Quotes

• Depression, fear, and self-pity vanish when you engage in heartfelt worship.

None of us naturally burst out in worship during the most challenging times in life, when we feel lost, afraid, pressed down, bereaved, lonely, or angry. Yet scripture tells us over and over again to enter into His presence with praise. All of heaven is rapt in worship — Shouldn’t we trust Him with our circumstances and join the praise, too?

Like the people of Israel, as believers, we are no longer ignorant. We do not live by the Law, but we do have knowledge of the Word of God and a good understanding of our sinfulness. God speaks to us intelligently; He reasons with us. If you are in sin, be honest and real with God. Deal with the issue of your sin––repent and ask Him for His forgiveness.

Raul Ries

The will of God is to be the determining factor for all of our plans. God used James to reprimand the self-willed life. "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit." Such promises indicate the arrogance that people can embrace within their lives. "But now you boast in your arrogance" (James 4:16). Such arrogance prohibits us from living by grace because grace is imparted to the humble heart. "Be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

Bob Hoekstra