Podcasts about tozer

A.W. Tozer said in his book, Knowledge of the Holy, “What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Matthew 7:7-12 draws our attention to our relationship with God Himself. We will explore what it means to ask, seek, and knock. We will wrestle with the question of why we pray, or whether it is even worth it to pray. We will see that Tozer's observation is true. What we think about God shapes our perspectives and our lives, and impacts how we understand justice and how we relate to others around us. 

Pastor Paul Irminger. This series is all about what it means to seek God and walk closely with Him. Each week's message will be clear, practical, and easy to understand. But if you want to go a little deeper, we're also drawing from A.W. Tozer's classic book The Pursuit of God. It's thoughtful and rich, though at times it can feel wordy or theological. If you're up for the challenge, it's a great companion to the series.

Pastor Paul Irminger. This series is all about what it means to seek God and walk closely with Him. Each week's message will be clear, practical, and easy to understand. But if you want to go a little deeper, we're also drawing from A.W. Tozer's classic book The Pursuit of God. It's thoughtful and rich, though at times it can feel wordy or theological. If you're up for the challenge, it's a great companion to the series.

Our Vision is: To see the fame and deeds of God in our time by developing followers of Jesus who are committed to practicing the way of Jesus. This vision is drawn from Habakkuk 3:2 and Matthew 28:18–19—a call to believe God can still act in powerful ways today and to commit to discipleship that actually practices His teachings. ⸻ Reason 1 – We must still believe God can and will act in power today     •    Habakkuk had only heard of God's miracles but prayed to see them in his time.     •    Scripture is filled with examples (Noah, Caleb, Joshua, David, the woman with the issue of blood, Bartimaeus) where belief in God's power preceded experiencing His power.     •    Many Christians stop expecting what they haven't experienced. Their experience becomes the authority rather than Scripture.     •    The more we believe God can work, the more we tend to experience from Him.     •    A.W. Tozer taught that we move toward our mental image of God—if we think He is small, we will live as if He is. ⸻ Reason 2 – God responds to hunger, not apathy     •    Tozer again: Complacency is the deadly foe of spiritual growth—“He waits to be wanted.”     •    Biblical examples (Israel in Egypt, Judges cycle, David's cries, 2 Chronicles 7:14, James 4:8, Matthew 5:6) show that God acts when His people cry out and earnestly seek Him.     •    Hunger means craving, longing for God's presence and work.     •    The lie that “God will do whatever He will do, no matter what” is unbiblical—Scripture calls us to seek Him if we want to experience Him. ⸻ How we pursue this vision – By developing followers of Jesus     •    In Scripture, it was always the committed followers—those who put Jesus' words into practice—who experienced His power.     •    Examples:     •    Peter obeying Jesus to cast nets and catching more fish than he could handle.     •    Lepers healed “as they went.”     •    The early church praying and seeing Peter freed from prison.     •    Stephen, Ananias, Peter—each obeying Jesus and seeing miraculous results.     •    Luke 6:47–49: Those who hear and obey are like houses on rock—secure, strong, and unshaken.     •    Many call themselves Christians without following Jesus, and thus miss experiencing God's power.     •    Jesus calls for disciples, not just “Christians.” Discipleship is not about morality for morality's sake, but about obedience that unlocks God's powerful work.     •    Commands are not rules for being “nice”—they are invitations to experience God's presence and power. ⸻ Call to Response Coleton invited the church to respond in specific ways:     1.    Pray for God's fame and deeds to be repeated today—in healings, conversions, reconciliations, miracles.     2.    Obey any specific word from God—don't delay obedience.     3.    Move from nominal Christianity to true discipleship—repent and follow Jesus fully.     4.    Cultivate hunger for God—because God responds to hunger. ⸻ Men's Discipleship Group Questions     1.    In what areas of your life have you stopped expecting God to move because you haven't experienced Him working there yet?     2.    How does your current “mental image” of God affect the way you pray, act, and take risks for Him?     3.    Men often value results—how can we grow in valuing hunger for God even when results aren't immediate?     4.    What is one concrete step of obedience you believe Jesus is calling you to take this week?     5.    How can we encourage each other to actually practice Jesus' words instead of just talking about them? ⸻ Women's Discipleship Group Questions     1.    Habakkuk prayed, “Repeat Your fame and deeds in our time.” If you prayed that today, what specific things would you ask God to do?     2.    Where in your life has your experience been louder than Scripture in defining what you believe is possible with God?     3.    What does “hungering for God” look like in your season of life right now?     4.    Think of a time you obeyed God despite uncertainty—how did you see Him move through that?     5.    What's one way our group can pray with you for God to “repeat His deeds” in your family, relationships, or community? ⸻ Author Quotes from the Sermon     1.    Abraham Heschel: “Never once in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. I asked for wonder, and he gave it to me.”     2.    A.W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. The gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and what we, deep in our hearts, conceive God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.”     3.    A.W. Tozer: “I want to deliberately encourage a mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought the church to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our spiritual lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted.”

A.W. Tozer said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” Jacob was no different. Jacob was a schemer and a deceiver and yet God chose him to be the recipient of His covenant blessing to Abraham and his descendants. But this did not come easy. God…

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.”~John R. Stott (1921-2011), English minister and author “…in the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.”~David Foster Wallace (1962-2008), celebrated American writer “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman… who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.”~A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), American pastor and author “Grief has limits, whereas apprehension has none. For we grieve only for what we know has happened, but we fear all that possibly may happen.”~Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) “Dump a year's supply of manna into cold storage and, guaranteed, you will forget God until the supply disappears… Do you see how this is exactly what we need? Fears and worries live in the future, trying to assure a good outcome in a potentially hard situation. The last thing they want to do is trust anyone, God included. To thwart this tendency toward independence, God only gives us what we need when we need it. The emerging idea is that he wants us to trust him in the future rather than our self-protective plan.”~Ed Welch, Professor of Practical Theology and author of Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of RestSERMON PASSAGEHebrews 12:18-29 (ESV) 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

This week we take a closer look at Scriptural teaching about God's omniscience. This study draws from John MacArthur's book "Our Awesome God" and A.W. Tozer's book "The Knowledge of the Holy". Our Awesome God: https://GTY.org/store/books/452018/our-awesome-god The Knowledge of the Holy: https://ChristianBook.com/9780060684129/pd/7310

A new MP3 sermon from Mission Africa is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Devotional Thoughts By Charnock, Edwards And Tozer Subtitle: Old Paths Readings Speaker: Jim Robinette Broadcaster: Mission Africa Event: Devotional Date: 7/28/2025 Length: 1 min.

This week we take a closer look at Scriptural teaching about the holiness of God. This study draws from John MacArthur's book "Our Awesome God" and A.W. Tozer's book "The Knowledge of the Holy". Our Awesome God: https://GTY.org/store/books/452018/our-awesome-god The Knowledge of the Holy: https://ChristianBook.com/9780060684129/pd/7310

“Señor… oro, pero no te escucho. ¿Qué estoy haciendo mal?”¿Te ha pasado?Ese silencio que incomoda, que duele, que asusta.Y de inmediato, tu mente se llena de dudas, de culpa, de la sensación de que algo en ti debe estar fallando…

Podcast: Light on Life Season Twelve Episode Twenty-Eight. Have you ever wondered how the Holy Spirit can enter a human spirit? You know that's what the Bible says. The Spirit of God will be with you and He will be in you. How can God's spirit be in your spirit? A.W. Tozer offered this explanation. One quality belonging to the Holy Spirit, of […] The post Why the Human Spirit of Man Is the Real You appeared first on emeryhorvath.com. Related posts:

A. W. TOZER"Lo que llega a nuestra mente cuando pensamos en Dios es lo más importante de nosotros... La historia de la humanidad probablemente mostrará que ningunagente se elevó por encima de su religión, y que el desarrollo espiritual de una nación o de un individuo no se extenderá más allá de su concepto de Dios."

Send us a textStrong Women Strong WorldEsther | Part 4Senior Pastor Keith StewartJuly 20, 2025The book of Esther is one of the most creatively written books in the entire Bible. In fact, you'll be amazed by it. The lead character is female and she's a true hero. Not only does she help to avert a planned holocaust for the Jewish people, this story becomes the basis of the annual Feast of Purim which celebrates God's protection of His people. You'll also see amazing parallels between Esther's story and Jesus' story. Don't miss this next installment in our series, Strong Women, Strong World!____________Discussion Questions 1. Though Esther lived in a time of extreme patriarchy (where the rights of men were far greater than those of women), she was able to rise to a position of influence and use that influence to save the nation. What was true about Esther's day was also the prevailing culture throughout most of the history during which the Bible was written. What other stories of women in Scripture are you aware of who rose to prominence and leadership in spite of the culture of the day? Discuss the ways in which they were used by God. How do their stories inspire you? How are you or the women you know impacted by stories like these?2. Take some time in your group to discuss the following quote, “In the moral conflict now raging around us, whoever is on God's side is on the winning side and cannot lose; whoever is on the other side is on the losing side and cannot win” (A.W. Tozer). 3. God gave Esther a mentor in her uncle Mordecai. How important have mentors been in your own life and development? Have you ever had one? If so, in what arena of life? What was their impact on you? How has that person helped to shape the person you have become? 4. The Bible makes a distinction between time (chronos – which is clocks, days and calendars) and time (kairos – a pregnant moment in time, a pivotal moment in history). Esther's story is a reminder that we are where we are and who we are for a reason. And sometimes, everything seems to align to create an opportunity to exercise our gifting, utilize our influence and invest our talent – a Kairos moment. In reflecting on Esther's Kairos moment, are you aware of other Kairos moments in Scripture, in world history or US history, or in your own personal life? If so, describe what happened and why you think it was a Kairos moment. 5. The book of Esther is written in a very creative style. Pastor Keith talked about this very Jewish way of writing which is most commonly known as chiastic writing. As a group or individual, download both the simplified and detailed chiastic structure of Esther from the online message notes. Notice how each and every negative and dark outcome in the first half of the book is then corrected by a positive and hopeful outcome in the latter portion of the book? What did you learn about this style of writing? Why did Jewish writers use it? How does it help to clarify and amplify the message of Esther? 6. As Pastor Keith wrapped up the message, he focused on some of the parallels between Esther's story and Jesus's story. Can you name the parallels he mentioned and why? Are you aware of any other ways that Esther's story is similar to Jesus' story? If so, what are they? 

There are two quotes that have stuck with me that have helped me over the years: The first is from AW Tozer who said, It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply. The second is from John Bunyan who said, Conversion is not the smooth, easy-going process some men seem to think... It is wounding work, this breaking of the hearts, but without wounding there is no saving... Where there is grafting there will always be a cutting, the graft must be let in with a wound; to stick it onto the outside or to tie it on with a string would be of no use. Heart must be set to heart and back to back or there will be no sap from root to branch. And this, I say, must be done by a wound, by a cut.[1] Throughout the Bible, I see the wisdom of Tozer and Bunyans counsel as it relates to the hard stuff we experience in life. As much as God has used AW Tozer and John Bunyan, the real question is this: What has God said about the trials that will come and do we trust and believe Him enough to turn to Him even when we do not understand how He will work it out of our good? It is to James that we now turn our attention to discover what God has said about it. Gods Will for the Christians Life is to Finish Well Gods will for the life of the Christian is to receive the crown of life. What is the crown of life you ask? Ironically, it is a type of victors crown that the Christian will receive after he/she has died. During the Isthmian games a crown in the form of a wreath would be awarded the victor who finished whatever event a Greek male athlete participated in. Like the Olympics of today, only the best of the best would compete after training harder than anything else in their lives in the hope that they could receive the coveted crown. Borrowing language from the games, Paul wrote of the Christian life: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified (1 Cor 9:2527). Just before he was executed, Paul wrote to Timothy: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim. 4:7-8). The crown of life is eternal life with Jesus. At first glance, it sounds like James is telling us that in order to receive the crown of life, we have got to dig deep and persevere. This makes our salvation sound like we have to work for our salvation. This is not what James is saying at all, and we know this because of verse 18, which states: In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth... The word of truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ that saves. It is of this gospel that Paul wrote in Romans, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:16). It was because of Gods will that we went from spiritual death to spiritual life, and the evidence that we are now spiritually alive is with the life we are living today. Listen to what Jesus said in John 1:12-13, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God. In John 10:16, Jesus said that the evidence of those who belong to Him is in how they respond to Him: And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one shepherd (John 10:16). So here is the rub that is very important that you not only hear me say, but that you take it to heart. The one who perseveres to the end... even under and through various trials, is the one who was truly born again when they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ; it was in the moment that you were born again that you went from being spiritually dead to being alive with Christ! The crown of life is given not based on your merit, but because of your relationship with Jesus. It was His sinless life, His sacrificial death, and His victory over death that secured, secures, and will secure your salvation. The crown of life is awarded on the basis of your relationship with Jesus with the understanding that His merit is all that you need! The crown of life is not given to those who have good intentions, it is not given to those who are religious, it is not given because of some prayer you said, it is not given because you started out well, for it is given because you have been born again! Here is what the apostle John said of those who do not persevere until the end: They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19). If you are wondering how you can know that you belong to Jesus and that you are indeed born again, James provides us with four words: ...those who love Him. The evidence that you have been born again besides the fact that you will persevere under trial, is that you love Him. This is why Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed (1 Cor. 16:22). If you have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and have been born again as a result, you will love Jesus... which is evidence that God first loved you (1 John 4:9-19). Now, when it comes to the trials in life (v. 12) and the temptation(s) we all face, what purpose do they serve in the Christian life? James seems to indicate that trials are both allowed and designed by God while temptation comes from within and is used by the devil and his demons. What you cannot see in your English Bible is that the root of the Greek word for trial (peirasmos) and the root for temptation (peirazō) comes from the same Greek root and both words can be translated test or tempt. Trials are Designed by God to Ultimately Bless the Christian (vv. 12-13) So how do we make sense of these verses? Permit me to offer you an alternate translation of verse 13 that I think will open these verses up for you in a way that ought to help. Here is what I think is a better and more helpful way to translate James 1:13, No one is to say when he is tested, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. How do we know that God does not tempt us? We know because He is a God of love, we know because He is good, and we know because He is holy! Because God is infinitely good, James states in verse 17, Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Not only is God good, but because He is God, He has not, does not, and will not change. Because God is good, every trial that God brings or allows into your life is designed to strengthen your faith... not destroy your it. This is why James can say in verse 12 that when the trials do come, you can receive them knowing that such trials will ultimately serve for your blessing. How do I know that? For starters, it is the pattern we see with God in the way that He has always dealt with His people. Consider Abraham as one example of how God will use and bring trials into the lives of His people to do the kind of thing that needs to happen in the life of the one who belongs to Him. After Issac was born and old enough to know better, God told Abraham to take his only son and to offer him as a burnt offering (Gen. 22). What was the purpose of the testing? For starters, to show Abraham that his identity was not to be found in the son he and Sarah had longed for and prayed for their entire lives. Did God make Abraham go through with the slaughtering of his only son? Nope. Abraham would have done it, but God stopped him and then said to him: For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me (v. 12). For most of Abrahams life, he struggled to trust God. All throughout Abrahams life God used the various trials in Abraham and Sarahs lives that God brought, allowed, and even the trials Abraham brought upon himself to temper his faith to the point that by the time we come to Genesis 22, he knew he could trust God even when doing so did not make sense, such as Gods instructions to sacrifice Isaac. How do I know this, besides the fact that Abraham was so committed to obeying God that God had to stop him from following through with sacrificing Isaac? Here is how I know: When Abraham, Isaac, and his servants arrived at the mountain where Abraham was to follow through with Gods instructions, Abraham said to his servants something that reveals that something had changed in his heart; here is what he said: Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (Gen. 22:5). God told him to sacrifice Isaac, and the reason why Abraham was willing to go through with it was because over the years God was tempering Abrahams faith to the point that he knew God well enough to know that the God who told him to kill his son was both good and able to raise the dead. Abrahams action was the evidence that his faith in God was not just lip service (see Jas. 2:20-23). Temptation to Sin Comes from Within and Is Used by Satan to Destroy the Christian When the trials come, the primary danger we face in such moments is from within. Suffering can serve as a catalyst to deepen your relationship with God, or it can cause you to doubt the wisdom, goodness, and sovereignty of God. To be tempted is not sin, but it is what you do with the temptation. Notice what James says in verses 14-15, But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death (Jas. 1:1415). God does not tempt, but He does test. His testing often comes in the form of trials that serve to temper our faith for the purpose of making it stronger. Sin comes from within us, and whatever forms the temptation is that we are faced gives birth to sin when we are carried away and enticed by our own sin nature. Facing the temptation is not the sin, but giving into the temptation is. James tells us that when temptation comes (and it will), the downward progression leading to the act of sinning begins with a decision that involves both the mind and the heart. Giving into the temptation to sin begins when you decide to dwell on the temptation instead of run from it. The next step is to be carried away and enticed by your own lust (this is when both your heart and mind are lured by your own lust). Our lust comes from the sin nature that is within all of us, and when left unchecked... it gives birth to sin. Robert Plummer put it this way in his commentary on James: ...just as conception leads naturally to childbirth, giving free rein to sinful inclinations naturally results in discrete moral transgressions. Just as water runs downhill, so evil desire, if allowed to pursue its gravitational inclination, runs down into sinful activity.[2] Where does unchecked sin inevitably lead? It leads to death. Listen, most of the temptation we face comes by way of our own doing because of our own lustful desires. The devil is just one person and can only be at one place at a time. His demons are many, but they are also limited by their number and ability. However, Satan is also known as the Tempter for a reason. He is real and he wants to use temptation as a way to destroy your faith. The greater threat you face through is not the devil but your own heart and passions. To follow your passion is horrible advice if it is not tethered to the will of God for your life that you can only know and discern through His word and prayer. Conclusion Every time Abraham trusted his own heart or caved to his own fears, he was carried away and enticed by his own lust. The same can be said about Adam and Eve, the Hebrews in the wilderness, King David, and every other person we read about in the Bible. It wasnt until Abraham trusted in a good and sovereign God to lead him that he experienced the blessing God wanted for him. For Abraham, that blessing did not come when he wanted, but arrived when God knew Abraham was ready for it. All sin comes by way of trusting what you think is right, instead of believing God and trusting Him for what He has declared is right. So, how do we face the trials of life and at the same time resist the temptation to sin? James offers us some help in verses 16-17. Dont be deceived. Instead of trusting in what you desire, trust in the goodness of God and what He had declared to be good. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above... (v. 17a), so trust the One who is good and wants good for you. Focus on Gods unchanging character instead of your desires. James tells us that all that is good comes from, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (v. 17b). We change all the time, our emotions ebb and flow, what we think is right one day may change the next day, but God does not change!His character remains the same. Instead of being carried away by your sin, turn to the God who does not change and trust Him. Trust Gods Word. It is because of His word that you have been born again when you heard the gospel. Tony Evens put it this way: For many, the Bible is like the queen of England. Its held in high esteem but wields no power over them personally. What Scripture accomplished for your salvation, though, it can accomplish for your sanctification.[3] When faced by temptation, Jesus used the Word of God to combat the devil; you can and ought to do the same. Know that God loves you. God called you by the word of truth, and He did it because He loves you. According to James 1:18, God gave you a new birth for the purpose of being His first fruits among His creatures. God instructed His people to give the first fruits of their possessions back to Him; for the Hebrew people, the first fruits were the best and first from their harvest. To be Gods first fruits among His creatures means that you are loved and treasured by Him! What He is doing in your life today, is for the purpose of something greater tomorrow that will ultimately lead to your sanctification and then glorification as His son/daughter. His no from His Word is for your good, your joy, and ultimately your thriving. [1] John Piper, The Hidden Smile of God (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books; 2001), 65. [2] Robert L. Plummer, James, in HebrewsRevelation, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XII, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 234. [3] Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 1339.

It's one thing to want to hear God speak. Lots of people do – How can I hear God speak to me is one of the most common questions I'm asked. But half the time, I wonder whether we're not wandering around with our ears shut and our eyes closed. Really!   The Providence of Preaching My enduring memory of being dragged to church when I was a child was the droning of the preacher. I can honestly say he never said one thing; not a single thing back in those days, that impacted my life for good. Perhaps there was one thing – I was so bored this particular Sunday, sitting on these hard wooden pews, as a young lad, that I took the time to learn to wiggle my ears. But that was it! An incredible waste of time when you think about it and really sad because there is something incredible powerful about hearing the Word of God preached and receiving God's wisdom that way. Last week, we kicked off a series of messages about how we can hear God speak. I mean, if God is God and we are meant to have a relationship with Him then, shouldn't we be able to communicate with Him? Of course, we can pray – that's communication in one direction but what about communication back in the other direction? How can you and I actually hear God speaking His will into our lives? As we saw last week God is still speaking today. We have chatted so far about hearing Him speak through His Word, the Bible and during times when we get still before Him in prayer. We are going to chat today about two more ways that we can hear God speak – firstly hearing through His providence of preaching and later through the reading of signs. Humm! Now, the idea of preaching – some guy getting up and speaking about God's Word, teaching what is in the Bible – you know, to many people, it seems pretty old fashioned. And the other problem with it is that there's lots of bad preaching going around as well. I have sat and listened to a lot of people talk about the messages they get from their pastor on a Sunday morning and I have to tell you, in many, many cases, the news is not good. There's a lot of dead preaching out there – people droning on with irrelevant, boring messages. Not everywhere, of course, not every pastor, not every church, but a lot of it. A.W. Tozer in his book “The Pursuit of God” put it this way. He said: It's a solemn thing and no small scandal in the Kingdom of God to see God's children starving while actually seated at the Father's table. Sound Bible exposition is an imperative ‘must' in the church of the living God. Without it no church can be a New Testament church, in any meaning of that term. But exposition can be carried on in such a way as to leave the hearers devoid of any spiritual nourishment whatsoever. For it is not mere words that nourish the soul but God Himself and unless and until the hearers find God in their experience, they are no better for having heard the truth. It's sad but true! Hang on, this is nothing new though! This is how Luke records the reaction of people to Jesus preaching - Luke chapter, verse 31: Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. And again, in Matthew, listen to what he says. Matthew chapter 7, verse 28: Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. In other words, this stuff that Jesus was talking about was not the sort of preaching and teaching that they had been hearing from their scribes and synagogue leaders and priests and the rest of the religious establishment - in fact, quite to the contrary. Again listen to what Jesus had to say about the teaching of the scribes and the Pharisees – Matthew chapter 23, beginning at verse 2: The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. So, I guess what I am saying is that there is good preaching and bad preaching. Let's call a spade a spade here. Preaching that brings life and sadly, preaching that brings death. And people who sit under dead teaching, well, their faith and their passion for Jesus ebbs away. And little by little, they grow cold – little by little their faith dies and they with it. Does that mean that good preaching is all hyped and motivational and you know, about success and earning a lot of money? No that's not what makes good preaching! Good preaching speaks the things of God into our lives – there's an authority, there's a gravitas – a weight, a power that reaches into our hearts. The people listening to Jesus were amazed because He spoke with authority. They could just pick it. Remember what Jesus said to His disciples when He was telling them how He was the Good Shepherd? John chapter 10, beginning at verse 2: The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear the shepherd's voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run away from the stranger because they do not know the voice of strangers. And then Jesus went on to say: I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. See, when you hear the voice of God through someone preaching, you just know. Friend, seek out the sort of preaching and teaching that you know comes from Jesus – the sort with authority; the sort through which power and grace and truth and love from Jesus ring out. Clear, pure and unmistakable – it's the sort of teaching that God uses to change lives. It's astounding; it's amazing because you can feel God reach out through the speaker into the realities of your own life. Listen to those sorts of teachers and do not sit under dead teaching. Scribes and Pharisees are alive and well in the church today. And there's tired, uninspired, dead preaching to be had in abundance. I don't want to sound critical or self-righteous – that's not what this is about. This is about calling a spade a spade; it's about being honest and direct. How sad it is to sit there and just learn to wiggle your ears, as I did as a lad, and miss out of the Bread of Life. Tozer was right – this is no small scandal. Let me share a story with you. There was a time just before my wife Jacqui and I were married and we were engaged and it seemed that everything was going against us. We were really, really low – both of us. We had a great church and a great pastor and a great teacher but we were low. So we decided to go down the hill one Sunday evening and visit another church – just on a whim. The preacher wasn't the regular pastor whom we knew but a visiting guy from some surfing ministry. He preached on Matthew chapter 14, verses 22 to 33 – the bit where Jesus walks on the water and Peter steps out of the boat in the middle of the storm. As we listened to this message, we looked at one another because we realised that God had put this message and this preacher there for us, to strengthen us and encourage us. Over the coming weeks, we preserved through the challenges we faced with a new courage and it all worked out. And to this day I remember that message, even though it was decades ago now. To this day, when I am facing challenges and my faith is being challenged and I need courage, I go back to that passage. God is still using that message in my life today. Inspired, anointed preaching and teaching is one of the ways we hear from God. It's mighty and it's powerful and God can target issues and needs in our lives so accurately; so precisely. Let me encourage you to find and to receive that sort of teaching and preaching in your life. Not the stuff that necessarily entertains you or tickles your ears or tells you what you want of hear – there is plenty of that stuff out there too and that is leading many people astray. But the sort of preaching that tells God's truth with power and with authority.   Reading the Signs Now, in February 2007, German woman Ewa Wisnierska was competing in an international para-gliding competition in rural New South Wales in Australia. The winds were from the south so she and most of the other competitors headed north. Now there was a thunder storm brewing towards the north but if they could only get through that before it formed, well, they would be well on their way. She could see it happening but the band of clouds and storms hadn't formed fully yet. So there she is, hanging off her para-glider, trying to skirt around a small cloud when all of a sudden the clouds merged in front of her and she found herself in the middle of a powerful thunder storm – rain, hail, lightening and winds. She had misread the signs. Now the problem with clouds for a para-glider is that clouds mean lift. The storm rocketed her upwards at twenty metres per second – up and up. There was nothing she could do to stop it – the updraft was just too powerful. Three thousand metres, four thousand, five thousand, six thousand – now at seven thousand metres we run out of oxygen – no one survives. Seven thousand, eight thousand, nine thousand – almost ten thousand metres; ten kilometres above the earth's surface – frozen, unconscious, in the minus fifty five degrees Celsius, oxygen depleted stratosphere, dangling from her para-glider, she glided there in a slow turn until suddenly, the weight of the ice on her para-glider caused her to plummet several thousand metres. Then, miraculously, the para-glider snapped open again and the jolt woke her up. This was the most extraordinary experience – really a miracle. No one has ever survived something like that. Can you imagine how she felt when she came to – she has been sucked up into this thunderstorm, she is covered in ice, barely able to move, aware that she was in a precarious life and death situation. Still in this storm that could snuff her out, as by the way it had to another experienced competitor from China who had been just a few hundred metres away from her. Even in this barely conscious state though, knowing the mistake that put her in this place; knowing that she only had one chance at survival, now that the storm was weakening and she was more on the edge than in the middle, she did the one thing she knew to do – she put herself in a downward spiral. With everything she could muster, she created this downward spiral and she survived to tell this most extraordinary tale. In fact a week later, she was back in the air with the very same para-glider. I watched her being interviewed – the one thing she said was this, along these lines: "It was a race. We were all trying to win. We saw the storm coming but everyone headed towards it and so I followed them. The thing that I have learned," she said, "was that next time I'll read the signs for myself and make my own decisions about going on or pulling out." Now that ... that is a bit of wisdom that really struck me between the eyes. We are talking this week and the next few weeks too, about hearing God speak. If God is God, how can we hear Him speak? Last week we saw that He speaks through His Word the Bible, and we can rely on that as our bedrock; our foundation. God never contradicts Himself – whatever else we may hear, see or feel – what He says in His Word is the truth and anything that contradicts that, isn't the truth. And we saw that He speaks to us as we spend time in prayer; in thought quietly with Him. And earlier we saw that He speaks to us through anointed and inspired preaching and teaching. What we are going to look at now is "signs". Now God speaks to us through signs as well and one of the things we are taught in His Word is to read the signs. Come with me to Luke chapter 12, beginning at verse 54: Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Now here, let's get the context right: Jesus is talking to them about the fact that they have got the Son of God right there, under their noses and they just don't get it! But the word "sign or signs" appears over a hundred and eighty times throughout the Bible. Sometimes we are talking ‘miraculous signs' but other times, they are not so much "miraculous" and almost exclusively, these signs – listen to this – are pointing towards God and what He is doing and who He is. That's the whole point of "signs" – they are pointing to something. Jesus, the miracles He did: John in his Gospel refers to them as ‘signs'. Jesus was and is the Word of God; God speaking to us about whom He is and what He is up to in this world. And so often there are signs in our lives – maybe right under our noses, God is pointing us in a direction but either we miss them altogether or we misinterpret them. I wonder how often people look at all that is going on in their lives; the storm clouds are rolling in and they ask themselves, "I wonder what God is up to?" Have you ever been travelling through a situation; something difficult or complex and you don't quite know the whole picture or how it's going to turn out and then all of a sudden there's a flash of lightening over there and a thunder clap that follows but over in a different direction there is a ray of sunshine; of hope? See most of us, we can look up at the sky and see that the weather is changing but we ignore what God is saying to us about what He is up to in the things that are happening around us. So here's what I do: well, if something is a little fuzzy; it's not quite clear, I take the time to quietly get before God. I pray a bit for wisdom and insight and then I just look at the different things that are going on and I think about them prayerfully. "God, that event, what does that mean? Is there anything that You are trying to say to me through that? Or this person, he's being so difficult and what she said, do you mean for me to take notice of those things?" I remember once we were having problems selling one of our houses, when we had already bought another one. Now, it's not something we had done out of hubris, we felt God leading us on to downsize and downscale and so we stepped out in faith – we bought a new house before we had sold the other one. And way before things became difficult, a wise, experienced real estate agent has quipped to me – he said, "I always tell people when they are selling, ‘Don't panic, it will sell eventually.'" Now, I thought nothing of it at the time. When things got tight and difficult and really tight and settlement of the new place was coming up and the old place wasn't selling, time and time again, God brought that passing comment back to me; into my remembrance and spoke to me through it and gave me peace. It might be something you saw in a movie or on television or a thunderbolt or a ray of sunshine – you know sometimes God will give us insight through those things that He is doing. He expects us to read the signs – it says so over and over again in the Bible. Is that like reading tea leaves? No! It's about looking at all the stuff that's going on through God's eyes – getting still and listening to what He is saying to us. So often God is speaking and we aren't even listening. I really encourage you to get still before God. Think about the different things that are going on and ask Him what He is trying to say to you through the signs that you see around you. Ask God for His wisdom and insight. You know, when we go to God, He never holds back; He never withholds wisdom if we ask Him and believe He will give us the wisdom and believe He will give us the insight, you know what – He will give it to us. It's a process of learning to discern what God is saying and when it's Him talking and when it's not. The one thing I always come back to is this: God never contradicts Himself. That's why we can be absolutely certain that anything that contradicts God's Word, in fact, isn't from Him.   Preaching and Practice I often tell people about a man who has had an enormous impact in my life – Phil Littlejohn. He was the pastor of the first church I attended after I became a Christian. Phil was and still is a gifted teacher of God's Word. Week after week I have listened to him preaching and whilst I didn't realise it back then, him faithfully telling me each week what God had to say through His Word, laid the foundations of my faith. It's like a bedrock; solid. I realised that when I stumbled across this passage; something that Jesus said to His disciples – Matthew chapter 7, beginning at verse 24: Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall! That's exactly what was happening when I received God's Word through the preaching from Pastor Phil – it was like building a house whose foundations were on solid ground. The preaching of God's Word, that I received through Phil, was very much God's providence for me. In every sense of the word, it was God sent. And that's why it is such an incredible tragedy for people to waste their time, waste their lives sitting under dead, lifeless, uninspired teaching. With all that I am, let me say this: if that's what you are doing right now in your church, something has to give. Don't keep doing that because instead of laying a foundation of rock; solid, strong – you are building your house on the sand. And here's the point: the preaching thing is not just about learning the theory, it's about have the wherewithal to put it into practice in life because storms come in our lives – they always do. So we need the foundation of God's Word. But then we go out there and we put it into practice. That's why being able to read the signs out there in life, is equally important. I know people who believe in Jesus but they treat preaching like it's some theory lesson. They don't value it highly because they don't ever intend to go out there and – wait for this – put it into practice. But that's exactly what Jesus intends. There's no separation between preaching and signs in His view. Just read how He lived His life, here on earth. The preaching and the practice were one and the same to Him. And the more God's Word becomes a part of us – through our own Bible reading, through the preaching of those whom God has sent to us to teach us His Word, the more His Word becomes part of our DNA like that, the more we see the world through His eyes; from His perspective. Rather than from our own selfish, worldly perspective and the more we will be able to read the signs, to hear His voice, to figure out His will for our lives. It is exactly what the Apostle Paul writes in Romans chapter 12, verse 2: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. In other words, as God's Word takes root in us, we are changed because we change our minds and that is when we become able to discern the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives. It's not just theory – it's theory and practice. It's hearing God's Word and taking that – let it become part of us and go and do it and live it. Preaching and practice, preaching and practice, preaching and practice, over and over and over again and before we know it, we are hearing God so clearly ... so clearly, it is just an awesome thing. Friend, I want to encourage you again – get in your Bible, spend time with God, reading His Word, prayerfully thinking through it, praying. Go and get good teaching – good, solid, inspired, anointed, God-given Bible teaching and then take those things and put them into practice in your life and my friend, they will bear fruit a hundred fold.

This week we take a closer look at the Scriptural teaching about the faithfulness of God. This study draws from John MacArthur's book "Our Awesome God" and A.W. Tozer's book "The Knowledge of the Holy". Our Awesome God: https://GTY.org/store/books/452018/our-awesome-god The Knowledge of the Holy: https://ChristianBook.com/9780060684129/pd/7310

We begin this series with a look at the doctrine of the Trinity. This study draws from John MacArthur's book "Our Awesome God" and A.W. Tozer's book "The Knowledge of the Holy". Our Awesome God: https://GTY.org/store/books/452018/our-awesome-god The Knowledge of the Holy: https://ChristianBook.com/9780060684129/pd/7310

Let me ask you a question – is God still speaking to us here and now? Today? And if so – how? Well – what are the answers? If God is indeed still speaking, shouldn't we be listening? Imagine what a difference it could make, to know His will for our lives.   Is God Still Speaking? Now, here ... here is a question that these days, pretty much divides the church down the middle. Are you ready? Here it is: does God still speak today? Ooooh ... the controversy; the division that that little question creates, is huge. There are some who contend that the only way that God speaks today; the single only way is through the Bible. Read the Bible; that's God's Word; that's how He speaks. Then at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you have Christians who claim to have seen signs and wonders; to have so called, "words of knowledge" and "prophesies" over their lives. I even know one man whose pastor constantly claims to have visions of Jesus. WOW man, what do you do with that? How do you understand that? And then there is little old you and me. If you are anything like me, deep inside there is a desire that burns for God – something that, well, it's hard to explain – a hunger after God Himself; a yearning that won't, that can't be satisfied by some dry, academic, cerebral answer to this question: does God still speak today? It won't be dismissed by shallow responses either. And nor will sensational claims quench the thirst after Christ Himself. And so that's why these coming weeks on the programme we are going to explore this question: does God still speak today? And if so, how? As I said, I ache to know God; to experience Him; to hear Him speak into my life. And I know that there are many, many more people on this earth who feel exactly the same. I want to live my life out completely for Him – everything I am, everything I have, all my hopes and all my dreams, to serve Him with the lot. And it's not because I'm some great guy – believe you me, I'm not. It's because I have tasted the sweetness of His love – the many splendored love of Christ, as A.W. Tozer calls it. I have tasted His goodness and His joy and His peace and do you know what – I want more! And so I want to hear Him speak because any relationship that means anything; that has any value to it is based on communication – and not one way communication, two way communication. A marriage is headed for divorce when there's a stony silence between husband and wife. If all that they do is communicate on a transactional basis, about the mundane things of life and they no longer communicate heart to heart, then friend, unless they do something about that, their marriage is headed for divorce. So the question is: Does God still speak? In my experience, He does, in a variety of ways. But experience ... experience isn't the "be all and the end all". We have emotions – they go up, they go down – sometimes we are on the top of our game, other times, frankly, let's be honest, we are off with the pixies. So whilst we may be experiencing God speaking through prophesy, through signs, through dreams ... all sorts of different ways, I believe with all my heart, the truth, God's chosen way of revealing Himself to us; providing us with a rock solid basis for understanding Him and understanding our experience, is His Word, this thing we call the Bible. Inspired by Him, written through human beings, for sure – each of the sixty six books of the Bible, written in different times in history, under different circumstances, for specific purposes but together those sixty six books are the inspired Word of God – God speaking to the generations that have gone before us and to us and the generations that will come after us. And God never contradicts Himself. He never says one thing and does the other. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So if any one, whether it's you or me, claims to have heard from God in a certain way, then the question is: does the Bible say that that is how God communicates with us? Because if it doesn't, then friend, at the very, very least, I am very, very suspicious that this person has indeed heard from God. And secondly, if this person claims to have heard from God and acts on it or shares what God has allegedly said to him or to her, is the message consistent with the Word of God – the whole council of God? Because if God says one thing and some so called, "prophet" comes up with a so called, "revelation" that contradicts God's Word, then forget it. It ain't God talking! Does that make sense? When we step into the realm of God speaking with us about specific things happening in our lives or in the lives of other people, then we are stepping into territory which is rich and fertile on the one hand – if God is indeed speaking. I for one would want to hear but on the other hand, it's open to manipulation and to error. This approach is summed up in this Biblical principle – it comes from First Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 19 to 22. Have a listen – it says: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. In other words, don't ignore God speaking through His Spirit. Don't despise the words of prophets, but at the same time, sift it; test it – hold onto the good, ditch the evil. So, is God still speaking? Absolutely! This is what Jesus said: John chapter 10, beginning at verse 1: Truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and – listen to this - the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and he leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers. Again John 15:26: When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. And again, John 16:14: He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Is God in the business of still speaking to His people through His Spirit today? Absolutely! That's exactly what Jesus promised would happen – over and over and over again. It's promised in the Bible. But as we read back in First Thessalonians – whilst the Spirit is at work, speaking, declaring and we shouldn't quench what He is doing. When people claim to be speaking on God's behalf, then we had better test it to make sure that it's from God. And I guess that's at the very heart of what we are going to be talking about over the coming weeks – discovering how to hear God speak into our lives. It's powerful stuff!   The Word of God I remember when I first gave my life to Jesus – I had such an incredibly strong sense of God's presence. He wrapped His arms around me during a particularly difficult and painful time in my life and yet I was full of the joy of the Lord. And a dear friend of mine, Phil, the pastor of the first church I attended sat me down over a coffee and he said to me, "You know Berni, it's not always going to feel as good as this." And whilst in one sense, he was right, there was something inside me – well, it made me angry. I thought to myself and I said this to God, "If I can't have a close, intimate relationship with my God, each day; if I can't experience His joy and His peace, each day, then you know something, Lord, I don't think I want You." It's pretty radical stuff! And to be sure life has had its ups and downs. Sometimes circumstances are against us and sometimes everything is rosy. Sometimes our emotions are up and sometimes they are down. In those early days of becoming a Christian, they told me; Phil told me that I should read my Bible every day. Can I tell you what a turn off that was? Can I tell you what a burden it was to think that I would have to open this old, stuffy Book; this huge Book; seven hundred and seventy five thousand words, thirty one thousand, one hundred and seventy three verses, one thousand, one hundred and eighty nine chapters in sixty six Books. Written in times and places and cultures that were completely unfamiliar to me. Who or what, for instance, is Ephraim? And why was everyone sacrificing bulls and goats and doves and stuff? You get the drift! But Phil, my pastor, was a persuasive guy – real salt of the earth kind of guy and when I listened to him preaching on Sundays he made an enormous amount of sense to me. So I did something back then – I established this pattern of getting up early in the morning; something I have been doing since I was a small child anyway, because I am an early riser – while everyone is still asleep – and spending some time in prayer and reading the Bible. I was surprised – God's Word made a lot of sense. A lot of it was confronting – it was like shining a really bright light on my own immaturities and the things I was doing that weren't pleasing God. And day after day, month after month, year after year, here's what has happened to me – it's changed me. I open the Bible these days and it is God speaking to me. Now there aren't fireworks and clashes of thunder and great amazing revelations each and every day – it's not like that. Little by little, God's Word has become part of who I am. I'm not good at memorising verses – some people are - I'm just not. But what I find amazing now is that when someone asks me to get up and speak about something or we are having a discussion amongst friends about this issue or that, the recall that God has given me over His Word, is amazing. I can remember the things that God says – maybe no word for word, but pretty close – and where He says it and that makes all the difference. When someone is really bugging me and I want to tear them apart, all of a sudden the Holy Spirit says to me, “Turn the other cheek!” And wisdom from above is pure and peaceable and gentle and willing to yield and all of a sudden, God's Word is guiding my behaviour. God's Word is giving me what I need to live my life. The Holy Spirit speaks His Word right into my life when I need it. And the other thing is – sounds really mundane reading the Bible every day and I guess it is. I tend to read an Old Testament Book followed by a New Testament Book – one of the Letters, from Romans to Revelation, followed by one of the four Gospels and Acts. It's kind of how I cycle through the Bible. And I have pretty much read it all now, several times. The reason I cycle is that the different Books feed me in different ways. Some of those Old Testament narratives – the Judges and Kings and Chronicle Books – they feed me with the power and the majesty of God's faithfulness. And then the Letters in the New Testament – they teach me about real life and understanding life, in light of what Jesus has done. And then the Gospels and the Book of Acts – they take me back to the heart of my faith in Jesus. And then some of the wisdom Books in the Old Testament – Proverbs, Psalms, Lamentations – I sprinkle them throughout and it's like adding salt to everything else. And as I read through, bit by bit, I can't begin to tell you how many times I have found exactly what I need for today – the things I am going through or the things unbeknown to me that are going to confront me later on today. It's amazing how many times God has given me what I need for today from those very next few verses, in the next chapter that I was due to read. Reading the Bible sounds like a chore – it sounds mundane but the strength and the maturity and the growth and the transformation; the things that have so made my life better – I can't begin to tell you. They have come from this wonderful habit that Phil taught me all those years ago - the ability to discern whether someone else is speaking for God or not – the wisdom to know how to handle tough situations – the maturity to lay down my life. That's hard, boy, it's hard some days. All those things have come as the Word of God has become part of who I am. Genesis chapter 1, verse 26 tells us that we have been made in God's image. Problem is, our rebellion; our sin has marred that image. And reading God's Word most days, listening to what He has to say most days, is like being restored back into His original image. It's a repair job here; a cleanup job there; a new bit here ... and all of a sudden we become a different person. It is knowing the truth that sets us free and the Bible is God's way of speaking with us. If there is one thing ... just one thing that I could point to as the smartest thing that I have ever done, after giving my life to Jesus, it's opening up the Bible – that daily habit – and letting God speak His Word into my heart through His Spirit. And the tragedy is that so many people ... the people who don't do that are the very ones whose lives are all over the place because there is no foundation; there is no anchor into God's truth.   The Time of Prayer Earlier we saw that one of the main ways that God speaks to us ... in fact, THE main way is through His Word, the Bible and it's an awesome thing. And as I said back then, the simple habit of reading God's Word, even if it is just a few verses, every day, has utterly changed my life. But that's only one side of the coin in my daily time with God - because the other side of the coin is prayer. There's an amazing contradiction that so many people are living out in their lives – people who believe in Jesus. Here's how it goes: on the one hand these people really would love to hear God's voice; they would really like to know that He is there with them, that He has some practical words of wisdom for them, some guidance on the decisions they need to take – that's on the one hand. And yet these, so often, are the very same people who are too busy to sit down for twenty minutes, half an hour, maybe even forty five minutes or an hour, most days, to spend that time in prayer with God. Too busy, too busy, too busy! Well, fair enough, I know all about that! See, I'm one of these busy type "A", action oriented people – we're more focused on doing things and getting outcomes than on spending time on relationships. So anyone who says to me, ‘I'm just too busy to pray', well, I really understand; I really relate to that. But the problem that comes out of that is that we head off into our day and we confront all the issues and tensions and decisions and all that stuff – we are so immersed in it all – and then right in the middle of it, we think, "Ah, where's God? Why is God talking to me? Why isn't God guiding me? Why isn't God comforting me?" Well, I'll tell you, friend! God was waiting for you this morning; He was waiting for you to get still before Him, to spend some time with Him reading His Word the Bible, listening to what He has to say and then chatting with Him in prayer. Have a listen to this Psalm – it is one of my absolute favourites – Psalm 46: God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it will not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice and the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, he shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Powerful truth in verse 1 is that God is our refuge and our strength in the middle of all this mess. You don't have to be afraid – if the mountains are shaking, if they are falling into the sea, if there is calamity, there's upheaval, there's uproar – that's the picture in the Psalm. The sorts of things that we go through in the rough and tumble of life – we don't have to be afraid! Why? Because there's a stream flowing right through the heart of our city that makes us glad. The nations may well be in an uproar but God is God above all and when He speaks the earth melts before Him. Now, that's a great theory but when we are in the middle of this calamitous uproar; when tensions are running high at work; when we are hard pressed on every side; when we are running through life at a hundred miles an hour, how are we meant to experience this river of joy from God? How are we meant to hear Him and know Him and not be afraid because of Him when all this stuff is flying through the air? Well, the answer comes to us in verse 10 of this Psalm: Be still and know that I am God. Isn't that beautiful! Just ... with all that stuff going on ... just be still and know in your heart of hearts that your God is God; that your God is in control. I don't care who the relationship is with, if we don't take time away from the hustle and bustle, just to connect, just to spend time together, just to talk – whether it's husband and wife or work colleagues or friends – if we don't do that, then the hustle and bustle is going to distract us from the reality of the relationship with that other person. We forget, in our experience, how wonderful the love of our husbands or wives is; we forget the joy of a friendship because our dominant reality; the thing we are focused on is the busyness and the battle of life. And friend, if we want to know that God is in control, we need to get still before Him and just KNOW! It's as simple as that! That's what prayer is – getting still before God. Here's how it so often works for me: I pray a bit and I ask God to speak with me. Then I open the Bible and I read the next bit I was going to read; the next chapter in Luke's Gospel or whatever and in reading that, the Spirit of God speaks to me through God's Word. I get this sense that God is up to something here but then I need to chew it over so I pray about it and I ask God, ‘What are You saying to me?' I think about it, I get still, I listen and that's the place where God so often speaks, with a word of reassurance, with some specific guidance or direction. I had that happen this morning, in fact. I had a difficult situation; some difficult decisions to make and after spending time in God's Word and thinking and praying and listening, well, the answer was as plain as the nose on my face. So often I'm confronted with a "to do" list longer than my arm – I can't possibly get it all done today. "God, what is Your priority? What do You want me to do today?" And that's where the most important things drop into my lap, so I go and I do those ones. It's a gift from God. Friend, so many people's lives are in a mess. "I want to hear God speak!" Well, let's get still before God; let's spend time with God. If we want to hear God speak right into the middle of the realities of our lives, we need to get still before Him. Let's get a revelation today! I know your life is busy – mine is too. But if we start spending fifteen minutes, twenty minutes a day, quietly, all the distractions gone, the doors closed, the Bible open – time in prayer; God shows up. He loves spending time with us. He loves it when we set time apart for Him. And frankly, if you are struggling to hear from God but you are not making time to spend with Him, this message today, is for you. Start spending time just with Him and little by little He will start speaking. Day by day, we will learn better how to recognise His voice. Little bit by little bit we will get guidance about things for today and things for tomorrow and things that we need to lay down. Jesus said, "The shepherd speaks and the sheep hear His voice.” In my experience, sometimes in my prayer times over the years I have misheard God but the longer I spend at this, the more discerning I am and the more easily I am able to recognise the voice of my Shepherd.

The sermon emphasizes cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with God through intentional practice, drawing heavily on Scripture and the writings of A.W. Tozer. It encourages listeners to actively recognize God's constant presence, embrace His power, discern their purpose in life, and confidently rely on His unwavering promises. Rooted in the belief that God's grace is sufficient and His promises are eternally faithful, the message ultimately aims to instill a sense of peace, assurance, and joyful trust in God's unwavering love and purpose for their lives.

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie chats again with Drew Tozer, author of Feel Good Homes and Partner at Foundry Heat Pumps, and Expert Advisor at Building Decarbonization Alliance and Jouleia. They talk about why right-sizing HVAC systems is so important and how old rules of thumb often lead to discomfort. Drew explains how load calculations, better filters, and smart installs can improve comfort, air quality, and energy use. They also touch on heat pump myths, hybrid systems, and why teaching both homeowners and techs can lead to better results and fewer system issues. Drew Tozer talks about why many homes feel uncomfortable, drafty rooms, poor airflow, and wrong system sizes. He explains that heat pumps, when chosen and installed right, fix these issues and help save energy. Drew also highlights how indoor air quality is often ignored and why better filters should be standard, not upgrades. Gary shares stories of past installs that prove doing the math and using load calcs lead to better results. They agree that homeowners and techs both need clear info to make smarter choices and keep systems running well for years. Drew explains that many homes stay cold or drafty because the HVAC system isn't sized or installed correctly. Like putting on the right shoes, using load calcs helps pick the best heat pump for comfort. He says square footage isn't enough; you need to know how the house works. Gary shares how better filters, return drops, and smart installs stop airflow issues and dirt build-up. They both say systems should be sized with care, not guesswork, so homes stay comfy, air stays clean, and systems last longer without costly breakdowns. Expect to Learn: Why load calcs matter more than home size when picking HVAC. How better filters and duct design improve air and comfort. Why most homeowners don't replace filters often enough. How heat pumps work well without gas or high upkeep. Why simple changes can make HVAC last longer and run better. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro to Part 02 with Drew Tozer [01:45] - Why homeowners get confused by mixed HVAC quotes [03:33] - Right-sizing improves comfort in cold rooms [05:04] - Why square footage doesn't equal HVAC sizing [08:41] - Indoor air quality and the role of HVAC filters [11:35] - Why 4-5 inch filters should be standard now [15:35] - Better filter cabinets mean less maintenance [20:27] - Drew's free book and its easy-read format [22:22] - Why install quality matters more than equipment brand

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Drew Tozer, an energy advisor and Partner at Foundry Heat Pumps, and Expert Advisor at Building Decarbonization Alliance and Jouleia, about heat pump systems and how to make homes more comfortable. They discuss common problems like hot and cold rooms, the myths around heat pumps, and why right-sizing equipment matters. Drew explains how heat pumps have improved and how to pick the best one based on home size, ductwork, and local climate. They also cover hybrid setups, electric backups, and simple tips to avoid overworking systems and keep indoor air comfy and efficient. Drew Tozer explains how many homes have rooms that are too hot or too cold because of wrong HVAC sizing. He shares why heat pumps are a smart fix when sized right and how older myths make people avoid them. Drew says most homes don't need gas backup and that hybrid systems help when ductwork or power panels are limited. Gary shares job stories showing how right sizing and good planning improve comfort. They both agree that knowing a home's needs and choosing the right system can lower costs, save energy, and keep homes more comfortable year-round. Here, Drew explains how many HVAC systems are too big for the home, which causes hot and cold spots and short run times. Like using the right shoe size, right-sizing heat pumps helps keep comfort steady. He says heat pumps now work well even in cold places, and hybrid setups help when ductwork or power is limited. Gary shares how proper installs and load checks made big comfort changes. They remind techs that smaller, well-planned systems run better, save energy, and avoid problems like noise, bad airflow, and early breakdowns. Expect to Learn: Why do many homes have hot and cold rooms year-round? How oversized HVAC systems cause poor comfort and airflow. Why modern heat pumps often don't need a gas backup. How hybrid systems help when ducts or power are limited. Why right-sizing saves energy and makes homes feel better. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro to Drew Tozer in Part 01 [02:07] - Modern Heat Pumps Don't Need Gas Backup [04:49] - Why load calculations are key for heat pumps [05:45] - Hybrid setups for duct and power limitations [09:25] - Oversized cooling and moisture issues explained [11:37] - Real loads vs. guessed loads in HVAC installs [13:32] - Choosing the best size heat pump for ductwork [16:58] - Panel upgrades vs. staying with gas backup [19:39] - Fixing hot/cold rooms with the right equipment sizing

Bible School 2025: The Pursuit of God Introduction The goal for the week is to dive deep into spiritual topics as adults while the children receive special instruction. The church has been praying for the Holy Spirit to saturate and fill every room, heart, and teacher throughout the week. "It takes the Holy Spirit to do anything that is spiritually important." The focus will be on the pursuit of God, revisiting a topic from the previous year with expanded lessons. Notes will be available for those who want them. Pastor Tommy emphasizes the importance of God's people "getting into that normal, expectant, pushing toward apprehending God every day." The devil uses many "thieves" to steal the relationship with God. Pastor Tommy credits A.W. Tozer's book, The Pursuit of God, as a significant influence. Tozer was a pastor who gave away all royalties from his books and lived a simple life dedicated to serving God. "Here was a man that gave everything he had to serve God...he gave it away and he wrote never owned a car him and his wife would road a bus everywhere they went." Revelation 2 and 3: Churches of Ephesus and Laodicea The Revelator, through the Holy Spirit, provides a chronological picture of the church age, from the New Testament church to the church of Laodicea. Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7): A powerful, growing church filled with the transforming power of God. Known for its works, labor, patience, and intolerance of evil. Criticized for having "left thy first love." The church is urged to repent and return to their initial devotion. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22): Represents the modern church, characterized by talk of religion but lacking substance. Materially rich but spiritually "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, leading to the threat of being "spewed...out of my mouth." The church is warned to repent and return to God. Pastor Tommy suggests that elements of both churches may be present in contemporary congregations. Some may have lost their first love, worn down by the world. Others may be living in sin and indifferent toward God. Both conditions require change and repentance. The Pursuit of God: An Urge Within Us The pursuit of God is spurred by an urge that God places within us. The Holy Spirit wants to help individuals move from where they are to where they need to be. John 6:44 states, "No man can come unto Me except the Father draw him." It was the Holy Spirit that led individuals to conviction and opened their hearts to faith. Pastor Tommy emphasizes that salvation is not the end but the beginning of a journey. "When a person is born again, that is but the inception." The Holy Spirit's work is essential to prevent individuals from taking credit for their spiritual achievements. "If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit of God I wouldn't be saved." The impulse to pursue God originates with God, and the outworking is our following hard after Him. Even in pursuit, individuals are already in God's hand. Apathy and indifference toward God are prevalent among Christians. People come to church and leave unchanged, without engaging in personal prayer or Bible study. Examples of Pursuing God David (Psalm 63:1, 8; 42:1-2): Sought God early and thirsted for Him. His soul followed hard after God. "O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee." A man after God's own heart, always wanting more of Him. Moses: Spoke with God face to face but desired to see His glory. God honored his request by allowing him to see a glimpse of His glory from the cleft of the rock. Moses' face shone brightly after the encounter. "Moses got to see it because he asked him for more." Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:12-14, 8-10): Acknowledged that he had not yet attained perfection but ...

"Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame" (1 Co 15:33–35).In this sermon, Caleb warns against deception, using the 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast to illustrate how easily people can be misled. Historical examples like Nazi propaganda, Mao's Great Leap Forward, and Rwandan radio lies show the devastating consequences of believing falsehoods. The sermon emphasizes that what we believe shapes our thoughts, actions, and worship, drawing from A.W. Tozer's insight that our view of God is paramount. Paul's three imperatives guide believers to avoid deception: keep good company, as bad influences corrupt morals; be sober-minded, rejecting false teaching to live righteously; and know God deeply, as ignorance of Him leads to spiritual drift. The resurrection anchors this call to clarity, urging listeners to align their lives with gospel truth. The sermon closes with an invitation to the Lord's Table, encouraging reflection on Christ's historical and personal resurrection, which empowers believers to resist deception and live faithfully.

What do A.W. Tozer, global missions, and church planting have in common? They're all part of the story of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany unpack the history, theology, and leadership structure of the CMA denomination. They explore the Alliance's roots in 19th-century revivalism, the influence of A.B. Simpson, and why CMA churches are often more recognizable by their mission than by their name.

Pastor Jeff Cranston continues his conversation with Pastor Jason of Crossway Church as they dive deeper into what makes the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination distinct. They explore how the Alliance approaches communion and baptism, what a typical Sunday service looks like, and how its leadership structure supports both local autonomy and global mission.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is evident through wisdom, revelation, and empowerment. Yet, many followers of Jesus struggle to fully embrace the Spirit and remain open to its power and transformative work—both of which are essential for a vibrant, faith-filled life. References: "It is the same with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Evangelical Christianity believes it, but nobody experiences it. It (the Holy Spirit) lies under the snow, forgotten. I am praying that God may be able to melt away the ice from this blessed truth, and let it spring up alive again, that the Church and the people who hear may get some good out of it and not merely say 'I believe,' while it is buried under the snow of inactivity and nonattention." - A.W. Tozer

A.W. Tozer famously said, "What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." And yet most Christians don't know what to think about the Trinity. How do we wrap our minds around such lofty ideas? It feels too big or abstract. It seems impractical. So why talk about it? Because the night before Jesus died, when he wanted to give the disciples the most essential things that would carry them through very hard days ahead... guess what he talked about? Yes, the Trinity. Why? How would it help the disciples then, and how can it help us now? Let's talk about the joy of who God is and how he is sharing his inner life with us: "3-in-1" (John 14:15-21)

The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is evident through wisdom, revelation, and empowerment. Yet, many followers of Jesus struggle to fully embrace the Spirit and remain open to its power and transformative work—both of which are essential for a vibrant, faith-filled life. References: "How many blessed truths have gotten snowed under. People believe them, but they are just not being taught, that is all. I think of our experience this morning. Here was a man and his wife, a very fine intelligent couple from another city. They named the church to which they belonged, and I instantly said, 'That is a fine church!' 'Oh, yes,' they said, 'but they don’t teach what we came over here for.' They came over because they were ill and wanted to be scripturally anointed for healing. So I got together two missionaries, two preachers, and an elder, and we anointed them and prayed for them. If you were to go to that church where they attend and say to the preacher, 'Do you believe that the Lord answers prayer and heals the sick?' he would reply, 'Sure, I do!' He believes it, but he doesn’t teach it, and what you don’t believe strongly enough to teach doesn’t do you any good. It is the same with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Evangelical Christianity believes it, but nobody experiences it. It lies under the snow, forgotten. I am praying that God may be able to melt away the ice from this blessed truth, and let it spring up again alive, that the Church and the people who hear may get some good out of it and not merely say 'I believe' while it is buried under the snow of inactivity and nonattention. 'Lord, don’t let me be guilty of keeping the truth of the Holy Spirit’s ministry ‘buried under the snow.’ Help me to both teach and live the active presence and controlling power of the Holy Spirit today. Amen.'" - A.W. Tozer, How to be Filled with the Spirit “Everywhere I go, I find that God’s people lack something. They are hungry for something. Their Christian experience is not all that they expected.” - Billy Graham TRANSCRIPT

Getting Over The Burden Of Self (a heavy load) Tozer Pursuit of God Ch. 9 Great Christian author A W Tozer's Book Pursuit of God Ch. 9 Meekness & RestThank you for listening, our heart's prayer is for you and I to walk daily with Jesus, our joy and peace aimingforjesus.com YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@aimingforjesus5346 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aiming_for_jesus/ Threads https://www.threads.com/@aiming_for_jesus X https://x.com/AimingForJesus Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@aiming.for.jesus

The God We Worship | A.W. Tozer famously said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” So what comes to your mind? An impersonal force? A cosmic life coach? An angry judge? This summer, we'll explore who God truly is—and what difference it makes to worship him with your whole life.

When Jesus asked this question two thousand years ago, He was alerting His followers about the prevailing spiritual condition of people on earth at the time of His return. Jesus knew the answer: the close of the age would be marked by a mass defection from the truth. What will they be falling away from? The faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Let's look at the current defection from the faith leading toward total apostasy and what we can do about it.Show Notes:A.W. Tozer's book: The Knowledge of the HolyWill Jesus Find Faith? Read the article on Concerning The TimesText us for prayer, comments, or ministry questions.Connect with us at: concerningthetimes.com

What is wisdom? What is righteousness? Who are the primary role-models in wisdom and righteousness in the Old Testament, and how do they point us to Christ? As we conclude our last episode in our Gospel Spice Proverbs series, Stephanie invites us to take a final look at what righteousness and wisdom truly are, and then we will gaze at the Face of Him who is our righteousness. We ponder perseverance and endurance in the faith in our struggle against lust--in whatever form. Make sure to check out the optional-but-oh-so-helpful mini e-book to go along with the series at gospelspice.com/wisdom On righteousness: Proverbs talks a lot about the righteous and the wicked, the lazy, the fool. It teaches by example—what is righteous by showing what is wicked.  The moment you accept Christ, life does not become a stroll in the park. Perseverance in your faith is the hallmark of your faithfulness. Your authenticity is proven by your walk. The walk of faith is a slow transformation with lots of roadblocks and dead-ends and detours, many coming from the past – past idols trying to trip you up in guilt and shame. But you are a new creation in Christ. You are the Bride of Christ, pure and blameless and spotless and righteous—not on your own strength but HIDDEN IN HIM. If you think that conversion is a fast-pass to transformation, you are in for a deception. Faith is slow-cooked more often than it is pressure-cooked, though both happen. Righteousness is valuing God above all else. It means that ethics and morality find their source in respecting God as the ultimate worth. Righteousness is more than doing the “right” thing: righteousness is valuing God as ultimate in all things. Valuing God as ultimate in all things is the ultimate right thing, and that is what makes you righteous in His eyes. Our righteousness is exhibited when we too value and respect the worth of God without wavering and upholding it in all that we do, to the nest of our strength in Christ. In other words, We as humans are to practice righteousness towards the goal of obtaining it, knowing it is already ours in Christ. On wisdom: Solomon was the wisest king who ever lived, yet we have seen that he didn't end so well. The consequences cannot be overstated. Proverbs extols wisdom associated with a man who, by everyone's judgment, was considered wise and is so to the present day. Yet he failed to live by wisdom. The result is further affirmation of the testimony of the Law, that our hope is in One. Even so great a force as wisdom, when it is nurtured and embraced, cannot rescue us from the evil that resides in our hearts. Solomon's details and bad ending, moral of the story: even the wisest man, apart from Christ, is not wise enough. “The universal Voice of God was by the ancient Hebrews often called wisdom.” (A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God) “This habit of explaining the Voice by appeals to natural law is at the very root of modern science. In the living, breathing cosmos there is a mysterious Something, too wonderful for any mind to understand. The believing man does not claim to understand. He falls to his knees and whispers, “God.” The man of the earth kneels, too, but not to worship. He kneels to examine, to search, to find the cause and the how of things.” A.W. Tozer Folly is looking for an explanation in the dirt of the earth, under the sun. Wisdom is knowing that God will be found above the sun. And so, wisdom, the voice of God, calls and searches the one who wants to cultivate their spiritual heart. If you have ever experienced inexplicable loneliness, or otherworldly longing, or a feeling of awe and wonder, a moment of light and lightness – that is the Voice of God guiding your spiritual heart to find your rest in Him. On wisdom from above, in the Face of Christ Jesus: Jesus describes the wisdom that is from above in His Sermon on the Mount. Take the Beatitudes and write them in reverse – you will get the wisdom from the world: accumulate riches. Be selfish. Be on the lookout for Number One. Live for this world alone. Jesus is not offering an opinion here. Jesus never gives opinions. He gives truth. HE KNOWS. His wisdom is not from under the sun like Solomon's. His wisdom is not the result of his study of human nature or nature itself. Jesus gives truth because He is fully God. He is speaking from within the intimacy of the Trinity.  His words are not opinions. They are truth. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' definition of wisdom that is from above. So, worship God, who is from above the sun. Worship Christ, the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. This is taken from Hebrews 1:1-5, which tells us that God spoke wisdom through the Old Testament, in Proverbs for example, but that He went all out in Christ: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs." ---------------Note to PARENTS--------------- We CARE about your family!! As usual, Stephanie brings in a fictitious character to illustrate our theme. This week's trait is lust. Therefore, the initial illustration, while not explicit, might not be for the youngest ears--unless you are ready to answer spicy questions about intimate relations. Stephanie's mention is brief, but an inquisitive little heart may pick up on questions worth asking! Decide for yourself when to best listen to the first 5 minutes of this episode! Make sure to check out the optional-but-oh-so-helpful mini e-book to go along with the series at gospelspice.com/wisdom MORE ABOUT OUR FICTIONAL GUESTS Over the last few weeks, we have sought to cultivate God-centered hope, faith and joy by pondering wisdom from the Book of Proverbs. We have followed fictitious characters who have role-modeled various options open to us as believers. Today, we will conclude our series by highlighting key takeaways from each one. Samantha has shown us what foolishness is, so that we could know what wisdom from above means. We have seen that embracing Wisdom will bring us knowledge and discernment. We have learned how wisdom undergirds our God-breathed process towards deeper hope, faith and joy. Brian has exemplified the danger of refusing to let God be God. We called this “spiritual adultery,” and discovered guilt that leads to repentance and restoration. We have chosen to embrace integrity and truth in order to enjoy a clear conscience. Brian has shown us that our quest is rooted in our identity. Jessica lived a life rooted in fear and anxiety. She is learning to replace them with faith and trust. With her, we have chosen to embrace faith, as it will lead to peace and serenity. She would tell us that God's love for us is where our heart finds its rest. Lauren's life moved from self-pride to genuine humility. With her, we have embraced a Christ-centered humility that leads to God-honoring gratitude. With Lauren and Jessica, we have pondered this truth: fear stems from a delated view of God; pride stems from an inflated view of self. Eve chose to move away from her self-centered lifestyle, and towards selfless love. She has discovered that true God-grounded love leads to compassion. With her, we have identified the God-given challenge of the Christian life: to nurture our craving for the One who will never disappoint. John's life was deeply rooted in self-destructive greed. Idolatry happens when we love something—anything—more than God. We are all guilty. We all rob ourselves of joy when we choose greed. Because greed robs us of joy, we choose generosity and a purpose rooted in hope, faith and joy. Finally, Lizzie indulged in a lifestyle of selfish numbing and comfortable little pleasures. She created for herself a bubble that isolated her from the real world God had been inviting her to take her place in. We pondered the importance of self-control as the means to the life of freedom that God has for us. Hope, faith and joy are the expression of this God-given, God-glorifying freedom. Through all of them, we have seen that, when we become serious about our intimacy with God, distractions, dangers and hindrances will come knocking. Our life is a spiritual battleground. Our hearts will either side with God, or with the enemy of our soul. Hope, faith and joy lie in the balance. They are the means to the great Reward of life itself: intimacy with God. Worship is the secret of a vibrant relationship with God. Worship is valuing Him as ultimate in all things. First, it means that hope, faith and joy will not grow in the soil of your life without cultivating a heart of gratitude. Also, it means that there cannot be true worship without complete surrender to God's sovereignty. That is spiritual wisdom. Surrender is not adopting a martyr's pose in submission; it is the glad agreement that God is right. Such faith is cheerful, joyful, and approving. Worship is embracing the truth that God is wise, and that we grow in hope, faith and joy under the shadow of His wings, His wisdom, His guidance. Make sure to check out the optional-but-oh-so-helpful mini e-book to go along with the series at gospelspice.com/wisdom We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

A. W. Tozer fue pastor, escritor y editor cristiano en el siglo XX. Sin formación académica, pero con hambre de Dios, influyó en la vida espiritual de miles con palabras cargadas de eternidad.SÍGUENOSSitio web: http://biteproject.com​​​x: https://twitter.com/biteproject​​​Podcast: https://anchor.fm/biteprojectTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@biteprojectInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biteproject/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biteproject/​​​Créditos:Producido por: Giovanny Gómez Pérez y Pilar PrietoMúsica: Envato Elements.Generación de voces: Daniel Ángel.Edición de sonido y música: Jhon Montaña.

In this episode we talk with Tozer and Greg Fullmer (aka Fromer). 

Tozer and I continue our discussion with Raul and we learn how Raul got Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico, to visit Raul's university. We also dive into the moral philosophy that Raul so effectively teaches his students.

In this episode Tozer and I talk with Raul Rodriguez, who has one of the most impressive life stories I've ever heard. I think you'll really enjoy hearing about Raul's life and the impact Tozer had on it it.

Worship Leader Taylor Cummings highlights A.W. Tozer's observation that despite varied backgrounds, the great saints all shared a keen spiritual receptivity—recognizing God's presence and actively responding to it. He urges us to move beyond mere awareness and seek God wholeheartedly.

In this episode we talk with Casey Bergeson, one of Tozer's first "roommates" and one of Tozer's closest friends.

In this episode we discuss why Tozer moved from Idaho Falls to Los Alamos. We also learn how Tozer became the Father of LANL's Information System that tracks hazardous waste. 

When a relationship starts to break down, the damage isn't always obvious at first. Small moments of distance, unspoken resentment, or the pressure of outside stress can quietly chip away at the foundation. A demanding career only adds to the strain, making it easy to prioritize work while the relationship fades into the background. Over time, what once felt unshakable can turn into something fragile, where both people feel more like strangers than partners. Dee Tozer, an internationally recognized psychologist and couples master coach, specializes in repairing relationships after betrayal. Author of Affair Repair and Get Your Relationship Right, she has over 30 years of experience helping high-achieving couples overcome infidelity and emotional disconnection. Today, she highlights how disapproval—through criticism, contempt, and negative communication—erodes relationships, often leading to emotional affairs and deeper disconnect. Stay tuned! Resources: Dee Tozer | The International Master for Infidelity Recovery & Repair… for High Achieving Couples Follow Dee Tozer on Facebook Connect with Dee Tozer on LinkedIn

TO THIS MAN WILL I LOOK   “To this man will I look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit and trembles at my word.” —Isaiah 66:2     The context of this statement is the building of a house for Him. God confronts the absurdity of thinking He is contained by space. Nothing can contain Him. Yet, there is nothing outside of Him. Hannah Whithall Smith once wrote, “People are always trying to enter God's presence but when I read the Bible I see that you cannot get out of it.” Part of the error of the human perspective is that God is like us. That He is here and not there or He must arrive or that He has left. Though we know that the glory of God can depart and manifest, God when understood rightly, envelops all things. He sees, hears and rules all. Tozer once wrote, “The Christian believes, ‘God is there' while the mystic believes that ‘God is here.” In other words, the truth is not merely that God exists, but that you are before Him in all that you do. Humility and the recognition of the all-present one are inseparable. Recently, the drama amongst Christian ministers is at the highest point I have ever witnessed it.  I have found the best way to communicate with each side is to keep before my eyes that the Lord is here. Present. Listening. Let us absorb and conduct ourselves from this revelation of God from God, “heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Has my hand not made everything?” Yesterday I was on a plane returning from preaching at the Chicago HUB conference. From the plane I saw the Disney fireworks show.  A show that I have seen many times. This perspective of the show was much different.  Those massive, loud and bright bursts that squint the eye and pain the ear covering the entire sky above were as small as an app icon on my iPhone.  From this height I heard nothing and could cover the entire show with my pinky.  Maybe the height or our lives is determined by the greatness of our God.  If we think God comes and goes, is here and leaves, can be contained in our auditorium the world is loud, large and squints the eye. But if we believe He is the omnipresent one and nothing is done in the dark or behind his notice, we can raise to that altitude where the greatest displays of men are smaller than a child's hand.   After the Creator of all things declares His greatness, He then swoops down from the highest heavens to the crawling worm and whispers, “To this man will I look.” Breathtaking utterance - Yaweh has revealed to all men what it is that He searches for. John Trapp translates it, “I have an eye to thee.” Giving a romance tone like that old Flamingos tune, “I Only Have Eyes For You.” Brian Simmons comments, “There is one my eyes are drawn to…” Motyer translates it, “For this one I will look.” We have both an understanding that God notices and searches for this one.    “To this man will I look…” He will turn His countenance towards this man.  His countenance is His blessing, keeping, graciousness and peace (Numbers 6). His countenance is that shining of His face.  He lights upon this man.   What other heaven is there? God's face? The very thing God calls us to seek, “Seek my face.”  That very thing David determined to seek, “Your face Lord will I seek.” His presence and person overshadows the humble.    I want to call attention to the fact that man is thinking house and God is thinking humility.  Man thinks building and God thinks bowing. Man thinks place, God thinks person. Man says, “do?” God says “look.”  Yaweh discloses, “Humility attracts Me!” Andrew Murray defines humility as, “The sense of our entire nothingness.” A true faith that prostrates itself before all that God has revealed Himself to be.  Isaac Ambrose cautions us, “if at anytime the soul begins to feel advanced in regard to the accomplishment of duty and spiritual things let us fall down before God and humble ourselves for the pride in our hearts.” Who are the humble? Motyer says they are “those ready to take the lowest place.” For He who is little in his own eyes will not be troubled to be little in the eyes of others. The high mountains are barren but the low valleys are fruitful. Accordingly the showers of God's grace fall into lowly hearts.    Those who are humble are “contrite of spirit.” Notice that it doesn't say, “contrite” only.  Rather it says, “contrite of spirit.” Meaning, it is not a moment of contrition but a way of contrition.  It is not merely an appeal for mercy but a disposition of mercy. It is recognition of a great need for mercy.  An awareness of frailty. A friend said to me today, “I am as messed up as everyone else, I just want to be honest about it.” Dane Ortlund said, “I went from being an unaware screw up to an aware screw up.”  It is living with a ‘need for mercy' frame of mind. Motyer translates it, “crippled in spirit.” The word, astoundingly is the same word used in 2 Samuel 4:4;9:8 for Mephibosheth. Saul's disabled son. A lameness. A deep sense of the damage of sin and helplessness to please God in ourselves. Earnest Kevan wrote, “Sin so crippled man's moral powers that he cannot perform anything that is truly acceptable to God.” Another Theologian writes that it is to “recognize a radical defect that runs from top to bottom.” The natural man is like water on a hill, left to itself it quickly runs downward. Brian Simmons comments that this imparts a “tenderness” of spirit. The man who knows his personal deformity is granted Christ's beauty.   Martin Lloyd Jones wrote, “The way to become poor in spirit is to look at God.” How do we make our souls dwell in the valley of humility - in view of God look at humanity. All that you are, see your own soul, all you have and do not have. Look upon your body, remember your actions and lack of actions, see your condition, sufferings, home life, incidents with others, seldom virtues. How often you have placed self first, preferred yourself, made yourself the center, forgotten to think of others or even to consider God. Your lack of constant joy, peace, trust, patience, peace, selflessness. You do not know if you will live tomorrow or not.  “If the Lord wills you, you will do this or that.” How little time you have and that it is not yours anyway.    Those who are humble and contrite of spirit tremble at his word. From a crippling faith in God the humble live with a great value of His word. To tremble at His word means we believe it. It is important to us. His spoken words are more valuable than 10,000 gold and silver pieces. The crippled man finds His treasure to be God's word. Brian Simmons comments, “living in awe of all I say.” Motyer defines treasuring God's word as, “longing to obey it. To receive it not as the words of man but the very creative word of God.” For the word of God is not “inspired” but “expired.” The God-breathed word. It is God extending Himself to us. Thomas Watson calls the word of God, “the sundial by which we set our lives.” As Luther told us to remember, “the Scriptures did not grow on earth.”    There is a story of a young boy on a ship whose mother gave him a bible. With it she told him, “Whatever happens in your life, never let this book go.” The ship wrecked, his parents drowned and the boy was found holding only his bible.  The Captain asked him why he chose to save his bible over everything else. He said, “My mother told me, no matter what happens in life, never let this book go.” When they arrived on land, the captain took the orphaned boy to a Christian merchant that he knew. After telling the story to the merchant that captain said, “I thought he might be a Christian.” The merchant gladly received the boy and said, “He who holds on to the word in peril is a Christian indeed.”    Lady Jane Gray was made fun of by her peers for reading the Bible while they all played. Her response was, “All amusements are but a shadow of the pleasures which I enjoy reading this book.”    In summary - amidst all the trials, temptations, and thunder storms of this short life, amidst all the different opinions throughout human existence, amidst all the joys and pleasures of living, there is one kind of person that God looks for and looks at.  Upon this one and this one only does God cast the light of His favor and face. The one whose faith has brought him low, crippled his life and clings to God through His word.     

All of us want the power of God to be evident in our lives. But how is this accomplished? John discusses A.W. Tozer's Five Vows for Spiritual Power as a convicting and helpful tool in pursuing spiritual growth.

Why was the crucifixion necessary? In this provoking Good Friday episode of Tent Talk Podcast, Nancy McCready reminds us that Jesus didn't just die for our sins - He died to put to death our entire old nature. The crucifixion wasn't about self-improvement. It was God's radical solution to restore sons to Himself. Christ's death allows us to die to our self-exalting ways and be resurrected as true sons who honor Him above all else. Will we live as sons unto the Father? Will we honor Him above all else? This is what the crucifixion and resurrection are all about. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Restoration-3.0.pdf LINKS The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer: https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-God-Updated-W-Tozer/dp/1622452968 The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

The Easter season is the amazing revelation of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ…and the restoration of all things. In this episode of Tent Talk Podcast, we glean from A. W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God, which reminds us that in our pursuit of God, we often forget a fundamental truth: true restoration comes from recentering ourselves with our Creator. This Easter season, let's remember that our salvation isn't just a judicial change, but a complete restoration of our relationship with God. As Tozer beautifully puts it, "Essentially, salvation is the restoration of a right relation between man and his Creator, a bringing back to normal of the creator-creature relation." Are you ready to step out of the world's parade and fully embrace your relation to Him? Here we go! Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Restoration-2.0.pdf LINKS The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer: https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-God-Updated-W-Tozer/dp/1622452968 The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

In this raw and timely “here you go” episode—recorded from a bustling Starbucks—Nancy McCready shares a provoking word about the restoration of all things to God. So often, our focus is on what needs to be restored to us, but Jesus came because the Father desired to have a vast family of sons who are in the image of His Son. Reading from Acts 3, we look at repentance, refreshing, and full restoration to Him. God's plan isn't just to erase our sins. It's to fully restore us to our original purpose - living in oneness with Him. Are you ready to step into His continual refreshing and be part of His grand plan of restoration to Him? The plan has never changed. Plan A is still on! Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Restoration-1.0.pdf LINKS The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer: https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-God-Updated-W-Tozer/dp/1622452968 The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

He's living your life. What does that truth do to the weight on your shoulders? To the knot in your stomach, to the ache in your chest? Nothing will happen that isn't in accordance with His will. What you think is breaking you is only the beginning of the miracle you've been praying for. Trust Him.Jesus, I trust in You.Lay down your fears,Kiss the wounds,And remember... it's already done.The Cross is your portal.Through every tear, the veil is torn.Through every prayer, you cross over.He's saying,“Sit like it. Smile like it. Because you've already won.”I Love you, nik _________________________--Wake Up to Love, and pray the Holy Rosary, pray the LOVE with us LIVE every weekday morning at 4:44 am ET

Think back to the last time you lost your Peace.What was it?Who was it?Did it pull you into ego, out of Love?What if you could see it differently today?What if you met it with Love?Close your eyes.Feel Love like you're holding a sleeping baby, watching a blazing sunset, or standing under a tree stretching towards heaven. Now, look at the world through this Love.Through His eyes.Everything is Love.Even the hard things, the painful moments.They're here to burn, purify, transform.Offer your suffering.Throw it into God's hands.Draw out peace, hope, grace.Stay in His presence.Pray His name softly, under your breath,“Jesus, help me.”Know that He is enough.His love is enough.When you feel the pull of the world,stop, put your hand over your heart,and whisper, “Thank you, Jesus. You are enough.”This love changes you.It anchors you.You're not the same,and you can't go back now.Keep walking forward in faith.Every stumble, every heartbreak, every moment of doubtonly brings you closer to Him.And as you rise,you shine.I love you, nik _________________________--Blessed Rosaries are back in stock!--Wake Up to Love, and pray the Holy Rosary, pray the LOVE with us LIVE every weekday morning at 4:44 am ET

Explore the profound depth of God's love as Jonny Ardavanis and Hank Bowen break down 10 remarkable aspects of God's love from Psalm 103. This episode examines how God's holy love transforms our understanding of salvation, forgiveness, and our intimacy with Him.Learn why A.W. Tozer believed that "what comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you" and discover why understanding God's holiness is essential to experiencing His love fully. Jonny explains how God loves each person as if they were the only one to love, and why this truth should be the most soul-satisfying element of our lives.Key topics include:Why God's love is holy, forgiving, and satisfyingThe meaning of God's "loving kindness" (chesed) and its eternal natureHow God demonstrates His love through ChristThe fatherly dimension of God's infinite lovePractical ways to experience God's transforming love dailyWhether you're struggling to feel God's love or seeking deeper spiritual understanding, this conversation provides biblical insights that will renew your perspective on God's amazing love.Watch VideosVisit the Website Buy Consider the LiliesFollow on Instagram

In this episode we discuss how Tozer helped me get recruited out of high school, and we discuss the movie Oppenheimer, given that Tozer spent more than a decade at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.