as Jesus did, all the days of your life!
And you will be a wise servant!
And you will be recognized by the fruit of your deeds!
© Copyright by Ken Gilbert. All rights reserved.
Thoughts on Today's Verse....
The goal in Christian communication is not just clarity. The goal is not just to be understood. The goal is not just to be truthful. The goal is not only to be appropria... View MoreThoughts on Today's Verse....
The goal in Christian communication is not just clarity. The goal is not just to be understood. The goal is not just to be truthful. The goal is not only to be appropriate and helpful, but also to be JESUShaped disciples; it means we want to deliver our message based on their needs so it benefits, blesses, and builds up those who listen. Not only do we avoid crude, profane, or improper speech, but we are to fill our lives and the ears of those who hear us with the kinds of words that Jesus would share with people. God has called us to this high standard because we are to reflect and demonstrate Christ's character in our lives, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as he transforms us to become more like our Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18).
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