We have a God who chooses to rescue us in our bodies with His own body.
Depression is hard. Thank You, God, that these days we know a great deal about how to help people think, feel, and act better! And, thank You, Lord, that there is healing in Your
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
We must live every day as though it could be our last. Because one day it will be.
We can be in a state of spiritual slumber and not even realize it. In fact, we might even deny it. Yet the Bible warns us to wake up from our spiritual sleep.
Jesus set the ultimate example of living in forgiveness and grace.
Jesus owns our brokenness and gives it intrinsic value.
Becoming offended is a choice. We can hold onto rejection and injury and become bitter or let it go as Joseph did and let God heal our brokenness. God can use the very things that hurt us to position us to work for His glory and for the saving of many!
Scripture suggests the judgment seat of Christ will reveal our essential character or motives. The question will be about what we did with our lives. What did we do with the time God gave us? What did we do with the gifts and resources God entrusted to us?
Christians will face a different kind of judgment known as the judgment seat of Christ. This is a time when God will reward us. This judgment is not about our getting to Heaven, because the judgment seat of Christ takes place there. But God will evaluate our lives.
There is an ungodly, self-sufficient exaltation that leads to defeat and dishonor. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased" (Luke 18:14a). On the other hand, there is a godly, self-denying humility that leads to a proper exaltation. "He who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14b). We saw in our previous meditation that Jesus was the ultimate example of humility. Here, we see that He is also the ultimate example of godly exaltation.
Those who must be forced to bow at the end will be separated from Him forever.
Open your Bible. What does it say about your current trial? 2 Peter 2:9: "If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment while continuing their punishment."
"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have."
"God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome." — Oswald Chambers
relationship of "humility and faith" to "growing in grace." Such repeated opportunities assist us in apprehending the means of living day by day by grace. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble…we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (James 4:6 and Romans 5:2). For a number of days, we have been considering humility and grace. In a recent meditation, we saw that Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. Now, we begin to give considerable attention to faith and grace. Concerning faith, we begin where we left off with humility-with Jesus as our example. Again, we will see that Jesus is the ultimate example of faith.
Typically, the drift away from Biblical orthodoxy has the same path: ->Question the inerrancy of Scripture. ->Challenge the authority of Scripture. ->Begin to backtrack on sexual sin. ->Ascribe to Universalism. ->Completely leave the faith. Too many leaders & denominations have taken this exact path. Don’t trust leaders that don’t trust the Bible, because they’re always heading somewhere.
As parents, when our actions tell our kids that chasing a ball is a greater priority than chasing Christ. Commitment to hobbies is a greater priority than commitment to Church. Then, we can’t be surprised when Christ and Church is a low priority to them when they become adults.
An ever-changing world desperately needs a never-changing God.
DON'T LET YOUR PROFILE AND YOUR LIFESTYLE PREACH TWO DIFFERENT MESSAGES!
“WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT LAYS SOMETHING ON YOUR HEART, MOVE WITHOUT HESITATION. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO MAY BE DEPENDING ON YOUR IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE.”
BE PATIENT...A TEMPORARY DELAY IS BETTER THAN A PERMANENT DISASTER!
"IF YOU BEHAVE IN A MANNER THAT POISONS YOUR RELATIONSHIP, DON'T BE SURPRISED WHEN IT DIES."
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE FINISH LINE AND RUN TO WIN THE PRIZE.
“The question was meant to reveal that Jesus heals on his own terms, not ours. For the man to be healed, he needed to embrace the terms that Jesus was going to set.” — Rosaria Butterfield on John 5:6
We “are productivity-driven activists and legalists at heart. And it takes a work of the Holy Spirit to drive our roots down deep into the Word, where we meditate and take refuge in Christ’s work and wait on Him to accomplish His purposes in His way and in His time.” — E.D Burns
“If Satan is always awake, it is dangerous for the Christian at any time to be spiritually asleep, secure and careless. . . . The saint’s sleeping time is Satan’s tempting time.” — William Gurnall
“Are we willing to be instructed by God’s word? Do we believe that God’s revelation reigns over our own will and reason? Or is it the other way around for us?” — Rosaria Butterfield, Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age, 108
"God's mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water or deprive the sun of its light than diminish the great mercy of God." — Charles Spurgeon
“Let us not hear [God’s revealed word] as if it were subject to our judgment but let us subject our understanding and minds to it and receive it without calling it in question, for otherwise we will willfully make war against God and lift ourselves above him.” — John Calvin
"Don't ever be embarrassed to let the world see your love and passion for Christ." Burk Parsons
“Sin should affect us so profoundly that the “nuanced” way that the world covers it up ought to feel repulsive.” — Rosaria Butterfield, Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age, 152.
“We must deal with sin at its first occurrence because the second will always be worse.” — Rosaria Butterfield, Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age, 152.
“We are to find as much bitterness in weeping for sin as ever we found sweetness in committing it.” — Thomas Watson
“God is whole in the whole world, and he is whole in every part of the world.” — George Swinnock, The Blessed and Boundless God, 27.
“The Bible does not talk about wrong kinds of Christians. The Bible just talks about Christians—people who claim Christ as King, dedicate their life to him, recognize that he is the Word made flesh, and put their hope and faith in Christ’s atoning work.” — Rosaria Butterfield "No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have something worth preaching.” — Charles Spurgeon
Do not carry yesterday or tomorrow with you; live for today and for the 12 hours that you are in. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (re: Matthew 6:34)
“Justification takes place once for all. It is not repeated, neither is it a process; it is complete at once and for all time. There is no more or less in justification; man is either fully justified, or he is not justified at all.” - Louis Berkhof “God is boundless in His duration, perfections, attributes, and being.” — George Swinnock, The Blessed and Boundless God, 27.
“A Christian’s best defense against abuse of all authority is membership in a biblically faithful church. Submission doesn’t imply brainless passivity.” — Rosaria Butterfield, Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age, 162.
"The presence of God in a dungeon, in a lion's den, makes it a paradise, a place of pleasure… If there be not the presence of God, the greatest comfort in the world would be nothing. What makes heaven longed for by holy men? God is there." — Richard Sibbes
“That Christians need a healthy theology of civil disobedience might strike you as a peculiar notion, but I think it’s one that will be gaining more and more traction.” — Rosaria Butterfield, Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age, 162.
"What is true of God is foundational to everything else that appears in the biblical teaching on God's outward works." - Steven Duby. Jesus and the God of Classical Theism, 26.
“It is not in vain for us to seek Him, but it is altogether in vain for us to search Him. Although He is not far from us, He is far above and beyond us—far above our thoughts and conceptions.” — George Swinnock
The blindness of unbelievers in no way detracts from the clarity of the gospel; the sun is no less bright because blind men do not perceive its light. John Calvin
God's grace is not given to make us feel better, but to glorify Him... Good feelings may come, or they may not, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether or not we honor God by the way we respond to our circumstances. Jerry Bridges
If you release me today, I'll preach tomorrow. John Bunyan
Theology bores today's Christians, which is another way of saying we are bored with God himself. Richard Phillips
“Judge not lest ye be judged” has become the battle cry not only for biblically illiterate secularists, but for professing evangelicals as well. Postmodern hypersensitivity is not a malady merely for unbelievers; Christians are downright allergic to judging. Todd Friel The next time an unbeliever tells you they would believe in God "if He would just do a miracle," you will know that is not true. Miracles do not convert people, God converts people. Todd Friel Don't forget to pray today because God did not forget to wake you up this morning. Oswald Chambers
The things you pray about are the things you trust God to handle. The things you neglect to pray about are the things you trust you can handle on your own. H.B. Charles Jr.
Much of my learning to follow Jesus is unlearning to follow myself. Burk Parsons
Contentment is one of the most distinguishing traits of the godly person, because a godly person has his heart focused on God rather than on possessions or position or power. Jerry Bridges
"Hope is like a star: not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity." — Charles Spurgeon "If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." — Charles Spurgeon "Doubt not God's grace because of your tribulation, but believe that he loves you as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness." — Charles Spurgeon
"Think not of the sinner or of the greatness of his sin, but think of the greatness of the Savior." — Charles Spurgeon "Within the Scripture there is a balm for every wound, a salve for every sore." — Charles Spurgeon "The nearer a man lives to God, the more intensely has he to mourn over his own evil heart." — Charles Spurgeon
"It is God's Word, not our comment on God's Word, which saves souls. The Word of God is powerful for all sacred ends." — Charles Spurgeon
"Anything is a blessing which makes us pray." — Charles Spurgeon "When the believer gets near to God and eats the bread of heaven, all the feasts of earth, its amusements and glories, seem very flat, stale, and unprofitable." — Charles Spurgeon "All our infirmities, whatever they are, are just opportunities for God to display his gracious work in us." — Charles Spurgeon
"The gospel is all about Christ from beginning to end." – Charles Spurgeon "There is mercy for a sinner, but there is no mercy for the man who will not own himself a sinner." — Charles Spurgeon
Prayer is the autograph of the Holy Ghost on the renewed heart -C.H. Spurgeon - I do not understand how a man can be a true believer, unto whom sin is not the greatest burden, sorrow and trouble! -J.C. Ryle -
When the gospel goes, the honour and glory, splendour and beauty of a nation goes. —Thomas Brooks The devil loves it when we say we believe, then prioritize everything in our lives ahead of God. -A.W. Tozer - He who fears God fears no man. He who kneels before God will stand in any situation. -Leonard Ravenhill -
“Holiness is nothing but the implanting, writing and living out the gospel in our souls.” — John Owen
The foundation of true holiness and true Christian worship is the doctrine of the gospel. -John Owen - No man will ever behold the glory of Christ by sight in heaven, who does not now behold it by faith. -A.W. Pink -
Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that God is such a one as themselves, and that they may live in sin and yet die in Christ, may lead the life of the devil’s children and yet go to heaven with the children of God. —Matthew Henry, Commentary on 1 Cor. 6:9
“Though our feelings come and go, his love for us does not.” - C.S. Lewis "We should not interpret Scripture in the light of our experiences, but we should examine our experiences in the light of the teaching of Scripture." -Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
…the sin of Sodom, a sin not to be named amongst Christians or men. —Matthew Poole, Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:9
Through infinite mercy, I am enabled to strengthen myself in the Lord my God. - George Whitefield
When you don't know what to do, just proclaim Christ! - Lance Quinn
Prayer must be frequent. ... [Not only] morning & evening prayer ... But we ought to engage in prayer also during the day; because in the heat of worldliness we need special assistance; and as much oftener as we feel spiritual languor or danger. -Richard Watson
"A common mistake many pastors make is they assume if God’s word is powerful then it should bring change in people’s hearts immediately. Preach, but be patient." -Brian Croft
On this day in 1857, Spurgeon preached to his largest audience (23,654 people). This took place at the Crystal Palace for the national day of prayer and fasting. “The hour of prayer is often the hour of deliverance.” - Charles Spurgeon, “Fast-Day Service” on Micah 6:9.
"This little volume is not issued as an authoritative rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be fettered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness." — Charles Spurgeon on The Baptist Confession of Faith
"If the Lord shall break your heart, consent to have it broken; asking that he may sanctify that brokenness of spirit to bring you in earnest to a Savior." — Charles Spurgeon
"What say you, dear friends? Have you washed in blood? The meaning of it is, have you trusted in the atoning sacrifice? “Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.”" - Charles Spurgeon
There are hundreds of thousands of embryos facing a future of being indefinity frozen, experimented on, or destroyed. But that does not have to be the case. Save a life and adopt an embryo!
"Preaching is, and always will be, an outer declaration of the preacher’s inner life. As such, it is imperative that the preacher cultivates the essential characteristics of authenticity, ownership, brokenness and meekness." -Justin Thornton
Our defense of the faith does not work toward an honoring of Christ’s Lordship; it works under that Lordship. – Greg Bahnsen
"God has used the faithful efforts of expository preachers of His Word to bring honor to His name and to increase the faith of His saints (1 Cor 2:5) throughout history." - James Stitzinger
“We must keep ourselves in as much light as possible. For all sleepiness comes with darkness… Sleep is a work of darkness. Men of dark and drowsy hearts, desire darkness, so their consciences may sleep.” — Richard Sibbes
If doubting leads to disobeying, you become a curse to others, not a blessing. You lose your testimony.
We cannot become all that God has designed us to be if we harbor resentment and bitterness. It is vital that we make the choice to forgive and even to reconcile with the person who has hurt usForgiveness requires our facing the truth. The truth of Christ's forgiveness. The truth of our own unforgiveness. The truth that if we are ever to be free, we must receive Christ's forgiveness and forgive those who have hurt us.
The world has become very high tech. It's important to keep up with technology but don't forget the personal touch when dealing with your customers.
Couples who make it aren't the ones who never had a reason to get divorced; they're simply the ones who decided early on that their commitment to each other was always going to be bigger than their differences and flaws.
“Never attack a problem without also presenting a solution.” – Jim Rohn
“Humans have the remarkable ability to get exactly what they must have. But there is a difference between a ‘must’ and a ‘want.’”
“The best motivation is self-motivation. The guy says, "I wish someone would come by and turn me on." What if they don't show up? You've got to have a better plan for your life.”
“When you know what you want, and you want it bad enough, you will find a way to get it.”
“Motivation alone is not enough. If you have an idiot and you motivate him, now you have a motivated idiot.”
“Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.”
Our eyes, when gazing on sinful objects, are out of their
calling and God’s keeping.
~Thomas Fuller~
“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” — Goethe
“A person will not buy from you until he is convinced that you are a friend and are acting in his best interest. You must make this clear.” — Brian Tracy
“Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him.” — Booker T. Washington
“One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life.” — E. M. Forster
“You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.”
— Indira Mahatma Gandhi
We can do this! Each of us has the power to do whatever it takes to make it through our challenges in life. People neglect to tell us we can do this, and we panic before we get the chance to tell ourselves, "I CAN DO THIS!"
Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose—to be in a
relationship to God.
~Francis Schaeffer~
We must reach people where they are.
There are many who are lip-servants but not life-servants.
~William Jenkyn~
“Money can’t buy #happiness and it doesn’t give peace. Only God can do that.” -Kathy Ireland
The man who has lost contact with God lives on the same dead-end street as the man who denies Him.
~Milton Marcy~
Prayer is always the answer
and when you have prayed all you can, pray some more...
"Prayer should not be merely an act, but an attitude of life." Billy Graham
Every marriage will have its conflicts, and couples need to learn how to resolve this. Cleaving together means putting the needs of your mate above your own. And as Ruth Graham once said, "A successful marriage is made up of two good forgives."
forgives
Wives, you have access to your husband's heart like nobody else. You see his flaws, his strengths, his fears, and his courage.
Wives, love your husbands fiercely and boldly. Use your words to encourage and your actions to strengthen. He's given his heart to you, now it's your job to steward it well and with Christ-like love.
A man cannot redeem himself— redemption is the work of God, and is absolutely finished and complete. And its application to individual people is a matter of their own individual action or response to it.
Whatever ability a faithful Christian may possess, he ought to possess it for his fellow believers, and he ought to make his own interest subservient to the wellbeing of the church in all sincerity.
~John Calvin~
Being still doesn’t exactly mean that we can stop working or loving or living. It just means that we posture ourselves in stillness, looking for quiet moments to turn our eyes away from the earth that’s shaking and toward a God who is working right in the midst of it.
A spiritual gift is a supernatural designed ability granted to every believer by which the Holy Spirit ministers to the body of Christ. A spiritual gift cannot be earned, pursued or worked up. It is merely “received” through the grace of God.
~John MacArthur~
Speak in a Language Your Audience Understands
Whatever spiritual gifts we have, they are not our own to use as we please; they are only entrusted to us that we may employ them to help our fellow-Christians.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
Spiritual gifts are tools to build with, not toys to play with, or weapons to fight with.
~Warren Wiersbe~
Prayer Is About Love “Prayer does not mean much when we undertake it only as an attempt to influence God, or as a search for a spiritual fallout shelter, or as an offering of comfort in stress-filled times,” writes Henri Nouwen.
“Prayer is the act by which we divest ourselves of all false belongings and become free to belong to God and God alone.” Henri Nouwen, “Letting Go of All Things,”
Our job is to proclaim the gospel and sow the seeds. It’s the Holy Spirit who determines where the seeds end up and what happens in people’s lives.
We do not need to wait for the Holy Spirit to come: He came on the Day of Pentecost. He has never left the Church.
~John Stott~
Move into that sweet spot of Selah – pausing to rest and receive whatever God wants to give you. It is Spirit to spirit; it’s tangible, powerful, and glorious; it’s a supernatural filling of the Lord Himself
It’s a dialogue, not a monologue. Start with compassion because people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Imagine, even though the sun becomes black and the moon blood red, people’s hearts will be hardened and they will not repent. There will be an opportunity to be saved, but why wait? Why not accept Christ now!
There never was any who suffered so much for any earthly friend as Christ did.
Jonathan Edwards
"Christ became a man for you; be a man for Christ."
— Charles Spurgeon
The worst sort of clever men is those who know better than the Bible.
Charles Spurgeon
Most modern Christian books are about how to have a good life rather than how to know a great God.
Sinclair Ferguson
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