When I was a brand-new Christian, I believed in the Trinity because I was taught that is what Christians believed. Then men like James White taught me how to see the Trinity in Scripture. You can see the Trinity throughout Scripture without devoting yourself to Greek philosophy!
How glorious is he that is the Beloved of our souls! - John Owen
"I do not know how it is that we have been kept together in love, helped to abound in labor, and enabled to be firm in the faith unless it is that special grace has watched over us." -
Charles Spurgeon
Not to have God as a Father, is not to have him at all; and he is known as a Father only as he is love, and full of pardoning mercy in Christ. - John Owen
How can we hold onto mercy and truth? By writing them upon the table of our hearts. This means engraving them deep within us, to make them an integral part of our character so that we can naturally live them out in our thoughts, words, and actions.
When we embody mercy and truth, we are reflecting the character of Christ to the world. It's not always easy to show mercy and speak the truth, but with God's help, we can cultivate these virtues and become a light in a dark world.
"Mercy and truth are the two wings of a Christian that enable him to fly in the sure path of divine love" — St. Augustine
C.S. Lewis described a classic, modern-day conversion in which he, too, found himself “kicking against the goads.”
“That which I greatly feared had, at last, come upon me...I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms... who can but duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape? The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men.”
"God from within Himself has chosen to set his love on those who are unworthy." —
Steven Lawson
10 Essentials of Preaching,
"1. Preaching must be biblically-centered and biblically grounded,
2. Preaching must be God-exalting,
3. Preaching must be Christward,
4. Preaching must be doctrinally and theologically accurate"
5. Preaching must be dependent, both before and after the preaching event.
6. Preaching must be well-prepared.
7. Preaching must be authoritative.
8. Preaching must demand something.
9. Preaching must be both articulate and imaginative.
10. Preaching must be passionate and engaging.
True gospel obedience is the fruit of the faith in forgiveness. Whatever you do without it is but a building without a foundation, a castle in the air. —
John Owen, An Exposition Upon Psalm CXXX; Works 6:533
"Heresies always come from gentlemen at ease who take no actual part in our holy war." — Charles Spurgeon
“Consider your state. You are a pardoned sinner, not under the law but under grace, freely, fully saved from the guilt of all your sins.” — William Romaine
Jesus “never refused a cry for mercy.” — Sinclair Ferguson on Luke 17:11-19
It’s an obvious but essential truth: without God’s leading, we go our own way.
To go forth in this world, men need the “iron file” of fellowship with other men. Christianity is not a lone-wolf religion.
"HONESTLY, I REALLY DON'T MIND YOU HELPING ME TO PICK THE SPECK OUT OF MY EYE, BUT WOULDN'T IT BE EASIER IF YOU REMOVED THE POLE PROTRUDING FROM YOURS FIRST?" “SATAN SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR IS NO MATCH FOR A SAVIOR SEEKING WHOM HE CAN DELIVER.”
DON'T CUT YOURSELF BY CASTING STONES FROM YOUR GLASS HOUSE INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S! UNTIL YOU'RE SINLESS, REMAIN STONELESS!
STOP TELLING PEOPLE MORE THAN THEY NEED TO KNOW. YOUR BIGGEST ENEMY IS YOUR OWN MOUTH. THE PUBLIC DOESN'T NEED TO KNOW ALL OF YOUR PRIVATE! IF JESUS CALLED JUDAS FRIEND, PROMISED PARADISE TO A THIEF ON THE CROSS, EXTENDED FORGIVENESS TO A WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY, AND RESTORED WAYWARD PETER - HOW CAN HE NOT CHANGE THE LIFE OF YOUR FAMILY, FRIEND, OR EVEN FOE? NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT GOD CAN DO!
HEY JOSEPH, GOD IS GOING TO PROVE TO YOUR FAMILY THAT THEY WERE WRONG ABOUT YOU. YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TO PASS! SO FORGIVE THEM AND GO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!
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