Christians are encouraged to look for “the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). We are encouraged to look ahead to tomorrow, living with the awareness Jesus could come today.
The Bible indicates that there will be a “great apostasy” during the end times. It is mentioned in Second Thessalonians 2:3. The KJV calls it the falling away, while the NIV and ESV call it the rebellion. It is an active departure and deliberate abandonment of biblical Christianity by those who profess to be Christians.
Love is the primary indication that we are trusting the Lord to bring forth fruit in us. "The fruit of the Spirit is love." In fact, some see love as the singular fruit, with joy, peace, etc., as aspects of that love. This is divine love ("agape" love), a love that flows from the heart of God. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God" (1 John 4:7). Such love is not stirred by the "loveability" of the object. It is a unique, heavenly love available only from the Lord.
Step out of your limitations and into the illimitable nature of who God is.
Moses stuttered.
David’s armor didn’t fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea’s wife was a prostitute.
Amos’s only training was in the school of fig tree pruning.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul —well, lots of folks did.
Does it encourage you to read the Scriptural examples of heroes of the faith that had past failures? Spend a few moments thinking about what shortcomings and times that you blew it entirely are holding you back from allowing yourself to be used by God.
The mainstream media and government won’t tell you that China has already declared a silent war on the USA. It has been committing violations of airspace and acts of reconnaissance in broad daylight. What’s next? So far in their eyes, the US reaction is very encouraging!
John Newton’s advice to a pastor for how to live in this world:
1. Morn over sin.
2. Morn over the misery sin causes.
3. Be humbled for your own sins.
4. Pray for peace.
5. Preach the gospel
The healthy Christian is the Christian who has a sense of God’s presence stamped deep on his soul, trembles at God’s word, lets it dwell in him richly by constant meditation upon it, and tests and reforms his life daily in response to it. -J. I. Packer
"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, Mount of Thy redeeming love"
—Robert Robinson
Today there is a desperate need for large numbers of people throughout various arenas of life to be competent and confident in their practice of life in Christ and in hearing his voice. Hearing God (p. 15).
It is not possible to say too much about Christ. But it is quite possible to say too little about hell. -
All God’s providences are ordered for the good of His people.
— Stephen Charnock
-J.C. Philpot
We must never discuss the keeping of the moral law. It is not to be discussed: it is to be kept; it is to be obeyed; it is to be observed. The moral law (the 10 Commandments) has never been abrogated, and it is to be perpetually observed.
God is holy. All have sinned & fallen short of His glory. The wages of sin are death. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for sins. He was buried & rose on the 3rd day. He’s the Way, Truth, & Life. There’s salvation in no one else. Believe in Him & be saved!
If we believe in the Son of God, whatever trials we may meet with in the present life, our best concerns are safe, and our happiness is sure. - John Newton
Once you become aware that the main business you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into their own accord.
J. I. Packer
Life is always happening for you, not to you. Appreciate that gift, and you are wealthy, now and forever.
… remember that marriage is, after all, the union of two sinners, and not of two angels. The third rule is to strive first and foremost for one another’s sanctification. The more holy married people are, the happier they are.” —J. C. Ryle
Christ in you, also directs us on how to look at other Christians as the temples and houses where Christ dwells. If Christ consents to dwell in a person, will that person not dwell in our love? We will all be together in heaven, and will we not love each other here?
Richard Sibbes
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