We are truly taught, that the good done upon earth is done by the Lord; that, though Paul plant, and Apollos water, "God giveth the increase" -Richard Watson
“The church cannot be a secret society, closed in on itself. We cannot choose between a maintenance ministry and a missional ministry.” — Michael Horton, Ordinary, 82.
“It is important to recognize that we never come to the Bible as the first Christians, but always as those who have been inducted into a certain set of expectations about what we will find in Scripture.” — Michael Horton, Ordinary, 72.
When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. Corrie Ten Boom
Any theology that says you can have every outward appearance and fruit of a genuine believer, and maintain it for decades while doing great work for the Lord, but falls away in the last years and is claimed to have never been saved all along, is not a good theology for assurance.
Remember ... today is the best day.
Live out a Bible verse or two.
Write the first sentence.
Sign up for that class.
Run that first lap.
Make the phone call. Apologize and give grace.
When we multiply these choices over the years, we’ll be amazed at what happens.
The anticipation of seeing God face-to-face is heartfelt and ancient. Job, in the midst of bone-crushing anguish, cried out, “After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh, I will see God” (Job 19:26, NIV). It’s hard to imagine a clearer reference to the coming resurrection.
God defines who He is in His Word. We don’t get to choose the attributes of God that we like and ignore the ones we don’t. He is who He says He is.
Pastors are shepherds, not religious commentators.
Shepherding involves:
Leading sheep
Feeding sheep
Guarding sheep
Correcting sheep
Many shepherds are preparing to lead local churches today.
Some are tired, lonely, and discouraged.
Pray for these faithful men!
Q. What are the chief things that we ought to aim at in our observation of the institutions of Christ in the gospel?
A. To sanctify the name of God; to own and avow our professed subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ; to build up ourselves in our most holy faith.
John Owen 15:455
God requires of us that there should be forgiveness in us for those that do offend us, forgiveness without limitation and bounds. He that thus prescribes forgiveness to us, that bestows the grace of it upon us [to perform], is there not forgiveness with Him? —John Owen, 6:498
When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, what will the results be in his life? What evidence will develop to validate the work of the Spirit in fullness? In some church traditions, which give considerable attention to the fullness of the Spirit, limited evidence is stressed (such as those mentioned often in Acts: tongues, prophecy, or boldness). The full biblical picture is much larger than this viewpoint
I am impressed by much of the social progress humanity has made over the last hundred years. Yet I am appalled by our barbarism as well (legalized abortion and genocide are good examples). It's a constant reminder of how much we need Jesus. My faith is only in our Savior.
No matter how great man's aspirations might be, we're still human and some negative aspect of that humanity is going to remain intact on this planet -- regardless of how far science, technology, or education might take us.
Our views of the afterlife often make God an afterthought. We imagine reunions with loved ones, no disease, no pain, no sin, no suffering, no tears — all gloriously true! But Heaven is Heaven because God is there. ~ Dr. Luke Stamps,
Crossing the finish line is going to be a celebration like you cannot imagine.
Heaven is real. Heaven is a place. And, it's waiting for every single one of us. Although God's original design didn't include death, everybody is going to die. Do you look forward to hearing the cheers and applause in Heaven when you enter?
God can take all the hurt and pain you’ve experienced and use it to help other people. He can make you into the person that He wants you to be.
There are many ways to impart truth. From a position of ego and pride that trumpets our knowledge and crushes the less knowledgeable. Or we can speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), and give our time with the heart of a servant.
Don’t trust preachers that don’t trust the Bible.
"The only passion which effectually harmonizes the discordant passions of human nature is the love of God. Wherever this is introduced, it will not only be predominant but bring all other desires into willing subjection." - Archibald Alexander (1772-1851)
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