We all struggle, sometimes more than others. The struggles vary, but the answer is always the same. "The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." Stop trying to live in your own strength.
"Jesus has called us into a relationship with Him, not a decision to believe Him. Jesus doesn't ask us to believe in Him and [think], "Okay that's done."
Many Christians practice “sin management” rather than growth in Christ. As followers of Christ, our testimony should be, “I’m not perfect yet, but that’s my goal!”
C.S. Lewis called pride a “spiritual cancer” that devours love and contentment. Pride is a sign of our own insecurity and feelings of inferiority. Pride and inferiority are actually opposite sides of the same coin and are both sins, a preoccupation with self that leaves little room for God’s spirit of humility.
A Christian’s life should be nothing but a visible representation of Christ. ~Thomas Brooks~
Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sake. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul-if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigor of growing grace, let Jesus be their model.
"When fear knocks on the door, send faith to answer." — Joyce Meyer
In this servants-of-grace ministry God has given us, He wants to use us to reach people. These people are in a desperate spiritual condition. Those we hope to reach are perishing, spiritually blind, and unbelieving.
Some people feel stuck in passionless and lifeless marriages. It can seem like a life-long sentence of unhappiness. Paul tells us that it can be different. In Colossians 1:27, he gives us the secret: "To them, God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." This is not just the eternal hope of heaven. It is a real help, right here and now, for our marriages. God's solution: Christ in you!
"Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free."— Shannon L. Alder
God has made us His servants under the new covenant of grace. "God…made us…ministers of the new covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). Those who desire to serve the Lord by grace have a very distinctive approach to ministry. "We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully."
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 tells us, “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few” (NLT).
As followers of God, you and I have a huge asset. We know everything is going to turn out all right. Christ hasn’t budged from his throne, and Romans 8:28 hasn’t evaporated from the Bible. Our problems have always been his possibilities. Max Lucado
The Lord is in control. He knows how it all turns out.
Through God’s divine power, we possess ALL things that are important; all that will satisfy us, all that will give us abundant life —everything we need for life.
People want their lives to make a difference. Many find happiness in service, working through churches, Red Cross, scouts, Sunday schools, and home fellowships. Wherever God puts you, He will bless you for giving of yourself. We all need a mission in life, and God has the greatest mission of all.
Creating a family of Jesus's Followers starts with YOU!
What a difference prayer can make! Let’s take our problems and burdens and cast them upon the Lord. God ultimately will have His way. Regardless of how bleak the scenario may be, God can turn it around.
We think our prayers need to be long, flowery, and filled with King James language to be effective. We assume that God is more into Shakespearean-type prayers.
But the fact of the matter is that a simple prayer, a groan, or a yearning of the heart might be a prayer that is inspired by God.
Distorted thinking blocks you from relating to others. This essentially causes you to repeat what happened in the past. Challenge the distortions that keep you in bondage. To the extent that you continue to see the world through your childhood eyeglasses.
You can’t change on your own. Rely on God to help you make changes that heal.
God created us for relationship with Him and with others. On this broken planet, we will get hurt. Making changes that heal our hearts will lead to learning to love and live again.
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