Many times, we look at our own freedom and think we live in isolation. We forget that others look to us for example. It requires great strength to restrict our personal freedom in order to please or build up a neighbor.
The kingdoms of man come and go. The kingdom that God establishes for His people is forever. This kingdom is made available to man by the promises of God.
“A sermon moves the guns into position and the conclusion fires the shot at the listener’s minds and emotions” –
Haddon Robinson
"If our eyes were really opened, every loaf of bread would come to us as a token of our Father’s care, and every drop we drink would come as the gift of our Father’s bounty." - Charles Spurgeon
I have tasted all the pleasures of time, and they are not worth one drop of Christ’s sweet love.
Modern Christianity is filled with rules and regulations, some of which are self-imposed while others are the result of following the laws for "legal organization" within the State in which the church is located. It is important to not confuse the overarching authority of God, with the lesser responsibility we have to follow the laws of our country.
The delivering work of God for Israel was not only from bondage; it was too substantial blessing: "to a land flowing with milk and honey." Israel was not only rescued from great heartache but they were brought into a joyous bounty. When Joshua and Caleb saw the land, they described it as "an exceedingly good land" (Numbers 14:7).
We all have those moments, not only when we preach the Word, but even in our daily conduct of life. But more so when we do the work of God, and, trust me, if you do the work of God, expect some major opposition. And we know that. We know that, because Paul said already in 2 Corinthians 4:8 and 9, “We’re hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed.
"Take heed of acting contrary to the dictates of a doubting conscience. First be persuaded that what you do is lawful, before you venture to do it."
Our individual judgment or opinion on a subject may make what might be considered neutral (on the good versus evil scale), become wrong for us personally. And just the opposite is true as well -- we can't make what is evil or wrong become good -- no matter how much justification we can find.
"A sermon is not made with an eye upon the sermon, but with both eyes upon the people and all the heart upon God." – John Owen
Praise should be proportionate to its object, therefore let it be infinite when rendered unto the Lord. - Charles Spurgeon
Only at Calvary is the medicine for a wounded conscience to be found.
God’s call to any man and the anointing of the Spirit for service is conditioned upon that man’s heart response. ~Alan Redpath~
It is important to understand that godliness is not just singing to the Lord or raising your arms to Him. It is bringing yourself into the presence of Calvary––into the presence of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in complete surrender.
Research shows that 95 percent of Christians have never led another person to Christ. Only 2 percent of churchgoers have invited an unchurched person to church in the past year, and 59 percent of Christians say they seldom or never share their faith with others. How sad is that?
We can become so inward in our focus that we miss this great truth. But as we give to and serve others, it will replenish and refresh us.
God is looking for someone like you who actually will say, “Use me, Lord. I’ll go where You want me to go. I will say what You want me to say.”
I used to think it was incumbent upon a Christian to take offense. I now think we should be the most refreshingly unoffendable people on a planet that seems to spin on an axis of offense.
“God delights to increase the faith of His children. Our faith, which is feeble at first, is developed and strengthened more and more by us. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God's hand as a means. I say —and say it deliberately—trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.” —George Mueller
There is no better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit. ~D.L. Moody~
He empowers us to be strong and do God’s work––building His kingdom. When you obey God’s Word, He will bless you. This will take a daily, sacrificial denial of self, so He can work in and through your life––fully and completely.
When we’re doing the things we always should be doing as Christians—reading the Bible, having a prayer life, being involved in our church, sharing our faith—it fuels the
fire of revival and keeps that fire burning. But when we neglect those things, we begin to fade.
If you want to see a revival, then do revival-like things. Don’t overly mystify it. Just do the things you know you should be doing as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Just as we bear the image of the Creator, so a branch bears the image of the vine. And just as God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful, so Jesus says we’ve been chosen — appointed — to bear fruit.
Stay connected to God! If you don’t feel connected to Him, soak in His word and prayer.
Yorumlar