the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. The Lord makes it clear in the Word, we must be doers of the Word not hearers only. Jesus commanded the disciples and they did as he commanded by preparing the Passover. In our day to day lives it is easy to preach and teach but the test is how we live, are we doing the word. If we are not doers of the Word James says we deceive ourself's.
God gives the Christian a glorious standing to maintain by faith and
spiritual warfare:
- We stand in grace (Romans 5:2).
- We stand in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1).
- We stand in courage and strength (1 Corinthians 16:13).
- We stand in faith (2 Corinthians 1:24).
- We stand in Christian liberty (Galatians 5:1).
- We stand in Christian unity (Philippians 1:27).
- We stand in the Lord (Philippians 4:1).
- We should stand perfect and complete in the will of God
(Colossians 4:12).
f you are feeling spiritually dry, or maybe you're just going through the motions of Christian life without any significant purpose or direction, then it's time to ask God through His Spirit to reveal to you in what area of your life you need to obey. Ask God's Holy Spirit to fill you as you are obedient and empowered to humbly serve Him.
The just shall live by faith." This truth is comprehensive. It applies to every aspect of our lives. When we arise in the morning, we can entrust the day into the Lord's care and guidance.
Though our sovereign God allows trials to enter our lives, He does not ever tempt us. (James 1) Tuck that truth in your heart today, and the next time you experience a temptation - great or small - recognize that the enemy is behind the allure. Then tell him to get behind you and pray that Jesus will re-direct your thinking.
To many people live in the past weather in life or there walks with God. In life it is not enough to just know God's word with out application. And if we are stuck in the old testament we will never recognize the power of God in us. Prophets are good but what can such a person tell me that the word of God and the Holy Spirit can't. There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors but is there wisdom any different than the voice, His word through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us all be Bereans, let us all study to show our self’s approved unto God.
Satan, like a fisher, baits his hook according
to the appetite of the fish.
~Thomas Adams~
We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it.
A life grounded in truth is powerful. Those who live by the Word develop spiritual discernment, which guides their choices and guards against deception.
If a man says he is a Christian but has no love he is simply
deluding himself.
~Geoffrey Thomas~
The main evidence of maturity in the Christian life is growing in love for God, God’s people and also for His Word. We need to know His Word intimately, to really fall in love with God and have His love for others.
The journey of death may be dark, but we may face it fearlessly, knowing that God is with us as we walk through the gloomy valley, and therefore we need fear no evil.
The heart of Jesus was spiritual. Our hearts seem so far from His.
He is pure. We are greedy.
He is peaceful; we are hassled.
He is purposeful; we are distracted.
How could we ever hope to have the heart of Jesus?
"Many seem to think that, first of all, the Bible has to be explained, but that is not true. It has to be believed and obeyed! We fail to see the tremendous difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word." Alan Redpath,
The Power of Ambition turns eager desires into reality, giving you the inner drive to increase your salary, achieve financial security, lead a happier, more fulfilling life and enrich the lives of everyone around you.~ Jim Rohn
God’s purposes are sometimes delayed but they are never
abandoned.
~John Blanchard~
It's so important to see Jesus Christ as your friend. John 15:5 says, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
Jesus wants to be a part of your life.
As noted previously, faith accesses the grace of God. "Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." When we first trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we enjoyed our initial access into grace. God intends for His children to continue accessing grace day by day throughout their lives. Every time we face any matter with dependence upon the Lord Jesus, we are drawing from the bottomless ocean of God's grace. Thereby, His grace becomes our resource for living.
Our greatest blessing is the rest of the Lord. His will for you and I. I find it disturbing and sad people feel they can command God. The Sovereignty of God is about all glory to Him, It's about grace and love. We need to be careful thinking we can command our Lord. The bible say ask, it does not say order.
The Greek word for hospitality compounds two terms: love and stranger. All of us can welcome a guest we know and love. But can we welcome a stranger?
Seek Christ first, friends. He is worthy of every ounce of worship we could possibly give… then a thousand times more.
Today, God can use your pain as a platform. Your weakness to do a greater work. Your humanity to reveal His divinity. All of our flaws to prove He is still faithful.
Today, Do not allow past declarations about you or to you to determine God's present direction for you. Do not let the whispers of men drowned out the promises of God.
Sometimes Christian parents want their children to live in a bubble. They aren't going to allow any godless influences in their house. They won't even have a television set. No media. No Internet. Just nothing—not even furniture. Please don't do that. Instead, prepare your children to live in the real world by lovingly teaching them to see things as God see things
"The just shall live by faith." This truth is comprehensive. It applies to every aspect of our lives. When we arise in the morning, we can entrust the day into the Lord's care and guidance. As we communicate with our families, we can depend upon Jesus for love and patience. In our drive to the office, we can pray in faith concerning the opportunities and challenges that may await us. If a crisis develops unexpectedly, we can immediately cry out to the Lord for peace and direction.
Bob Hoekstra
If your problems are great, then your cause is too small. When your cause is great, your problems begin to shrink. Do you have a holy cause? A faith worth preserving? A mission worth living for? Ask God to give you a cause to claim to his glory: an orphanage to serve…a neighbor to encourage…a class to teach. It really is better to give than to receive.
Don't let culture undermine your role as a parent. Be faithful. Keep bringing your kids to Jesus.
Winning teams have players who make things happen.
~John C. Maxwell~
How can you have a dead service with a living God?
~Leonard Ravenhill~
Worrying can become a lifestyle and a habit. The habit of worry can gain such a stranglehold on your life that it becomes part of your personality. You find yourself approaching situations with an anxious attitude, and eventually, it begins to rob you of your health, joy, and your relationship with God.
Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God's grace.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
We will not bow before each other, only before God. We should therefore not expect others to conform to our image, only to His. We will not give an account of ourselves to each other, only to God.
Randy Alcorn
Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.
~Billy Graham~
Right living is obtained by living from one faithful act to the next.
“The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, the self-righteous cannot pray. No man is greater than his prayer life.” —
Leonard Ravenhill
The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
Do you believe in God's wrath? Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in the world today who do not. They believe they can continue on in sin and the God who is Love will also forgive. However, there is only one way to be forgiven our sin and that is with the blood of Jesus.
“The storm was raging. The sea was beating against the rocks in huge, dashing waves. The lightning flashed, the thunder roared, the wind blew; but the little bird was sound asleep in the crevice of the rock, its head tucked serenely under its wing. That is peace: to be able to sleep in the storm! In Christ we are relaxed and at peace in the midst of confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities of this life. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest. We have found peace—at last!” —Billy Graham
“The love of God, as manifested in Jesus Christ, is what I would wish to be the abiding object of my contemplation;…so to feel it, and my own interest in it, as to have my heart filled with its effects, and transformed into its resemblance.”
—John Newton
“I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude.” —Charles Swindoll
No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.
~William Penn~
God is at work in your life!
He is right now using the situation you’re into mold, shape, and conform you into the likeness of Jesus
Jason Powell
You cannot be Christ’s servant if you are not willing to follow him, cross and all…
~C.H. Spurgeon~
If believers do not know how to crucify themselves––deny themselves––then they are not Christ-like. Self should be put in the grave––that is dying to self.
Raul Ries~
G.K. Chesterton said, “True contentment is a real, even active, virtue—not only affirmative but creative…It is the power of getting out of any situation all there is in it.”
C.S. Lewis was blunter when he said, “Nobody who gets enough food and clothing in a world where most are hungry and cold has any business to talk about ‘misery.’”
The prodigal son lost everything BUT his father’s love
If you’ve thrown it all away and have nowhere to turn-
Look Up!
Dr.J, Robinson
Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know, by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery there is a crown.
~Corrie ten Boom~
This is a time when all God’s people need to keep their eyes and their Bibles wide open. We must ask God for discernment as never before.
~David Jeremiah~
The Rapture is coming soon or tomorrow, but the time of Jesus' Rapture is locked up in the counsels of God. Whenever He comes, the event will occur quickly. First Corinthians 15:52 describes the event as occurring "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." Are you Ready?
"The knowledge of our ignorance is the doorstep of the temple of knowledge." — Charles Spurgeon
"We are not fighting for a dead man's cause. We have a living, reigning king!" — Charles Spurgeon
"You are a frail, foolish, selfish, wayward thing, but he forgives you! Whatever your faults, known and unknown, he is forgiving you now." — Charles Spurgeon
"Because God is a Father full of gentleness and tenderness, sin against him is exceedingly sinful." — Charles Spurgeon
"O Christian, the world is not your friend. If it is, then you are not God's friend." — Charles Spurgeon
"Like sheep obedient to the shepherd, rise up and follow him wherever he goes." — Charles Spurgeon
"We cannot too often turn our thoughts heavenward, for this one of the great cures for worldliness." — Charles Spurgeon
"An ounce of obedience is better than a ton of learning." — Charles Spurgeon
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) "The whole man will be transformed into the likeness of that for which he lives. Where we place our treasures our thoughts will naturally fly." — Charles Spurgeon
"May the Lord cause his Word to prove its power in us by its making us fruitful unto every good work to do his will." — Charles Spurgeon
"We must have the Word of the Lord. With this Word alone we can withstand the devil." — Charles Spurgeon
"To rejoice in sin is fatal, but to rejoice in God is heavenly." — Charles Spurgeon
"A sermon without Christ as its beginning, middle, and end is a mistake in conception and a crime in execution." — Charles Spurgeon
"A good action is not wholly good unless it be done for the glory of God." — Charles Spurgeon
"To live for Jesus is to be swayed by the noblest of motives." — Charles Spurgeon
"If you worship a god of gold, you will perish as much as if you worshipped a god of mud." — Charles Spurgeon
"Your creed must bend to the Bible, and not the Bible to your creed." — Charles Spurgeon
A good wife and health are a man's best wealth." — Charles Spurgeon
"God, take away from us everything which might stop us from delighting in you." — Charles Spurgeon
"The gospel is all about Christ from beginning to end." – Charles Spurgeon
"There is no attribute of God more comforting to his children than the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty." — Charles Spurgeon
"When you are arguing against God you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all.” - C.S. Lewis"
8 promises of God for His people: The Lord will: 1. Go before you (Dt 31:8). 2. Renew you (Is 40:31). 3. Fight for you (Ex 14:14). 4. Be with you (Josh 1:9). 5. Deliver you (Ps 34:17). 6. Counsel you (Ps 32:8). 7. Strengthen you (Is 41:10). 8. Guard you (Phil 4:7).
"The sinner is dying, he is in instant, urgent, need of the physician and remedy. The brazen serpent must be lifted up before him-- not because he believes: but because he needs, and that he may believe." Charles Bridges. The Christian Ministry, 252.
Churches "need confessions that seek to present in concise form the salient points of the whole counsel of God." –– Carl R. Trueman
“Proverbs helps us see that sin does more than break a rule. Sin fights against the nature of things. It is disordered, destructive, and stupid.” —David VanDrunen
"We have a God in whom we can find refuge." – Michael Grisanti
Your marriage is not just about you. It's a picture of the gospel for a watching world. Albert Mohler
Your counseling is only as strong as your theology. - Jim Newheiser
Do not look on temptation with a wandering eye if you do not wish to be taken by it, nor allow your mind to dwell on that which you do not want lodged in your heart. —William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour, 1:85
"Pride blurs our vision from a proper assessment of the Creator, His creation (especially fellow man), and ourselves." – Taylor Berghuis
"In the silly extremes of political correctness, it almost seems that anything at which I choose to take offense is to be deemed oppressive, exclusionary, and on the slippery slope to some form of genocide or holocaust." –– Carl Trueman, Crisis of Confience, 31.
"Cults take away people’s freedom; the church should never do that." –– Carl Trueman, Crisis of Confience, 30.
With some individuals...self in some of its many forms...is the acknowledged and enthroned god -Octavius Winslow -
Let the righteousness of the Righteous One be your daily covering. -Horatius Bonar -
Happy the soul that has been awed by a view of God’s majesty. A.W. Pink
"God will not pardon for repentance, nor yet without it." -Thomas Watson.
Laboring in the vineyard for years with little spiritual fruit to show for it can be discouraging. Even if a leader has been truly called, the lack of spiritual fruit leads to hidden frustration and discouragement. Cymbala
I am quite sure that the best way to promote union is to promote truth. - Charles Spurgeon
“Those who have problems with the Bible almost always don’t know the Bible.” —Ray Comfort
To run and work the law commands, but gives us neither feet nor hands. But better news the gospel brings, it bids us fly and gives us wings. John Bunyan
Afflictions make the heart more deep, more experimental, more knowing and profound, and so, more able to hold, to contain, and beat more. John Bunyan
Many a father’s and many a mother’s heart is burdened with anxiety for the salvation of their children. If your own name is there, let your next aim in life be to get your children’s there also. Moody
He has given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death. John Bunyan
...true religion must never expect to be popular. It will not have the praise of man but of God -J.C. Ryle -
...the only way of escaping Perdition and securing Heaven, namely, by entering the Strait Gate and treading the Narrow Way. -A.W. Pink -
"The Bible never seeks to prove God’s love to us apart from the cross. Whenever the Bible wants to exhibit the fact of God’s love, it always points to Calvary." - Chuck Smith
Did Christ finish His work for us? Then there can be no doubt but He will also finish His work in us. —John Flavel
“Temptations and occasions put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before.“ — John Owen
In the legal-covenant, our love and work is first, and then favor and justification [follows]; but in the gospel-covenant, God’s love and favor in justification is first, and then our love and obedience follows. —Ralph Erskine, Works 1:453
We maintain that the sins of believers will be made manifest in the [day of] judgement—however, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯. —Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635-1711), The Christian’s Reasonable Service, 4:344
As the lowest shrubs are freed from many violent gusts and blasts of wind, which shake and rend the tallest cedars; so the humble soul is free from a world of temptation, that the proud and lofty souls are shaken and torn in pieces with. —Thomas Brooks, Works 3:35
Often a person’s life is shattered because they are reaping the consequences of their own rebellion against God. Chuck Smith
He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his Guide. John Bunyan
Though the sins of the justified should be remembered at the day of judgement, it will not be to the confusion of their faces, but [to] the exaltation of the Lord’s grace. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 1:196-97
God forbid that any of us should be ashamed of the cross; may we speak of it without a blush! Charles Spurgeon
God’s prophets have seldom been the world’s favourites. Matthew Henry
If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot. John Bunyan
Have you ever learned the beautiful art of letting God take care of you, and giving all your thought and strength to pray for others and for the kingdom of God? It will relieve you of a thousand cares. AB Simpson
When men are projecting the church’s ruin God is preparing for its salvation. Matthew Henry
A fearer of God steers the rudder of his life according to the compass of the Word. -Thomas Watson -
Of all sins pride seems most deeply imbedded in the very heart of man. -J.C. Philpot -
Pastor, the man sitting in your office that has been crushed and broken by the world does not need secular psychology. He needs the Word of God.
Repentance toward God – like faith in Christ – is to be continually characteristic of all true Christians. – Jeremy Walker
When we feed upon Christ by faith, we must forsake the rule and the dominion of sin; sit loose to the world, and every thing in it; forsake all for Christ, and reckon it no bad bargain (Matthew Henry's Commentary
Remember, the Redeemer's love is everlasting. - George Whitefield
Dark clouds bring waters, when the bright bring none. John Bunyan
Great grace and small gifts are better than great gifts and no grace. John Bunyan
Our sins, when laid upon Christ, were yet personally ours, not his; so his righteousness, when put upon us, is yet personally his, not ours. John Bunyan
As your faith is, such your hope will be. Hope is never ill when faith is well, nor strong if faith be weak. John Bunyan
"Rearing children is like holding a wet bar of soap -too firm a grasp and it shoots from your hand, too loose a grip and it slides a away. A gentle but firm hold keeps you in control." -R. Kent Hughes.
None but He can say I am that I am - always the same, eternally changeless -A.W. Pink -
It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear. -J.C. Ryle -
Jerry Bridges
s ultimately produce maturity of character. The blessing then is not in the circumstance of adversity considered in itself but in the fact that the Holy Spirit is using that adversity to produce more Christlike character in our lives.
"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
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C.S. Lewis
Be as passionate [in seeking] for grace as others are for the world. If you did once taste of the sweet of heavenly things, then let dogs scramble for bones and scraps; you have hidden manna to feed upon, the sense of God’s love to look after… —Thomas Manton, Works 6:388
God places a solemn value and responsibility on the humble workers, the people that try to hide behind their insignificance the trifling opportunities and the single talents; and our littleness will not excuse us in the reckoning day. AB Simpson
There is so much in the Gospel fitted to awaken the hostility of the human heart, and standing in direct opposition to the principles and practices of the world, that it cannot but act as a firebrand wherever it enters. —James Bannerman (1807-1868), The Church of Christ, 1:141
As noted previously, faith accesses the grace of God. "Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." When we first trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we enjoyed our initial access into grace. God intends for His children to continue accessing grace day by day throughout their lives. Every time we face any matter with dependence upon the Lord Jesus, we are drawing from the bottomless ocean of God's grace. Thereby, His grace becomes our resource for living.
The Lord wants humility to be the spiritual attire that adorns our character. "Be clothed with humility." This is crucial, since "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." We cannot live by grace unless we are willing to walk in humility. Any other approach is some form of pride, which always meets God's resistance. These are absolutes that every person must face. "Whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The Scriptures describe numerous individuals who demonstrate these truths.
“In a day when believers seem to be trying to please both the world and the Lord (which is an impossible thing), when people are far more concerned about offending their friends than offending God, there is only one answer…Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him!” —Keith Green
We are like seeds. Only by dying and being buried in the ground can anything productive come of a little seed. But what if the seed could talk? Would it be asking, “Hey, why did you dig a hole and throw me in it? Why are you burying me? Help!”
OSWALD CHAMBERS
The main characteristic which is the proof of the indwelling Spirit is an amazing tenderness in personal dealing, and a blazing truthfulness with regard to God’s Word.
We can go through life saying, “I need this” and “What about my needs?” Or, we can say, “God has blessed me. He has provided for me. I had a meal this morning. I have clothes on my back and a roof over my head. What can I do for someone else?”
When we start thinking of others instead of ourselves, one day we will wake up and realize that we’re happy. But it won’t be the result of chasing after the things we thought would fulfill us. Rather, it will be the result of having our priorities in order.
If only we would do things God’s way. Then we would be able to say, like Paul, “I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” (Philippians 4:12 NLT)
For some people, probably most even, receiving a great amount of money could be the worst thing ever to happen to them. It would come with a lot of responsibility as well as a lot of temptation they may not be facing right now.
God knows what is good for us as His children. He knows what we need, and He also knows what we don’t need.
What do you tend to do with your fear? What has God done for you in your own life that you can actively remember to calm your fear? What altars have you built to His faithfulness?
OSWALD CHAMBERS
Jesus Christ can afford to be misunderstood; we cannot. Our weakness lies in always wanting to vindicate ourselves.
To fear God is to reverence and be in complete awe of Him.
Has holy fear seemed like a contradictory term to you? Sometimes it may seem odd that we should have fear of God… that that’s a right response. It’s time to redefine what that means in our hearts and truly revere Him with joy and love!
God knows who they are. And through their faithfulness to Him, they make it possible for a lot of other people to be ministered to. They have discovered the joy of giving. And we might even venture to say that as a result, they have probably discovered the secret of contentment as well.
Today most churches are supported financially by a relatively small percentage of people who give their tithes and offerings on a weekly basis.
Our finances are often the last area that we’re willing to turn over to God. We want to retain complete control. In fact, we are uncomfortable when someone brings up the topic. It may be that our discomfort is an indication that this area is not in its proper order in our lives as Christians.
The Bible does address it quite frequently. Not only does Paul address it in this passage, but it’s worth noting that money is the main subject of nearly half the parables that Jesus told. In addition, one in every seven verses in the New Testament deal with this subject.
There’s plenty of people willing to disciple your kids for you. Kids can either be discipled by celebs, ideologies, and politics, or they can be discipled by you, the Gospel, and the church. Don't subcontract your child’s discipleship out to the world.
TO BE STRESS FREE, STAY DRAMA FREE. TO ACCOMPLISH VISION, LOSE SIGHT OF DISTRACTIONS AND STAY FOCUSED.
“LET SMALL MINDS CONTINUE TO LAUGH AT YOUR BIG VISION! NOAH LOOKED LIKE A FOOL TOO …UNTIL IT STARTED TO RAIN! DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHO GETS ON BOARD, JUST KEEP BUILDING!”
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO LOOK MORE LIKE YOUR FUTURE AND LESS LIKE YOUR PAST!
"DON'T BE FOOLED, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LOVE TO EAT WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE, BUT WILL NEVER LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO GO TO THE SUPERMARKET."
"EVERYONE THAT SAYS THEY LOVE YOU DON'T ACTUALLY LOVE YOU. MANY JUST LOVE THE BENEFITS PACKAGE THAT COMES ATTACHED TO YOU.
STOP SHARING YOUR BLUEPRINTS WITH PEOPLE WHO'VE NEVER BUILT ANYTHING!
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