Accountability is often seen as confining - a relationship straight jacket that limits freedom of expression and hinders those who “march to the beat of a different drummer.” Actually, the opposite is true. Accountability frees us to grow and change and is an important part of every healthy relationship.
One sure way to know if a person knows where you are is how they talk to you or about you. If all some one does is talk about your past, they don't know you. Just my thoughts.
Today, if sin is eating away at you, it's time you realized the damage it is doing. It's time to realize that you have been given a gift -- the gift of God -- and that gift is life, itself. Eternal life. You don't have to accept the death sentence of sin.
The next time you have the urge to "Return to Egypt," in other words -- do something you know is wrong -- ask Jesus to deliver you from yourself. Not from your heart, because when Jesus died He bought your heart, but from your head and your poor choices. Sin and temptation no longer have the power to control us.
There is such value placed on calling we lose sight of the sufficiency of God who does the equipping to do the task.
Folks if you have children you are in the children ministry. If you ever took a family trip you are an usher. If you had a party/pot luck you can do hospitality and greeting.
The only question is, Are You Willing To Die To Self, or will you say you are not called??????
Worst of all my foes, I fear the enemy within.
~John Wesley~
S.D. Gordon, said, “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed. But you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”
If you don't want people to know the real you, never let them in your inner circle.
It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our
last day. ~Matthew Henry~
When it comes to revelation from God there is no general or special revelation any more. God has given us the complete word of God. We have the full picture. We know the Lord will never contradict Himself. Let us not confuse the sovereignty of God with revelation!
Take heart. Whatever your circumstance may be, no matter how difficult, you’re not facing an impossible situation.
To succeed and connect with our culture, you must be relevant.
We live in a world of many. There are many places to visit or live, many different styles of clothing and music, and many people from all walks of life with varied backgrounds and heritages. You have 100 cable channels with an assortment of programs to watch, and even at the ice cream parlor there are 31 flavors to choose from. But there is only one way and one correct choice concerning matters of the soul -- Jesus Christ!
Other things may change, but we start and end with family.
You must make a "choice" to take a "chance" or your life will never "change". If you ever want to get to where you really want to be you have to be willing to make the choices and take the chances. Nothing really worth having in life comes super easy.
the issue here is your attitude. If your attitude toward your spouse is unloving/disrespectful, it will be hard for you to hide it. Do you need an attitude adjustment? Matthew 5:18 says, 'But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.'"
Your story indwells God’s. “It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.
Make Christ the focus. It is not about you. It is about Him. You only tell your story to point to His story. Your testimony is a bridge.
Sometimes what appears to be a conversion to Christianity is nothing more than some visible changes in a person's life.
There is nothing wrong with being reluctant; however, the question is: Who has your back, or rather who is directing you? Are you allowing others to use you for their own purposes or are you humbly positioned to serve the Lord and Him only?
Sometimes we get confused over man's will versus the Lord's. Who is calling you to action, man or God?
God’s grace is rich beyond measure. God’s grace is there for you in every circumstance. God’s grace is there for you right now.
In this hour of all-but-universal darkness, one cheering gleam appears: within the fold of conservative Christianity there are to be found increasing numbers of persons whose religious lives are marked by a growing hunger after God Himself.
~A.W.Tozer~
I believe there are ligament questions people ask and then there are the added questions like when someone will say but what if they take away our bibles? Keep in mind these are well-versed believers. When we have faith there is no but question.
Every ransomed man owes his salvation to the fact that during his days sinning, God kept the door of mercy open.
~A.W. Tozer~
The Bible neither needs nor finds authority outside of itself.
"I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large..." -
George Washington
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own." - Abraham Lincoln
Scripture doesn’t limit its reasons against sin to “just because it’s wrong.” It also includes “because it’s stupid” since sin’s consequences are so severe.
Randy Alcorn
Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that He will provide the help we need. Prayer humbles us as needy and exalts God as wealthy.
~John Piper~
Satan “scouts us out” and knows only too well the chinks in the armor of every Christian. His aim is deadly, he excels at tailor-made temptations, and it is at our points of greatest vulnerability that he will attack.
Randy Alcorn
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND TIME-SENSITIVE!
There is No More Time to Sit on the Fence and Watch.
EVERY Believer's Participation is Needed.
Good MUST Prevail Over Evil.
Truth MUST Prevail Over Lies.
IT'S TIME TO VOTE:
God’s direction for His people in these difficult days when evil seems to be prevailing:
“Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12:3)
(Gk. “endure”—“to remain in a place instead of leaving it”)
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
The Holy Spirit’s work within us, not our good works, are the root of our assurance.
Dustin Benge
“May I view things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, …hastening unto the new heaven and earth…May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day.”
—The Valley of Vision
It is the effectual, fervent prayer that influences God.
~E.M. Bounds~
It might seem like suffering and pain are pointless, but that is not true in the Kingdom of God. Trusting in the Lord through trials and strain strengthens and builds us in our souls and character just like going to the gym builds our muscles!
Have you ever felt resistance to entering into the community of God during a season of profoundly isolating trial and suffering? You are not alone. Don't blame God.
I long for nothing more earnestly than to serve God with all my might.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
The devil is terrified of the Word of God because he has no power over it. However, he has the power to snatch it away and he attacks it, resisting it relentlessly. When we speak God’s Word we are engaging in spiritual warfare. The devil hates the Word because it brings forth light and diminishes darkness.
God’s Word is the beginning and the end of all things.
Christ by his death reconciling God to man, did not alter the will of God, but did what was in accordance to His eternal will; He came not to change His will, but to execute His will: “Behold, I come to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:7).” —Puritan Stephen Charnock, Works 1:228
If we confess our sins, he is faithful & just to forgive us our sins, & to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9 No man was ever kept out of God’s kingdom for his 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴; many are for their 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. —John Trapp
The church is like a river. If it gets wider instead of deeper it will lose its power. —Puritan Thomas Manton
There was no change in the Divine nature of the Son, when he assumed human nature. —Stephen Charnock
"Teach the Word to your children so that they may teach it to their children." — Charles Spurgeon
"The whole world may reel to and fro like a drunken man but the Rock of Ages stands secure." — Charles Spurgeon
"No man who is once saved of God shall ever be lost. If we receive mercy by faith we shall never lose it." — Charles Spurgeon
"Come, Holy Spirit! We can do nothing without you." — Charles Spurgeon
"No man ever became holy by chance. There must be resolve, a desire, a panting after obedience to God, or else we shall never have it." — Charles Spurgeon
"The devil cannot frustrate God's decrees, nor events baffle his will." — Charles Spurgeon
"A few minutes' folly may ruin years of character." — Charles Spurgeon
"The word of the Lord is the power by which all things hold together and remain in their places." — Charles Spurgeon
"Superficial religion will always be fashionable because it does not require self-denial." — Charles Spurgeon
"The gospel is all about Christ from beginning to end." – Charles Spurgeon
"God has said much about prayer, because he knows we have much need of it." — 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"
“Preaching of the Word, being the power of God unto salvation, and one of the greatest and most excellent works belong to the ministry of the gospel, should be so performed, that the work man need not be ashamed, but may save himself, and those that hear him." - William Perkins
Steven Lawson
The truth unites. It divides. It saves. It judges. It endures.
There is no such thing as genuine knowledge of God that does not show itself in obedience to His Word and will. Sinclair Ferguson
We miss our way altogether, as gospel ministers, if we aim at flash and finery. -C.H. Spurgeon -
The love of God is like Himself - equal, constant, not capable of augmentation or diminution - our love is like ourselves... -John Owen -
When God forgives, he forgives forever. Charles Spurgeon
I hope not in works. I hope not in ethics. I hope not in baptisms or church membership. I hope in Christ alone. Paul Washer
“To wield the sword of the Spirit successfully, we must read it habitually, diligently, intelligently and prayerfully.” J.C. Ryle
"The Scriptures should be read with the aim of finding Christ in them. Whoever turns aside from this object, even though he wears himself out all his life in learning, he will never reach the knowledge of the truth." John Calvin
Silver and gold you may have none. The praise of man you may never enjoy. But you have that which is far better than either, if you have the peace of God. J.C. Ryle
"The difference between heart belief and head belief is the difference between salvation and damnation." George Sweeting
Every Christian here is either a missionary or an impostor. Charles Spurgeon
The entire message of the Bible is one finger pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ. Steve Lawson
Surely it is better to enter into eternal life with a few — than to go to Hell with a great company. J.C. Ryle
Eternal salvation comes without a penny of cost to every hungry, needy, bankrupt soul that is willing to receive it. Charles Spurgeon
You live in this world to tell sinners, "You can be reconciled to God." John MacArthur
Christ's priestly work did not end on the cross. Every day, in the presence of the Father, Christ intercedes for His people. R.C. Sproul
“Though sanctification does not take away the life of sin—yet it takes away the love of sin.” Thomas Watson
"Theology is the doctrine of living to God. Men live to God when they live in accord with the will of God, to the glory of God, and with God working in them." William Ames
“The Trinity is purely an object of faith, the plumbline of reason is too short to fathom this mystery; but where reason cannot wade, there faith must swim…This sacred doctrine, though it be not against reason, yet it is above reason.” Thomas Watson
It is one thing for sin to live in us; it is another for us to live in sin. John Murray
Don't come to church for an emotional experience. Come to church for the truth. Robert Godfrey
"The new birth is the greatest miracle God ever performs. If you are a believer, you are a miracle of grace." Steven Lawson
Only God Himself can plow and prepare a heart to receive His Word. John MacArthur
A fish could sooner drink the Mississippi River dry than we could empty the fountain of His love. Joel Beeke
The righteousness we have by our justification is not our own, but the everlasting perfect righteousness of our great Mediator Christ, imputed to us, and made our own by faith. — J.C. Ryle
"Be careful that you do not run into that company which may tempt you to evil." -George Whitefield.
“… the reality [is] that an abusive or neglectful spouse has already functionally "broken" or "departed from" the marriage covenant!” — Brian Sayers
It is holiness alone that is honourable, and that because there is in it the image and representation of God. - John Owen
The infestation of psychology in the church is the direct result of affirming the inerrancy of the Scripture while denying its sufficiency.
Many people who attack biblical counseling do not understand biblical counseling.
The self-sufficient do not pray. The self-satisfied will not pray. The self-righteous cannot pray. -Leonard Ravenhill -
Vice does not lose its character by becoming fashionable. -John Wesley -
“Theology is most correctly defined as the doctrine of living for God through Christ.” — Petrus Van Mastricht
Let us be thankful, even when our lot is hard, if we are the Lord’s. Charles Spurgeon
“To a disciple who was forever complaining about others, the Master said, ‘If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth.’” — Anthony de Mello
It is a soul-enriching thing to be thankful. Charles Spurgeon
"I, for one, am perfectly satisfied with everything that God does, whether of power, justice, or mercy." — Charles Spurgeon
“We appear to have lost the historic Protestant understanding of the importance of Natural Revelation, and have tended to function as though such revelation were not necessary.” — T. David Gordon
"Dear friend, the Lord Jesus Christ is able to make your life entirely new." — Charles Spurgeon
No version of Christianity permits you to continue sinning just because of God’s love for you. True love inspires true obedience.
"The pulpit is never to be the ladder by which ambition is to climb." — Charles Spurgeon
On the impeccability of Christ: “For [Satan] saw what he attempted on Christ was as impossible as to batter the body of the sun with snow-balls.” —Puritan John Flavel, Works 1:244
Let's not just declare that we have faith. Let's live out loud that we believe God is good, faithful and trustworthy. Let's stop running to fix things our way so that we can stop and fix our eyes on God. He sees. He knows. He cares. We can rest assured.
"If you live from Monday to Saturday in the same way as you would live if there were no God, you are practical atheists." — Charles Spurgeon
"Your Lord is very jealous of your love. Did he not choose you? He cannot bear that you should choose another." — Charles Spurgeon
"The breath in our nostrils is God's gift moment by moment." — Charles Spurgeon
God’s goodness and faithfulness deserve praise from earliest dawn to late night. — John Calvin
We have seen that godly characteristics develop in our lives through the working of God's grace within us. We now begin consideration of a closely related subject: a contrast between living by the old covenant or by the new (by law or by grace). The ongoing choices we make here determine whether we will be living by man's sufficiency or by God's. Various contrasting terms describing these significant choices are set forth in the third chapter of 2 Corinthians. Verses 6 and 14 set the basic context, the differences between the new covenant and the old: "[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant…For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament [old covenant]."
We are saved because God uses the overwhelming power of His love, mercy, and grace to drag us to Himself. We are compelled by His sacrifice on the cross, His patient loving kindness, and the lengths to which He will go to draw us in.
Use me, and raise up Christians in our midst.
Ask for Lord for His peace and His protection over your life today. Pray through your family and friends and ask for Him to be palpably present with and bless them. Bring your confession to Him and lean in close. He loves you!
OSWALD CHAMBERS
The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord”;…
When the iPhone was first released in 2007, Apple redefined the entire cell phone market. Phones had never looked that way before. And it wasn’t long until other companies introduced their own versions of the updated smartphone.
Whenever something is popular, there are always imitations.
Before the return of Jesus, the devil basically will flood the market with cheap imitations of the real thing. And it will be an effective ploy. In fact, some people will have a difficult time knowing the true from the false.
there will be many people in the last days who believe, but there also will be many who fake their belief. They will sit side by side in the same churches. They will sing the same songs, read the same Bible, and say the same things to some degree. But in reality, these people won’t be Christians to begin with.
The good news is that God will be at work, and people will be coming to faith in Jesus Christ. The bad news is that Satan will be at work as well, seeking to undermine our faith. Until the Lord’s return, a spiritual battle will be raging. But God ultimately will have the victory over the devil and his kingdom.
It takes courage to do the right thing today, to stand up for what the Bible says about right and wrong, good and evil.
It takes courage to live honestly, with integrity, avoiding the "shortcuts" that may get you ahead but take you down spiritually and morally. And it takes courage to follow Jesus Christ, no matter how hard it gets.
Jesus lived and died so that we can experience abundant life, a life exuding joy, a life so full that others crave to know the source of that fullness. Jesus did not come so that we can merely survive life. Pagans can survive life. Jesus came to be our joy.
“Joy is the flag that flies above the castle of our hearts indicating that the King reigns within.”
Nothing is trivial here if heaven looks on.
~Vance Havner~
What hope we have through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! Now, God transfers His holiness from an outside standard to an internal resource. Now, the Lord is making His holy requirements an internal part of our being, as we humbly trust in Him. God is stirring holy desires in us, as we earnestly seek after Him. God is developing holy priorities within us and providing spiritual strength within us to walk in more and more godliness.
“What’s missing are people who will make the choices necessary to maximize their talent." ~ John C. Maxwell
"Most of us can benefit from a softer expression, smiling more often, and just plain 'lightening up.' Such simple efforts can make a big difference in creating a friendlier atmosphere in our homes."
The world takes its notions of God from the people who say they belong to Gods’ family.
~Alexander Maclaren~
Some people may still do bad things, but we will not be responsible. We will be the godly example to others.
Are you seeking Jesus of Nazareth? Are you looking for Him today? He is risen! The writer of Hebrews says to look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). And He will complete all things when He comes back for His bride -- those who have put their faith in Him. If you haven't had a relationship with Jesus, now is the time. You don't need to live a life of worry or fear any longer. There's no need to be terrified of the future if you're trusting in the Savior.
To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.
Gilbert K. Chesterton
God's word is the believers anchor.
It takes work to die to self...
Sin and consistence do not make marriage impossible, difficult but not impossible.
“Financial bondage is a state of being captivated or overwhelmed by money matters…
Larry Burket
Nothing binds a couple together with more strength and joy than shared faith in Christ and authentic friendship with each other.
There is no more beautiful love than that which is tempered by grace through trial and time. It is a good gift of God to spend your life alongside the one you love...
It is when your soul has been blasted bare, when you feel raw and undone, that you can be bonded to the Savior. And then you not only meet suffering on God’s terms, but you meet joy on God’s terms. You cry out to God and He gets your heart pumping for heaven. He injects his peace, power, and perspective into your spiritual being. He imparts a new way of looking at your hardships. He puts a song in your heart.
Nanci Alcorn
"The Lord Jesus loves his people so much, that every day he is still washing their soiled feet."
— Charles Spurgeon
we honor God when we honor the positions he created.
The old covenant of law was written upon "tablets of stone." The new covenant of grace is written upon "tablets…of the heart." This is another vital contrast between the old and new covenants. This difference again decides whether we draw upon man's sufficiency or upon God's.
John Calvin wrote, “Let us, therefore, remember that David is like a mirror, in which God sets before us the continual course of His grace.”
You can blame circumstances, but backsliding always begins in the heart.
~A.W. Tozer~
it is not how a person starts their Christian walk, but how they finish.
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