"Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone."
In ourselves, we are not able to overcome the inadequacies and improper tendencies of the flesh. However, the Holy Spirit is more than able to become our sufficient provider of whatever we need for an effective and fruitful relationship.
"The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction." - Charles Spurgeon.
the best way for you to spend your leisure is to be either reading or praying." - Charles Spurgeon.
You can tell allot about some one by there Face Book page and pics. It is a good thing for parents to keep an eye on.
LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE.....
God is seeking consistant and steady plotting, moving forward.
Love is the queen of all the Christian graces.
~A. W. Pink~
As Christians, we need to have these three characteristics in order to live our lives righteously, but Paul said the greatest is love. Look again at what John said. If we do not love, we do not know God. Wow, that is heavy. We need to pray for the love of God.
Worship is magnifying or enlarging our vision of God. Of course his size doesn’t change, but our perception of him does. As we draw nearer, he seems larger. Isn’t that what we need? A big view of God? Don’t we have big problems, big worries, and big questions? Of course we do. So, we need a big view of God. Worship offers that.
A vibrant, shining face is the mark of one who has stood in God’s presence. He wipes away the tears. Not only does God change the face of those who worship, he changes those who watch us worship! From Just Like Jesus~ Max Lucacd
“We all need lots of powerful long-range goals to help us past the short-term obstacles.” – Jim Rohn
Helen Keller, the famous blind author and speaker, said: “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. Silver is purified in fire and so are we. It is in the most trying times that our real character is shaped and revealed.”
“Accuracy builds credibility.” – Jim Rohn
Tip of the Day: Most people are only able to focus on a limited number of things at one time. When most people are learning, they tend to remember things that are grouped into three. We tend to remember one, two, three—too many!
You have a Bible? You can study. You have a heart? You can pray. You have a mind? You can think!
Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.
~Augustine~
The term "walk" is used dozens of times in the New Testament to describe the manner of life a person is leading. Many of these occurrences depict the Christian life: "walk in love… walk as children of light… walk circumspectly" (Ephesians 5:2, 8, 15). In our passages, we are told to "walk in the Spirit."
When God puts love and compassion in your heart toward someone, He is offering you an opportunity to make a difference in that persons life . You must learn to follow that love. Don't ignore it, act on it.
The Contrary Desires of the Flesh and the Spirit
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Galatians 5:17)
Every believer in Christ has had the frustrating experience of wanting to do what pleases the Lord, but being unable to actually accomplish such. We are told here that a spiritual struggle is behind that failure. "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." The Spirit of God dwells within our lives. He is the "Spirit of holiness" (Romans 1:4). He desires that we be "partakers of His holiness" (Hebrews 12:10)
Do you come to church with a worship-hungry heart? Our Savior did. May I urge you to be just like Jesus? Prepare your heart for worship. Let God change your face through worship. Your heartfelt worship is a missionary appeal. Let others hear the passion of your voice as they see the sincerity in your face, and they may be changed.
When truth is on the move, no army can stop it.
A leader leads by example not by force.
*Sun Tzu
Feeling awesome today! Shake Yesterday off and lets kick some butt today. God Bless!
Thankfulness is just the beginning, you've got to challenge yourself to produce. Produce more ideas than you need for yourself so you can share and give your ideas away. That is called fruitfulness and abundance. ~ Jim Rohn
Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience withdraws from grace.
The Lord’s Supper is a gift to you. The Lord’s Supper is a holy invitation. A sacred sacrament bidding you to leave the chores of life and enter his splendor. He meets you at the table.
Every believer in Christ has had the frustrating experience of wanting to do what pleases the Lord, but being unable to actually accomplish such. We are told here that a spiritual struggle is behind that failure. "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." The Spirit of God dwells within our lives. He is the "Spirit of holiness" (Romans 1:4). He desires that we be "partakers of His holiness" (Hebrews 12:10) and thereby walk in godliness. However, the flesh (natural humanity) is also present in our lives.
Once in a while a person will come to me and say, "The Lord has given me a word for you." I can't help but put up my defenses a little. I wonder, "If the Lord has a word for me, then why didn't He tell me personally?" Regardless, I politely listen. I ask, "Is there grace in the words and in the person?" And if so, "Is this consistent with what the Lord has been speaking to me about?" What has the Lord been speaking to you about recently?
I truly believe the vary thing you concentrate on is the thing you talk about most..... I remember saying the first one who knew it blow it as a kid.. Well if you are focused on haters it might be because you are one
“The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.”
— Norman Vincent Peale
Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you.
The whole world is ordered and arranged to match
and meet the needs of the people of God.
~J. A. Motyer~
Ask yourself today: Are you hindering others from asking for God's healing touch, just as these people were? For example, I know how difficult it is to talk about the things of the Lord when I'm flying back home from a long trip. Tired, crammed into a small space, and low on patience, the last thing I want to do is talk with someone. But so often it's as if the Lord places a person in the seat next to me, specifically so I can talk to him about salvation. God gives us opportunities to share His love, but how many times do we hinder His work and shut people out?
"We're swimming in oceans of grace. Therefore, when someone needs a cup of cold water, we should have plenty to give away." - Brady Boyd
Start the day with Prayer
"Following after is greater than fitting in."
(Hope Again by Charles Swindoll). No matter how much pain and suffering we endure, hope is like an anchor: it can heal, keep you grounded, and keep you secure. “Our hope in Christ stabilizes us in the storms of life, but unlike an anchor, it does not hold us back.” Christ will keep you, but He will not stop us from progressing. He has a plan for our lives, but we must continue to allow Him to be the Captain and anchor of our life.
This is from a sermon called “Christ and His Co-Workers,”
Preached on June 10, 1886:
Spurgeon’s “Let the lion out of the cage”
A great many learned men are defending the gospel; no doubt it is a very proper and right thing to do, yet I always notice that, when there are most books of that kind, it is because the gospel itself is not being preached. Suppose a number of persons were to take it into their heads that they had to defend a lion, a full-grown king of beasts! There he is in the cage, and here come all the soldiers of the army to fight for him. Well, I should suggest to them, if they would not object, and feel that it was humbling to them, that they should kindly stand back, and open the door, and let the lion out! I believe that would be the best way of defending him, for he would take care of himself; and the best “apology” for the gospel is to let the gospel out. Never mind about defending Deuteronomy or the whole of the Pentateuch; preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. Let the Lion out, and see who will dare to approach him. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will soon drive away all his adversaries.
“To love you as I should, I must worship God as Creator. When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.”
― C.S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis
A Scottish theologian named George Adam once wrote, “Other nations have been our teachers in art and wisdom and government. But Israel is our mistress in pain and patience.”
“It’s a nasty truth, but those who seek to inflict harm are not fazed by gun control laws. I happen to know this from personal experience.” - Ronald Reagan in 1983
The apostle Paul was never ashamed of his love for fellow Christians. He spent years writing to correct their misguided ideas, exhorting them to higher standards, even expressing his frustration when they wouldn’t listen. But he loved them, and he urges us to do likewise: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).
Ray Bently
One of the blessings and benefits of being part of a church body is being able to support and encourage each other during trials and tribulations.
Tranquil and happy, though very weak. My theology is very simple. I can express it in a few words and they are enough to die by. Jesus died for me. What simplicity!
~C. H. Spurgeon~
Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther wrote, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Author Robert Wolgemuth continues this thought: “Prayer is the glue that affixes your heart to your Heavenly Father.” It is profound reverence for God, the fear of the Lord, which causes you to hate the things that God hates and love the things that He loves…to walk in holiness.
Sometimes our stories will take the most unexpected twists and turns through the darkest valleys we’ve ever known. But we can trust that God’s plan is still good.
He has a perfect plan for a path to renewed joy and a redeemed future that’s probably one we can’t even fathom.
"It starts with a desire of the heart and it is confirmed by the leadership of the church that you have the character qualifications, the skill to teach, and that there’s fruitfulness when you do that." —John MacArthur
"If you flirt with sin, you will ruin your ministry" —Paul Twiss
The expositor's task is to preach the mind of God." —John MacArthur
Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you.
"Our labor is not in vain, we believe in the resurrection." —Mark Zhakevich
We can believe the enemy or we can believe God.
We can succumb to lies or stand on Truth.
Trusting in and obeying God’s Word is where we find our true and lasting significance, satisfaction, and security.
Never think of yourself too arrogantly to think God can't use you.
Kay Smith
We are here for people. Ray Bentley
God leads us step by step, one move of obedience and trust upon another. We don’t have to have the whole picture at once. We just have to take the steps He asks us to take. Trust Him. It will all be clear later. Chuck Smith
Our heavenly Father knows what He is doing. Even when His way appears to be involved and complicated and we cannot untangle the threads, the Lord sees all things clearly. Spurgeon
Let us keep our eyes fastened upon Him; let us abide continually in Him; let us be content with Him; let us cling closely to Him and cry. AB Simpson
Sexual morality has everything to do with character, and character is very important to God. Robert Morris
Radical transformation will occur in your walk with the Lord when you realize He’s the Master and you’re not. He’s the King, and you’re the subject. He’s the Boss, and you’re the servant. Jon Courson
Yes, the promises have been precious to us in their influence on our minds. I am sure I can say they are precious because of their priceless value to our souls. There are passages of Scripture that are carved on our hearts. Spurgeon
Learn to see God in everything. Learn to praise Him for all that you have. Spurgeon
Here’s the deal, gang: God can say “Yes” to my prayers, or He can say “No.” Either way, it’s an answer. Jon Courson
Severe trouble in a true believer has the effect of loosening the soul’s roots earthward and tightening the heart’s anchor hold heavenward. Spurgeon
Lord, help me to-day to “count not my life dear unto myself that I may finish my course with joy and the ministry that I have received of Jesus.” AB Simpson
"If a thing is wrong, even if you would gain by it, you must scorn the sin for your Master's sake." — Charles Spurgeon
"To give thanks to God is but a small return for the great benefits which he daily gives us." — Charles Spurgeon
"Eternal punishment' is a word of unspeakable terror. But it is fully covered by 'eternal redemption.'" — Charles Spurgeon
"Whatever people say about you, that persecution will win you a brighter crown in glory." — Charles Spurgeon
"God, the Lord of love and glory, died a villain's death for me!" — Charles Spurgeon
"You must be plunged into that sea of sorrow; but it will not drown you, it will only wash and cleanse you." — Charles Spurgeon
"We delight to feel that he who has ruled all things for our good does not change." — Charles Spurgeon
"The whole world may reel to and fro like a drunken man but the Rock of Ages stands secure." — Charles Spurgeon
Rest in the finished work of the Lord Jesus, and put all your reliance upon him as crucified, risen, and pleading for his people." — Charles Spurgeon
"We should never give advice until we have prayed about the matter." — Charles Spurgeon
"All those who say that they are Christ's, and then go and live ungodly lives, stain the name of Christ." — Charles Spurgeon
"Eternal salvation comes without a penny of cost to every hungry, needy, bankrupt soul that is willing to receive it." — Charles Spurgeon
"There are no white lies. They are scarlet, and they will sink a man to hell if they are not confessed and forgiven." — Charles Spurgeon
"Baptism is a sweet emblem of my death to all the world! May I, from now on, live only for Jesus!" — Charles Spurgeon
"The teachings of the New Testament are as sound and true today as they were eighteen hundred years ago." — Charles Spurgeon
"Trust in Christ despite it all, for he can hush the hurricane to slumber, and lay the storm to sleep." — Charles Spurgeon
"Blessed be God, our calamities are matters of time, but our safety is a matter of eternity." — Charles Spurgeon
"There is nothing here on earth that is worth a man's pursuit except God." — Charles Spurgeon
"The gospel is all about Christ from beginning to end." – Charles Spurgeon
"The more the Christian knows of Christ's love, the more will he hate himself to think that he has sinned against such love." — Charles Spurgeon
By the exercise of faith do we continually derive virtue from Christ - John Owen
Never was any man a loser by his love to God. - Thomas Watson
Act rationally, examine and weigh the arguments and evidences on which the truths of Christianity and of the Holy Scriptures rest - William Wilberforce
The faith of the church must be tried by God's word, and not God's word by the church; and the same goes for my faith. - Lady Jane Grey, beheaded 12 February 1554
God is the most adequate and complete object of our love. - Thomas Watson
The whole purpose of doctrine is not to be an end in itself, but to lead us to knowledge of the person and to an understanding of the person, and to a fellowship with the person. - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Having Jesus, I find in him I possess all things. - George Whitefield
The key to the history of the world is the kingdom of God. - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
If our heart is but determined to be thus engaged [in personal evangelism], numerous opportunities will present themselves. —Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635-1711), The Christian’s Reasonable Service
Remember: It is very rare that any soul plays with the opportunity of sin, but that soul is ensnared by sin. —Puritan Thomas Brooks, Works 1:39
Your sins may provoke Christ to frown upon you, they may provoke Him to greatly correct you, but they shall 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 provoke Christ to give you a bill of divorce. —Puritan Thomas Brooks, Works 3:70
Satan labours mightily to engage hypocrites to live in the allowance of some one sin. O sirs! Remember that as one hole in a ship will sink a ship, and as one stab in the heart will kill a man … so one sin lived in and allowed will damn a man forever. —Thomas Brooks, 4:438
[Sunday is] a privilege and a benefit, not a task and a drudgery. —Matthew Henry
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. —Puritan Thomas Manton
None so fit and able to relieve tempted souls, to sympathize with tempted souls, to counsel tempted souls, to pity tempted souls, to support tempted souls, to bear with tempted souls, and to comfort tempted souls as those who have been in the school of temptation. —Thomas Brooks
All our actions concern eternity. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 6:473
A tempted soul, when it is at worst with him, may safely argue thus: if God we’re not my friend, Satan would not be so much my enemy… —Thomas Brooks, Mute Christian, Pg. 180
O despairing souls, despairing souls! If ever you would cast off your despairing thoughts and get out of your present hell, then 𝘥𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩, 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩, and 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 this precious blood [of Christ] to your own souls. —Puritan Thomas Brooks, Wks 2:379
1980s: "self-esteem" movement 1990s: "self-made" movement 2000s: "self-help" movement 2010s: "believe in self" movement 2020s: "self-love" movement Its all humanistic "self-worship" with different lingo. However, you're created to worship Someone other than "self"'. He is Jesus.
Get into a church that gets into the Bible.
"LEADER-SHIP MEANS WE’RE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYONE ON BOARD,
YOU CAN'T DO GOD'S WILL YOUR WAY!
"STOP MAKING MOVES TO IMPRESS PEOPLE AND START MAKING MOVES TO FULFILL PURPOSE."
"If the devil isn't bothering you, I assure you that you're NOT bothering him either! Don't be his TEAMMATE, be his TARGET!"
A WAITING SEASON IS NEVER A WASTED SEASON!
God’s eye is always upon us; he is alike everywhere; therefore a Christian should be alike everywhere, always like himself, at home and abroad, alone and in company. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 6:472
May it not be named among us: “Many are devout 𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥, but carnal, careless, profane, if you follow them 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 to their families.” —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 6:472
Do not, poor souls, entertain any hard thoughts concerning Jesus Christ, as if he was less mindful, less pitiful, and less merciful to souls now as he is in heaven, than he was when his abode was in the world. —Puritan Thomas Brooks, Works 1:246
It is a consoling thought that Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life; that He is presenting to the Father those spiritual needs which were not present in our minds and which we often neglect to include in our prayers. —Louis Berkhof, ST, Pg. 413
Settle it down in your mind that the vast majority of people around you are in awful danger of being lost 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. Work every engine for bringing the gospel to bear upon them. —JC Ryle, Old Paths, Pg. 86
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