Bible Verses: John 6:53
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Open Windows messages have been selected and compiled by Austin-Sparks.Net from the works of T. Austin-Sparks. In some cases they appear in abridged form. The introductory verse and its associated Bible version have been selected by the editor and did not always appear within the original message. In keeping with T. Austin-Sparks' wishes that what was freely received should be freely given and not sold for profit, and that his messages be reproduced word for word, we ask if you choose to share these messages with others, to please respect his wishes and offer them freely - free of any changes, free of any charge (except necessary distribution costs) and with this statement included.
Editor's Note
Through the years of our publishing books and articles on Austin-Sparks.Net, we have talked of wanting to compile a series of excerpts similar to Watchman Nee's "A Table in the Wilderness," published by Mr Sparks' son-in-law, Angus Kinnear. We felt that not only would shorter daily excerpts be easy to digest, but they might also inspire readers to read a complete message or book that they may not have read before. This project began in January 2010 when we began to send out daily messages to the Daily Open Windows email list. These continue to be sent daily in email form from Austin-Sparks.Net.
As many of you will be aware, Mr Sparks was from Scotland. He, therefore, used British spelling in his writings; however, many transcripts of his spoken messages have since been published using American English. The website reflects a mixture of both British and American spelling, but for the sake of consistency, all excerpts in this book conform to American spelling and punctuation.
Due to these daily messages being excerpts, they are abbreviated and some have had unnecessary words removed, such as "here this evening...." Also, some daily messages are a compilation of several excerpts from one original message. This is usually indicated with a pause in the text: .... and a reference to the complete source document is always provided. You will also notice that different versions of the Bible have been selected for verses that precede each daily message. Sometimes these Scripture references appeared within the context of the original message, but mostly these have been chosen by the editor with, we trust, the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As you look through these "open windows" we pray that you will not only look out and see Christ, but you will also hear Him and open the door of your heart so that He can "eat with you daily" (Rev. 3:20). Our desire is that these messages will not simply be "inspiring," as daily devotional messages often set out to achieve, but also challenge you; lifting your vision, opening your eyes, revealing Truth, bringing Life and Light, and enabling you to let go of misconceptions. Light is not always welcome when it first shines into the darkness that our eyes are accustomed to. However, Light is absolutely necessary in order to see. And so we pray that through these messages your eyes will be opened (Eph. 1:18) and we will together "see one thing – how superior is Jesus Christ to all else!"
Austin-Sparks.Net
Wellington, NZ
This devotional contains short daily portions from a selection of Mr. Austin-Sparks' messages. In his own words, “Perhaps this is just like a window opened into heaven. If you get the right window you can see quite a lot. You can see great things and you can see far things. But the best that I can hope is that this has just opened a window, and that as you look through it you are seeing one thing - how superior is Jesus Christ to all else, and how superior is the dispensation into which we have come, and how superior are all the resources at our disposal to all that ever was before!”
Open Windows messages have been selected and compiled by Austin-Sparks.Net from the works of T. Austin-Sparks. In some cases they appear in abridged form. The introductory verse and its associated Bible version have been selected by the editor and did not always appear within the original message.
I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. (John 6:53 NLT)
Let us remember that this wayis a way that is a constant offence to the flesh, to the naturalman. The Jews strove with one another, saying, "How can thisMan give us His flesh to eat?" But not only did Jews, thereligious people in their religious self-satisfaction, strivetogether, but it is also written, "Many therefore of Hisdisciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; whocan hear it?" Even disciples could not go on sometimes. When theycame face to face with the implications of such a saying, theywere no longer willing to be associated with Him on a basis ofthat kind. The flesh loves to have it in itself to be doing, tobe laying the plans, arranging the programs, organizing thework, superintending it, and getting it going. The flesh revelsin that, and when you come and say to that whole order of things,"The way of God is the way of utter dependence and faith, with theHoly Spirit in entire charge, and you must keep your hands offand be willing to do only what the Lord tells you and no more,"(that which is meant by the declaration, "I can do nothingout from Myself") it is an offence to the natural man, evenin religious matters.
We come up against that constantly, do wenot? It is the difference between meeting together as they did atAntioch to pray things out and get the Lord's witness as to Hiswill, and having a committee meeting to discuss a proposal andmake plans. If the natural man is not doing the whole thing, andarranging it, and ordering it, and running it all, he cannotthink that progress can be made at all. Unless you come out withyour plans, and announce your programs, and declare what youare doing, and present your statistics, the naturally mindedChristian thinks that nothing is being done. It is possible tohave wonderful things done without any of that kind of activity.We cite such a thing purely as an illustration. Application canbe extended in many directions, but this is just to help out thethought. The whole accomplishment of God in Christ is on thebasis of Divine Life mediated through faith. That is another wayof saying that Christ has to be the basis of everything in aspiritual way. This is an offence to the flesh, but asatisfaction to the Spirit.