Hi all, this is it for 2023. I love all of you as we have prayed and served together in the Lord. There are so many needs in the body of Christ. As we close this year, remember to pray for all our sick brothers and sisters.
New Year Resolutions, Don't make them...
Patience is not one of my greatest strengths. In fact, I tend to live each day with a schedule in mind, an agenda by which to live that day and several goals I need to meet before the day's end. God does have a sense of humor. I can't tell you how many times my schedule falls apart, the agenda is completely forgotten and I have to move today's goals to tomorrow. I am learning that when God wants to build a certain quality in my life, He puts me in the opposite circumstance. For example, if God wants me to be more patient, He arranges the hours and minutes of my day in ways that demand patience.
What is patience? To be patient is to have the ability to endure, but it doesn't stop there. Patience must also have the capacity to be wronged and not retaliate. In other words, patience is love persevering and love waiting. We are not only to be patient in the way we face difficult situations but in our relationships as well.
Ultimately and essentially, grace is found in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and it is experienced through His work in our hearts, as we humbly seek to know Him more and more. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. - John 14:3
This is what the Father does for His children. If you are in Christ, your special room is prepared and waiting. Death is merely a walk down the hall, a transfer from one room in God’s cosmos to your quarters. And He holds your hand all the way. Thank you Lord.
When the whole heart cries out to God, it isn't necessary that the
prayers be either elegant or eloquent. To paraphrase one author,
we could say:
- God doesn't look at the elegance of your prayers, to see how neat
they are
- God doesn't look at the geometry of your prayers, to see how long
they are
- God doesn't look at the arithmetic of your prayers, to see how
many they are
- God doesn't look at the music of your prayers, to see how melodic
they are
- God doesn't look at the logic of your prayers, to see how smart
they are
God looks at the sincerity of your prayers, to see how heart-filled
they are.
David Guzik
Believing what God says about our new self is a choice. Satan certainly conspires to convince believers that God’s Word doesn’t apply to them. He knows that people held captive by spiritual poverty back away from opportunities to share the gospel and serve the Lord’s kingdom. It’s much easier to spiritually bankrupt someone who already thinks of him- or herself as “just a sinner” than it is to conquer a disciple who knows God is his loving Father.
Our true identity is defined not by our past actions but by the Savior’s. Jesus purchased our lives with His blood and brought us into relationship with God the Father, who adopted us as beloved children. We have every reason to hold our heads high, stand firm, and courageously proclaim the gospel.
Dr. Charles Stanley
His blessings are not about our possessions but our position in Christ.
He enjoys much who is thankful for little.
~William Secker~
Isa 43:18 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness [And] rivers in the desert.
To discover Grace is to discover God’s utter devotion to you, His stubborn resolve to give you a healing, purging love.
The Bible tells us, “You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.” Does he stand high on a hill and bid you climb out of the valley? No. He bungees down and carries you out. Does he build a bridge and command you to cross it? No. He crosses the bridge and shoulders you over. This is the gift God gives. A grace that grants us the power to receive love and the power to give it. A grace that changes us and leads us to a life that is eternally altered.
All God wants from us is faith. Put your faith in God. And grow in God’s Grace. More verb than noun, more present tense than past tense, Grace didn’t just happen; it happens. May it happen to you!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23″
Max Lucado
The manifold grace of God is such an appropriate truth for our concluding meditation. It is both humbling and faith-building to be reminded of the majestic diversity of God's grace.
We are never taking any risks when we step out on the Word of God.
~Vance Havner~
Be blind to differences and offer unconditional love.
We need to allow God to open our spiritual eyes so we may see things from His perspective. Too often fear gets in the way. We think we're alone -- standing against all the prophets of Baal -- whether at work, in our neighborhoods, as parents of children in the public school system, or on the soccer field. But we're not alone. The Lord says, "Look around, there are many who have not bowed their knee to this evil world." Who do you see? Don't look at just the members of your church -- have you talked to others about their faith? You will be surprised at the numbers who stand for Christ, as you do.
"Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it." -- Jim Rohn
We don't know when the finish line will be. But God put you on this earth to finish your race—and with joy (see Acts 20:24). So focus on what He has for you this year—concentrate on this one thing—and you'll find that the Christian life is the most amazing race that anyone could run.
If you are not seeking the Lord, judgment is at your heels.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
If you follow the example of Christ, you’ll learn to see tough times differently. God wants you to have a hope-filled heart. . just like Jesus. Wouldn’t you want that? Jesus saw his Father’s presence in the problem. Sure, but Jesus was God. I can’t see the way he saw. Not yet, maybe. But don’t underestimate God’s power. He can change the way you look at life.
When suffering happens we need to look to the cross––Christ’s death on the cross worked all things together for our good. God’s will meant suffering in the life of Christ but His suffering brought about eternal life for those who would accept Him as their Savior. John 3:16 simply explains: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Through Jesus’ submission to His Father’s will to die on the cross, we have gained an eternal inheritance. God had a plan––our salvation. Trust the Lord and believe that any suffering God has allowed in your life is for a greater plan for good.
Raul Ries
The great evangelist D.L. Moody was asked the question, "If you knew the Lord were returning tonight, how would you spend the rest of your day?" Moody replied, "I wouldn't do anything different than I do every day."
The closing benediction in so many New Testament epistles would be perfectly suitable. "Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" ( Galatians 6:18 ).
Ultimately and essentially, grace is found in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and it is experienced through His work in our hearts, as we humbly seek to know Him more and more. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Growth is an essential and wonderful thing. Just imagine if a baby was brought home from the hospital and didn’t grow. He would be rushed off to medical doctors by some very worried parents. Or imagine a farmer planting seed and his resulting disappointment and hardship if the plants did not grow. Likewise, spiritual growth also is an essential and wonderful thing.
You cannot improve God’s ordained means of forgiveness and salvation.
No matter life’s struggles, sorrows, or joys, a New Year brings with it a blank page and a brand new chapter for what lies ahead.
Church unity comes from corporate humility.
~Leonard Ravenhill~
"God never loves you less and he cannot love you more."
— Charles Spurgeon
This I know: the truth will prevail.
- John Wyclif died 31 December 1384
It is a profound political reality that Christ now occupies the supreme seat of cosmic authority. The kings of this world and all secular governments may ignore this reality, but they cannot undo it.
R.C. Sproul
Although we run to win, we must not compete with each other. God gives each of us our own lane, a course to follow. We run for the sake of giving our best to the One who gave His best for us.
Tomorrow we will have a fresh start and a fresh opportunity to do life differently… with Jesus. No matter what you’re going through, lean on Jesus for your strength and hope. Keep praying and talking to Him about everything that concerns you. He’s listening!
"The world does need changing, society needs changing, the nation needs changing, but we never will change it until we ourselves are changed."
Billy Graham
"There are always two ways of telling a tale, and they may both be true; the one is, to lay heavy stress upon all the faults; the other is, to do as John does, to mention them, but to say no more about them than he feels really obliged to say."
- Charles Spurgeon
In 2023, all believers can rest in the following truth:
• Jesus is alive.
• Jesus is reigning.
• Jesus is praying for you.
• Jesus is building His church.
• Jesus is preparing a place for you.
• Jesus is sanctifying you.
• Jesus loves you.
Amazing Love! how can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Charles Wesley
Our limited vision doesn’t allow us to see how God is working behind the scenes in our lives. But we must believe that He is.
Each and every trial is an opportunity to trust Him more. Jean-Pierre de Caussade said it well: “You would be very ashamed if you knew what experiences you call setbacks, upheavals, pointless disturbances, and tedious annoyances really are. You would realize that your complaints about them are nothing more nor less than blasphemies—though that never occurs to you. Nothing happens to you except by the will of God, and yet beloved children curse it because they do not know it for what it is.”
Pastor John Piper, in his excellent book Future Grace, says that to successfully conquer lust, we must fight fire with fire: "If we try to fight the fire of lust with prohibitions and threats alone—even the terrible warnings of Jesus—we will fail. We must fight it with a massive promise of superior happiness. We must swallow up the little flicker of lust's pleasure in the conflagration of holy satisfaction. Our aim is not merely to avoid something erotic, but to gain something excellent."
A frequent reckoning with ourselves will pluck up sin before it
is rooted in the soul.
~George Swinnock~
Do not allow bitterness to take root in your hearts. It will cause division among the body of Christ and it will stumble your walk with the Lord. Use this day to really meditate on God’s Word.
Happy new years to all the family & friends
Hope is grief’s best music.
God wants us to know His grace. He wants us to learn about it, and then experience it at work in our lives. Grace has rightly been described as "unmerited favor." The acronym, "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" catches more of its majesty. Grace is God freely providing for us (as we trust in the work of His Son) all that we will ever need, all that we will ever yearn for, all that He has commanded us to walk in and become-realities that we could never produce on our own, could never earn, and could never deserve. Grace offers what every human desperately needs, but what God alone can provide.
Happy New Years my friends and family May this year be prosperous and full of blessings to all of you. Love, laugh and live life like never before We only live once so live it by staying active, healthy and with a passion to conquer everything. I'm blessed and grateful that I have encountered you all here in a positive journey in life. Always keep your hope and faith throughout the year 2015. The impossible is always possible with God
God has not departed because the day is dark.
~Vance Havner~
When men try to extinguish the light of the Gospel,
it burns more brightly.
~Henry T. Mahan~
God’s giving deserves our thanksgiving.
God is a jealous God and wants an exclusive relationship with us. He is saying, "You belong to Me, and I have committed myself to you. So that is the way it needs to be." That is the concept being communicated when God described himself as a "jealous" God
God not only shows His justice by judging and condemning sin, but He also shows His mercy in Jesus, whom He sent to pay the penalty for our sin. If we authorize Him by faith, Jesus will be our defense attorney before the judge.
We must NOT give the devil permission to impute upon God's character:
our feelings over HIS faithfulness,
our distress over HIS defense,
our afflictions over HIS authority,
or being overwhelmed by HIS ability to overcome.
"In all their affliction He was afflicted,.." (Is 63:9)
As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once.
~A.W. Tozer~
Google the word “success” and you’ll quickly discover that people are interested in everything from how to be successful, to who is successful and why to what it takes to realize one’s dreams. For many, success is an obsession. In this New Year, delight in the Lord and meditate on the truth of the Bible. He’ll shape your desires according to His will and then grant them (Psalm 37:4, 1 John 5:14).
In life, many people want to be trusted, but few are willing to earn that trust first. Some even get angry or upset if trust isn’t immediately extended toward them. They think trust is their birthright. So they try to demand it. But trust should not be given without good sound reasoning.
When you don’t have the strength, Jesus will carry you. He will pick you up when you become weak. He will strengthen you when you are tempted to quit. He will boost you when you start to lose heart. In 2024, focus your eyes on Jesus like never before.
So many Christians feel frustrated in their prayer lives. The simple reason that so many of our prayers hit the ceiling is that God doesn’t know what we are asking of him. Our prayers can become so general that they don’t say anything. Get specific with your prayers. God hears.
If you are waiting for God to break through in your life, if you want to see heaven invade earth, then you need more intentional connection with the Holy Spirit. One way to start pursuing that is through a greater, deeper, level of prayer.
“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” - C.S. Lewis
"There is no public entertainment which does not inflict spiritual damage." -Tertullian.
"Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking." -Jonathan Edwards.
New beginnings don’t start with a turning of a calendar page. New beginnings start by turning to Jesus.
How to be joyful in 2024: - let God be enough for you - don’t idolize your feelings - stop being a control freak - quit trying please everyone - let go of bitterness - fight against entitlement - don’t obsess about circumstances - be generous - avoid watching junk - exercise
The "you're enough" "believe in yourself" type of sermons don’t connect with young people. They hear that stuff every day, and are weary of the shallowness of it. What's a message they RARELY hear but need? You're not enough, but Jesus is. You can't save yourself, but Jesus can.
A new year doesn’t make a new you, if you keep living the way you’ve always lived. A new you only happens when you let an eternal God take over, and He changes how you live.
It's 2024 and... - the Bible is still the Word of God - sin still destroys - Jesus is still the only One who saves - Heaven & Hell are still real - evangelism still works - discipleship is still the call - the Holy Spirit still empowers - the Gospel is still the greatest need
“Family worship is beyond measure important for present and future generations.” — Charles Spurgeon
"Look to your integrity, and the Lord will look to your prosperity." — Charles Spurgeon
"There can be no falsehood in Christ Jesus, nor failure in him." — Charles Spurgeon
"May we reflect on the wounds of Jesus until they wound our sins to death." — Charles Spurgeon
"Nothing is small to God, for he uses insignificant agents for his purposes." — Charles Spurgeon
"In Christ, you have a fountain of joy which frost cannot freeze and heat cannot dry." — Charles Spurgeon
"The greatest moments in history are not battles of conquerors, but the preaching of the gospel." — Charles Spurgeon
Join me for my conversation with Dr. Roccaforte-Gardner, author of “Bridges in the Mind: An Artist's Handbook for Everyday Living” on episode 15 of The Wilderness and the Wellspring podcast. Ep. 15: "Bridges in the Mind" with Dr. Roccaforte-Gardner
"God will never bring to mind again the sin of that man who he has pardoned." — Charles Spurgeon
"Once there was a fear of hell in you; there is no hell for you now." — Charles Spurgeon
"The cross is the only place where it is safe for a sinner to attempt to meet his God." — Charles Spurgeon
"The sins you have loved in the past must be hated and forsaken." — Charles Spurgeon
"What will the new year be? It will be what the divine purpose has ordained." — Charles Spurgeon
"If this New Year is full of unbelief, it is sure to be dark and dreary." — Charles Spurgeon
"The past year is another year of my Lord's faithfulness and love." — Charles Spurgeon
“Make it your daily pleasure to teach your own dear child the Word of the Lord.” — Charles Spurgeon
"Pray that this year you may grow downward: that you may know more of your own vileness, more of your own nothingness, and so be rooted in humility." — Charles Spurgeon
"Oh, to believe from January to December! Why should we doubt without reason?" — Charles Spurgeon
"We hope that God has been glorified in us during the past year, but we trust he will be glorified by us far more in the new year." — Charles Spurgeon
"The gospel is all about Christ from beginning to end." – Charles Spurgeon
"In all your troubles through this year, look to God and be saved." — Charles Spurgeon
“Regeneration is the term from which all true pleasure commences; you never live a cheerful day, till you begin to live to God.” — John Flavel
"[Christ] obtains glory by distributing of His fullness to empty sinners, who, when they receive grace, are sure to love Him; then how can you think Him reluctant to bestow the gift which will increase His glory?" - C.H. Spurgeon. Good Tiding of Great Joy, 145.
“The mystery of Christ's glory leads us to godliness (1 Tim. 3:16) by stirring us up to being heavenly-minded.” — Richard Sibbes
"Let us strive, every year we live, to become more deeply acquainted with Scripture." - J.C. Ryle
“Our chief care must be over our souls.” — Richard Sibbes
“The Son of God descended from heaven in such a way that, without leaving heaven, he willed to be borne in the virgin's womb, to go about the earth, and to hang upon the cross; yet he continuously filled the world even as he had done from the beginning!” — John Calvin
Why read and study the Puritans? - They shape life by Scripture. - They marry doctrine and practice. - They focus on Christ. - They show how to handle trials. - They show how to live in two worlds. - They show us true spirituality. J. Beeke
“… for He who lives for ever did not sink down into the conditions of a bodily birth from any need to live, but to call us back from death to life.” — Gregory of Nyssa
“It is a great comfort knowing that Christ ascended for us.” — Richard Sibbes
Satan “first tempts us to commit sin, and afterwards to despair for sin.” — Richard Sibbes
Glory to God in highest heaven, who unto man His Son hath given; while angels sing with tender mirth, a glad new year to all the earth. Martin Luther
To build your house on the rock is to hear what Jesus says and obey. To be foolish and build your house on the sand is to hear and ignore. Kevin DeYoung
"One mark of a man's true wisdom is his knowledge of his ignorance." — Charles Spurgeon
A gracious heart groaneth not under the strictness of the law, but under the body of death; not because God hath required so much, but because they can do no more. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 6:288
On bearing false witness within human society: “When men have no care of their speeches, when a people bind themselves by oath to do that which they mind not to perform, or willfully do not perform, they are ripe for judgement.” —Thomas Manton, Works 6:283
This day, today, and every day in the New Year, I pray that you awake with joy, knowing the Lord will take your hand and continue the journey you began together. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”—Psalm 118:24 Ray Bentley
New year, same faithful Savior. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” —Hebrews 13:8
Another thing that displays a man or woman inclining to wantoness and uncleanness, it is an adorning themselves in light and wanton apparel. The attire of a harlot is too frequently in our day the attire of professors [of Christianity]. —John Bunyan, Works 2:569
"Oh, to believe from January to December! Why should we doubt without reason?" — Charles Spurgeon
The least measure of grace is pledge of perfection in the world to come. Richard Sibbes
“The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self — all your wishes and precautions — to Christ.” - C.S. Lewis
7 things I’ve learned in 2023: 1. God is still sovereign. 2. Christ is still reigning. 3. The Spirit is still interceding. 4. The church is still essential. 5. Satan is still deceiving. 6. The gospel is still saving. 7. Glory is still coming!
By the phrase born again is expressed not the correction of one part, but the renovation of the whole nature. -John Calvin -
Saving #faith consists of the complete surrender of my whole being and life to the claims of #God upon me -A.W. Pink -
Scripture is the library of the Holy Ghost. - Thomas Watson
An honest heart loves the #Truth. -A.W. Pink -
"It is better to make a thousand failures than to be too cowardly to ever undertake anything." – Clovis G. Chappell
The word of God is the only cure and relief for a fainting soul. —Thomas Manton, Works 6:275
“Here is no doubt about this; effective speaking involves action; and that is why I stress that the whole person must be involved in preaching.” -D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Despairing Judas perished and was damned, whereas the very murderers of Christ believing in Christ, were saved. —Puritan Thomas Brooks, Works 6:131
Remember the gracious invitations of God, and remember the glorious riches of mercy, and remember the overflowings of infinite grace, and then despond and despair if you can. —Puritan Thomas Brooks, Works 2:132
There is no cure for the love of sin like the blood of Christ! Charles Spurgeon
Death is but a passage out of a prison into a palace. -John Bunyan -
There is not any thing done in us or by us that is holy and acceptable unto #God, but it is an effect of the #Holy #Spirit -John Owen -
We have His assurance that, although we may not see Him, He is always present with us, and that in His good time He will show us that His ears have never been deaf to our prayers John Calvin
"If you’re looking for affirmation after you preach a sermon, you'll be looking for a long time. Don’t expect your congregation to affirm you. You’re there to serve them. They’re not there to serve you." - Carey Nieuwhof
Oh! it is a gloomy sky, but there is a Sun behind the clouds. - William Wilberforce
Let no man pretend to fear #sin that does not fear temptation to it. They are too nearly allied to be separated. -John Owen -
The man who does not know the nature of the #Law, cannot know the nature of sin. -John
Bunyan -
God's grace is manifold. It is like a heavenly diamond with innumerable facets. Every vantage point reflects a new insight into the gracious resources of our Lord. From some biblical viewpoints, the justifying grace of God is seen: "justified freely by His grace" (Romans 3:24). Yet, our devotional studies have concentrated upon sanctifying grace, grace for growing. "But grow in…grace." Many scriptural vistas display this sanctifying grace in its manifold beauty. It can be seen stabilizing the inner man. "It is good that the heart be established by grace" (Hebrews 13:9).
God wants us to know His grace. He wants us to learn about it, and then experience it at work in our lives. Grace has rightly been described as "unmerited favor." The acronym, "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" catches more of its majesty. Grace is God freely providing for us (as we trust in the work of His Son) all that we will ever need, all that we will ever yearn for, all that He has commanded us to walk in and become-realities that we could never produce on our own, could never earn, and could never deserve. Grace offers what every human desperately needs, but what God alone can provide.
We must realize that we have a long way to go spiritually. We are but works in progress, and we have so far to go.
We also must realize that we cannot live in the past. We cannot be controlled by past mistakes or live in past victories. If you messed up last year, learn from it and don’t do it again. Make changes in your behavior, in your habits, and in your choices that will prevent you from going down that road again.
It’s a battle. There are challenges, difficulties, and obstacles that we will face. Yet Paul was saying, “I’m straining to move forward.”
If you really want to grow in your Christian life, you need to keep coming back to the Word of God.
Keep coming back to the Word of God. It’s where your daily power comes from. It’s a living and active part of the life of the growing believer so don’t try to live without it as a regular source of strength!