Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. — 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
People have all kinds of ideas about truth. Some think that there is no absolute truth. Whatever the view, wisely study and believe what Jesus taught about truth.
He taught not only that there is truth, but that He is the Truth.
Through prayer ask Him to give you the faith to believe and put into practice His absolute truth, and pray the same for others.
Our beliefs need to line up with His. We are to know God’s Word, believe it, obey it, and live by it.
Some are offended by absolute truth, but it doesn’t change with the blowing of the wind.
You hear it everywhere these days: “my truth”. There’s no such thing. Jesus is THE truth. Truth is absolute. When He becomes our Savior, He becomes our leader in every way!
Resolution is purpose, commitment, and dedication to doing the right thing. Because if you compromise now, you will regret it later.
Are you doing what is right, even in the little things? Because if you don’t deal with compromise in the little things, it will lead to the big things. That’s why it’s a good time at the beginning of the year to have some resolution—not a bunch of silly resolutions that you make and can’t keep.
Here’s the wrong question to ask: Can I do this and still be a Christian?
When we come to those gray areas of life and wonder whether something is acceptable to God, it’s a good idea to ask ourselves four questions: (1) Does it build me up spiritually? (2) Does it bring me under its power? (3) Do I have an uneasy conscience about it? (4) Could it cause someone to stumble?
Character is not made in a crisis; it is only exhibited. It may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.
Sin dominates all of our lives, unless we are learning of God's solution. Grace is God's sufficient remedy that sin will no longer dominate our lives.
We live and breathe by the vicissitudes of our feelings, and for many, the depression of the "lows" is significantly more prevalent than the elation of the "highs." Reason is now dominated by feelings, rather than the reverse as God intended. "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The need for self-control is emphasized by the difficulties and stresses that occur in the lives of virtually every human being on earth. As Mark Twain said, "Life is just one darn thing after another" ( Dr. James Dobson in The book Emotions Can You Trust Them)
Paul begins talking about how they proved their love in the ministry. In fact, the NLT version starts out that way. 2 Corinthians 6: 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Often times we lose sight of our purpose as servants in Christ. And I am talking to everyone born of the Spirit. We are all servants. It seems there is a lot of talking and not a lot of doing. Paul here talks about how he demonstrated the gospel in his actions. The word says by their fruit you shall know them. I have heard twice today how ministers are one way in the church and another way at home. God help us to know our first ministry is the home but should not be different from the living room to the sanctuary.
Martin Luther made an important distinction concerning the fear of God. He distinguished between servile fear and filial fear. He described servile fear as that kind of fear a prisoner has for his torturer. Filial fear is the fear of a son who loves his father and does not want to offend him or let him down. It is a fear born of respect.
When the Bible calls us to fear God, it is issuing a call to a fear born of reverence, awe, and adoration. It is a respect of the highest magnitude. RC SPROUL
Our relationship with the Lord is based upon grace, not upon law. We began a walk with the Lord by His grace at work for us. We continue walking with Him by His grace working in our lives.
The more I study Revelations with the guys the call to be a watchman is ever impressed on my heart. Ezekiel 3: 16-27 Ezekiel Is a Watchman.
In order to stay on the path God intends for our lives, we should plan times to stop, ask, and listen for guidance. The world throws confusing messages at us all day long, and we need to check our course frequently. These conversations with the Lord are vital for a thriving life of godly impact.
"Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart; for they bring life to those who find them, and health to their whole body." Proverbs 4:20b-22 (NLT) When I ignore time in my Bible, I forget how much God desires for me to meet Him there. Not for lessons and lectures, but because He wants to speak to me.
God wants us to read our Bibles with no agenda, no homework assignment, no check list. He wants us to sit and simply experience Him through His Word. The Lord has secrets to teach us and treasures to unearth for us.
We can face our giants with confidence when we pause to remember how God has worked in our past.
Relationships are hard work, and difficulties and conflicts will come. But they are not the end of the world. Real love is willing to overlook slights, annoyances, and petty disagreements, choosing instead to take a long-term view. "We love," the apostle John wrote, "because He first loved us." Our only hope as human lovers is to allow the love of Christ to flow through us. We can hope, believe, and endure because we have been perfectly loved.
Dr. Ed Young
We cannot take our time of communion lightly. We have to recognize what the bread and the cup represent—Christ—His broken body, given for you and me.
We make no spiritual progress apart from repentance.
~Maurice Roberts~
Grace is God’s best idea. Rather than tell us to change, he creates the change! Do we clean up so God can accept us? No, he accepts us and begins cleaning us up. His dream isn’t just to get you into heaven, but to get heaven into you. Can’t forgive your enemy? Can’t face tomorrow? Can’t forgive your past? Christ can. Forgiven people, forgive people. Deep sighs of relief happen when grace happens. We still stumble aplenty, but we despair seldom. Grace changes everything! To be saved by grace is to be saved by Christ—not by an idea, doctrine, or church membership, but by Jesus Himself. I have no tips on how to get grace. Truth is, we don’t get grace. But it sure can get us! If you wonder whether God can do something with the mess of your life, then grace is what you need.
From GRACE~ Max Lucado
Charles Spurgeon said, "If God be near a church, it must pray. One of the first tokens of His absence will be a slothfulness in prayer."
Our relationship with the Lord is based upon grace, not upon law. We began a walk with the Lord by His grace at work for us. We continue walking with Him by His grace working in our lives.
"There is no obstacle, nothing in the past or the present or in his heredity, that can stand in a mans way if he will only make room for Jesus Christ." --Oswald Chambers, in He Shall Glorify Me from the Quotable Oswald Chambers.
"If you spend five minutes complaining, you have just wasted five minutes. If you continue complaining, it won’t be long before they haul you out to a financial desert and there let you choke on the dust of your own regret." -- Jim Rohn
Pride is the biggest destroyer there is in life. People will be hungry, sleeping in the desert but would rather do that than give up drugs and alcohol, knowing if they go to the mission they will be held accountable.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.- Winston Churchill
Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision.
~Stevie Wonder
"There is nothing is more important, and nothing more difficult to establish and maintain, than a healthy, meaningful prayer life." -Alistair Begg
The family that prays together stays together.
The family that prays together stays together.
Do not rest content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Live close to the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace. by Alistair Begg
Better it is to go to heaven alone, than with a multitude to hell, and be damned for the sake of company.
~Elnathan Parr~
In Him we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus…To me, who am less than the least of all saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable [unfathomable] riches of Christ. (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7; 3:8) What is the magnitude of God's grace? How extensive are His resources of grace? So often we drastically underestimate God's supply of grace for us.
Every one of us will be healed. The only question that remains is one of timing. Some people who ask for healing are healed immediately; others, it could be five years later; and, still, others will have to wait until they get to heaven. Just remember that healing has NOTHING to do with a person’s spirituality or faith, but it has EVERYTHING to do with God’s sovereignty.
He that has come once is to come again. He will come a second time. The Lord will come. He will come again, for He has promised to return. We have His own word for it. That is our first reason for expecting Him.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
God help us. We've got to have a vision for the Lord's work and for the accomplishing of the Lord's work. People that are without a vision perish.
~Chuck Smith~
God never intended for us to do this life alone. He gave us His Spirit and His Son. But He also gave us the church -- Christian brothers and sisters to support us in our times of weakness and distress.
The “end times” are about Jesus!
1. He will be unexpected
(Mt 24:37-51)
2. He will gather His people
(Mt 24:31)
3. He will establish His kingdom
(Dan 7:14)
4. He will judge unbelievers
(Mt 16:27)
5. He will be glorious
(Mt 16:27)
6. He will be seen by all
(Mt 24:30)
Dustin Benge
Sin dominates all of our lives unless we are learning of God's solution. Grace is God's sufficient remedy that sin will no longer dominate our lives.
The flower of youth never appears more beautiful than when it bends toward the sun of righteousness.
~Matthew Henry~
Discernment is first of all a habit, a way of seeing that eventually permeates our whole life. It is the journey from spiritual blindness (not seeing God anywhere or seeing him only where we expect to see him) to spiritual sight (finding God everywhere, especially where we least expect it).
-Ruth Haley Barton
Your desire for more of God than you have right now, your longing for love, your need for deeper levels of spiritual transformation than you have experienced so far is the truest thing about you. You might think that your woundedness or your sinfulness is the truest thing about you or that your giftedness or your personality type or your job title or your identity as husband or wife, mother or father, somehow defines you. But in reality, it is your desire for God and your capacity to reach for more of God than you have right now that is the deepest essence of who you are.
-Ruth Haley Barton
The assurance of our salvation is never to be based on a “decision,” but on the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Jesus is God’s love manifested in human form. He is the Father’s way of saying, “I love you, I want to bless you, draw you closer to Me, and give you a life of joy, peace, and love.”
*******************************
“Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter more often into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that you may… live more to the glory of your Master.” — Charles H Spurgeon
“It is a singular comfort that Christ ascended as a public person, on our behalf, in our nature, for our good.” — Richard Sibbes
"The way of salvation has always been the same. No man has ever been saved by his good works." — Charles Spurgeon
“There is neither beginning, end, nor succession with God, whose name is I AM.” - John Flavel
“O believer, God's acceptance of Christ is your acceptance… For all that Christ did is yours. That perfect righteousness which Jesus worked out, when through His stainless life He kept the law and made it honorable, is yours and is imputed to you.” — Charles Spurgeon
If there ever is to be a change, it must begin with a revival among the shepherds of God's people. They must preach the full counsel of God's Word to their hearers' consciences, and make the gospel known in all its scandalous glory. Paul Washer
“God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way.” - C.S. Lewis
Not a piece only, but the whole armour of God [must be on], otherwise you will never come off with honour and safety from the spiritual conflict. A Christian, though he be never so well furnished in other parts, yet if any part be left naked, you are in danger. —Thomas Manton
To see men of great [theological] knowledge to be unmoritifed and miscarry by their sensual appetites, is sad. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 1:219
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. —Puritan Thomas Manton
On assurance and self-examination: “Though it be impossible for thee to climb up to heaven to search the records of glory, to see whether thy name be written in the book of life, yet it is possible for thee to go down into the chambers of thine own soul…” —Thomas Brooks, 4:96
There is no art, no industry [worthy of comparison] to that of winning souls. —Puritan Thomas Brooks, Works 4:35
As there are none so old as they should despair of mercy, so there are none so young as that they should presume on mercy. If God’s today be too soon for thy repentance, thy tomorrow may be too late for His acceptance. —William Secker, Nonsuch Professor, Pg. 122
On the armour of God: “Observe, there is no piece of armour for the back. Why? Because there is no flight in this spiritual warfare.” —Thomas Manton, Works 1:228
"Damnation is all of man, from top to bottom. Salvation is all of grace, from first to last." — Charles Spurgeon
"If you know a gospel which is approved by the age and patronized by the learned, that gospel is a lie." — Charles Spurgeon
"The way of salvation has always been the same. No man has ever been saved by his good works." — Charles Spurgeon
"If you have no wish to bring others to heaven, you are not going there yourself." — Charles Spurgeon
"Christ comes to visit his people, yet not to admire their beauties, but to remove their deformities." — Charles Spurgeon
"In poverty Christ is my riches. In sickness he makes my bed. In darkness he is my star. In brightness he is my sun." — Charles Spurgeon
"We are not responsible to God for the souls that are saved, but we are responsible for the gospel that is preached." — Charles Spurgeon
"The more you read the Bible and the more you meditate upon it, the more you will be astonished by it." — Charles Spurgeon
"The gospel is all about Christ from beginning to end." – Charles Spurgeon
"A doubt as to our forgiveness is fatal to all joy, for it lets in the dread fear of divine wrath." — Charles Spurgeon
"With the words of the Lord as our weapons, Giant Despair will not defeat us." — Charles Spurgeon
"If you always enjoy sermons, the minister is not a good steward. He is not acting wisely who deals out nothing but sweets." — Charles Spurgeon
When people "leave Christianity", because the Church won't affirm or celebrate their lifestyle choices... People aren't leaving "religion", they're just joining a new one, where the object of worship is "self".
If your students aren't hearing you preach the Gospel every week, then don't expect them to bring their lost friends to church every week. Students should have the confidence that when their lost friends come to church, the Gospel will be heard.
Feeling discouraged because you already failed on your New Year's resolution of reading your Bible every day? That's okay. Just start back today. Reading the Bible isn't about accomplishing a lofty goal, it's about spending time with a loving God.
“There is neither beginning, end, nor succession with God, whose name is I AM.” - John Flavel
“O believer, God's acceptance of Christ is your acceptance… For all that Christ did is yours. That perfect righteousness which Jesus worked out, when through His stainless life He kept the law and made it honorable, is yours and is imputed to you.” — Charles Spurgeon
When we deal seriously with our sin, God will deal gently with us. Charles Spurgeon
He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Think of that when you are tempted to question the gentleness of His leading. He is remembering all the time; and not one step will He make you take beyond what your foot is able to endure. Frances Havergal
Anyone who does not want to stay in the dark is invited to come to the Light of the world: Get up, and be enlightened, because your light is coming. Jesus is the door to real life.
If you want to grow your faith, you must grow in your perception of the largeness and power of God. The more powerful you understand Him to be, the easier it will be to trust Him.
"If God has given His Son to die for us, let us beware of doubting His kindness and love in any painful providence of our daily life." -J.C.Ryle
Make the study of God’s Word your steady diet this year. Go beyond the basics and dig in. Take in God’s Word, digest it, let it nourish your soul and spirit, and enjoy it for the rich, abundant, and altogether satisfying feast that it is! Ray Bentley
"Glory must begin in grace." - Richard Sibbes
The #gospel of #Jesus #Christ is not a thing which is to be moulded according to the fashion of the period... -C.H. Spurgeon -
Unbelief is actually perverted #faith, for it puts its faith not in the living #God, but in dying men. -A.W. Tozer -
Let's make 2024 the year of. 1.Daily Prayer. 2.Putting God first. 3. Giving thanks to God. 4.Dedication to God. 5. Showing the love of God.
It is not our hold of Christ that saves us; it is Christ. Charles Spurgeon
“It is a singular comfort that Christ ascended as a public person, on our behalf, in our nature, for our good.” — Richard Sibbes
Do not let any conversion astonish you; be astonished rather, that anyone should possibly remain unconverted. - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eye lids rather than disobey #God. -John Bunyan -
God is more interested in developing your character than your comfort.
Cling to the whole Bible, not a part of it. A man is not going to do much with a broken sword. D.L. Moody
Every world religion teaches that you must do "good works" to REACH UP to your god/gods. The Gospel says that no amount of “good works" are enough, so our great God CAME DOWN to us. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
WHY KISS UP TO PEOPLE YOU THINK CAN OPEN DOORS FOR YOU, WHEN YOU CAN SIMPLY ASK YOUR FATHER WHOSE HOUSE HOLDS MANY MANSIONS...OPEN DOORS INCLUDED?!
NEVER BARGAIN WITH YOUR CHARACTER, ANOINTING, GIFTS, CALLING OR INTEGRITY, NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE OFFERED!
“I CAN'T ALWAYS COMPREHEND GOD'S PLAN, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS NEVER ESSENTIAL, MY OBEDIENCE IS.”
ALWAYS REMAIN HUMBLE. NEVER THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN TO YOU. TRUTH IS, IN JUST ONE PRIDEFUL/ARROGANT MOMENT, GOD CAN PUT YOUR FEET IN THEIR SHOES.
You’re not at the mercy of your age, education, background, marital/work status, connections, or what family you come from. God has unlimited power. One touch of His favor will catapult you over those who think you're unqualified!