Daily in His Presence A Classic Devotional from One of the Most Powerful Voices of the Nineteenth Century

by Murray, Andrew; Wilkinson, Bruce

• ISBN13: 9781601424037
• ISBN10: 1601424035
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-16
• Publisher: Multnomah

Summary

In his time, Andrew Murray was alarmed by how few believers lived wholeheartedly for God and truly displayed to the world the abundant life promised by Jesus Christ. More than a century later, Christians are still living powerless, impoverished spiritual lives, and a media-savvy world dismisses the church as irrelevant. One of the most powerful voices of the nineteenth century, Murray speaks to todayrs"s church from across the years, exhorting us to begin each day by seeking the living God, giving Him time every morning to reveal Himself anew. For this stunning new devotional, contemporary bestselling author Bruce Wilkinson presents 365 gems from the treasury of writings by Andrew Murray. Wilkinson introduces each monthrs"s readings with an overview of the thematic approach for the coming devotions. Each month features the very best of Murrayrs"s work centering on a different aspect of cultivating a deeper and richer spiritual life. [Back Cover] [Starburst or banner]Available for the First Time in the US! [Head:]Revive Your Spirit Does the abundant Christian life yours"re "supposed" to have feel more like a chore than reality? Impoverished and stale, is your spirit crying out for recharging? One of the most powerful voices of the last two hundred years, Andrew Murray wrote extensively about this age-old struggle. This treasury of 365 gems of biblical wisdom is presented here in contemporary English by bestselling author Bruce Wilkinson. Each day will lead you deeper into Godrs"s presence. Your spirit is yearning for it. Donrs"t delay. Let these timeless secrets of a more meaningful spiritual life invigorate your soul. Inspiration/Motivation/Devotional ISBN 1-59052-447-0 Multnomah Keeping Your Trusthellip;One Book at a Time www.multnomahbooks.com [Front Flap] [Head:]Eternal Wisdom from Another Time and Place Just when your soul is cracking from spiritual drought, a voice comes from the past. A voice rich with wisdom, knowledge, and insight. A voice familiar to those on a faraway continent. Now available in modern English for the first time in the United States, these precious daily devotions of Andrew Murray, the well-known and revered nineteenth-century South African pastor, will invigorate your soul and take your spiritual journey to new heights. An incredible man of God, Murray longed for every Christian to experience a more intimate relationship with the Lord. "The more time you spend in Godrs"s presence, making His thoughts and will your own, the stronger your faith will grow that God will use your prayers in the carrying out of His plan of redemption." -Andrew Murray Story Behind the Book Having just moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, in the summer of 2002, Bruce Wilkinson sought a new devotional book to read. He rediscovered the collective works of South African pastor and teacher Andrew Murray. This year represents the 175th anniversary of his birth, and what better way to honor a true man of God than by introducing a new generation to the lessons learned on his incredible journey with Christ? From the Hardcover edition.

Author Biography

Andrew Murray

One of four children, Andrew Murray was born in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa. It was there, after his formal education in Scotland and three years of theological study in Holland, that Andrew Murray returned as a missionary and minister. In 1873 he helped establish the Huguenot Seminary, a school where young women could be trained for educational work. Murray also served as the first president of the Young Men’s Christian Fellowship (YMCA). He authored over 240 books and was a man of great prayer. Abiding in Christ was the cornerstone to Andrew Murray’s life and ministry. He wrote, “Abide in Jesus: your life in Him will lead you to that fellowship with God in which the only true knowledge of God is to be had. His love, His power, His infinite glory will, as you abide in Jesus, be so revealed as it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive.” He and his wife, Emma, had nine children.

Bruce Wilkinson

Bruce Wilkinson is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Prayer of Jabez® and A Life God Rewards™, as well as Secrets of the Vine®, Experiencing Spiritual Breakthroughs, and numerous other books. He serves as the chairman of Dream for Africa, Global Vision Resources, and Ovation Productions. Bruce and his wife, Darlene Marie, have three children and six grandchildren. They divide their time between Georgia and South Africa.

Excerpts

The Secret of Adoration

Why are so many Christians reluctant to spend time in prayer? If, on the human level, spending time in the company of a parent is normally something quite natural and enjoyable for a child, what is it that hinders God’s children from doing the same with their heavenly Father?

One answer could be that we are too focused on our human limitations, on our own meekness and sinfulness, and not
enough on God’s greatness, holiness, love, and omnipotence. The thoughts and feelings that fill our hearts and minds influence our prayers.

If we dwell upon our own needs and desires, our own efforts, and our own faith, we shall soon find that there is no real power in our prayers. It is essential that we see prayer in the light of God: the deep interest He takes in us, the great love with which He desires to answer prayer, the omnipotence of His power, and the magnitude of His strengthening grace. As with all else, in prayer God must be first. Prayer, to be effective, needs to first be approached in the light of heaven and the infinite glory of the living God. It is when, by this marvelous grace, we have been lifted up into His fellowship and love that He bestows upon us the blessings we need. The first thing, then, must be to bow in lowly reverence before God, offering Him our adoration and worship.

We need to take time to adore God and to secure some sense of His presence. Give God time to reveal Himself to you. Then adore Him. God is in the temple: Let all who appear before Him do so in awe. Prostrate yourself before Him with deepest reverence. Own Him alone as your God and Savior, and praise His name forever.

True Worship

Worship God!
Revelations 22:9

What might be the reason that prayer is not for us a greater joy and delight? How can we bring down the power and the blessing on those for whom we pray?

The primary answer is undoubtedly that our experience of the presence of God is too limited. When we pray, we do not seek after His presence with all our hearts. We think mostly of our need, our weakness, our desire, our prayer. We forget that in every prayer God must be first and foremost. To seek Him, to find Him, to linger in His presence, is the approach that gives prayer its inspiration. How then can you acquire an intimate experience of the presence of God in your communion with Him? The answer is quite simple:

Believe with your whole heart that He offers Himself as the listener. Give God the opportunity to make Himself known to you when you approach Him in prayer. You will never discover this, however, if you do not take time to have
genuine fellowship with God. The power of prayer does not lie in the number or earnestness of the words you use, but in a living faith that God Himself accepts both you and your prayer into His loving heart.

It is the goal of this month’s readings to help you to meet with God every time you pray. Each day you will be given one or more texts, with which you can bow before God in adoration, waiting for Him to lead you into a real experience of their truth and power. Therefore, begin the day with the desire, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:2).