Looking religious and being a faithful follower of the Lord are two completely different things. Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one's life for his friends."
Throughout the Bible, we read story after story of God's faithfulness in the face of adversity, despite the faithlessness of His people. Paul says in Romans 8:24, "Hope that is seen is no hope at all. For who hopes for what he already has?"
If you take care of your character, God will take care of your reputation.
Advertising bombards us with the message that life is all about me, it is all about now. Such messages may sell products and services, but they will cause us to sell our souls if we follow this philosophy.
We will be challenged to ask whether in the final analysis our life really mattered and, if so, in what way. If we live, die, and that is all there is, then it may not matter what we do. But if we believe that something about life matters because of the lasting implications our actions have, this should cause us to leave a different legacy.
I believe the spiritual side of our lives really does matter. To believe otherwise is to define persons as little more than animated protoplasm hopelessly going about our routines. If we do possess a soul capable of living beyond our lifetimes, then the seeds we plant in this life will yield fruit forever.
-- Mike Huckabee
The resurrection of Jesus Christ brings spiritual victory over sin and death to all who believe in Him. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." As we allow the Lord to be our guide through each day, He "leads us in triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14). When this process is unfolding, an effective Christian life is developing, by the grace of God at work in us.
It's easy to be offended by the way that some churches or Christian
leaders take or receive money from people. Few things have
brought the name of Jesus more shame through history than
ungodly ways of raising money. From the sale of indulgences to the
modern television evangelist, many have disgraced the cause of
Jesus through their love of money.
The great composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) lived much of his life in fear of deafness. He was concerned because he felt the sense of hearing was essential to creating music of lasting value.
When Beethoven discovered that the thing he feared most was coming rapidly upon him, he was almost frantic with anxiety. He consulted doctors and tried every possible remedy. But the deafness increased until at last all hearing was gone.
Beethoven finally found the strength he needed to go on despite his great loss. To everyone’s amazement, he wrote some of his grandest music after he became totally deaf. With all distractions shut out, melodies flooded in on him as fast as his pen could write them down. His deafness became a great asset.
Since the Lord saved me, I have despaired of no man living.
~Henry T. Mahan~
If we are doing the work of the church by showing mercy let's do so cheerfully -- whether it's caring for people in the hospital, feeding the homeless, sympathizing with those going through a traumatic experience, or crying compassionately with children whose parents are divorcing. Do all as unto the Lord!
We are incarcerated by our past. We have been found guilty! Our executioner’s footsteps echo against the stone walls. We sit on the floor of the dusty cell, awaiting our final moment. We don’t look up as he opens the door. We know what he’s going to say. “Time to pay for your sins.” But we hear something else! “You’re free to go. They took Jesus instead of you!”
Teams don't win by accident; they cannot simply rely on their talent to take them to the top. Winning teams display strong, durable commitment—both to a common cause and to one another. This commitment inspires them to persevere through setbacks and to make the sacrifices necessary to succeed.
“My father taught me to always do more than you get paid for as an investment in your future.” Jim Rohn
***
“Whether you stay six weeks, six months or six years, always leave it better than you found it.” Jim Rohn
***
“Where you start in the marketplace is not where you have to stay.” Jim Rohn
***
“Don't just let your business or your job make something for you; let it make something of you.” Jim Rohn
“The worst days of those who enjoy what they do are better than the best days of those who don't.” – Jim Rohn
We all know many people who need to be filled with God's purposes in their lives. Reach out to people, show them compassion, and help them out where they need it. Pray for them, do kind acts of love to show them the love of Jesus. It doesn't take a ton of money or time.
Each and every day should be a demonstration of God cultivating in your heart a love and compassion for others. As He is cultivating you, you will start cultivating others, showing them that God also has a purpose for them.
Often times we find that many of the graces God places upon us are tied to the graces we place upon other people. How has God shown you forgiveness? What about mercy? Do you demonstrate this same grace to others?
We're all imperfect, no need to act like we aren't. This is huge for marriage... but it's not enough to know that we're imperfect. We need to know the one who is perfect: Jesus.
God isn't finished with either you or your spouse, so don't give up on each other! Help each other become more like Christ in love and action and always remember that healthy marriage is more about progress and less about perfection.
A pastor friend and I always talk about counseling others and he loves to say if there mouth is going they are not listening to you or the one I love is the B word, But But But But. The bible says be slow to speak.
"Any ambition which is in the tiniest degree away from this central one of being "approved unto God" may end in our being castaways. Learn to discern where the ambition leads, and you will see why it is so necessary to live facing the Lord Jesus Christ...
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.”
We learn from Israel the amazing depth, consistency, and passion of God’s pursuing love.
Any man touched by Jesus Christ is good publicity for the gospel.
~Vance Havner~
I love this time of the year, getting ready for Easter Sunday but lets face it we who are in Christ live Easter every day<3 Thank you Lord!
Liberty is not the same as license; to be free is not to be free and easy; the Christian is not free to please himself but to please God.
~John Blanchard~
THE IDES OF MARCH.
March 15, 44 BC, JULIUS CAESAR was assassinated by his friend Brutus and other members of the Roman Senate. Did you know that his appointed heir was his grandnephew OCTAVIAN that he adopted as his son? Years later Octavian was awarded the title CAESAR AGUSTUS of whom Luke 2:1 says, "And it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."
“Live long and prosper!”—Spock (circa 1966 to present)
When Leonard Nimoy coined that phrase for Star Trek, to be used as a traditional Vulcan greeting, he was evoking the Jewish ceremonies of his childhood. People associate the split-fingers salute with Nimoy’s character, Spock, but in truth, it originates with an ancient Jewish blessing that made an impression on him as a young boy.
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”—Numbers 6:24-26
People are often misled by their teachers. Faith in Christ alone gives a person eternal life (John 3:16). It is important to know the Bible so that you are not to be deceived by the traditions and rules and regulations of man.
“ ’In vain they worship Me [Christ], teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
~Matthew 15:9~
The world is shaking. God is allowing us to be stirred and unsettled, but He wants to see us walk in victory in Him, free of fear.
Satan tried to isolate us and separate the Body of Christ from each other. But you know what? Church still happened, and God never stopped moving among His people.
Too often when we make mistakes, rather than confess and ask forgiveness we seek to cover and excuse.
Confess and seek forgiveness or cover and make excuses -- it's a choice we make in any type of situation.
“I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and He that is mighty coming and in His mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for His great favors…” —St. Patrick, from the Confession of Saint Patrick— 450 A.D
Making a disciple of someone means mentoring not lording over people. You need to get dirty to disciple the flock...
In our daily struggles and challenges, let us find strength in the assurance that Jesus has overcome death and is offering us the gift of eternal life. As we continue to trust and believe in Him, we can be confident that our lives have a greater purpose and that our future is secure in His loving embrace
When we have faith, we can face any challenge with courage and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We can trust in His unfailing love and rely on His guidance and support in all that we do.
We arise today and every day by turning our gaze onto Jesus and what He has accomplished for us.
I took my gaze off my performance and turned it onto the King and His character: His faithfulness. His goodness. His mercy. His strength. His might.
I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From the temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near.
“St. Patrick’s Breastplate.”
“When you read God’s Word, you, must constantly be saying to yourself, ‘it is talking to me and about me.’”—
Soren Kierkegaard
Christ will be master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. If your life is unholy, then your heart is unchanged, and you are an unsaved person. The Savior will sanctify His people, renew them, give them a hatred of sin, and a love of holiness. - Charles Spurgeon
A person who is not being purified from sin has no claim on being saved from it. - John MacArthur
Be as willing to die to sin as Christ was to die for sin, and as willing to live to Him as He was to die for you. - Ralph Venning
Reproving others is a thankless office and an unwelcome work for the most part; men take reproofs for reproaches, yet since God has laid it on good men as their duty to rebuke and not suffer sin to lie upon their brother, they dare not omit it. - Ralph Venning
Tweeting out convicting theological tweets is easy. Living out what you tweet is hard.
I am living in a world I do not understand. How can Haunted Cosmos be beating The Diving Line in the Reformed Podcast Bracket Competition?
The Pro-Life and the Abolitionist Movements need to do more to promote traditional and embryo adoption.
The person who does what God says with a resentful heart and begrudging obedience does not bear the mark of the true child of light. - Bryan Chappell
“We’re not doubting that God will do the best for us; we’re wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” - C.S. Lewis
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis
What other religions seek, the Christian religion only finds. —Puritan John Flavel, Works 1:149
Do not deceive yourselves; there is no pardon without a righteous nature, though pardon be not given for it. —Puritan Stephen Charnock, Works 3:43
The perpetuity of our justification results from this sitting of Christ at the right hand of God; for he sits there, not as a useless spectator, but an industrious and powerful Intercessor, to keep up perpetual amity, and prevent sin from making any new breach. —Stephen Charnock
Men are ready to anger, slow to mercy, quickly enflamed, and hardly appeased; but it is quite contrary with God. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 6:442
[Believers] will not be damned on judgement day, even though here in this lifetime we will have to fight many weaknesses. The person who will judge us is our Savior, who has already saved us from the curse of the law. —Godefridus Udemans (1581-1649), Faith, Hope, and Love, 87-8
Great reminder for every believer “Outward blessings are never a sign of [God’s] love or hated. You cannot conclude that Christ hates you because he afflicts you; or that he loves you because you are blessed with temporal things. The smallest drop of grace is a greater sign of Christ’s love than all the glory and pleasures of earth.” —Puritan David Clarkson (See Works 3:38-43)
Puritan Stephen Charnock on Isaiah 53: “The manner of his crucifixion, his burial, resurrection, and prosperity afterwards, the blessing of men by him, justification by the knowledge of him, were deciphered by Isaiah, chapter 53, above seven hundred years before his coming, so exactly, as if that prophecy had been a Gospel writ[ten] after his death, since the events answered so punctually to each prediction.” —The Works of Stephen Charnock, 3:363
From my 1st awakening 2 the Divine life, I felt a particular hungering and thirsting after the humility of Jesus Christ -George Whitefield -
When we deal seriously with our sins, God will deal gently with us. -C.H. Spurgeon -
Doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. -J.C. Ryle -
Instead of beginning with man and his world and working back to God, we must begin with God and work down to man. -A.W. Pink -
Go often to the Bible to hear the great God Himself speaking to you. Jonathan Edwards
All the gain I aim at, both in life and death, is Christ, namely, to glorify Him by my service. —George Swinnock
The house of God has delivered me from 'the mumps and measles of the soul' a thousand times and more - merely to enter its doors. - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The Christian religion, exalted in its power, is the greatest friend to the peace and tranquility of states and kingdoms. —John Flavel, Works 1:381
What madness and folly it is, that the favorites of heaven should envy the men of the world! -Thomas Brooks -
...millions, have been brought into some kind of religious experience by accepting Christ, and they have not been saved. -A.W. Tozer -
The best kind of preaching is just repeating what God already said in His Word.
Jesus is better at saving, than you are at sinning. Grace wins.
Being a Christian isn’t just for Sundays. It’s a lifestyle.
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. —Puritan Thomas Manton
Whatever is needful unto our communion with Christ and our obedience to him, this all true believers are taught. - John Owen, Works Vol. 4, p146
If the message does not talk about sin as the major problem and Jesus as the only solution… it's not the Gospel.
"I could speak of Christ forever." -George Whitefield.
"Biblical exposition does the heavy lifting of building up a church.” - David Helm
Those that have found mercy, should be ready to show mercy: and they that expect mercy themselves, should not deny it to others. —John Flavel, Works 1:377
"Prayer has become as essential to me as the heaving of my lungs and the beating of my pulse." — Charles Spurgeon
Oh, how thankful I am for the written Word of God by which we can confirm the words others tell us. Jon Courson
"To please God even a little is infinitely greater than to have the praise of all mankind." — Charles Spurgeon
God is good to us. He gives us love, joy, & forgiveness. His Holy Spirit comforts us. He grants us abundant lives of adventure, discovery, and faith. He gives us prophecy to understand the future and prayer as a source of power. He loves us as His cherished children. Ray Bentley
"God, the Lord of love and glory, died a villain's death for me!" — Charles Spurgeon
Christian forgiveness is not an injurious giving up of our rights and properties to the lust of every one that hath a mind to invade them. —John Flavel, Works 1:379
Living a healthy lifestyle is simple but not easy. But the alternative is disease and early death. We get to choose everyday.
Glory: It is the overflow of grace; it is the wine of life; it is the foretaste of heaven; it is a flash from the Throne and an inspiration from the heart of God which we may have and in which we may live. AB Simpson
I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages. Charles H. Spurgeon
“Any method of evangelism will work if God is in it.” – Leonard Ravenhill
God loves His people. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, trusting only in His merits, God loves you as surely as He is God. There is no question about the matter. His divine love is yours as certainly as His power is displayed in creation. Spurgeon
Prayer is not the way to get God to do our will in heaven. Prayer is the way to get us to do His will on earth. Once this is understood, you will find yourself praying in an entirely different manner. Jon Courson
"Wherever real Christians might be, whatever the color of their skin, we are all one in Christ Jesus." — Charles Spurgeon
[Kenotic Christology] is altogether subversive to the doctrine of the immutability of God, which is plainly taught in Scripture. ...and a mutable God is certainly not the God of Scripture." –Berkhof, ST, 328.
You are unkind when you undervalue Christ: - When you do not see enough value in Him to take time to seek Him - When you show higher esteem for things of little worth - When outward enjoyments and interests claim more of your thoughts and affections — Puritan David Clarkson
Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Charles Spurgeon
Apart from the Spirit working through Scripture, God does not promise to use any other means to guide us, nor should we expect him to. Kevin DeYoung
"The Christian can rejoice in suffering, for it is our Father who reigns." — Charles Spurgeon
God not only orders our steps, He orders our stops. George Müller
"Find immediate peace through believing in Jesus. There is no other way." — Charles Spurgeon
"A Book which will lift men up to God must have come down from God." -R.A.Torrey.
"I wish that I could be like a simple child and literally believe what the Lord says." — Charles Spurgeon
"Jesus died that sin might die." — Charles Spurgeon
"We should never give advice until we have prayed about the matter." — Charles Spurgeon
Burk Parsons
Just as our love for one another demonstrates that we are disciples of Christ, our love for our enemies demonstrates that we are sons of our Father.
So long as you struggle under law, that is by your own effort, sin shall have dominion over you; but the moment you throw yourself upon the simple grace of Christ and His free and absolute gift of righteousness, the struggle is practically over. AB Simpson
"The Bible will sometimes puzzle you, but the divine author is always ready to lead you into its meaning." — Charles Spurgeon
"The first and principal duty of a pastor is to feed the flock by diligent preaching of the Word." — John Owen
In creation his power made the sun to shine upon us, and in redemption his compassion sent a Son to die for us. —Stephen Charnock, Works 2:320
On Christ bearing the wrath of God: “The greatest punishment inflicted upon Christ, when he stood as a sacrifice for sin, was not the act of men, but the act of God —Puritan Stephen Charnock, Works 3:417
Worship is our rehearsal for how to live today and how to glorify God in heaven. It is not merely a Sunday morning exercise meant to make us feel good. Rosaria Butterfield
"In order to properly understand the Bible, we need to have the Holy Spirit be his own expositor." — Charles Spurgeon
Once we are healed and secure, God gives us new growth, and our lives bear rich and scented fruit like new wine. Our gifts and talents will blossom and bless others. His love will be reflected in our lives! Ray Bentley
*Law [here] is not taken strictly for the covenant of works, nor the decalogue as a rule of life; but more generally for the whole word of God, which is full of wonders. —Thomas Manton, 6:171
"'The Holy Spirit helps us in our infirmities,' but not our idleness." — Charles Spurgeon
Problems are often given to us by God to provide us greater opportunities. As God’s children, we need to learn how to look for the possibilities in our problems. God’s people have always worked this way. David Jeremiah
If Christ does not give you certain earthly comforts or temporal blessings that you desire and pray for “it is no defect in the love of Christ, but a defect in what you are asking.” —Puritan David Clarkson
“All of Paul’s sermons were so full of Christ that his hearers might have thought he was acquainted with no other doctrine. That there is no doctrine more excellent in itself, or more necessary to be preached and studied, than the doctrine of Jesus Christ.” — Flavel, Vol. 1
Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up. Charles Spurgeon
I rather be an honest sinner than a lying hypocrite!
There are ten bazillion things that compete for our attention and clutter our faith: emotions, materialism, negative thinking, overbooked schedules, doubts, legalism, laziness, self-reliance, our past pains and failures, technology, work, our need to control things, finances, debt, stress, addictions, discontentment and relationships. And I’m just getting started! This list could go on forever.
The Bible instructs us to direct our silly-dizzy days toward God. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3, NIV).
In His presence, God gives order to both our thoughts and our to-do lists. Everything changes when we seek Him first and commit our plans to Him.
Throughout the Bible we read story after story of God's faithfulness in the face of adversity, despite the faithlessness of His people. Paul says in Romans 8:24, "Hope that is seen is no hope at all. For who hopes for what he already has?"
"It takes hands to build a house,but only hearts can build a home"
The Hebrew words for prosper and success contain the idea of being wise and insightful. Prosperous and successful people tap into learning.
However feeble our faith may be, if it be real faith in Christ, we shall reach heaven.
The Father loves the Son without any end, and this is how the Son loves His people.
"In every success story, you find someone who has made a courageous decision." ~ Peter F. Drucker
Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock."
"Sometimes, no matter how much you want things to happen, all you can do is wait. And usually, waiting is the hardest part."
When we allow God to be greater in our lives, we will see growth and spiritual maturity. We will naturally act according to the work of the Holy Spirit and not the flesh.
No man can really at one and the same time call attention to
himself and glorify God.
~Louis Benes~
Leaders are dealers in hope~ Napoleon
Neglect is like an infection. Left unchecked it will spread throughout our entire system of disciplines and eventually lead to a complete breakdown of a potentially joy-filled and prosperous human life.
Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out.
“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
“Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.” – Jim Rohn
Once you’ve learned to love, you’ve learned to live.
As long as the cross is God’s gift to the world, it will touch you but it will not change you. Precious as it is to proclaim, “Christ died for the world,” even sweeter it is to whisper, “Christ died for me!”
As a Christian is never out of the reach of God’s hand, so he
is never out of the view of God’s eye.
~Thomas Brooks~
Make it a priority to spend time alone with your heavenly Father, just to refresh yourself and maybe even renew yourself on a daily basis. There is nothing the matter with telling God all day long that you love Him. Just say, "I love you God," out of the blue. He loves to hear that you love Him, and there is nothing sweeter than taking time alone to pray.
It would be appropriate to again follow a pattern we have used previously, applying our present subject (the resurrection) both to our starting out with God (justification) and our going on with God (sanctification). The great value in doing such is to be repeatedly reminded that the grace of God that starts us out in this new life in Christ is the same grace that develops this life in Christ.
Dr. Elton Trueblood said, "Evangelism is not a professional job for a few trained men, but is instead the unrelenting responsibility of every person who belongs to the company of Jesus."
“When someone does something well, applaud! You will make two people happy.”
— Samuel Goldwyn
Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion. But it is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know Him. Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on The eternal truth that God is Holy Love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life-throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God . Entrust yourself to Gods hands.
Do not merely speak the truth, but live truthfully, openly and honestly with one another.
~Sinclair Ferguson~
The things of this world are temporary, so don't put all your hopes and dreams into them. All things should point us to the Lord and to see how amazing He is. Today, may we truly love the Lord, worship Him, and give Him all the glory that He deserves. Enjoy the sights, but worship the Lord!
All throughout church history, there have been certain beliefs that make a Christian, a Christian: the deity of Jesus Christ, the vicarious atonement, the bodily resurrection, the virgin birth, the second coming of Jesus to the earth. But cults and heresies have also been around since the beginning, denying the basic doctrines of Christianity and seeking to twist and pervert the gospel. Keep yourself in the love of God. Pray in the Spirit. Build yourself up in the most holy faith. Get into the Word. Continue to pray. Continue to fellowship. And if you want to be kept by Him, you will be.
We are the messengers, and God is the transformer of lives.
Most people are brought to faith in Christ, not by argument for it, but by exposure to it.
~Samuel Shoemaker~
God loves you so much, and He made it really easy to live for Him. All you need to do is love Him. This is the first, and greatest, commandment. Christianity isn't about laws, rules, regulations, and religious activities. It's all about our love for Him. It's all about our heart-felt desire to please Him. And when we fall in love with Him, then we start falling in love with the Bible (His written word to us), and with prayer (His verbal communication with us), and for the world around us that so desperately needs His love.
What good is theology without practicality?
In the ministry, you cannot do whatever you want. You have to wait on God’s perfect timing. Always make sure you are serving in the places where God has called and anointed you. This way, you can flow with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, you will become like Saul––foolish.
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
~Benjamin Franklin~
It is Jesus who now provides us with this nourishment or refreshing. He is not only the "bread of life" He is also referred to as "The Word." We are refreshed when we spend time with Jesus.
It behooved us to spread our nets, that a vast multitude and throng might be caught for God.
~Saint Patrick~
St. Patrick’s life has a legendary quality, his manuscript The Confession of Saint Patrick does give us a glimpse into the man’s life and character. One aspect becomes clear: his humility. He opens with, “I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many…” Even though Patrick could take credit for bringing thousands of former pagans into the Christian family, he did not embrace a “savior” mentality. Instead, he knew that only the true Savior, our Lord Jesus, can bring powerful transformation that lasts.
We must have a spirit of power towards the enemy, a spirit of love towards men, and a spirit of self-control towards ourselves.
~Watchman Nee~
Our leadership may call us to confront some kind of system, power or authority in order to do what’s best for the people and organizations we serve.
As you commit your life to the Lord, He begins to plant His desires in your heart, then guides you according to His plan.
~Chuck Smith~
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.”
The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
…if a man has not cast his fears on Christ, he must bear them himself. The safety of the Rock is for those who have put their trust in the Rock. All others must face their enemies alone.
~A.W. Tozer~
When something tragic happens especially to a Christian brother or sister, it should be addressed biblically so there is no speculation, no curiosity no wondering about what happened.. All things happen for the Good of those who love GOD and so if something tragic happens we shd be in prayer for unity and support of one another. Not left in the dark as though shame has occurred amongst us...
When we encounter God’s living Word, it asks
us for a total commitment to whatever task is
being addressed. We should ask, rhetorically,
“Am I ready to do that?”
Every day Jesus is calling upon you to be a living
sacrifice. In all your walks of life, you are to walk
as Jesus walked and be His disciple.
You DON’T have to go to the ends of the earth.
You DO need to be a disciple where you are scattered.
You can do all things through Christ.
Dr. David Jeremiah ~ "There are no signs for the rapture. The rapture could happen at anytime, BUT there are signs for the tribulation...and when we see those signs...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the rapture is just around the corner."
You can't live on yesterday's filling of the Holy Spirit. What you got yesterday was meant for yesterday. The Holy Spirit wants to fill you each and every day. -
Tony Evans
Some "one another's" of Christian fellowship
love one another
serve one another
submit to one another
edify one another
greet one another
exhort one another
admonish one another
pray for one another
care for one another
be at peace with one another
bear one another's burdens
By walking with God and trusting in His plans, we can continually remind ourselves of His unfailing love and care. In doing so, we will find peace and strength to face life's challenges with grace and resilience.
"Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love, and the future to God's providence."
— St. Augustine
It would be appropriate to again follow a pattern we have used previously, applying our present subject (the resurrection) both to our starting out with God (justification) and our going on with God (sanctification). The great value in doing such is to be repeatedly reminded that the grace of God that starts us out in this new life in Christ is the same grace that develops this life in Christ
“Emotionally healthy people understand the limits God has given them. They joyfully receive the one, two, seven, or ten talents God has so graciously distributed. As a result, they are not frenzied and covetous, trying to live a life God never intended.“ Scazzero, Peter, The Emotionally Healthy Church (Zondervan, Grand Rapids Michigan, 2003) p. 132.
Ask Jesus to light up your life, to add brightness to anywhere that’s dark.
Every day is a brand-new opportunity to listen to the Lord, put on His joy, put aside thoughts that weigh you down and replace them with healthy, positive thoughts. Remember, you are always always loved!
Down to the scruple: to the smallest item.
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.
People today celebrate Christmas and Easter, but they neglect Him the rest of the year. They want Jesus in their lives—as long as He does what they want Him to do. Effectively, they want God on their own terms.
"I am loved with as much love as if I had always been godly, but I was ungodly." — Charles Spurgeon
"Sound doctrine will never save a man unless he puts his trust in the Lord Jesus." — Charles Spurgeon
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SpurgeonBooks
@SpurgeonBooks
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8h
"The name of Jesus Christ is hell's terror, heaven's delight, and earth's hope." — Charles Spurgeon
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SpurgeonBooks
@SpurgeonBooks
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10h
"God loves you, not for anything that he could ever gain from you." — Charles Spurgeon
"The gospel is all about Christ from beginning to end." – Charles Spurgeon
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3.3K
SpurgeonBooks
@SpurgeonBooks
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1h
"Many in these days give up the substance of the gospel. May they learn better very soon!" — Charles Spurgeon
“God will bypass the gifted to use the godly.” — Steven Lawson
“God doesn't just want a successful mission, He wants a sanctified missionary." -Dale Ralph Davis
“Application fulfils the obligations of exposition. Application is the present, personal consequence of scriptural truth.” -Bryan Chapell
The experience of many believers: “As men do cherish young plants at first, and do fence them about with hedges and other things to keep them from hurt, but when they are grown, they remove them, and then leave them to the wind and weather, so God, he besets his children first with props of inward comforts, but afterwards he exposes them to storms and winds, because they are better able to bear it. Therefore let no man think himself the better because he is free from troubles. It is because God sees him not fit to bear greater.” —Puritan Richard Sibbes,The Works of Richard Sibbes, 7:209
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. —Puritan Thomas Manton
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Puritan Gold
@PuritanMines
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45m
If we consider the intrinsic evil of sin, we shall see that it is not a small thing, but a horrible evil in itself; a thing not to be laughed at, but feared, whether our own or others. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Sermon on Psalm 119:53, Works 7:57
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Puritan Gold
@PuritanMines
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2h
On how Christ can satisfy an eternal debt of wrath in a temporary period of time: “The infinite dignity of the person of Christ transcending all creatures, made the satisfaction he offered valuable without an eternal duration of those torments…” —Stephen Charnock, Works 3:428
“Each day we are becoming a creature of splendid glory or one of unthinkable horror.” - C.S. Lewis
The ungodly do not like the godly. The impure do not like the pure. There is enmity still. Moody
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Ed Taylor
@CalvaryChurchCo
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5h
The healthiest, most peace producing thing we can do is surrender to God, confess, and repent of trying to do and have what we don’t need— and believe in His forgiveness. Ray Bentley
Guilt by association. They used this against Jesus too. Abide in Christ and go where He leads you. Becoming all things to all men (without sin or compromise) will stir up others against you.
The mind of God is greater than all the minds of men, so let all men leave the gospel just as God has delivered it unto us. Charles Spurgeon
Gen Z & Alpha generations are the least-religious-overly-entertained generations in U.S. history. So, don't expect Youth or College Pastors to primarily be entertainers or event organizers. Empower them to primarily be missionaries & disciple-makers. That’s the great need!
Does any one ask me, ‘What is the best safeguard against false doctrine?’ I answer in one word, ‘The Bible: the Bible regularly read, regularly prayed over, regularly studied.’ J.C. Ryle
I have a great need for Christ: I have a great Christ for my need. Charles Spurgeon
Pride must be mortified if brotherly love is to flourish. -A.W. Pink -
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Belt of Truth 1
@beltoftruth1
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9h
Today, people say, 'We want peace on earth.' Sure they want peace on earth but they don't want the Prince of Peace! -Leonard Ravenhill -
To claim to have no creed but the Bible, then, is problematic: the Bible itself seems to demand that we have forms of sound words (2 Tim. 1:13), and that is what creeds are.” - Carl Trueman. Crisis of Confidence, 60.
We don’t take sin seriously because we don’t take God’s judgment seriously. – Wayne Mack
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