We minister by a candid declaration of God's truth, not by a deceptive operation of man's tricks. Also, we desire that our lives be a commendation of our message, not a contradiction of it: "commending ourselves to every man's conscience." As we proclaim God's truth, we humbly ask God to impact our lives by that truth, in order to become an example of what we preach.
In light of having this type of ministry (one related to mercy and grace), "we do not lose heart." If we were called to serve God based on our merit and our resources, we would lose heart. We can periodically be tempted to discouragement, as we serve our God. Paul's testimony of service is similar to many of God's servants down through the ages. "For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears" (2 Corinthians 7:5).
In light of ministry (one related to mercy and grace), "we do not lose heart." If we were called to serve God based on our merit and our resources, we can periodically be tempted to discouragement, as we serve our God. Paul's testimony of service is similar to many of God's servants down through the ages. "For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears" (2 Corinthians 7:5).
This is what our lives are like when we try to produce a Christian life by our own sufficiency. We are placing ourselves under the law (performance-based living). This is a path of spiritual bondage. We become an Ishmael. We need to be an Isaac, the second of Abraham's sons, is a portrait of living under grace.
Those that love darkness rather than light shall
have their doom accordingly.
~Matthew Henry~
There may be times when we are powerless to
prevent injustice, but there must never be
a time when we fail to protest.
~Elie Wiesel~
The task ahead of you is never greater than the Lords power behind you.
No other success in life – not being President, or being wealthy, or going to college, or writing a book, or anything else – comes up to the success of the man or woman who can feel that they have done their duty and that their children and grandchildren rise up and call them blessed. -
President Theodore Roosevelt
Our practice of this continual praying life will increase our progress in faith and in trusting God. This can translate into prayers of thankfulness and petition during our power walks, our time in the carpool line, while we wash our laundry and our lunch breaks. We can redeem these times to thank God for and pray for our children, our careers, our futures, our marriages, our trials and our challenges. When we “do life” with God – when we exercise this spiritual discipline of continuous prayer – our faith grows. It helps us to trust Him more.
Love me when I deserve it the least because that’s when I need it the most.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, instead pray about everything.
Recognize the Enemy’s True Identity
Recognize Satan’s Lies
Reject the Lies
Replace the lies with the Truth
If you are God’s covenant child through Christ, you don’t have to race through life under the devil’s control.
Eternity depends upon this moment.
~Thomas Manton~
Never let FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS BE FAR FROM YOUR HEART.
Those whom God will employ are first struck with a sense of
their unworthiness to be employed.
~Matthew Henry~
God has made us His servants under the new covenant of grace. "God…made us…ministers of the new covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). Those who desire to serve the Lord by grace have a very distinctive approach to ministry. "We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully.
Understand that all emotions serve you. Those you once thought of as negative emotions are merely calls to action. For example, if you feel frustrated it means that you believe things could be better, and they're not. This is a call to action telling you there's something you must do to make this better now.
If we want to serve the Lord, we have to be humble servants, training up those around us, for the next generation of the church.
There is, however, equally great incentive to worship and love God in the thought that, for some unfathomable reason He wants me as His friend, desires to be my friend, and has given His Son to die for me in order to realize this purpose. Not merely that we know God, but that He knows us.
God is so good to us, He has given us His Spirit, His word, and His Love. We have no excuses. It is time to take responsibility for our own actions. It's time to be doers of the word and not hearers only. Talk is cheap. If I am not living the word then my preaching is done in vain. Paul said do as I do. Lord make me like you.....
The oil of the lamp in the temple burnt away
in giving light; so should we.
~Robert Murray M’Cheyne~
Not only did Jesus tell us to serve and minister to each other's needs, He also lived it out. He washed dirty feet. He touched lepers and the unclean of society. He had meals with the unloved in society. Truly we can say "amen" to Jesus'words, "For the Son of Man came to serve and to give His life a ransom for many." Not only should we be so thankful for Jesus Christ, His life, and His ultimate sacrifice, but we should imitate Him in the things that He's called us to do.
America is in trouble. At 64 years of age, I’ve lived long enough to learn that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can turn this country around; no political party or politician is the answer. The only hope for this country is Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ.
If you've ever felt like you and your spouse are unable to connect and arguments are getting harder to overcome, you're not alone. If that's you, you need reconciliation. Every married couple must master the art of reconciliation if they're going to make it through life together. Every couple experiences division and strife, but few couples are equipped to handle them correctly.
Reconciliation is more than waiting until the anger passes or a quick apology so you can move on. Reconciliation is when you get to the core of the issue, address it, repent of wrongdoing, and forgive in light of God's grace. Only then can you be reconciled, begin healing, and move ahead in your relationship.
True reconciliation isn't possible until you're both reconciled to Christ. But what does that mean? For the sake of brevity, here's a short explanation: 1) you're a sinner, 2) Christ was perfect, 3) he died in your place to pay the price for your sin, 4) he rose again and defeated sin and death, 5) you are now a new creation and adopted into God's family.
Husbands are called to lead their families in a loving, Christ-like way. Doing so is a massive privilege and a huge responsibility. Unfortunately, leadership can be hindered by a wrong understanding (by either the husband or the wife) of what it means within marriage. But, if a husband leads and loves like Christ, the wife will feel more honored, cherished, and blessed than ever before. The key is "like Christ"...
lift your eyes – lift them from your focus on your own needs; lift them from your preoccupation with life’s myriad details; lift them from what distracts you. There is a harvest for you to see, the Lord said. If you walk through a peach orchard looking at the ground, you won’t spot many ripe peaches ready for gathering. But look up!
When God looks at your family or your neighborhood, what does He see that you don’t? Pray that you would be able to raise your view and see through God's eyes.
“Grace is getting another chance even though you haven’t earned it or deserve it. (You may not even want it!)”
—Fritz Ridenour
Emotions in a post are a hard thing to discern but when you know someone it is not so hard to understand how a person is responding to a statement or comment. John 10:27 says My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Jesus used the words hear and know. in this scripture hear means to harken or to be able to perceive the sense of what is said and to know means to know by relationship. To truly know someone is to have a relationship with them. In truth, we must know a person before we ever hear them.
A man who is intimate with God is not intimidated by man.
~Leonard Ravenhill~
The more we take in how God has forgiven us in Christ, the more we will be encouraged to forgive others. The more we let the model of God’s forgiveness in Christ guide us, the more we will want to forgive graciously, mercifully, and lovingly. The more we experience the freedom of God’s forgiveness, the more we will be free to forgive others.
Sometimes we take far too much of a long view in our relationships -- without consideration to how quickly life can pass. Children grow up, parents age, neighbors move, and opportunities to share our faith pass us by. We shouldn't wait until tomorrow because tomorrow may never come.
Anything that hinders your JOY in the Lord needs to be brought to the feet of Jesus to be healed. Just as He bowed down and washed the feet of His disciples, surrender to Him and receive hope and healing.
“I have learned now that while those who speak about one’s miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.” - C.S. Lewis
What’s the best book on helping to navigate all of this sexuality talk and gender confusion? The BIBLE! The Word of God is always relevant.
We can't complain about prayer not being in our schools, if prayer isn’t in our homes. Discipleship starts at home. Prepare your kids at home how they should live at their school.
Parents, please instruct your children on the proper way to greet adults, especially when visiting their homes. It's astonishing to see how many children (ages 9 & up) completely disregard the adult in the room, avoiding eye contact and failing to say hello.
The true Christian is the one continually coming, always believing in Christ. Real Christian faith is an ongoing faith, not a one-time act. If one wishes to be eternally satiated, one meal is not enough. If we wish to feast on the bread of heaven, we must do so all our lives.
James R. White
This is what we should seek in the whole of Scripture: truly to know Jesus Christ, and the infinite riches in him offered. John Calvin
We expect kids not to bully each other at school (which they shouldn't), yet adults online tear apart other adults in the comments sections based on their looks etc. Makes zero sense.
As Christians we are not immune to temptations. In fact, we are more prone to be tempted by the enemy due to our salvation. My past weekend’s teaching “The Temptations We Face” is available now. Share with a friend or loved one who needs to hear this message today.
The road to life shattering sin is paved by “little” sins. Individual decisions, choices that shape our desires, our habits and our futures.
Embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit when God closes a door. He's leading you forward, so don't fight it. Instead, seek Him for what's next!
"As long as you look to yourself there is no hope for you." — Charles Spurgeon
Theology 101: God does not 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 attributes, He 𝘪𝘴 His attributes. “…these sorts of attributes of God are not qualities in Him distinct from Himself, but they are God Himself.” —Thomas Boston (1686-1732), The Works of Thomas Boston, 1:80
"To preach is to open up the inspired text with such faithfulness and sensitivity that God’s voice is heard and God’s people obey Him." —John Stott
"Let us be thankful, even when our lot is hard, if we are the Lord’s." — Charles Spurgeon
"In the New Testament we find Jesus Christ the one constant theme of every page." — Charles Spurgeon
Love is not the cause of forgiveness. Forgiveness causes #love. The more we are forgiven, the more we love. -William Tyndale -
Our #God is a consuming fire. He consumes pride, lust, materialism, and other sin. -Leonard Ravenhill -
"He that is our all must have our all, and none but He." - Matthew Henry
"Others may change and cast out your name as vile, but God will love you still." — Charles Spurgeon
People often vow to change, only to discover that they don’t have the sufficiency within themselves to keep those promises. But when God is your sufficiency, there is no limit to the power available to you. Chuck Smith
"Let us pray in the same manner that we eagerly await the arrival of the package from Amazon that we ordered two days ago." -Caleb Cangelosi
Integrating secular psychology into counseling is like a shepherd introducing a wolf to his sheep
The Christian is traveling on business through a strange country, in which he is commanded to execute his work with diligence, and pursue his course homeward with alacrity. - William Wilberforce
"It is far from fashionable to follow the Lord fully." — Charles Spurgeon
"The love a husband gives his wife, he must give to nobody else in the world." — Charles Spurgeon
Cowards never won heaven. Do not claim that you are begotten of God and you have His royal blood running in your veins unless you can prove your lineage by His heroic spirit: to dare to be holy in spite of men and devils. William Gurnall
"The soldier is summoned to a life of active duty and so is the Christian." William Gurnall
"Christ is the door that opens into God's presence and lets the soul into His very bosom, faith is the key that unlocks the door; but the Spirit is He that makes this key." William Gurnall
"Never did God's love begin, and never can it cease. It is from eternity and shall be to eternity." Charles Spurgeon
Perfect holiness is the aim of the saints on earth, and it is the reward of the saints in Heaven. Joseph Caryl
We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown. John Calvin
"Many today seem to think that the goal of the Christian life is for Jesus to make us healthy, wealthy, and happy. But if that's true, somebody forgot to tell the apostle Paul." John Macarthur
"The pastor ought to have two voices: one for gathering the sheep; and another for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves." John Calvin
"I cannot read God's mind. However, I can read God's Word." R.C. Sproul
Let me suggest to you that if your faith is "a private thing" it's not the Christian faith. True saving faith must not be hidden away. It ought to be the most public thing about you. John MacArthur
You want holiness? Run to Him. And stay there. Paul Washer
It is the will of God to have the Spirit of God use the Word of God to make the children of God look like the Son of God." H.B. Charles Jr.
I have hitherto lived to little purpose, more like a clod than a servant of God; now let me burn out for God. Henry Martyn, on arriving in India, 1805
A man with an open-hearted friend who dares speak honestly has a wonderful source of encouragement for the power of holiness. William Gurnall
Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare. John Owen
“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:6
Trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith." George Muller
Prayer and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer. J.C. Ryle
The more outrageous the wicked are against the truth, the more courageous the godly are for it. Thomas Watson
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” — C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
"No thoughtful person will be without food as so as the epistles of Paul exist, for he feeds the soul with sacred manna." — Charles Spurgeon
"To the graceless, the yoke of Christ is intolerable, but to the saved sinner it is easy and light." — Charles Spurgeon
However strong we may be, we should always be aiming to make further progress. - John Calvin -
It is not the absence of sin but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of #God from empty professors. -A.W. Pink -
"Even before creation, God sat as a king on his throne, forever to be worshiped." — Charles Spurgeon
It is dangerous to be more notion than motion; to have faith in the head and none in the heart; to have an idle and not an active faith. —Thomas Brooks, Works 3:37
Religion without self-denial… is Christianity of our own making, not of Christ’s. We carve out the easy safe part of religion, and then we call this love to God and love to Christ. No; true Christian love is to love God above all. —Thomas Manton, Works 7:155
"If God loves you, man will hate you." — Charles Spurgeon
If the elect could perish, then Jesus Christ should be very unfaithful to His Father, because God the Father hath given this charge to Christ, that whomsoever He elected, Christ should preserve them safe, to bring them to heaven (John 6:39). —Christopher Love
"The aim of the preacher is to capture the particular view of Christ and His work that the verse provides, and to impress it upon his hearers." - Douglas Somerset
Whether encouraged or discouraged, what should a pastor do after preaching? "After the sermon, how would a conscientious preacher give vent to his feelings and find solace for his soul if access to the mercy-seat were denied him?" — Charles Spurgeon
"When I enter the pulpit with the Bible in my hands and in my heart my blood begins to flow and my eyes to sparkle for the sheer glory of having God's word to expound." -John Stott
"The preacher is not a chef; he’s a waiter. God doesn’t want you to make the meal; He just wants you to deliver it to the table without messing it up. That’s all." - John MacArthur
“If we are to be mighty in God’s work, we must be mighty in God’s word.” - Basil Manly Jr.
"The sermon which does not lead to Christ will make the devils in hell laugh, but make the angels of God weep." — Charles Spurgeon
We must take Jesus as a substitute for our miserable self. We must give up the good as well as the bad and take Him instead. It is hard for us to learn that the very good must go, but we must have Divine impulses instead of even our best attainments. AB Simpson
Great is the day when a man learns that it’s all grace; they will find themselves praying, worshipping, studying, witnessing not because they’re trying to earn God’s blessing, but because they’re responding to the One who’s been so good to them & loves them so deeply. Jon Courson
"SAUL, A MAN WHO ONCE PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS, EVENTUALLY BECAME ONE (PAUL). THEREFORE, BEFORE YOU GET CRITICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL, KNOW THIS: NOBODY'S PAST IS TOO BROKEN OR BAD THAT THE LOVE OF JESUS CAN'T HEAL, FIX, SAVE, RESTORE, REDEEM AND USE."
"START PRAISING GOD NOW FOR WHAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN NEXT! EVERY NEED WILL BE MET AND EVERY PROMISE FULFILLED!"
WHEN U FEEL LIKE U DON'T HAVE ANY BLESSINGS, REMEMBER UR HEART IS STILL BEATING. WHEN U FEEL LIKE U DON'T HAVE A PURPOSE, REMEMBER U STILL HAVE A PULSE! GOD KEPT U ALIVE BECAUSE HE STILL HAS A PLAN.
Though at times we don’t understand the dark valleys He leads us through, once we reach the mountaintop and look back, we will see the path that led us there. And we will understand what He was doing. Chuck Smith
HOLINESS IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT JUST A LANGUAGE AND DELIVERANCE COMES WITH DISCIPLINE.
"No believer ever complains who is frequently in prayer." — Charles Spurgeon
"God teaches his people every day through sickness." — Charles Spurgeon
"Oh church of God, fear not: you shall do wonderful things." — Charles Spurgeon
"God calls you to turn your eye off yourself and look to him." — Charles Spurgeon
In life and ministry, there will be those who expect you to fly their flag, be loyal to their camp, and be a “company man.” Those types are usually the most frustrated when they find out you’re loyal only to Christ. –– Costi Hinn
In this servants-of-grace ministry God has given us, He wants to use us to reach people. These people are in a desperate spiritual condition. Those we hope to reach are perishing, spiritually blind, and unbelieving.
OSWALD CHAMBERS
We should always choose our books as God chooses our friends, just a bit beyond us, so that we have to do our level best to keep up with them.
Are you in a period of grief? Maybe you’re still translating the thunder of your loss and rage. It’s ok. Let yourself breathe. God has not left you alone. He’s with you!
One thought of obedience led to the release of God’s miraculous power in his life.
Ultimately, the problem with perishing, lost, and blind people is that they "do not believe." Consequently, they already stand guilty. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).
A Christian’s life should be nothing but a visible
representation of Christ.
~Thomas Brooks~
C.S. Lewis called pride a “spiritual cancer” that devours love and contentment. Pride is a sign of our own insecurity and feelings of inferiority. Pride and inferiority are actually opposite sides of the same coin and are both sin, a preoccupation with self that leaves little room for God’s spirit of humility.
God is big enough to care for our smallest needs.
Many Christians practice “sin management” rather than growth in Christ. As followers of Christ, our testimony should be, “I’m not perfect yet, but that’s my goal!”
If men refuse to be taught by precept, they must be taught by punishment.
~Thomas V. Moore~
One of the blessings of being around children is the life lessons that they often teach us. Sometimes the lessons are about deep, spiritual truths.
"Jesus has called us into a relationship with Him, not a decision to believe Him. Jesus doesn't ask us to believe in Him and [think], "Okay that's done."
We all struggle, sometimes more than others. The struggles vary, but the answer is always the same. "The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."
If God is leading, why complain?
Businesses don't define how we are to think, they only reflect our interests. What are yours?
"God intends to give us what we need, not what we now think we want." -- C.S. Lewis, Problem of Pain
God wants us to choose to love him freely, even when that choice involves pain, because we are committed to him, not to our own good feelings and rewards.
It’s one thing to preach Christ, it’s another thing to live Christ.
n this servants-of-grace ministry God has given us, He wants to use us to reach people. These people are in a desperate spiritual condition. Those we hope to reach are perishing, spiritually blind, and unbelieving.
Our Lord never thought of a relationship to Him that does not
issue fruitfulness for Him.
~Vance Havner~
God is going to use people who have the heart and mind to serve Him. He is not looking at your age. He is looking at your heart. Only God can truly see the heart of man, so we must look at people with open hearts and open minds. Do not judge by the outward man. Look at their hearts. They will be revealed by their fruit.
God rewards those who seek Him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for these lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself!
It cracks me up to see people one way in public and the a whole different way at church... God is most impressed with how we portray Him to the world. The church already knows your a sinner saved by grace but the world just sees a creep....
"The most influential persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is your integrity."- Zig Ziglar
"People go into marriage thinking they’re not going to fail. But you won’t be able to avoid mistakes and failures. It’s knowing what to do with them when they come that’s key.
Gossip kills and brings division to family, friends, and so on. The very people who talk about you smile in your face as they stab you in the back.
"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.
Take what you have and give it to the Lord Jesus and see what He will do with it. A boys lunch fed 5000 men not including woman and children.
We are not manufacturers We are distributors
Gal 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Without the power of the Holy Spirit we will not end well:
People may be the problem but we don't have to make it a bigger one.
Jesus heart was for the People! He did not come to be served but to sever and to seek and save that which is lost
Our position is serving others, God does not need you and I. We know He can use anything He wants. Be thankful He is letting you be used.
He who dies with the most toys still dies and then the judgement!
Vance Havner
"Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic."
Jesus loves you so much that He can not and would not leave you the same.
If you don’t have good fellowship, it would be wise to take a spiritual inventory and do what you need to do to rectify it.
Though some people think there is no such thing as a day of God’s judgment, the believer understands that the delay is not due to the scoffer’s wish that it will never happen. It has truly been delayed by a loving God who does not wish that any should perish.
Forgiveness isn’t excusing sin.
Forgiveness says, “What you did was wrong, but since God has forgiven me, I also forgive you.”
Dustin Benge
You are a great sinner, but He is a greater Savior.
Charles Spurgeon
Forgiveness is not for them it’s for you. It sets you free.
We glorify God, by standing up for his truths.
Thomas Watson
“Unless you are simple in your sermons you will never be understood, and unless you are understood you cannot do good to those who hear you.”
-J.C. Ryle “Simplicity in Preaching”
"Bold-hearted men are always called mean-spirited by cowards."
— Charles Spurgeon
A godly man must be faithful to his wife even though he does not have one yet.
Kyle Anderson
Humility and gratefulness are the closest companions, and entitlement is their greatest enemy.
Burk Parsons
What we do today is what matters most."
“Some people lose their faith because of a sharp sense of disappointment with God. They expect God to act in a certain way, and God ‘lets them down.’ Others may not lose their faith, but they too experience disappointment. They believe God will intervene, they pray for a miracle, and their prayers come back unanswered.”
Philip Yancey
Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life continually faces to face with God.
~Oswald Chambers~
Justice may not seem to matter much these days in the world around us but it matters greatly to God! And one day all will see, their vail will be away from their eyes.
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