CS. Lewis on pain~ •'[Pain] removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.'
Many people claim to be for the people, but the people know when you are for self.
*I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
It's not really life that makes us weary, it's how we handle life.
… the name of the city from that day shall be, ' The LORD is there.'" Ezekiel 48:35
Ezekiel’s theme is “The Lord is there.” The prophet’s immediate audience was Jews in Babylonian exile. The Temple symbolizing God’s nearness was far away, in Jerusalem. Babylon seemed remote from God. But the Holy Spirit’s message to people in exile is that they are not removed from God’s presence.
God is as much God in Babylon as in Jerusalem.
Following Jesus was an all or nothing invitation. There isn't one example in Scripture where Jesus made an exception. And yet too many times I find myself following Jesus with only part of me. Jesus gave his all even to the cross so as a leader in my home, work place, and with my friends, I to must give my all so all who look upon will want to do the same.
No other religion or philosophy makes such a claim. No other movement implies the living presence of its founder in his followers.
Muhammad does not indwell Muslims. Buddha does not inhabit Buddhists.
Influence? Instruct? Yes. But occupy? No.
The mystery in a nutshell is Colossians 1:27: “Christ is in you!”
"An army of sheep led by a lion would be superior to an army of lions led by a sheep." ~ Alexander
"Most smiles are started by another smile."
SMILE WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO
"One of the greatest problems of our time is that many are schooled but few are educated." ~ Thomas Moore
WE GO TO SCHOOL THEN WE GET OUT TO BE REEDUCATED IN OUR FIELD OF WORK.
The president said Lets Roll and we united, He said SHOCK and AWE and we did with Desert Shield and Enduring Freedom... We got Sodom and Osama, found no WMD's, are out of Iraq and all we can do is hope and pray by looking back to that day is keep us alert and make us ready for the next time. Have we learned any thing? Have you!
there are two great days in a person’s life: the day you were born and the day you discover why! I want to encourage you to seek what you were put on this earth to do! Then pursue it with all your effort!
A spirit filled life will lead to a spirit filled life!
Do you as a Christian drag the Lord into activities which He would not choose? Think about that the next time you turn on the television, look at a website, or are drawn into the latest celebrity gossip. As a Christian, the Lord is in you, but ask yourself: Is the Lord at home in your life? Is He comfortable with what interests you?
When we lack the peace of God, we should turn to our
peace with God.
~Robert M. Horn~
Looking religious and being a faithful follower of the Lord are two completely different things.
The sea ebbs and flows, but the Rock remains unmoved.
~Robert Murray M’Cheyne~
I remember my daughter and I was at NAS. Naval Air Station, Lemoore, It was a drill weekend. In a blink everything changed. We went to defcon 4 and our color turned from white to orange. You could not get on or off the base for a season. F-14's and 18's where placed in a battle readiness mode. Allot was said and done that weekend. I remember this pic the most and I remember our president saying lets roll. You may not like Bush then but he believed in the this country and to all who had to go to Dessert Shield and Dessert Storm did it gladly.
In the middle of great horror and grief, people flocked to the churches. They sought comfort and peace in the arms of the Almighty God. Sadly, many did not continue to seek the Lord. As the memory of the attack faded, so did their faith in God.
As we remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and their families who survived without them, we must also remember the great evil that came to America. It is not a new evil and it has not passed. We cannot forget there are people who hate us simply because we are Americans. Looking at the world around us and the threats we hear about every day, the only place we can seek peace and comfort is in the refuge and fortress of our Lord. We cannot control the evil actions of people; we can only seek to walk with the Lord, knowing in Him we are safe eternally. There are no guarantees in life, but in eternity, we have salvation through the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.
~Alexander Maclaren~
A mother was reading Bible stories to her little girl, telling her all about its great heroes like Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Esther, and Deborah.
The little girl looked up and said, "You know what, Mom? God was a lot more exciting back then."
We might feel that way too sometimes. We hear of the way things were and think, It is not that way anymore. I wish it were like that again.
Be thankful, what if it was see back then you might be dead already. But God is just and merciful so He is ever so patient waiting on you and you willingness to die to self and make Him your Lord.
WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE? The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember . . .
NOAH- was a drunk.
ABRAHAM- was too old.
ISAAC- was a daydreamer.
JACOB- was a liar.
LEAH- was ugly.
JOSEPH- was abused.
MOSES- had a stuttering problem.
GIDEON- was afraid.
SAMSON- had long hair and was a womanizer!
RAHAB- was a prostitute!
JEREMIAH- and TIMOTHY were too young.
DAVID- was an adulterer and a murderer.
ELIJAH- was suicidal.
JONAH- ran from God.
NAOMI- was a widow.
JOB- went bankrupt.
JOHN- the Baptist ate bugs.
PETER- denied Christ.
THE DISCIPLES- fell asleep while praying.
MARTHA- worried about everything.
MARY MAGDALENE- was, well, you know.
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN- was divorced ... more than once!
ZACCHEUS- was too small.
PAUL- was too religious.
TIMOTHY- had an ulcer ... AND
LAZARUS WAS DEAD!
NOW, what is YOUR EXCUSE?
Don't get caught up proving to man. Prove to God and let God worry about man. It is our job to obey Him. Sometimes there is a conflict between man's order and God's order.
rue, one person cannot beat the odds. There will always be more people to reach than time or energy or commitment can provide. But the truth is that each one of us can touch a few. How wrong we would be to stop helping anyone because we cannot help everyone.
You can make a difference. And because you can . . . you must. Count on the Lord to honor and multiply your best efforts, even though they may seem small. Last time I checked, He was still rewarding faithfulness.
“Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”
― G. Campbell Morgan
Don't use waiting as an excuse.
Remember Jesus lives in you and will work His will through you or He will work without you.
United in Love
United in suffering
United in giving
United in worship
United in service
The anthem of your life is determined by the choices you make!
1. Choose to live sacrificially
2. Worship Jesus passionately
3. Serve Jesus with humility
Holy faith thrives in holy discomfort ~ Louie Giglio
We don't serve for position rather we serve from position ~
Fleshly people are consumed with external or carnal things. They have trouble with the concept that God would accept anyone who is not holy according to their standards, (rather than God's). Unfortunately they don't realize that holiness is the fruit, not the root of salvation. (Romans 6:22: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.")
Keep your heart fixed on God through prayer and reading the Bible. Remember that He has provided you with the treasure of eternity as well as all that you need for each day on Earth.
Bethlehem was God with us. Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us.
~Robert Baer~
If you are a Christian, then you have been through the Passover. How? You have been delivered out of Egypt––a type of this sinful world. The blood of Jesus has delivered you from the bondage of sin and death. John the Baptist declared: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” You have been Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb––Jesus Christ. Now we begin our new journey of faith in Jesus Christ.
Those who live according to God's word will characteristically have this testimony. "You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word." This is true, because the word of God is our comprehensive source of the Lord's direction and of His provision. When God's mercy unto salvation is needed for new life, one must turn to God's word. "Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD-Your salvation according to Your word" (Psalm 119:41). When reviving is needed for those who have new life, one must turn again to God's word. "I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word…My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:107 and 25). Whatever the need, the Lord invites us to face it according to His word.
All of us believers are going to fail. All of us who love and follow Jesus are going to go through temptation, and trials, and exhaustion, and we’ll all have questions that go without answers. Jesus prays for us! Isn’t that so encouraging? We can rest today in our insufficiency that He is praying for us and that His grace is bigger than our failures.
There are a lot of things that will happen in life that we won’t understand. It is during those times that we must fall back on what we do understand: God loves us. And He is looking out for our best interests.
Everything that Christ has done is enough to forgive you for everything that you have done.
God doesn’t change His view of sin just because the world does. His Truth is never changing.
Jesus didn't hang out with sinners because He wanted to appear inclusive, tolerant, and accepting. He spent time with them to show them who He was, and how to live differently. His goal is to transform lives, not affirm sin.
Unbelievers are not our enemy. They are our mission field.
A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself. -A.W. Tozer -
Your not loving God-if it continues, will certainly lead you to hell. -Samuel Davies -
Conversion turns the bent of the affections. These all run in a new channel. Christ is now his hope. This is his prize. -Joseph Alleine - The regenerate now love what they once hated--and hate what they once loved! -Octavius Winslow -
Grace reigns, and it does not share the throne with anybody or anything else. - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
“The resurrection of Jesus is what gives purpose to all you do today, and comfort in all your trials, and hope for all your tomorrows.” Alistair Begg Theological liberalism now eisegetes "love your neighbor" to affirm sinful lifestyles. Progressive Christianity is indeed a masterstroke of Satan!
"In fact, we would all be nothing but sin-tattered debris if God did not preserve us." – Jacob Trotter
In the godly, grace and sin struggle for sovereignty. In the ungodly, sin domineers and there is no struggle. -James Meikle - A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. -C.H. Spurgeon -
Faith gazes upon the cross until the course of the new nature is set on fire with heavenly love! -William Plumer - Hypocrites love to share with Christ in His happiness--but they don't love to share with Christ in His holiness. -Thomas Brooks -
Faith is the root of works. Works are the fruit of faith. -William Bacon Stevens - Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us. -A.W. Tozer -
Without faith in Christ, and repentance toward God...there is no escaping the wrath to come -James Smith - If the day of mercy leaves you graceless-the day of judgment will find you speechless! -William Dyer -
All the sugared joys of a wicked man at the hour of death-turn into the water of tears and sorrow. -Thomas Watson - Put no trust in frames and feelings. Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Trust in God alone... -C.H. Spurgeon -
What a monster of pride is man! How full of that cursed venom, is human nature! -William Mason - If we are not as wicked as others--we should adore the riches of free-grace! -Thomas Watson -
"We are not called to snack on the Scriptures but to feast on them. Since there is no end to God's excellencies, there is no end to the riches of His word." —Alistair Begg
The most lowly Christian--is the most lovely Christian! -William Dyer - Faith is not merely a journey for the feet, but it is a journey for the heart. -A.W. Tozer -
That you may deny all high, supercilious thoughts of yourselves, consider that self-conceit is a great sin. -Thomas Watson - Pride is the opposite of patience. Man is impatient, because he is proud. -George Mylne -
There is but one way to heaven, and that is Christ. But there are many ways to hell: especially these two; some walk a more clean way of self-righteousness, & others a more dirty way of open wickedness; but both meet together at the end… —Ralph Erskine (1685-1752), Works 2:61
The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me. Martin Luther
Nothing is more dangerous than to be blinded by prosperity. John Calvin
Pride sets itself against the honor, being, and sovereignty of God. -Thomas Brooks - The more you know about Christ, the less you will be satisfied with superficial views of him. -C.H. Spurgeon -
The pride of the wicked is the principal reason why they will not seek after the knowledge of God. -Edward Payson - Remember that pride is the worst viper that is in the heart, the greatest disturber of the soul's peace... -Jonathan Edwards -
Preach Christ, that is the magnet; He will draw His own to Himself…If we want to see conversions there must be…more constant preaching of Christ; Christ must be in every sermon and He must be top and bottom of all the theology that is preached. Charles Spurgeon
It is a sad sight, to see God humbling Himself--and man exalting himself--to see a humble Savior--and a proud sinner! -Thomas Watson - An honest man is strange when he is among dishonest men, but it is a good kind of strangeness. -A.W. Tozer -
The promises are made to encourage faith, not to cherish sloth. —Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm, Pg. 49 Are you brought to a life of sanctification? If not, you are dead in sin, and under the power and dominion of it. —Ralph Erskine, Works 4:57
Give me in rich abundance the blessings the Lord’s Day was designed to impart. —The Valley of Vision, Pg. 355 ‘Faith is the life of our lives, the soul that animates the whole body of obedience.’ – Thomas Manton
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. —Puritan Thomas Manton If works justify, then what need is there for Christ? Anthony Burgess Believing in Christ should be acknowledged as giving glory to Christ. We may mistakenly think that performing pilgrimages or mortifying our bodies is a likelier way for salvation, but that glorifies man more than God. Anthony Burgess For the truth is, by reason of corruption, we are like the boat in a steam; if we go not forward by the oar, we go backward by the tide. So, if we go not forward, by the strength of grace, we will go backward by the strength and power of corruption. —Ralph Erskine, Works 4:51 The old man is too willing and too pressing to tempt us out of heaven’s way; we need no world or devil to drive us. —Nicolas Claget, The Abuse of God’s Grace, 264
“O God, we praise Thee for keeping us till this day, and for the full assurance that Thou wilt never let us go.” — Charles Spurgeon
Three Elements of Preaching: 1. Logos: What you preach. 2. Ethos: What you are as a person. 3. Pathos: Your Passion — R. Kent Hughes
"Be always doing or receiving good. This will make your lives comfortable, deaths happy, and your account glorious, in the great day of our Lord." -Thomas Brooks The Christian “doesn't need to serve, sacrifice, or suffer his way to human or divine approval because Christ has already served, sacrificed, and suffered for him.” — David Murray “The seed of all sickness in the Christian life is the failure to boast in the cross. The seed of all health is boating in the cross.” — Michael Reeves, Authentic Ministry, 19.
“… finding your identity in the wrong place is perhaps one of the most common and invisible traps for the Christian leader.” — Michael Reeves, Authentic Ministry, 25. “What if we see church as a provider to meet our needs, rather than a body to which we belong.” — Christopher Ash, The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read, 51
“Faith is built by careful, thorough exposition of the person, character, and work of Christ.” — T. David Gordon from "Why Johnny Can't Preach"
Absolute authority is given to Christ alone, and no human authority—a tyrannical government, an unjust employer, a domineering husband, an abusive parent or a controlling pastor—should ever be allowed to usurp that good authority of Christ.” — Christopher Ash
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. Thomas Manton
“If you want a better pastor, you can get one by praying for the one you already have.” — Robert E. Harris
Our good works: 1. Are Fruit of a true faith 2. Manifest our thankfulness 3. Strengthen our assurance 4. Edify our brethren 5. Adorn our profession 6. Stop the mouths of adversaries 7. Glorify God 2 London 16.2
"Christ has come to us, that we might come to him." — Charles Spurgeon
“There is no 'secular arena' with diplomatic immunity from the rule of Christ and His Word.” — Joseph Boot @Ezra_Institute “Openness between church members and honesty between church members and pastors are prerequisites of a healthy church.” — Christopher Ash, The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read, 62.
“The truth of God's law-Word must be applied to all areas of life—from the family, to education, law, politics, business, medicine, science and arts, all for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor.” — Joseph Boot, For Government, 32-33.
Preach Christ, that is the magnet; He will draw His own to Himself…If we want to see conversions there must be…more constant preaching of Christ; Christ must be in every sermon and He must be top and bottom of all the theology that is preached. Charles Spurgeon
By nature, we are impatient; but the new nature within can produce patience as we yield to the Holy Spirit. Whenever you find an impulsive, impatient believer, you can be reasonably sure that that person is not walking in the Spirit, but is living by the energy of the flesh. wiersbe
Looking forward to the real unity Jesus will bring. No more minor doctrinal divisions. No more personality clashes. No more church competitions. No more jockeying for positions. No more gosssip and slandering a brother. Just sweet unity in Jesus. What a day awaits us.
Are you worried today? Change your thoughts. Don't meditate on your pain— meditate on your Savior. Set your eyes on Jesus and remember His character. His love has never failed you. His mercies are new every morning. Chuck Smith
September 11 is a day we will never forget. Our nation and our world changed, and our eyes were opened to so much, including the need for and importance of obeying God’s exhortation: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you’” (Psalm 122:6). Ray Bentley
Pastor: Monday is often a day of challenge and spiritual attack. You offered your best. You loved your flock. You served well. Rest well in Him.
Pastor: You are a teacher of the Bible. You are not a life coach.
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