The shady path in my photograph above is, in one way, like a refreshing cool spot on a hot day. In another way, it is like the path of life which is sometimes shady and shadowy and uncertain; even dark and gloomy at times. It all depends on how you want to look at it.
Granted, life's hardships and trials and uncertainties are real, like the current pandemic and other drastic changes in our lives and in our world today. It is discouraging if you only look at the present circumstances, true. But Christians realize all that is occuring today is proof positive of our Jesus' soon return! As promised! What a blessed hope!
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus 2:13-14
This blog has previously shared sermons and quotes by A.W. Tozer, and will now share 3 videos of his writings, narrated by others. He was an American preacher and author, and he died in 1963. His epithat reads "A.W. Tozer - A Man of God." In one of the audio videos of his writings which follows, there is a short biography about him. Please listen with much attention! It is a valuable and insightful message from his book "How To Be Filled With the Holy Spirit" (64 minutes). If you do not have time to listen to it in its entirety now, then begin at the 34:51 minute mark on Chapter 3 :
Chapter 3 above concerns "how to be filled with the Holy Spirit" and "How to receive Him.'
Chapter 4 - How to cultivate the Spirit's companionship
The above video is so relevant today as never before! Many professing Christians think of Christianity as being primarily a "social" thing - go to church and fellowship and have potlucks , etc. All that is good and fine - Hebrews 10:25 tells us to fellowship with one another and to not neglect our gathering together. But true Christianity is meant to have - First and Foremost - a strong personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior! We do that through much time spent with the good Lord in prayer and in reading the Holy Word, the Bible.
Following is a 29 minute audio video of another of Tozer's works, titled "Total Commitment to Christ" in which there is a brief biography about Tozer at the end .
The last video from one of Tozer's writings, at least on this post today, is Chapter One of "The Knowledge of the Holy" by A.W. Tozer, which is 13 minutes in length.
On the above, this person's you tube channel has up to 23 chapters of this particular work by Tozer. She has a wonderful and perfect voice for this work! I, personally, have not yet listened to all 23 chapters, but I intend to do so, if time permits and the Lord tarries awhile.
[Cereus - Night Blooming Cactus]
"No man who merely skims the book of God can profit thereby; we must dig and mine until we obtain the hid treasure." - Charles Spurgeon
"The door of the Word only opens to the key of diligence. The Scriptures claim searching." - Charles Spurgeon
"A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." - Charles Spurgeon
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy
"Heaven goes by favour (grace). If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." - Mark Twain
"Excuses are the cradle that satan rocks men off to sleep in." - unknown
[Bird of Paradise]
It is my prayer that the above videos and quotes will open your eyes to what is truly important today! Which is a living, vibrant, loving, close and beautiful relationship with the heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ ! The Savior ! The only way to the Father and to heaven!
If you are not born again - have not put your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, when on the Cross, He paid our sin debt in full by taking our place (taking our sins upon Himself as the Lamb of God and shedding His blood as atonement), so that we, if we but have faith and belief in Him as the Savior, His shed blood will wash away our sins - wipe the slate clean, so to speak - and we may then have the hope of eternal life.
Following are salvation scriptures for those who may not yet have put their trust and belief in Jesus Christ. Those who are already true believers might want to memorize or at least share the following verses with unsaved family members and acquaintances.
"He that believeth the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son hath not life: but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17
From Jesus's words above at Matthew 4:17, unsaved persons need to also repent of their sins and have a complete change of heart and a sincere desire to live surrended to the Lord and His will. That means to obey as best we finite humans are able, and- after we are saved - to repent of any sins then, as well. Repent means a change of mind and heart, to obey and conform to the good Lord's will and commands.
