The miraculous is powerful to have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. It gives us peace and understanding in times of calamity. And God is always on time.
God knows that our selfish and demanding hearts bring loads of unnecessary anxiety to our days. His Word gives an amazing solution to our priority problem. He promises that when we chase His heart, we can relax and rest in His peace.
In the law, God requires a perfection that measures up to the perfect character of Himself. The law is saying that we are to hold within our hearts and manifest through our actions a character that matches God's. "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
when I focus on the "whys" of life, frustration and fear crowd out faith. It's not wrong to ask God hard questions. He doesn't seem to mind. However, when we don't resolve the seemingly unanswered ones, our faith can get shaken.
we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us…the third person of the Trinity who raised Jesus from the dead. Don't you think that's enough power to keep our minds set on the Spirit, and to have life and peace? I think it's more than enough power…if we use it.
We have all the instructions on what we should and should not do, why do we sin? I will tell you, it is our will. We want to do our own thing, even if it is not good for us. Remember, God chastens us because He loves us. He has given us clear instructions for our lives, because He wants us to be blessed.
Jesus was God’s model of a human being. Relentlessly kind in a world of cruelty. Honest in the midst of hypocrisy. When it came to sin, Jesus never did. When it comes to sin, we have never stopped.
Human beings have the remarkable ability to turn nothing into something. They can turn weeds into gardens and pennies into fortunes. Jim Rohn
Enterprise is better than ease. Jim Rohn
Showing a profit means touching something and leaving it better than you found it. Jim Rohn
Enterprise is the hope of our future. Jim Rohn
Profits are better than wages. Wages make you a living; profits make you a fortune. Jim Rohn
We all know a variety of ways to make a living. What's even more fascinating is figuring out ways to make a fortune. Jim Rohn
God’s purpose from all eternity is to prepare a family to indwell the kingdom of God. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
There’s a delicious gladness that comes from God. A joy which consequences cannot quench. His is a peace which circumstances cannot steal.
Satan, the hinderer, may build a barrier about us, but he can
never roof us in, so that we cannot look up.
~J. Hudson Taylor~
Is it cruel of God to blind people to the eternal message? I don't think so because God only blinds those who want to be blinded. God says to mankind, "If you don't want to see Me you won't." The choice represents God's gift of freewill to humanity. It is one of the reasons we can witness for hours to someone who is not called, only to realize they just don't get it. Then should we only witness to those called? But how would we know? I'm not sure, so I just continue to witness to everyone I meet. One thing I have learned is to not spend my time and energy, day after day, with people who are blinded.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides a startling summary of the law of God: "be perfect." Our Lord had just been teaching about God's law. His instruction provided a much deeper understanding of the law than the teachers of Jesus' day had grasped. He showed how the law goes far beyond external behavior alone.
"Whether you stay six weeks, six months or six years, always leave it better than you found it." -- Jim Rohn
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a #life by what we give." -Winston Churchill
Robert Kiyosaki
Behind every successful person is a strong team.
Our churches should by discipline divide the light from the darkness, and we should by our distinct separation from the world do the same. In judgment, in action, in hearing, in teaching, in association, we must discern between the precious and the vile, and maintain the great distinction that the Lord made upon the world's first day.
And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."
Mark 5:30-34
Karma: You get what you deserve. Gospel: Jesus got what you deserved.
The Gospel changes identities: From lost to found. From orphaned to child of God. From wrecked to redeemed. From empty to filled w/ the Spirit. From captive to free. From broken to new creation. From bankrupt to co-heir. From aimless to ambassador. From dead to alive.
Sometimes, the older we get the happier we become, because we care less and less about being people-pleasers. God has called us to love Him, love people, and make disciples. But, He has not called us to be enslaved by people's opinions of us.
"CHANGE YOUR HABITS AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE"
YOU'RE ALREADY APPROVED EVEN WHEN YOU'RE NOT APPLAUDED
GOD'S HAND OF FAVOR IS ALWAYS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE CLAPS FROM THE CROWD!
“LEADERSHIP IS LESS ABOUT YOUR CREDENTIALS, CREATIVITY, AND CHARISMA; AND MORE ABOUT YOUR CREDIBILITY, COMPASSION AND CHARACTER.”
STOP looking at the DESERT you're living in NOW and start looking at the PROMISED LAND that’s flowing with milk and honey that God has PREPARED for you and PROMISED to you.
You're ONLY TEMPORARILY VISITING where you are NOW, YOU'LL LIVE PERMANENTLY WHERE GOD IS TAKING YOU.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED HOW MUCH GOD USED DYSFUNCTIONAL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE? THE BIBLE IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE THAT FAILED AND GOD STILL USED THEM FOR HIS GLORY.
Pray like never before and let your prayer open up the heavens!
“What the Father is, doth, hath, that the Son is, doth, hath; or else the Father, could not be fully satisfied in Him, nor represented by Him.” - John Owen. Commentary on Hebrews, 3:95.
“We are right to make the founders of Protestantism into heroes, but we must also remember that they were human like us.” — Christopher Catherwood
“He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them.” — Baptist Confession 2.2
“Reaction breads overreaction.” — Bobby Jamieson
“What do you care more about, repentance or recognition? If the latter, stay away from the pulpit. If you are not godly out of the spotlight, you will never be godly in it.” — Bobby Jamieson, The Path to Being a Pastor, 53
“Make the seeking of Christ your daily task. Seek a broken heart for sin; for without that there is no meeting with Christ.” Samuel Rutherford
“If you are not godly out of the spotlight, you will never be godly in it.” — Bobby Jamieson, The Path to Being a Pastor, 53.
“Prayer is not mere preparation for a pastor's work; prayer is a pastor's work.” — Bobby Jamieson
“Kill your love for sin, or sin will kill your love for God.” — J. Garrett Kell, Pure in Heart, 142.
“Some men who aspire to ministry know everything about where a church should be and nothing about how to help them get there.” — Bobby Jamieson, The Path to Being a Pastor, 76.
“Fear not, for I am with you.” This promise, like the nightingale’s song, is most sweet when heard in the night season. Spurgeon
They who are God’s without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills, and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything, and in this nakedness find all things restored an hundredfold. Streams in Desert
Paul knew his purpose: to preach the Gospel. No matter how it happened, in prison or out, through good motives or impure ones—he could rejoice. God was fulfilling His purposes in Paul’s life. Ray Bentley
Paul knew his purpose: to preach the Gospel. No matter how it happened, in prison or out, through good motives or impure ones—he could rejoice. God was fulfilling His purposes in Paul’s life. Ray Bentley
Some wounds run so deep that it seems impossible for us to forgive, but it’s not. Your Father can help you. Just hold the offense before Him and ask the Lord to free you from the anger you’re feeling, and the desire for revenge. Chuck Smith
Fruit will never come by will or determination. It comes by simply walking with the Gardener, and abiding in His love. Chuck Smith
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C.S. Lewis
Christ will in flaming vengeance come, With fury in his face, To damn his foes that dare presume, And thus abuse his grace. —Marrow Man Ralph Erskine, Gospel Sonnets, Pg. 272
Sprinkle all my past sabbaths with the cleaning blood of Jesus, and may this day witness deep improvement in me. —The Valley of Vision, 355
The Christian’s life should put his minister’s sermon in print. — William Gurnall, Christian in Complete Armour, 810
He that would be saved by Christ, and not ruled by him, shall not be saved by him at all. —John Owen, Works 9:25
Be contentious and zealous, but only about the things that relate to salvation. —Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, 45:1
The Roman Church is not grown better [since the Reformation], but worse; and that which was before but mere practice and custom is since established by law and canon, and they have ratified and owned their errors in the Council of Trent. —Thomas Manton, Works 6:304
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. —Puritan Thomas Manton
It is better for you to be found small but included in the flock of Christ than to have a preeminent reputation and yet be excluded from His hope. —Clement of Rome, The Letter of the Romans to the Corinthians 57:2b
Of all the sects and sorts among Christians, the Protestant reformed religion will be found to be the way of truth. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 6:299
Justification and Sanctification: Distinguish: Always Separate: Never “All who are made righteous in the sight of God, are made holy by the grace of God.” —Puritan Matthew Henry, Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:9
“Let every one strive to attract and win over to Jesus Christ those whom he can." —John Calvin, Letters of Calvin, 3:134
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). It’s not God’s purpose to condemn you; it’s His desire to take away your sins, to keep you from sin, and to save you through Jesus Christ.
Noah, Ark Endured the Great Flood. Lot, Removed from Wrath On Sodom. Joseph, Prisoner to Prince of Egypt. Israel, Saved through the Red Sea. David, Shepherd to King, Slew Giants. Job, Gained Back Twice What He Lost. Daniel, Delivered from Den of Lions. OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL!
"God asks us to believe in his love and he has given us abundant proofs of it." — Charles Spurgeon
"Every day brings us nearer to the coming of the Lord." — Charles Spurgeon
No man-pleaser preaches the whole counsel of God. R.C. Sproul
"As God is faithful, let us also be faithful." — Charles Spurgeon
Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee. Augustine
"God is always wise. There can be no accidents, no mistakes." — Charles Spurgeon
"An angel cannot be more pure than the poor blood-washed sinner." — Charles Spurgeon
“Because Jesus is truly God, fully man, fully sufficient, and has all authority, only He is able to save you.” — Steve Lawson
Without the #Spirit of #God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless. -C.H. Spurgeon -
We must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Only a whole #Bible can make a whole #Christian -A.W. Tozer -
"I beseech you, whenever you see me do wrong, rebuke me sharply." -George Whitefield, to John Wesley.
"Be not slack in asking, if God is so abundant in bestowing." — Charles Spurgeon
Without God, what am I but a guide to my own destruction? Augustine
I am profoundly grateful to God that He did not grant me certain things for which I asked, and that He shut certain doors in my face. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones | Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
O Lord, the happy life is this: to rejoice to Thee, in Thee, and for Thee! Augustine
"We are free from punishment and we never need quake on account of it." — Charles Spurgeon
"God is dearest when goods are fewest. Heaven is warmest when earth is coldest." — Charles Spurgeon
God does not require we should bring money with us, only appetite. - Thomas Watson
"I always feel it well to put a few words of prayer between everything I do." — Charles Spurgeon
"He that is ashamed to speak the truth has need to be ashamed of himself." — Charles Spurgeon
Our forgiving of others will not procure forgiveness 4 ourselves but our not forgiving others proves that we are not forgiven -John Owen -
Let us wait upon #God, walk with God, believe in God, and commit ourselves, our soul, our body, to God. -John Bunyan -
"In Christian evangelism, the cross of Christ and His crown belong together." -R.B.Kuiper.
It is clear that obedience is intimately related to assurance; if we do not live and practice righteousness we have no reason to think that we are “born of God.” - Ernest Reisinger
It is wrong for a pastor to destroy a fragile Christian's assurance, but it is also wrong to give someone false assurance.
You have become imbalanced in your Gospel/Law Distinction if you see any call for a Christian to be obedient to the commands in Scripture as legalistic.
When God rewards us for our labor, He is only crowning His work in us. Augustine
I didn’t choose Christ. Nobody chooses Christ. Christ chooses you or you’re dead. After Christ chooses you, you respond because you must. Period. It’s not a pretty story. Rosaria Butterfield
"If men do not find God they have found nothing." — Charles Spurgeon
Because of our fallen natures, we expect that we will be repenting of sin until glory. But repentance is not simply proof of failure. It is, more importantly, a sign of God’s hand upon us. It is a conversion proof, as only a saved person can repent of sin. Rosaria Butterfield
"I have nothing to fear; I cannot be condemned." — Charles Spurgeon
“Kill your love for sin, or sin will kill your love for God.” — J. Garrett Kell, Pure in Heart, 142
What is the main reason churches grow -- or die? "The single overriding factor in whether a church grows or dies is its view of truth. A 1994 study sought to explain why theologically liberal churches are in decline, while conservative churches are on the rise. Many church…
"I cannot comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called." — Charles Spurgeon
The human heart is heretical by nature. Popular religious beliefs should be checked carefully against the Word of God, for they are almost certain to be wrong. -Tozer
"As we grow in holiness, we grow in hatred of sin; and God, being infinitely holy, has an infinite hatred of sin." -- Jerry Bridges
"If you want to listen to God, open your Bible." —Alistair Begg
"Peace will be established only by the reign of the prince of peace." — Charles Spurgeon
We are saved by #faith alone, not faith that is alone -John Calvin -
Alas, in these degenerate times few have any idea that saving #faith is a miraculous thing. -A.W. Pink -
Holy Spirit, descend into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams. Augustine
"Don't read your favourite ideas into the text." -Charles Simeon.
"When Scripture is silent, you be silent." — Charles Spurgeon
Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe. Augustine
"Christ loved you when he died; he will love you when you die." — Charles Spurgeon
"I would hardly give a penny for any salvation that I could lose." — Charles Spurgeon
Treated with such kindness as I am, it would be strange if I were not to be happy anywhere. - William Wilberforce
The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh. Jonathan Edwards
"When my soul is full of Christ, I can defy the devil himself." — Charles Spurgeon
"When my soul is full of Christ, I can defy the devil himself." — Charles Spurgeon
One of our biggest problems is that a lot of Christians are being discipled by the nightly news more than they are the Good News.
"Common grace is the grace of God by which He gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation." -Wayne Grudem.
"Be on God's side, for that is the winning side." — Charles Spurgeon
The world would spew you out, were not for the sovereign hand of #God who has subjected in hope. -Jonathan Edwards -
Unity without the #gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of hell -J.C. Ryle -
"Leaders must be people who are themselves submitted to that powerful Word, whose lives are being shaped by its teaching, and whose ministry is enlivened & empowered by its dynamic effects." -Jonathan Lamb
The gospel is so simple that small children can understand it, and it is so profound that studies by the wisest theologians will never exhaust its riches. Charles Hodge
"To enter into debate is never as profitable as to enter into devotion." — Charles Spurgeon
Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul. Augustine
“Learn the art of meeting people where they are and helping them take one confident step toward where they should be.” — Bobby Jamieson, The Path to Being a Pastor, 76.
The Lord’s victory is your guarantee of victory, because if the Head conquers the members cannot be defeated. You must conquer for Christ has conquered. The Holy Spirit is in you. Jesus has promised, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Spurgeon
Spurgeon once told some ministers, "Brethren, we shall never see much change for the better in our churches in general until our prayer meeting occupies a higher place than the esteem of Christians."
God knows every step we take. He knows our ups and downs. He'll be watching over us, as He has done all through our lives. But it's imperative that we come to Him with prayer and petition, thanksgiving and praise.
The spiritual makeup of the church is linked to its mission. The gospel cannot be spread except through the strength and wisdom of Jesus Christ, the head. The body of believers is united with Him through the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. He reaches the world through His church and its members.
Ultimately Christ is the perfecter of us and our faith. We can trust Him to turn our resolution into reality as we stay focused with our eyes on Him.
Nobody gets depressed overnight and nobody overcomes depression overnight. The journey out of the pit is a process of steps uniquely planned by your Father. Let’s look at some of the steps we must take in order to find our way out of the dark.
1. Wait.
2. Get help.
3. Count on God to come through.
4. Be patient.
We live in a culture of complaining. We look for ways to get things off our chests. Talk shows are flooded with callers eager to share their displeasure about something. Complaining may seem harmless, sometimes even therapeutic. However, it causes impatience, which reinforces negative attitudes and can lead to a self-focused life.
We all go through difficult times, but God doesn't want us to focus on the negative. He knows that chronic complaining will never help us and will ultimately harm us. Instead, God calls us to rejoice!
As the first step heaven-ward is humility, the first step hell-
ward is pride.
~John Mason~
There are so many Christians who say, “Oh, I will never fall. I am strong.” You should never say that. None of us are strong, only in Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can make us strong. When you think you are strong in yourself, Satan has a way to get you. He will keep you away from the Word of God, from prayer and from fellowship. Then you will fall.
Move yourself in the direction you want to go rather than looking for someone else to motivate you.
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
nuclear submarines consist of some of the most amazing technology on the planet. These incredible military vessels can stay underwater for ninety days, but every ninety days the submarine must resurface to maintain proper alignment with the North Star. While under water, the submarine’s navigation system is affected by the earth’s magnetic forces. Because the submarines carry missiles of mass destruction, they must pay close attention to keeping the equipment aligned to the true reference point of the North Star.
We’re like that submarine in that we cannot perform at our highest level or complete our mission without maintaining proper alignment with our God. Your heart is the navigational equipment that keeps you on track with God. Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
“You can’t solve a problem on the same level that it was created. You have to rise above it to the next level.”
— Albert Einstein
There’s no such thing as an absence of faith; it’s always one kind or another --- optimism, or cynicism and despair.
God’s favor will cause things to fall into place for you, even when the odds are against you.
Nothing lies beyond the power of man
if it is within the will of God.
~James E. Crowther~
An Ounce of Prevention is Greater than a Pound of Cure...
Identify your goals. Know precisely what you want to achieve, study the best people in your field, and then plan the best route for success.
It's not ownership but rather servant-ship. We lose sight of being others centered and become territorial and self centered.
“Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
“A person will not buy from you until he is convinced that you are a friend and are acting in his best interest. You must make this clear.”
— Brian Tracy
“Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him.”
— Booker T. Washington
“You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.”
— Indira Gandhi
Everybody has gone through something that has changed them in a way that they could never go back to the person they was before.
“Satan only has three strategies that he uses...he’s used them every time he’s ever tempted anyone, and here they are; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.” - David Jeremiah
If your heart does not want a world of moral reality, your head will assuredly never make you believe in one.
~William James~
Do we give God the glory in our victories and when He exalts us in life?
God promises to keep his people and He will keep His promise.
~Charles H. Spurgeon~
Sometimes people tell me they want to be in ministry, and they want my advice regarding how they can get into the ministry. Ministry is everywhere. Jesus said, "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (John 4:35).
"God never tells us to give up things just for the sake of giving them up, but He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having--namely, life with Him.
Don't wait for your spouse to ask you to speak their love language; think creatively, act decisively, and love intentionally.
There is an unmistakeable intimacy that happens when you're utterly exposed and still totally loved.
"The best evidence for or against God is you." Forrest Jenan
“The one who knows and fears the Lord of Hosts need fear no other.” —Edmund P. Clowney
Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.
~C.S. Lewis~
Many who are redeemed to new life in Christ, also want to remain under the law for spiritual growth and service. This is another case of "not hearing the law." Any believer who expects to please the Lord on the basis of "best efforts" does not really hear what the law speaks as God's will.
Punishment, that is the justice of the unjust.
~Augustine~
God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness.
~Billy Graham~
Real repentance produces confession and forsaking of sin, reconciliation and restitution, separation from the world, submission to the lordship of Christ and filling of the Holy Spirit.
~Vance Havner~
You must go forward in personal attainments, growing in gifts and in grace, in fitness for the work of God, and conformity
to the image of Jesus.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
"Love the Lord your God." The primary demand of the law is an all-out love relationship with the Lord God Almighty. God is to be loved "with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." From the depths of our being, love is to be flowing out toward the Lord. In every expression of our personality, love is to be poured out toward God. In every thought of our minds, love for God is to be the motivation and the content. Any aspect of life that does not indicate a comprehensive, unrestricted love toward God is in violation of His law.
If I please Jesus, it doesn’t matter whom I displease.
If I displease Jesus, it doesn’t matter whom I please.
— Adrian Rogers
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides a startling summary of the law of God: "be perfect." Our Lord had just been teaching about God's law. His instruction provided a much deeper understanding of the law than the teachers of Jesus' day had grasped. He showed how the law goes far beyond external behavior alone.
“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” —
Charles Spurgeon
Many attempts to be disciples of Jesus and not let the world know it. To be a secret disciple means to be no disciple at all. If one really has received Christ he cannot keep it to himself.
R.A. Torrey
Our habits won’t change God’s love for us, but God’s love for us can and should change our habits.
Justin Whitmel Earley
Our sorrows are all, like ourselves, mortal. There are no immortal sorrows for immortal souls. They come but blessed be God, they also go. Like birds of the air, they fly over our heads. But they cannot make their abode in our souls. We suffer today, but we shall rejoice tomorrow.
~C. H Spurgeon~
We treat our bodies like trophies, statues representing what we idolize: the approval and attention of others. This is problematic first and foremost because that glory belongs to God.
Obedience to the will of God is the pathway to perpetual honor and everlasting joy.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
“Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose—to be in relationship to God, who is there. Man forgets his purpose and thus he forgets who he is and what life means.” —
Francis Schaeffer
Joy is the natural outcome of the Christian's obedience to the revealed will of God.
~John Blanchard~
There are probably a lot of things going on inside of you, but maybe you have never been able to just let them go. Maybe you have so many things to say to God, so many questions that fill your mind, but you've been keeping them inside of you, allowing them to fester within your heart. Let me encourage you: When you have questions about God, go to Him with humility and a teachable heart to listen to Him.
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