Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can. John Wesley
Many people are plagued with fear. You turn on the nightly news and you see stories about recession, kidnappings, murder, terrorism, brush fires -- and the list goes on. But from the Book of Genesis all the way through Revelation, the Bible declares, "Fear not!" What a contrast this is to the society that you and I live in today.
This gift of righteousness is available to all who believe, to all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord. This gift is, of course, free to the recipients. Yet, it was made available at great cost to the giver. This gift cost the Father His only begotten Son. This gift cost the Son His own life, as He paid the price of redemption to buy us back from the slave market of sin and death.
Once you accept Jesus as your Savior, Satan can't do anything about your position in Christ. However, he can do much to try and confuse you or cause you to doubt. Remember, he is the father of lies. It's what he does. It's who he is. There may be days when you don't feel saved. He'll, rain on your feelings. They are not the truth. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
Why do the people who always talk of this blessing and that blessing never apply scripture to it? Things that make you go hmmmmm!
It's easier to receive grace than it is to give it away.
God is a masterful Creator. He has integrated many of His principles into the fabric of nature so that we can see His handiwork and learn of Him (Ps. 19:1-6). If you desire to acquire wisdom, do not neglect to look outdoors for His lessons.
As we start a new year, I wonder if you are tired of just thinking, and are ready to accomplish some things you've been putting off.
Every promise of God is accompanied by at least one condition we must meet in order to experience the blessing of God. That condition is always rooted in obedience to Him.
A vital quality we need to develop in helping a hurting loved one—and in every relationship—is respect. People with life-controlling problems might not seem to deserve our respect, but our respect for them could be one of the keys to their healing. Even if their life is controlled by destructive behaviors, people deserve respect as a human being.
The Christian is a part of Christ, a member of His body.
~J. B. Lightfoot~
Remember, in the body of Christians, Christ is the head. We are all supporting members of the Body of Christ. We all need to work together in unity as the body of Christ.
We all have different passions and burdens. What’s mine? Am I the pilot, the flight attendant, a mechanic, or a baggage handler? You never see the pilot fixing coffee or the attendant with a screwdriver under the airplane hood. Why? Because we all have something we’re good at. And we’re expected to do that one thing well.
Do a little more each day than you ever thought was possible.
Change is inevitable, growth is optional.
Worry is an indication that we think God cannot look after us.
~Oswald Chambers~
Jesus commissioned His disciples, and He has commissioned you! He gave them authority and He gave them purpose. Ask yourself this: are these your purposes as well? Are you living in the appointment of Jesus? He has given you this authority and purpose in your life. Let these purposes sink deeply into your life, and you'll be amazed at what God will do through you.
When God looks at you, he doesn’t see you; He sees the One who surrounds you. Failure’s not a concern for you; your victory is secure. How could you not be courageous? In Hebrews 10:22, the writer says, “Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus—let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.”
The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law of God for us is by justifying us "freely by His grace." He does this by offering us "the righteousness of God through faith."
But this Man [Jesus], after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Paul knew his purpose: to preach the Gospel. So no matter how it happened, in prison or out, through good motives or impure ones—he was able to rejoice because ultimately God was fulfilling His purposes in Paul’s life.
The doctrines of the Bible are not isolated but interlaced; and the view of one doctrine must necessarily affect the view taken of another.
~A. A. Hodge~
Correction is welcomed to those whose identity is NOT rooted in performance or man's approval.
Despite human sin, failure, and inadequacy, Jesus is your hope.
Make it your goal to store treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:20). Renew your attitude and your thinking.
“There is no broader way to apostasy than to reject God’s sovereignty in all things concerning the revelation of Himself and our obedience...”
~John Owen~
At this time of the New Year, you may see your resolutions evaporating like fog on a sunny day. Eat right, exercise more, get up earlier…each one is fading fast. Don’t be surprised: there is only One who can keep promises without fail. He can help you do better at your goals, but you’ll never be perfect this side of Heaven.
Why study theology?
1. To know the character of God.
2. To serve the will of God.
3. To glorify the holiness of God.
4. To enjoy the attributes of God.
5. To love the perfection of God.
6. To absorb the Word of God.
7. To worship the person of God.
Those who expect great things from God are the ones who attempt great things for God
Jason Powell
Is it cruel of God to blind people to the eternal message? I don't think so because God only blinds those who want to be blinded. God says to mankind, "If you don't want to see Me you won't." The choice represents God's gift of free will to humanity. It is one of the reasons we can witness for hours to someone who is not called, only to realize they just don't get it.
The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law of God for us is by justifying us "freely by His grace." He does this by offering us "the righteousness of God through faith."
Every person ever created needs redemption
Refuse to live a safe Christianity, push out and away from the dock of apathy, say YES to God’s call on your life, and pursue Him with all your heart.
You will find yourself accomplishing much for the Gospel of Christ!
Jason Powell
Cultural demise?
The church has joy.
Political disorder?
The church has joy.
Worldwide upheaval?
The church has joy.
A joy that streams, without any circumstantial obstruction, out of a heart that is wholly satisfied in Christ and the promises of Scripture.
Dustin Benge
Confidence is silent. Insecurities are loud.
The soul's proper food is found in one book, the Bible.
R.A. Torrey
To have a life of impact, I need to be three things: a fighter, a finisher, and faithful. This sound advice was written by Paul near the end of his life
We cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus’ claims are true and that Christianity is true unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians.
~Francis Schaeffer~
God’s Word does not tell us to have a low view of ourselves but to have an accurate view of ourselves. How should we think of ourselves? A healthy self-image is seeing yourself as God sees you — no more and no less. That is God’s standard. That is a healthy self-image and identity.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
“I have decided to stick with love. . . . Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
“There is, therefore, something in humility which, strangely enough, exalts the heart.”
—St. Augustine
If our faith is not turning us upside down, then it certainly isn’t going to turn our world upside down.
Sacrificial living that pleases God points a lost world to the saving grace of the Father through Christ Jesus.
What is your world View?
Christians should be influenced by the Word, not by the world.
It is easy to observe, that the lack of family religion is the cause of the visible decay of the welfare of church and state.
—Thomas Risley (1630-1716)
“Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man.” -
C.S. Lewis
Happy are they, who in the matter of marriage observe 3 rules.
1 Marry only in the Lord.
2 Remember that marriage is the union of two sinners & not of two angels.
3. To strive first & foremost for one another's sanctification. The more holy married people are, the happier they are
Withheld love is a grievous failure; the devil smiles.
— Dane Ortlund
Search the entire Bible and take note of whether Jesus has ever refused grace to anyone or sent any away who came to Him in truth to be reconciled, sanctified, and saved.
Then He will likewise also not reject 𝘺𝘰𝘶. Therefore, come!
—Wilhelmus à Brakel, Reasonable Service, 2:301
Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross and then go and set your affections on the world if you can!
⏤ J.C. Ryle
According to the men of the world, few are going to Hell; According to the Bible, few are going to Heaven.
No man rejects the principles of Christianity because his reason runs counter to them, but because his lusts control his reason and corrupt his judgment.
—Jonathan Dickinson (1688-1747)
Let the scriptures, not the world, be your rule of action.
- George Whitefield
“When Christ died, he died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only person in the world.” -
C.S. Lewis
Stop letting people talk you out of doing what God told you to do. If He gave you the vision, He knows you are capable of doing it. Just do it!
God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.
—C.S. Lewis
The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law of God for us is by justifying us "freely by His grace." He does this by offering us "the righteousness of God through faith."
The Lord will not abandon us to a grave of despair or failure, nor will He allow our lives to be decayed by sin. He died for us, that we might live in victory, in the abundant life He longs for us to live. First comes brokenness, vulnerability, and humility —then the tender mercy of God as He lifts us up to live in the comfort of His grace and love.
Our culture today is enamored with beauty. We elevate attractive people in our culture and give them a lot of attention. If God has given you natural good looks, that is a wonderful thing. Just be sure that you don’t neglect what’s on the inside.
OSWALD CHAMBERS
The place for the comforter is not that of one who preaches, but of the comrade who says nothing, but prays to God about the matter. The biggest thing you can do for those who are suffering is not to talk platitudes, not to ask questions, but to get into contact with God, and the “greater works” will be done by prayer (see John 14:12–13).
Hope can feel like a really bitter friend when you’ve waited what seems like too long or been disappointed again and again. Your heart may need the Holy Spirit’s tender healing touch. Rest in His goodness today and let hope arise again. God is with you!
How wonderful it is to be "justified freely by His grace" (Romans 3:24). Yet, what disappointment and discouragement awaits us, if we do not learn that God desires to sanctify us freely by His grace as well. This plan of God, as we should expect, hinges upon the work of Jesus Christ, as we depend upon Him.
I am all for praising God. I believe in the power of praise and worship. But I also know there are times when God knows we need to grieve and be honest about our sorrow. Jesus on the cross didn’t cry out, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Victory is mine!” or any such thing. He cried in agony and flung His pain and heartache out to His Father.
OSWALD CHAMBERS
We are in danger of being stern where God is tender, and of being tender where God is stern.
God uses ordinary people. For example, Dwight L. Moody, one of the greatest evangelists of his day, was a shoe salesman. When he heard the gospel and gave his life to Christ, he went from selling soles to saving souls. One day he was having a conversation with another Christian, who said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him.”
Moody determined to be that man.
Billy Graham, before he began his ministry, was a dairy farmer in North Carolina. Everyone knew him as Billy Frank. And he would have been about the last person whom people expected to become the most effective evangelist in world history.
You only need to shift your focus so you can see God’s hand at work right now.
Does it feel like nothing in your life is coming together? Are you frustrated? Let’s turn our thoughts and hold on to hope! Let’s ask God for help changing our focus and changing our response. Bring Your joy, God! We trust you!
True Love is found in relationship first with the father then as the Lord manifest himself in us He then manifest His love to oneanother. There is nothing natural about Agope Love.
God is not committed to our comfort. He is committed to our character. Only God can exchange the ashes of our sin for the beauty of His forgiveness and grace. God alone can replace our despair with His peace that passes all understanding. Hope can only be found in Him. Our purpose in life is to know and become more like Jesus ... and act just like our Father.
Circumstances are temporary, but character lasts forever.
A person of conviction has become convinced, by either evidence or argument, that his beliefs are true. Today, most men and women would rather live by preference than conviction. They choose to believe something based on certain conditions and circumstances. When the situation changes, so does their loyalty. In other words, a lot of people vacillate on issues that require a firm resolve.
Instead of following your own preferences, choose to live by godly conviction. The Bible has much to say about the most important aspects of your life. See if God’s principles and promises hold true. Through prayer and study, allow Him to firmly root you in solid biblical convictions.
from Dr. Charles Stanley,
God has given us his Holy Spirit to lead us by day and by night, to be our Strength, our Power, and our Direction in the deserts of life. Just as God made a way for the Israelites when they called on Him as they faced a seemingly impossible Red Sea situation, He will make a way for you. Call on His name. Trust His plan. Reach for His hand.
Jer.33:3
Find a church congregation that believes in confession. Avoid a fellowship of perfect people—you won’t fit in anyway.
If people you are trying to help believe that you are a phony, they are not going to trust you with what you say and do. They need to see you living a consistent life from day to day, whether you are at church or on the job or having a good time with friends. They need to hear you be honest about your feelings—although you do need to find a balance.
If life is… “because I have to”—where’s the joy in that? Too often I hear folks rejecting Christ because they think the Christian life is all about rules and regulations—all about stifling and suffocating ritual.
He is only a Christian who lives for Christ.
~Charles Hodge~
God knows what the body needs and He places each one of us in the place He needs us to be. Then, He equips us to serve in the place He has put us. If we love and desire to serve God, we have to be willing to be who God has called us to be, even if it is a toe.
You may stumble, but God will never let you fall.
An Old Leaf
A little boy opened the big family Bible, kept in a prominent place in the front room bookcase. He was fascinated as he flipped through the fragile old pages. Suddenly, something brown slipped out and landed on to the floor.
The boy gingerly picked up the object and examined it closely. It was an ancient large leaf that had been pressed between the pages.
"Mama, look what I found," the boy called to his mother in the kitchen.
"What have you got there, dear?"
With astonishment in his voice, the young boy answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!
-- Author unknown
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
Shiny Quarter
Several years ago, a preacher accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas . Some weeks after he moved there, he boarded a bus downtown. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had given him a quarter too much change.
As he looked at that shiny quarter, he thought, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "It's only a quarter. Anyway, the bus company would never miss it. Maybe it's a little gift from God."
The next stop was his. As he approached the door, he paused. Then he handed the quarter to the driver.
"Here, you gave me too much change."
The driver smiled. "Thanks. I gave you the extra quarter just to see what you would do."
The minister tilted his head.
The driver continued. "You're the new preacher in town, right? I have been thinking lately about getting back to church. I'll see you Sunday."
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he leaned against the nearest light pole. "Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. Remember, you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself Christian!
-- Anonymous
Three phrases every married person should use often:
1: I love you.
2: I am sorry.
3: I forgive you.
“True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of heaven and earth.” - Charles Spurgeon
Nothing can ever stifle God’s plans nor keep Him from His promises when He deems the time to be right.
You must make your choice: either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon, or you can fall at his feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
~C. S. Lewis~
The preaching of the cross of Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews and idiocy to the philosophic Greeks. The philosophers believed they could unravel divine mysteries because they were overconfident of their own mental capacities. However, Paul said that the natural man (meaning the man who does not have the Spirit of God indwelling him) cannot understand the things of God. He meant that sin has twisted our understanding of truth so that we cannot recognize the truth about God.
Before the teaching in the Bible about the cross can mean anything to us, the Spirit of God must open our minds. The Scriptures teach that a veil covers our minds as a result of our separation from God.
To an “outsider,” the cross must appear to be ridiculous. But to those who have experienced its transforming power, it has become the only remedy for the ills of each person, and of the world.
To be a Christian is not only to believe the teaching of Christ, and to practice it; it is not only to try to follow the pattern and example of Christ; it is to be so vitally related to Christ that His life and His power are working in us. It is to be “in Christ,” it is for Christ to be in us.
~Martyn Lloyd-Jones~
“Leadership in the kingdom of God is from the bottom up, not a grasping, controlling, or lording it over others. It is leading out of failure and pain, questions and struggles—a serving that let's go,” Peter Scazzero
Spiritually —and emotionally—healthy people are humble because they allow themselves to be real, to be broken, vulnerable, and to let go because Jesus did.
Unknown
Christ will never divorce the church.
The cascade of His love to her will never dissolve, for it runs from eternity past to eternity future.
Dustin Benge
Church history is full of stories about believers who risked their lives to do great things for Jesus. Nations impacted, cities changed, families transformed & lives restored all because they were willing to follow God into the impossible.
Live your life for the kingdom of God!
Jason Powell
Don't let the pressure to make financial ends meet replace your relationship with Jesus. Make time for the Lord today.
In our meditations upon law and grace, we have also been considering (though not yet mentioning) the principal characteristics of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. When the Lord wrote the message of His law upon stone tablets for Moses, He was prescribing the terms of the Old Covenant. "The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant." When Jesus came into the world to die on the cross, the Lord was establishing the New Covenant. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood."
“Leadership in the kingdom of God is from the bottom up, not a grasping, controlling, or lording it over others. It is leading out of failure and pain, questions, and struggles—a serving that lets go,” writes Peter Scazzero.
If you put God first in your life, He might not give you everything you want. Or, He might give you more than you want. But He always will give you what you need.
A truly spiritual person is someone who can enjoy life and love God. A truly spiritual person can have fun but at the same time know where their priorities are.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to succeed in business, wanting a strong family, or wanting an effective ministry. But if you make that your main thing, then it is the wrong thing. The main thing should be Jesus.
The problem is that a lot of us don’t know what matters in life. We’re trying to live in two worlds. We want to be Christians on the weekend. We’ll go to a church service, but the rest of the week we leave God out of our lives.
The most spiritual people I’ve met have been the most down-to-earth. They didn’t speak in pious tones or act like they were above it all. The truly godly people I’ve known have been fun to be around. They’ve been great salt-of-the-earth kind of people.
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Do you feel that longing, that emotional ache for the land you’ve never been to? For Home? The Kingdom of God is far from a boring topic; it’s one we all seek even unknowingly. And, it is Jesus’ favorite subject!
OSWALD CHAMBERS
The emphasis to–day is placed on the furtherance of an organization; the note is, “We must keep this thing going.” If we are in God’s order the thing will go; if we are not in His order, it won’t.
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