Archive for the ‘ Lifestyle ’ Category
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1, ESV
We do not have a blind faith. We have the historical, prophetic, and biblical evidence, with the ultimate proof of our faith being the real and physical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17, ESV
We learn from each other, so do not give up meeting for church or groups. Encourage each other, rebuke each other, and share truth with each other. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1, ESV
This is sanctification.
Let the Father change you through the Holy Spirit ever more to be like Christ. Repentance literally means “change your mind”. It takes a changing of the way you think to change your actions.
so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28, ESV
The next time Christ comes, we shall remain with Him forever.
It will not be so nice for everyone else.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 ESV
To know Jesus is to know truth and find all grace. He came to us, and His life, death, and resurrection prove the truthfulness of the Bible and that God desires loving relationship with us.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3, ESV
Most problems are not strictly attacks from the Devil. Rather, some are testing of our faith, some are discipline to help us grow, and some are merely our own actions.
Learn and grow through all of them (even the devil attacks).
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
Ecclesiastes 11:5, ESV
We cannot explain how or when a soul is made and put into a baby.
We therefore should not presume to understand God’s plans.
Some? Yes. But not all. Not even the Son knows the hour of His return …
Forgiveness is such an important topic and yet it is perhaps one of the hardest to not only grasp, but articulate. However, nearly two decades ago I heard a pastor being interviewed about a book he had written on forgiveness, and the interviewer asked “What is the primary way you know that you have totally forgiven someone?” The pastor replied simply “When you can sincerely wish them well and ask God to bless them.”
The moment I heard this, it’s as if I had just received a little treasure, for all of us have people who have hurt us, some very deeply, and it’s even more important for us to forgive, than it is for them to receive it. At that moment, I integrated that nugget of wisdom into my life and it has helped me on the path of forgiveness throughout the years. The Pastors’ name is R.T. Kendall and his book is called “Total Forgiveness.” It should be, in my opinion, required reading for every Christian.
Something I have encountered in life is that forgiving is particularly difficult when the hurt is perpetrated by someone who should know better, such as a pastor. They should know better, but clearly they do not, which is why Jesus said regarding the Jewish leaders who sneered at him upon the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Even though they should have known better, they did not, and regardless of the fact that they should have known better, Jesus still asked the Father to forgive them.
Some hurts are so painful that we have buried them deep down in our hearts so that we don’t feel the pain, but that doesn’t fix it. When you bury things in your heart, whether it’s unforgiveness, sin, emotions, etc., there is less and less room for Jesus. What have you buried in your heart? Who do you need to forgive?
We are continuing to look at hymns and songs that impacted my spiritual life – with another reminder to check out the other blog I contribute to, ProverbialThought.com, and the daily thoughts on the Bible (specifically Proverbs).
In the secret,
In the quiet place
in the stillness you are there
In the secret in the quite hour I wait, only for you
Cause i want to know you moreIn the secret
In the quite place
In the stillness you are there
In the secret in the quiet hour I wait
Because i want to know you moreChorus
I want to know you
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you moreI am reaching for the highest goals
That i might receive the prize
Pressing onward
Pushing every hindrance aside
Out of my way
Cause i want to know you moreChorus x2
in the secret in the quite place
in the stillness you are thereChorus x2
When I was a young believer, this song helped me to realize and live out an important truth.
Christ said we regularly should get to a place that is out of sight and quiet and seek God through prayer (Matthew 6:6). We can call this the secret place. Our highest goal is to be like Christ, so we are seeking God asking the Holy Spirit to make us more Christ-like.
To quote Jesus (Luke 10:37), “Go and do likewise.”
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20, ESV
Who you spend time with matters. Bad company ruins good morals (1 Corinthians 5:20), but good company encourages the good.
a simple man of God 