Body

Devotions

Set Apart for God

Gary Wilkerson

On the night before his crucifixion, at the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me” (John 14:19). What an interesting statement for Jesus to make. One of them asked, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (14:22).

Of course, Jesus had a lesson in mind. He answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ... Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ... And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father” (14:23, 27, 29-31).

Jesus’ response here brings into focus a theme he is driving at throughout this passage — separation. In these few verses, Christ makes three clear distinctions between his kingdom and the world:

  • “The world will see me no more, but you will see me” (14:19).
  • “My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (14:27).
  • “The ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me” (14:30).

Until the past few years, separation was a defining characteristic of Christ’s church. Being set apart was a clear command from God’s Word and a part of every Christian’s calling. Today, however, there seems to be very little distinction between the church and the world. Let us remember that we are set apart for his kingdom purposes, to be instruments of change.

Rise Up in Unity

Nicky Cruz

What if the Body of Christ as a whole could come together in unity, put away our differences of opinion and our social and doctrinal disputes, and focus on one specific goal — to reach the lost? What if we called on the Holy Spirit to heal wounds and bring forgiveness to our hearts and souls, forgetting the past and concentrating instead on the future? What kind of spiritual revival would the world experience when they saw us standing together before them in a united front?

That is the kind of love and unity that Jesus prayed for just before he went to the cross: “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ... May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).

Jesus prayed for unity among his followers because he knew that without it we would be helpless in the midst of an angry and hostile world. It is only through a unified spirit, through standing together as one against the attacks of the Evil One, that we are able to effectively bring God’s message of love and hope to a world steeped in sin. We cannot offer peace and love to a chaotic culture if we don’t have it within our own ranks.

I long to see the day when Christians everywhere “rise up in unity” and ask every person on this planet to bow their knees before our merciful Savior. That would be a day humankind would never forget — the day Jesus’ followers came together with one heart, one mind, one Spirit, and one purpose: to release one holy fire upon the world.

Nicky Cruz, internationally known evangelist and prolific author, turned to Jesus Christ from a life of violence and crime after meeting David Wilkerson in New York City in 1958. The story of his dramatic conversion was told first in The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson and then later in his own best-selling book Run, Baby, Run.

Cherished by God

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

After years of service you may find yourself still being trained by the Lord. We never stop learning about following his clear direction, especially when he leads us into hard places. I am still learning not to say, “That’s it, God. I’ve had enough.” Instead, I’m teaching myself to say, “Lord, I don’t see the way ahead; I don’t know where I’ll find the grace to get through this. But you promised to be my strength.”

This is the place of true faith. It is also where we find our rest — by fully trusting in the Lord’s love for us. As Paul states, what else do we have to present to him but our faith? Not works or performance (see Ephesians 2:8-9). We have only our belief in him and our reliance on him to provide all we need.

Dear one, he is going to bring you through and he wants to take you to a place of incredible blessing. You may have to be willing to do seemingly insignificant things — although they are not insignificant to him! You will face tests and trials that will be hard, some even seemingly beyond your ability to endure. Yet that is the training ground God has set apart for multitudes of his most beloved, chosen ones. It is where you will learn his nature, his character, his blessing, and his goodness.

It may be hard to comprehend and understand that in spite of your failures, you are cherished by a holy God. But you are loved with the same love he has shown his Son. And he has a holy purpose for you, just as he did for Jesus. Therefore, accept the peace that passes all understanding and rest, knowing that his blessing lies ahead of you.

At the end of the day, you will be able to bow your head and say, “Lord, you did it again. You brought me through in victory!” 

The Lord “Knows Your Frame”

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

Have you ever struggled with obeying God because you really wanted to move ahead and do something on your own? If so, I can only urge you to examine your calling. Do exactly what God is telling you to do and go exactly where he is leading. If you are there now, you are at peace. But if you are not at peace, it may be because you are not trusting the Lord in the way you should be.

Perhaps the things you are doing now in God’s place seem insignificant to you. In your mind, they may not be up to what you perceive to be your high calling. But when you make peace with where God has sent you, you will be abundantly blessed. The Lord “knows your frame” and he will instruct you, keep you, and bless you beyond anything you could imagine. The point is, always go (or stay) where he has directed you in his infinite wisdom. Just be prepared to go through some serious testing.    

We read in the Old Testament that many of God’s servants took a first step of obedience but then murmured and complained when things got tough. Every true servant of God may think, “Lord, I don’t know if I can handle this. I’m not sure I can make it through.”

Peter lovingly warns us that we will sometimes question the battle we face. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Murmuring and complaining can cause our hearts to become hardened, so we need to guard against it. When God tells his servants to trust him, we are to do what he says without murmuring, knowing he has our best interests at heart.

Over-Answered Prayers

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

At one time King David asked God to save him from dying and God answered his prayer: “He asked life from You, and You gave it to him — length of days” (Psalm 21:4). But God went much further in answering David’s prayer. Not only did he give him life, he also put a crown on his head and made him king of Israel.

After God made David king, he poured honor and splendor upon him. “You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. ... Honor and majesty You have placed upon him” (21:3 and 5). And to top it off, God added great joy: “You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence” (21:6).

“For with the Lord there is ... abundant redemption” (Psalm 130:7). David was saying, “Lord, you not only extended mercy to me but you poured out your redemption.”

David’s son Solomon also prayed a simple prayer: “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). Solomon was saying, “Lord, all I want is wisdom to know how to handle your people. I only want to be a just king over them.”

God answered Solomon’s direct request in an incredible way: “Then God said to him: ‘Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, not have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done accord to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you’” (3:11-12).

God was absolutely delighted to over-answer the unselfish prayers of these great men! And your heavenly Father wants to do the same for you.