Body

Devotions

Boldness and Confidence

Gary Wilkerson

“He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it until the final day. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart” (Philippians 1:6-7).

You can see the love Paul has for the Philippians here. And because of this great love, he is hurting with them because of difficult circumstances they are going through.

A couple of years ago some dear friends of ours both lost their jobs and had to move into a small apartment with their children.  

Of course, I hurt for them and like a father with a child, I wanted something better for them. But what do you do when you’re hurting for others? In this situation, my prayer for those friends went something like this: “Lord, why? What’s wrong? Lord, can’t you help them? Give them each a job.” I admit I was very troubled over their situation.

Contrast that with Paul’s prayer: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” (Philippians 1:3-4).

There was no anxiety, fear, stress, or lack of confidence. Paul was very thankful and prayed with great joy! Where does that come from? Let’s look at what Paul tells us in verse 6 one more time.

“And I am sure of this.” Sure of what? 

“That he who began a good work . . .” Paul is saying the reason he can be sure and the reason he can have joy is HE . . . Jesus! He gives boldness and confidence.  

The confidence comes to believers in Christ Jesus when they can say this phrase: “I am sure of this, that HE. . .”

The emphasis is on HE. It’s HE who has done this. It’s not the doctor. It’s not the financial wizard. It is Jesus who began that good work in you and he will be faithful to complete it!  

In Step with the Spirit

Jim Cymbala

Most of us started our Christian lives with the belief that God was all we needed. Period. Certainly we knew we had no part in gaining acceptance with God. His salvation was a free gift — all we had done was to believe and receive. But then following Christ got a little more complicated. Aware of our failings, we turned not to him but to ourselves! And that’s why Paul summarized his teaching to the Galatians in these words: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, emphasis added).

We are born again through the Holy Spirit in us, and we live by the Spirit. Having begun that way, should we now revert back to self-effort in our pathetic attempts to live good lives? Paul’s directive is to keep in step with the Spirit — the living presence of God dwelling in our hearts. As we submit to the Spirit of God, he peels off layer after layer of stuff displeasing to him.

In our own strength, we can never act like Jesus Christ. That is why he sent us a Helper. The Spirit of Jesus within us wants to tenderly and lovingly manage our days. This isn’t a bad thing. He wasn’t sent to rain on our parade and hinder us from enjoying the best of life. Just the opposite! He is ready and able to lead us out into the clean, fresh air of Christlike words, thoughts, and actions.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

“Lord, we want to be holy like you.”

Jim Cymbala began the Brooklyn Tabernacle with less than twenty members in a small, rundown building in a difficult part of the city. A native of Brooklyn, he is a longtime friend of both David and Gary Wilkerson. 

The Greatness of Our God

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

The Psalmist David reminds us of God's greatness even in the midst of overwhelming floods. Our current floods may have raised their voices loudly, but God rules over all of nature. He alone is in control.

David voices the pleas of those being overwhelmed by floods in their soul: "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying: my throat is dry: my eyes fail while I wait for my God" (Psalm 69:1–3).

Yet David has also given us our answer in the midst of every great flood: "The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea" (93:4).

Right now, floodwaters are rising for many believers — afflictions, trials, severe troubles, concern about world events. But God has declared this promise: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you" (Isaiah 43:2).

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. . . . For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. . . . But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children" (Psalm 103:8, 11, 17).

"For Your mercy is great above the heavens . . . and Your glory above all the earth" (108:4–5).

"I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever" (52:8).

Allow God’s Word to enlighten and strengthen you in all you do! 

Building Up Our Faith

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

As David composed his psalms, he built up his own faith on the ever-increasing knowledge of God's greatness.

"Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. . . . You are great, and do wondrous things: You alone are God" (86:8, 10).

According to David, all our fears subside in the knowledge of God's greatness. He extols so many dimensions of the greatness of our Lord in order to build our faith.

"For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the heights of the hills are His also" (Psalm 95:3–4).

"To Him who alone does great wonders . . . To Him who by wisdom made the heavens . . . To Him who laid out the earth above the waters . . . To Him who made great lights . . . The sun to rule by day . . . The moon and stars to rule by night" (136:4–9).

Astronomers tell us there are not millions but billions of galaxies in the universe. They are innumerable, and our God created each one. Indeed, he knows every star and named them all: "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name" (147:4).

We simply cannot take in the many wonders of our God. His greatness is beyond our comprehension!

Exercising Faith

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

Faith is a command and God responds to those who exercise it. Most of the written testimonies we receive in our office contain this truth. In every instance when a believer exercised the truth of God's Word, Jesus came to that person. And his ministering Spirit brought them comfort and renewed their strength in their dark hour.

Of course, it isn't always easy to exercise faith when we're hurting. Often we simply don't have the strength when pain is overwhelming us. At such times Christians can let God's promises slip away.

C.H. Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers in history, suffered from severe depression —during his era this condition was known as "melancholy." What was Spurgeon's remedy? He clung to the Psalms. God's enduring promises were the only true source of comfort for Spurgeon when his world seemed to be falling down around him. When the great preacher didn't have the strength to read them himself, he had someone read them to him because he knew they would bring him comfort and strength. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

"He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). This word is meant especially for believers in the midst of a trial. The Lord is saying, "I have a reward for you in your trial. I have set aside a blessing of strength for you at this time, and I want you to have it. Go after it!"

We must saturate ourselves with God's Word — to be mindful of his promises, trust in his faithfulness and cling to what is true. It is the only way to cut off the demonic voice of torment.

The more we understand and believe in the greatness of our God, the more we will be prepared for the days ahead.