More Tozer Tuesday
“One characteristic that marks the average church today is lack of anticipation. Christians when they meet do not expect anything unusual to happen; consequently only the usual happens, and that usual is as predictable as the setting of the sun…
We need today a fresh spirit of anticipation that springs out of the promises of God. We must declare war on the mood of nonexpectation, and come together with childlike faith. Only then can we know again the beauty and wonder of the Lord’s presence among us.”
AW Tozer
God Tells the Man Who Cares, pp. 168,170.
Sometimes Tozer defies the 140 character limits of Twitter, so I wanted to add all of this passage. It is such a challenge to me, personally. I know we cannot put the mighty presence and work of God on any schedule that involves man’s doing. But there has to be an expectation that when we gather as His people anything can and should happen because the God of all Creation is in our midst.
LG
December 8th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Yes, I totally agree! Thanks for this challenge from Tozer. I have been trying to expect more of God too … I am expecting God to do historic things at Passion 2010. Not because of my own desires or plans, but because God can do seemingly impossible things when His people gather and seek Him.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Thanks so much for Tozer Tuesdays. Been a bless and challenge for me and those around me. Praying expectantly for Passion 2010 even if i can’t be there.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:54 PM
we, i, need the unpredictable presence of God! if not, what are we doing?
December 8th, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Neither the Church nor salvation consists merely in the fact that it has been given to us, be they ever so wonderful. None exist independent of the cross, though most try. Salvation is always only God himself in his presence with us. Who pronounces salvation?
That is the Power which transforms the old cosmos into a new and old creature into a new. And both are set right under the dominion of their Creator. For such a meeting wretches us out of the old age and translates us into the new. The exalted encounter means a cross, grace upon judgment and judgment amidst grace. Who is like the Lord?
If you ever become earnest and truthful in your desires, forget the past and the plans made there. No matter how well planed or devoutly conceived or who blesses them, all created futures end. What is history to Eternity?
December 9th, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Yes! Tozer nails it! So many of us (including me many times) go to church or through life without anticipation or expectation of what God is going to do. We are anticipating and expecting God to do great things this Friday night in Virginia Beach! We are so looking forward to worshipping Jesus with you, Chris and band, and hopefully Christy will be there. Praying that she is feeling better! We are bringing some friends who are “so tired” {smile} of hearing us talk about how powerful the Spirit’s Presence was during the Hello Love tour and PCC. They’ve decided they need to experience it for themselves! Yea! I am excited for them! I pray that each of us leaves changed…transformed…taken to another level with Jesus!
I meant to email this sooner, but our family was so blessed to be able to “detour” through Atlanta a few weeks ago on our way to Disney so we could visit PCC again (Cobb Galleria 11/8). Wow! It was a powerful night right from the beginning with Shelley’s prayer! The Holy Spirit was in that place!! How I’ve asked God if we could just move to Atlanta!
We are so thankful for all of Passion. God has certainly taken me to another level with Him through your teaching and music. I pray that God will cover you all with good health, rest, and safe travels. See you Friday! Unspeakable joy! (We are loving Chris’ Christmas CD by the way! I have sung some of these songs my whole life – I am embarassed to say often without really even thinking about the words – and Chris has taken them back to songs of worship.)
In Christ,
Dawn
December 9th, 2009 at 9:23 AM
oops…I forgot to mention how amazingly friendly everyone at PCC was! The greeters made us feel soooo welcome!! Please tell them how much that meant to us! Still praying for Hannah and the Bozo people. ~Dawn
December 9th, 2009 at 1:57 PM
As a volunteer, today hit me that God is moving among His people and asking them to step up and step out into a dying world, which starts at home. May God continue to move each of us to step boldly into His path and guided by the Holy Spirit, be a voice in the wilderness to any who are missing His guiding hand. Blessings!
December 9th, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Wow, so refreshing.
I am expecting amazingness at Passion 2010. I know God is ready to bless our generation beyond anything we can imagine. Let’s expect it, believe it, and humbly accept it!
Looking forward to January 2nd!
December 9th, 2009 at 11:36 PM
love your tozer tuesdays! always very thought provoking.
thanks for such a great night in milwaukee!! i bought my parents tickets and they were blown away! mom thought you were a hoot louie :)
i also have lots and lots of photos to share!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traykap/sets/72157622951945554/
December 10th, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Growing expectation. Very excited to spend Christmas with my dad; He doesn’t know the Lord. A season of waiting on God to reveal His Son. God in our midst thru Him in me. Love Audrey Assad’s song “Winter Snow.” Gives me hope that a quiet, introverted person like me can be a gentle blessing of God – even in evangelism.
God with us. My hope. Waiting. Praying. Trusting.
December 11th, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Yes, that’s true! I expect God to do things for others; but, it’s a challenge to expect him to do anything in my life.
December 12th, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Hi Louie – I have some photos of you from Chicago concert few nights ago and from couple of years back. Feel free to email me and I’ll be more than happy to pass them along to you. *(contact@kennykim.com) – All the best – Kenny Kim
December 14th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Hi Louie – Thank you for sharing your heart (the Lord’s heart) through your message on this tour. I saw y’all in Orlando on the 2nd and the Lord has brought back the significance of Him entering into our mess so many times. SO good! Thank you! I want to show my teammates that message. Any chance that’s going to be posted or on a dvd soon?? Thanks!
December 14th, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Please pray for our group from Southampton in the UK – 8 of us are due to come to Passion 2010 but British Airways staff just announced a strike until Jan 2nd which means our flight from Heathrow to Atlanta will be cancelled (unless they call off the strike). It will cost us too much to rebook on an alternative airline as we booked back in March – I have been working with these students for five years and we are so expectant about all God has in store in Atlanta…please pray.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:37 PM
This makes me think of Hosea 6:3–”Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
“His going out is SURE as the dawn…”. How constant is the dawn…and how constant is He! I am worn and weary from finals, from the semester, from all that is happening around me. Yet, God is graciously renewing a sense of expectancy in me. Not just for January, but for today. And not just for today alone, but for all my days. I pray that we would be people with an expectancy that doesn’t change with the tide, but one that hopes in God day to day, month to month, year to year.
Oh may I press on to know Him. He will respond.
December 15th, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Hey Passion friends–I’ve got 5 extra tickets at the $99 rate for anyone who needs them. Just email me and we can figure it out!
December 15th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
it would help if i wrote my email addy: jenanne05@gmail.com. Thanks!
December 17th, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Thank you for praying if you saw my post above, the BA strike was called off today which is a huge answer to prayer. Even more expectant for Passion 2010!