Reconciled In Christ

Blessings on Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words:

"God with us."

We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the

infancy of Christ. The greater

truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby

in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is

the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!

~John MacArthur

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"
(which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:23

The Way...

2010-09-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Bible teaches us that our “feel likes” are frequently desires of the flesh. Most of our “felt needs” are idolatrous desires. They are meant to be killed by the Spirit, not indulged. Such is the way of life, freedom, wisdom, and joy in Christ.

David Powlison

"For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Romans 8:13

CHANGELESS RULE OF LIFE....

2010-07-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

We take the law as the image of the will of God which we desire to obey, but from which we do not expect life and favour, neither do we fear death and rigour. This, I conceive, is the concurrent opinion of all divines. For believers, the law is abrogated in respect of its power to justify or condemn; but it remains full of force to direct us in our lives. It condemns sin in the faithful, though it cannot condemn the faithful for sin. Says Zanchius: 'The observance of the law is necessary for a Christian man, and it is not possible to separate such observance from faith.' And as Calvin says: 'Let us put far from us the ungodly notion that the law is not to be our rule, for it is our changeless rule of life.' The moral law, by its teaching, admonishing, chiding, and reproving, prepares us for every good work. The law is void in respect of its power to condemn us, but it still has power to direct us; we are not under its curse, but yet under its commands.

Samuel Bolton

"If you love me, keep my commandments.

JOHN 14:15

Inordinate Affections....

2010-06-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

"Mortify your inordinate affections to earthly things. This makes providences that deprive and cross us so heavy. Mortify your opinion and affection, and you will lighten your affliction. It is strong affection that makes strong affliction."
-John Flavel ( The Mystery of Providence)

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

-1 John 2:16

A Matter of the Heart...

2010-05-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

We need not climb up into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven: let us look into our hearts, and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt but God as forgiven us.

Thomas Watson

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Mark 11:25

Cross Bearing...

2010-05-06T21:30:00.001-07:00

There is nothing which shows our ignorance so much as our impatience under trouble. We forget that every cross is a message from God, and intended to do us good in the end. Trials are intended to make us think – to wean us from the world, to send us to the Bible, to drive us to our knees. Health is a good thing; but sickness is far better, if it leads us to God. Prosperity is a great mercy, but adversity is a greater one, if it brings us to Christ. Anything, anything is better than living in carelessness, and dying in sin.

J.C. Ryle

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

1 Peter 4:12-13

MINDFULNESS....

2010-04-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Anything that springs from self, however small it may be, is sin. Self-energy or self-complacency in service is sin. Self-pity in trials or difficulties, self-seeking in business or Christian work, self-indulgence in one's spare time, sensitiveness, touchiness, resentment and self-defense when we are hurt or injured by others, self-consciousness, reserve, worry, fear, all spring from self and all are sin.

Roy Hession

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

James 3:16

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness."

Philippians 2:3-7

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Awareness.....

2010-03-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

Our Western worldview gets involved here once again. We have a strong tendency to want to analyze everything and place the parts in neat, mutually exclusive categories. So we ask questions like, How do I know whether it is the world, the flesh, or the devil? My response is that most situations will involve some of each element to some extent… (They) are treated as working together so closely that you cannot talk about one without talking about the other. The flesh is the earthly qualities about which enable us to respond to the temptation. The world is the milieu in which we live and which is under the control of "the ruler of the kingdom of the air." Satan and his demons know what fleshly parts of us are especially vulnerable, and they use the stimuli of the world around us to arouse sinful thought in us. The Devil would be a fool not to try to take advantage of the world and the flesh in his aim to destroy us.

Timothy M. Warner

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

1 Peter 5:8

Freedom....

2010-02-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

It is only when we want to take our lives out of the Father’s hands and have them under our own control that we find ourselves gripped with anxiety. The secret of freedom from anxiety is freedom from ourselves and abandonment of our own plans. But that spirit emerges in our lives only when our minds are filled with the knowledge that our Father can be trusted implicitly to supply everything we need.

Sinclair Ferguson

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."

Psalm 28:7

Watch and Pray.....

2010-02-15T22:37:00.000-08:00

"Pride is one chief cause of undue anger. It is because men are proud, and exalt themselves in their own hearts, that they are revengeful, and are apt to be excited, and to make great things out of little ones that may be against themselves. Yea, they even treat as vices things that are in themselves virtues, when they think their honor is touched, or when their will is crossed. And it is pride that makes men so unreasonable and rash in their anger, and raises it to such a high degree, and continues it so long, and often keeps it up in the form of habitual malice… If men sought not chiefly their own private and selfish interests, but the glory of God and the common good, then their spirit would be a great deal more stirred up in God's cause than in their own; and they would not be prone to hasty, rash, inconsiderate, immoderate, and long-continued wrath, with any who might have injured or provoked them; but they would in a great measure forget themselves for God's sake, and from their zeal for the honor of Christ. The end they would aim at, would be, not making themselves great, or getting their own will, but the glory of God and the good of their fellow-beings."

Jonathan Edwards

"For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."

Galations 6:3

NOT DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES....

2010-02-12T08:35:00.000-08:00

Spiritual joy is: The settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for the believers’ good and His glory. Spiritual joy is not an attitude dependent on chance or circumstance. It is the deep and abiding confidence that regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of that eternal well being established by God’s grace in salvation. Thus, Scripture makes it clear that the fullest, most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances or chance, but is the gracious and permanent possession of every child of God.

John MacArthur

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Christ or Self?

2010-02-02T09:07:00.001-08:00

Self-belittlement, self-exaltation, and self-pity all indicate a preoccupation with self. Inordinate attention to self is the exact opposite of God’s commandments to love Him and others. A self-focus also prohibits the development of a Christlike servant attitude in you. If you try to save your life by focusing on self, you will reap certain consequence; instead of saving your life, you will lose it.

Biblical Counseling Foundation

"Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"

Luke 9:22-26

Food for Thought.....

2010-01-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

As we become soft and lazy in our bodies, we tend to become soft and lazy spiritually. When Paul talked about making his body his slave, so that after having preached to others he himself would not be disqualified, he was not thinking about physical disqualification, but spiritual. He knew well that physical softness inevitably leads to spiritual softness. When the body is pampered and indulged, the instincts and passions of the body tend to get the upper hand and dominate our thoughts and actions. We tend to do not what we should do, but what we want to do, as we follow the craving of our sinful nature.

Jerry Bridges

"But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

1 Corinthians 9:27

Mindfulness....

2010-01-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

We are called by God to do theology, that is, to live our lives with a moment-by-moment consciousness of God.

Paul David Tripp

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Isaiah 26:3-4

Only One Cure....

2010-01-18T20:45:00.001-08:00

We think it safer and more effective to look to other people to relieve our emptiness. In some cases, when love is sweet, we might even feel that we have found it. Sadly, this feeling misleads us. It reinforces our sinful idea that people might be the answer to our need, so we pursue them with an obsession. The love that we desire, however, can only be found in the living God.

Edward T. Welch

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Isaiah 26:3-4

PREPARE...

2010-01-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

This life was not intended to be the place of our perfection, but the preparation for it.

Richard Baxter

"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.

Luke 12:35-36

From the Beginning...

2010-01-10T21:57:00.000-08:00

Pride is a person having too high an opinion of himself. Pride is the first sin that ever entered into the universe, and the last sin that is rooted out. Pride is the worst sin. It is the most secret of all sins. There is no other matter in which the heart is more deceitful and unsearchable. Alas, how much pride the best have in their hearts! Pride is God's most stubborn enemy! There is no sin so much like the devil as pride. It is a secret and subtle sin, and appears in a great many shapes which are undetected and unsuspected.

Jonathan Edwards

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Genesis 3:1-7

Inseparable..

2010-01-05T21:23:00.001-08:00

The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God’s Word you know and love, the more of God’s Spirit you will experience.

John Piper

"They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Luke 24:32

"Run In Such A Way...."

2010-01-04T07:28:00.001-08:00

But underlying much of the conscious rejection of spiritual discipline is the fear of legalism… But nothing could be farther from the truth if you understand what discipline and legalism are. The difference is one of motivation: legalism is self-centered; discipline is God-centered. The legalistic heart says, “I will do this thing to gain merit with God.” The disciplined heart says, “I will do this thing because I love God and want to please Him.” There is an infinite difference between the motivation of legalism and discipline! [Paul] knew this implicitly and fought the legalists bare-knuckled all the way across Asia Minor, never giving an inch. And now he shouts to us, “Train (discipline) yourself to be godly”! If we confuse legalism and discipline, we do so to our soul’s peril.

Kent Hughes

"I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

1 Corinthians 9:23-27

ESSENTIAL...

2009-12-31T08:19:00.000-08:00

When God prunes us, the result will be greater growth and sweeter fruit… Pruning usually takes place when God uses situations, people, and circumstances to help mature us in our Christian disposition, attitude, and temperament… The way we respond when we are pruned reveals our true level of spiritual maturity.

P. Bunny Wilson

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
John 15:1-2

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

James 1:2-3

TRUTH!

2009-12-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

God decreed from eternity past that you would be like Christ (Rom. 8:29-30); He put His Holy Spirit in you to make sure that it would happen (Phil. 2:12-13); Christ prayed for you to be sanctified, and His prayers are always answered (Jn. 17:17); He even promises you that He will lovingly discipline you in order to return you to holiness whenever you stray (Heb. 12:5-10). How could we ever doubt that God means what He says, “Without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14)?

Jim Elliff

Blessings at Christmas

2009-12-25T13:57:00.001-08:00

The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity – hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory – because at the Father’s will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.

J.I. Packer

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21

Think Deeply...

2009-12-22T07:18:00.000-08:00

As followers of Christ, we often suffer not because we are out of God's will but because we are in it, not because we lack faith but because we have faith. We suffer not because we need to be filled with the Spirit but because we already are. Stronger faith does not mean less suffering, but more suffering means stronger faith. Far from calling our faith into question, our afflictions result in our becoming more and more like Christ Himself.

D.R. McConnell

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

1 Peter 2:21

SAVING FAITH

2009-12-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory: growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.

Westminister Confession of Faith

Chapter 14 - Saving Faith

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:6

THE WHOLE TRUTH

2009-12-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

Tell me not of your justification, unless you have also some marks of sanctification. Boast not of Christ's work for you, unless you can show us the Spirit's work in you.

J.C. Ryle

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

Matthew 7:24-27

The Pursuit....

2009-12-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

Many a man has died from internal bleeding, and yet there has been no wound whatever to be seen by the eye. You may go to hell as well dressed in the garnishings of morality as in the rags of immorality. Unless the very center of your soul and the core of your being be made obedient to the living God, He will not accept you, for He looks not only to your outward condition, but to your heart's secret loyalty or treachery toward Himself.

C.H. Spurgeon

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

Hebrews 12:14

Denying Self....

2009-12-10T11:32:00.001-08:00

Anger and bitterness are two noticeable signs of being focused on self and not trusting God’s sovereignty in your life. When you believe that God causes all things to work together for good to those who belong to Him and love Him, you can respond to trials with joy instead of anger or bitterness.

Biblical Counseling Foundation

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Matthew 16:24-25

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Watchfulness.......

2009-12-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

The human heart has so many crannies where vanity hides, so many holes where falsehood lurks, is so decked out with deceiving hypocrisy, that it often dupes itself.

John Calvin

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Proverbs 4:23

Mindfulness....

2009-12-02T09:01:00.001-08:00

"What is this killing of sin? It is the constant battle against sin which we fight daily- the refusal to allow the eye to wander, the mind to contemplate, the affections to run after anything which will draw us from Christ. It is the deliberate rejection of any sinful thought, suggestion,

desire, aspiration, deed, circumstance or provocation at the moment we become conscious of its existence. It is the consistent endeavor to do all in our powers to weaken the grip which sin in general, and its manifestations in our own lives in particular, has. It is not accomplished only by saying 'no' to what is wrong, but by a determined acceptance of all the good and spiritually-nourishing disciplines of the gospel. It is by resolutely weeding the garden of the heart, and also by planting, watering and nurturing Christian graces there, that putting sin to death will take place. Not only must we slay the noxious weeds of sin, but we must see that the flowers of grace are sucking up the nourishment of the Spirit's presence in our hearts. Only when those hearts are so full of grace will less room exist for sin to breathe and flourish."

Sinclair Ferguson

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:1-2

2009-11-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

"An evidence that our will has been broken is that we begin to thank God for that which once seemed so bitter, knowing that His will is good and that, in His time and in His way, He is able to make the most bitter waters sweet."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.."

Ephesians 5:20

Mindfulness....

2009-11-16T21:54:00.001-08:00

"Faith, obviously, is not a mere matter of feeling. It cannot be, because one’s feelings in this kind of condition can be very changeable. A Christian is not meant to be dejected when everything goes wrong. He is told to “rejoice”. Feelings belong to happiness alone, rejoicing takes in something much bigger than feelings; and if faith were a matter of feelings only, then when things go wrong and feelings change, faith will go. But faith is not a matter of feelings only, faith takes up the whole man including his mind, his intellect and his understanding. It is response to truth."

Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

1Peter 1:13

Wisdom....

2009-11-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

Thoughtful, biblically-induced attraction toward certain holy desires, with patient waiting before God in prayer, is no less the work of the Spirit than the most dramatic “immediate impulse” others may claim. This is the normal biblical pathway to wisdom. The man who makes the wise decision, yet always remains open to God’s further intervention in whatever way God pleases, is demonstrating normative spiritual guidance.

Jim Elliff

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom."

James 3:13

ONLY ONE WAY TO BE FILLED....

2009-11-08T07:13:00.001-08:00

I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.

D.L. Moody

"Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Luke 9:23

FEELINGS....

2009-11-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

"Where there is no “moral gravity” –

that is, no force that draws us to the center – there is spiritual weightlessness.

We float on feelings that will carry us where

we never meant to go; we bubble with emotional

experiences that we often take for spiritual ones; and we are puffed up with pride.

Instead of seriousness, there is foolishness. Instead of gravity, flippancy.

Sentimentality takes the place of theology.

Our reference point will never serve to keep our feet

on solid rock, for our reference point, until we answer God’s call, is merely ourselves.

We cannot possibly tell which end is up. Paul calls them fools who “…measure themselves by themselves, to find in themselves their own standard of comparison!”

"It is Christ who is to be exalted, not our feelings.

We will know Him by obedience, not by emotions. Our love will be shown by obedience, not by how good we feel about God at a given moment. “And love means following the commands of God.” “Do you love Me?” Jesus asked Peter. “Feed My lambs.” He was not asking, “How do you feel about Me?” for love is not a feeling.

He was asking for action."

~Elisabeth Elliot

"And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life

will lose it, but whoever

loses his life for my sake will save it."

Luke 9:23-24

Reformation Day...

2009-11-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

"Since your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns or teeth. Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason (I do not believe in the authority of either popes or councils by themselves, for it is plain that they have often erred and contradicted each other) in those Scriptures that I have presented, for my conscience is captive to the Word of God, I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.

Here I stand; I can do no other.

God help me. Amen."

-Martin Luther

(Reply at the Diet of Worms)

"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised

against the knowledge of God,

and take every thought captive to obey Christ,"

~2 Corinthians 10:5

True Love.....

2009-10-10T10:15:00.001-07:00

[Jesus Christ’s] victory, of course, does not mean that we rush off to kill all our enemies. It means instead that we are to love them. Our love for them must be strong enough, however, to tell them with both passion and compassion, that their hopes are in vain, that their gods are mute and dumb, and that there is only one name under heaven by which a man must be saved. Our love for them does not present the Christian Gospel as an option. It does not lead us to argue that it’s a good option that has worked well for us. Our love instead commands all men everywhere to repent and believe the Gospel, lest they perish. Our love calls on all our enemies to kiss the Son, lest He be angry and they perish along the way (Ps. 2:12).

R.C. Sproul Jr.

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."

Psalm 2:12

Watch and Pray.....

2009-10-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

[You must avoid] a jealous disposition, a secret spirit of envy shut up in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the great prosperity and success of another; a disposition to speak of the faults and failings, rather than the gifts and virtues of those more talented and appreciated than yourself.

Author Unknown

Not I, but Christ.

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."

1 Peter 2:1-3

Deemed Worthy?

2009-09-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil. It is the Heavenly Father’s will thus to exercise them so as to put His own children to a definite test. Beginning with Christ, His first-born, He follows this plan with all His children.

John Calvin

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

1 Peter 4:19

A Gospel Essential....

2009-09-10T09:18:00.001-07:00

You must be made miserable before you can know true Christian joy. Indeed the real trouble with the miserable Christian is that he has never been truly made miserable because of conviction of sin. He has by-passed the essential preliminary to joy, he has been assuming something that he has no right to assume.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,

and the young men and the old shall be merry.

I will turn their mourning into joy;

I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow."

Jeremiah 31:13

THE MISSING LINK.....

2009-09-01T08:45:00.001-07:00

Meditate on what you read (Psm. 199:15). The Hebrew word for “meditate” means to be intense in the mind. Meditation without reading is wrong and bound to err; reading without meditation is barren and fruitless.

Without meditation the truths which we know will never affect our hearts… As a hammer drives a nail to the head, so meditation drives a truth to the heart… Read before you meditate. “Give attendance to readings” (1 Tim. 4:13). Then it follows, “meditate upon these things” (vs. 15). Reading doth furnish with matter; it is the oil that feeds the lamp of meditation. Be sure your mediations are founded upon Scripture. Reading without meditation is unfruitful; meditation without reading is dangerous.

The reason we come away so cold from reading the word is, because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation.

Thomas Watson

Meditation begins, but by no means ends, with thinking on Scripture. To meditate properly our souls must reflect upon what our minds have ingested and our hearts must rejoice in what our souls have grasped. We have truly meditated when we slowly read, prayerfully imbibe, and humbly rely upon what God has revealed to us in His Word – all of this, of course, in conscious dependence on the internal, energizing work of the Spirit.

Sam Storms

To meditate on the Scriptures is to think about them, turning them over in our minds, and applying them to our life’s situations… The objective of our meditation is application – obedience to the Scriptures.

Jerry Bridges

Meditation is deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer. Meditation goes beyond hearing, reading, studying, and even memorizing as a means of taking in God’s Word.

Meditation is more than just riveted human concentration or creative mental energy. Praying your way through a verse of Scripture submits the mind to the Holy Spirit’s illumination of the text and intensifies your spiritual perception. The Bible was written under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration; pray for His illumination in your meditation.

Meditation is the missing link between Bible intake and prayer. The two are often disjointed when they should be united. We read the Bible, close it, and then try to shift gears into prayer. But many times it seems as if the gears between the two won’t mesh. In fact, after some forward progress in our time in the Word, shifting to prayer sometimes is like suddenly moving back into neutral or even reverse. Instead there should be a smooth, almost unnoticeable transition between Scripture input and prayer output so that we move even closer to God in those moments. This happens when there is the link of meditation in between.

-Donald Whitney

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields it's fruit in it's season and it's leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does he prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

TRUTH!

2009-08-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God’s Word you know and love, the more of God’s Spirit you will experience.

John Piper

“We think with our feelings,” Sinclair Ferguson has said. It’s true. We allow our feelings to guide our thinking and we shouldn’t. Emotions are a wonderful gift from God. And our relationship with God should bring to our lives strong godly affections. However, our emotions shouldn’t be vested with final authority. This should be reserved for God’s Word alone.

C.J. Mahaney

The authority of Scripture is greater than the comprehension of the whole of man's reason.
Martin Luther

The Bible alone is the only authority that can bind the conscience of a person absolutely because it is the only authority that carries with it the intrinsic authority of God Himself.

R.C. Sproul

From the Garden of Eden, to the experience of Job, to the temptation of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the present day, Satan has tried to move man away from submission to the authority of God and His Word. If he cannot do it through direct enticement or challenge, he will attempt to do it through all manner of subtlety and deception. That is why one must be careful not to embrace new revelations that come through any avenue: impressions, intuition, visions, dreams, tongues, or prophecy. As noted previously, such undermine both the authority and sufficiency of Scripture.
~John Napier

"And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
~2 Peter 1:19-21
"But as for you continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
~2 Timothy 3:14-17

Awareness.....

2009-07-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

"No conflict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself."

~Thomas a Kempis

Often there seems to be a struggle with the incessant need to

put food in the mouth whenever I feel tired or lacking something to do. It has become a habit that most recently I've started to give serious thought to! This habit seems to be fueled by different clever ways of thinking, such as, "I must be tired....so I better eat something for energy," or how about the clever way of wondering, "Have I truly had enough to eat?" Then of course there is the most deceptive and over-arching one of all...."It taste so good!!" These thoughts I sadly admit have been so often the driving force in my daily decision in regards to what and when I eat.

As all of you might know we humans need very little food to survive. The animal studies have shown and proven that when they decrease the food intake in animals they inadvertently live a longer life. This valuable study can be beneficial for us to learn from, but what

about our spiritual life?

Should we just be concerned with our physical health or as Christian women

do we care about whether we are bringing glory to God through our lives.... in accordance with His Precious Word? Do we want to conveniently acknowledge some sins as the worst sins but see gluttony as a sin that can be overlooked? Does the Lord call us to discipline our thoughts, so that we can practice self-control in all areas of our lives? These are just a few questions that I've been asking myself as of late.

May we renew our minds in the great truths of the gospel that we "have been bought with a price, we are no longer our own." We have been saved with a remarkable high calling in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! May we earnestly seek His strength and help in overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil..... in order to bring all glory to His precious name!!

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Matthew 26:41

"And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

2 Corinthians 10:5

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." ~1Corinthians 10:31

painting~

The Queen was in the Parlour, eating Bread and Honey,

by Valentine Cameron Prinsep.

Beware of Motives.....

2009-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking lately about motherhood in regards to what effect a mother can have on her children when she consistently tries to coddle them when they are unruly. Have you given much thought to how often coddling by a mother is thought of as love when in reality many times it actually only helps to promote selfish behavior in the child? The pattern goes something like this.....the child proceeds to have a fit, then the mother runs to the rescue, reassures the child that mother will make it all right and basically comforts the child for having a temper tantrum, all the while helping to promote the child's self centeredness.

Is it possible that some mothers misinterpret Scriptures that pertain to love, kindness, patience and forbearance? Is it also possible that some mothers may care more about gaining the approval of their children rather than the approval of God? These are serious questions to ponder and I hope that many mothers will search their own hearts as they think Biblically about their responsibility to raise godly children that will glorify God with their lives!

_________________________________________

"Children must learn self-denial if they

would faithfully do their part.

They cannot have everything that they desire.

They must learn to give up their own wishes for

the sake of others. They must learn to do without things

that they would like to have. In no other way

can home life be made what it should be.

Every member of the family must practice self-denial."

Taken from "Home-Making" by J.R. Miller

"Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

"And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me,

let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Luke 9:23

Mindfulness....

2009-07-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

What then is the killing of sin? It is the constant battle against sin which we fight daily-the refusal to allow the eye to wander, the mind to contemplate, the affections to run after anything which will draw us away from Christ. It is the deliberate rejection of any sinful thought, suggestion, desire, aspiration, deed, circumstance or provocation at the moment we become conscience of its existence.

Sinclair Ferguson

"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

Romans 8:12-14

Where's Your Treasure?

2009-06-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

To identify your own idols, ask questions like these: What things take the place of God in my life? Where do I find my significance and my confidence? What things make me really angry? Anger usually erupts when an idol gets knocked off the shelf.

Philip Graham Ryken

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

1 John 5:20-21

Transformation by the Spirit......

2009-06-16T07:46:00.001-07:00

Christians must realize that just as a fire cannot blaze without fuel, so burning hearts are not kindled by brainless heads. We must not be content to have zeal without knowledge… To follow Christ and become more like Him, we must engage in the Spiritual Discipline of learning.

Donald Whitney

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever."

2 Peter 3:18

2009-06-11T19:06:00.001-07:00

On the surface, love for enemies sounds like self-punishment or foolishness. It goes in the face of popular counsel that tells you to jettison people who damage your self-esteem. But if God says it, it must be good. There is always a blessing in obedience. The blessing might not be reconciliation or repentance by the enemy. Instead, it may be the privilege of not being controlled by that enemy. Or it might simply be the joy of becoming more like Jesus. Whatever it may be, there is always a blessing in obedience.

Edward T. Welch

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

~Romans 12:17-21

"If you love me, you will obey what I command."

John 14:15

Sight for the Blind.....

2009-06-08T22:30:00.000-07:00

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful

and interesting things about me."

~Fanny Crosby

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

^{He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives}

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed."

Luke 4:18

painting by~

Arsen Kurbanov"Woman with a rose"

Broken and Contrite Spirit......

2009-06-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

God is not looking for the powerful and the successful and those who are able communicators. Instead, He looks for the person who has a broken and contrite spirit. Those individuals, whether they are extroverted or introverted, humorous or melancholy, are regularly in the quiet place bowing before God’s Word with a trembling heart and seeking fresh enabling from the Holy Spirit. They have been brought to see that they did not make themselves, nor did they save themselves. They are totally dependent upon God’s grace (Isa. 66:2).

Alistair Begg

   "Has not my hand made all these things,
       and so they came into being?"
       declares the LORD.
       "This is the one I esteem:
       he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
       and trembles at my word."

Isaiah 66:2

Questions to Ponder...

2009-06-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Do you think most people usually

criticize others more than edify them?

If so why do you think we tend to

criticize others more than edify them?

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Ephesians 4:29-32

2009-05-27T06:31:00.001-07:00

In answer to my dear sister's wonderful question:

"Now lets consider just how we KEEP Him central in our hearts!....and foremost in our minds...How do we keep him there?"

Love, Teresa

The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God’s Word you know and love, the more of God’s Spirit you will experience.

John Piper

I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer.

C.H. Spurgeon

The Holy Spirit is the Word, and the Word is, therefore, living truth.

C.H. Spurgeon

We are called by God to do theology, that is, to live our lives with a moment-by-moment consciousness of God.

Paul David Tripp

Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer can do.

C.H. Spurgeon

You must keep all earthy treasures out of your heart, and let Christ be your treasure, and let Him have your heart.

C.H. Spurgeon

"Jesus said to him, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Matthew 22:37

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

"that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:16-21

" do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

Romans 12:1-2

We must stress that the basis for our faith is neither experience nor emotion but the truth as God has given it in verbalized, prepositional form in the Scripture and which we first of all apprehend with our minds.

Francis Schaeffer

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Matthew 6:33

Sew a Thought.... Reap an Action!

2009-05-24T21:45:00.001-07:00

"God has made us with a harmony of heart and head, of thought and action…. The more we know Him the more we are able to love Him. The more we love Him the more we seek to know Him. To be central in our hearts He must be foremost in our minds. Religious thought is the prerequisite to religious affection and obedient action."

R.C. Sproul

    This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
      after that time, declares the Lord.
   I will put my laws in their minds
      and write them on their hearts.
   I will be their God,
      and they will be my people.

Hebrews 8:10

A Heritage from the Lord....

2009-05-23T00:46:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow on May 24th will be our daughter's 18th birthday. Jennifer has been a gift and blessing from the Lord! It is difficult to know how to express in words the wonderful joy she has brought to our lives. She is our only child, and yet she has filled our life with an abundance of love. Looking back over the years I can see the Lord's gracious saving work in her life as He drew her to himself. At a very young age she had a very tender conscience as well as a strong desire to do the right thing. She always seemed to be beyond her years in development.....such as the time when she was just 3 years old and looked up to me one day and stated very resolutely, "Mommy, when you yell at me it makes me worried that I will yell at my own children when I grow up." Wow.....I thought what an amazing statement coming from a 3 year old...........I wasn't a believer at the time, but it sure made me pause and think! From her earlier years she has had a heart for the things of the Lord and her desire to follow after Him has not wavered!

At 8 years old she was so moved by the message of our Lord's mercy and grace to sinners that she insisted on being baptized which was quite something to see!

As she has grown in the Lord over these past years it has been a joy to see her develop

into a godly young woman who is using her gifts for His glory.

It is our prayer that she continues to glorify the Lord with her life as she strives by the power of His Spirit to put her remaining sin to death in order to more and more be conformed to His image!

We praise the Lord for Jennifer, and thank all of you for your love, support and encouragement to her!

Happy 18th Birthday, dear daughter!

May you continue to shine for Jesus!

Love in our Precious Savior,

Mom and Dad

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with

them!

He shall not be put to shame when he

speaks with his enemies in the gate."

Psalm 127:3-5

PRAY FOR THIS.....

2009-05-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

They that know God will be humble and they that know themselves cannot be proud.

John Flavel

Characteristics of the Humble:

I am amazed that the infinite, holy, all-powerful

God loves me and wants to

have a relationship with me.

I often think about how much greater God is than I am.

I understand my weaknesses, and I

am willing to talk about them with others.

When I serve others, my primary goals

are to bless them and honor God.

I enjoy leading so I can serve others as I use my gifts.

I enjoy following so I can assist

the leader and serve others.

I do not mind serving in private ways,

even if I am never recognized or thanked.

I often ask others for advice.

I regularly study the Bible for guidance and direction.

I compare my life to the standards of God.

So what can we do to grow in humility?

Pray for more humility.

Understand the immense

difference between God and us.

Be aware of your weaknesses and limitations.

Study God’s promises to the humble.

Study creation.

Spend time with people who are

more gifted than you are.

Learn a new skill.

Spend time with humble people.

Spend time with people who are

honest with you about yourself.

Serve others.

Karl Graustein

Excerpted from: Growing Up Christian

The source of humility is the habit of realizing the presence of God.

William Temple

I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.

John Newton

"God is opposed to the proud,

but gives grace to the humble."

James 4:6

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3

No Short Cuts......

2009-05-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Living the Christian life is often described in the Bible with words and phrases such as: “warfare,” “fight,” “run the race,” “yield not,” “work out,” and “press on.” The Christian life is a disciplined life of constant vigilance, of taking up the cross daily. There are no short-cuts. The spiritual conflict will continue till we step on the other side of glory.

The Scriptures play a major role in this abiding process. As one lives out an ordinary day, meditating upon the Word and the Lord, seeking to bring every thought into captivity to Christ, filtering every experience through the Word, the Spirit has free reign in the heart and communion with the Lord is vibrant. There will be struggles to maintain this unbroken communion; but, when there are failures, communion can be restored through confession and appropriation of the promises of God.

John Napier

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured

the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

~Hebrews 12:1-2

Watchfulness.......

2009-05-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.

~D.A. Carson

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy;

without holiness no one will see the Lord."

~ Hebrews 12:14

Realign our Thinking.....

2009-05-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

"You see, the two just don't jive.

Feminism is diametrically opposed to Scripture.

And white washed feminism is confusing and burdening the

Christian wife and mother who is attempting to die to self.

As feminism has infiltrated even the church, there

is a growing trend to legitimize the most common sins

and weaknesses of women - rebellion to male authority,

independent power, and a desire for what God has not given her.

Rather than help her repent and recover, the feminist

voice says she's being treated unfairly and deserves more."

Stacy McDonald

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made.

He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'

"You will not surely die" the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

-Genesis 3:1-6

Time to Reflect.....

2009-04-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Ladies,

In what ways do you think feminism has influenced the evangelical church?

Looking forward to reading your answers!

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

~Romans 12:1-2

poster by~ J. Howard Miller

Thoughts on Forgiveness.....

2009-04-28T20:08:00.001-07:00

When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I’m assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God. The cross transforms my perspective. Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I’ve committed against God. When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it’s not difficult to forgive others.

~C.J. Mahaney

"We need not climb up into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven: let us look into our
hearts, and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt but God as forgiven us."
~Thomas Watson

painting~ Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

Mindfulness....

2009-04-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

God’s Word must be so strongly fixed in our minds that it becomes the dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions. One of the most effective ways of influencing our minds is through memorizing Scripture. David said, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psm. 119:11).

Jerry Bridges

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12: 2

The way of the cross......

2009-04-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ-that is dying to self. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take all in patient loving silence-that is dying to self. When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it-that is dying to self. When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude, any interruption by the will of God-that is dying to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown-that is dying to self. When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances-that is dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart-that is dying to self.

Author Unknown

"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Reconciled In Christ

Blessings on Christmas!

The Way...

CHANGELESS RULE OF LIFE....

Inordinate Affections....

"Mortify your inordinate affections to earthly things. This makes providences that deprive and cross us so heavy. Mortify your opinion and affection, and you will lighten your affliction. It is strong affection that makes strong affliction."-John Flavel ( The Mystery of Providence)

A Matter of the Heart...

Cross Bearing...

MINDFULNESS....

Philippians 2:3-7

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Awareness.....

Freedom....

Watch and Pray.....

Jonathan Edwards

NOT DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES....

Christ or Self?

Food for Thought.....

Mindfulness....

Only One Cure....

PREPARE...

From the Beginning...

Inseparable..

John Piper

"Run In Such A Way...."

ESSENTIAL...

TRUTH!

Blessings at Christmas

Think Deeply...

D.R. McConnell

SAVING FAITH

THE WHOLE TRUTH

The Pursuit....

Denying Self....

Biblical Counseling Foundation

.

Watchfulness.......

Mindfulness....

"An evidence that our will has been broken is that we begin to thank God for that which once seemed so bitter, knowing that His will is good and that, in His time and in His way, He is able to make the most bitter waters sweet."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.."

Ephesians 5:20

Mindfulness....

Wisdom....

ONLY ONE WAY TO BE FILLED....

FEELINGS....

Reformation Day...

True Love.....

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."

Watch and Pray.....

Deemed Worthy?

A Gospel Essential....

THE MISSING LINK.....

-Donald Whitney

TRUTH!

John Piper

C.J. Mahaney

~2 Peter 1:19-21

~2 Timothy 3:14-17

Awareness.....

Beware of Motives.....

Mindfulness....

Where's Your Treasure?

Transformation by the Spirit......

Sight for the Blind.....

Broken and Contrite Spirit......

Questions to Ponder...

John Piper

I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer. C.H. Spurgeon

The Holy Spirit is the Word, and the Word is, therefore, living truth. C.H. Spurgeon

C.H. Spurgeon

Sew a Thought.... Reap an Action!

A Heritage from the Lord....

PRAY FOR THIS.....

William Temple

I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master. John Newton

"God is opposed to the proud,

but gives grace to the humble."

James 4:6

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

"Mortify your inordinate affections to earthly things. This makes providences that deprive and cross us so heavy. Mortify your opinion and affection, and you will lighten your affliction. It is strong affection that makes strong affliction."
-John Flavel ( The Mystery of Providence)

I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer.

C.H. Spurgeon

The Holy Spirit is the Word, and the Word is, therefore, living truth.

C.H. Spurgeon

I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.

John Newton

"We need not climb up into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven: let us look into our
hearts, and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt but God as forgiven us."
~Thomas Watson

painting~ Prodigal Son by Rembrandt