“I Am’s” of Paul: I am – 3

Sure I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel: 

Romans 15:29

I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

Made all things to all men:

1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

Crucified with Christ:

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

An ambassador:

Ephesians 6:20

 For which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Set for the defense of the gospel:

Philippians 1:17

The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

A minister:

Colossians 1:23

If you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Colossians 1:25

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—

Christian Brothers and Sisters

Philippians 4:1

 

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Philippians 4:21

Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings

Colossians 1:2

To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

Colossians 4:15

Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

1 Thessalonians 2:1

You know, brothers and sisters that our visit to you was not without results.

1 Thessalonians 2:9

Surely you remember brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

1 Thessalonians 2:14

For you, brothers and sisters became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews

1 Thessalonians 2:17

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.

1 Thessalonians 3:7

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith

Zeal, 

The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.

Christian Life  

At any point in all of eternity, we can say "this is just the beginning."

Thoughts

Repentance

A woman rushed up to famed violinist Fritz Kreisler after a concert and cried: "I'd give my life to play as beautifully as you do." Kreisler replied, "I did." Even nature teaches us that results require long, hard, patient, careful work. The Christian life is no different.

Predestination

Only Christ could build a bridge to God with only two pieces of wood.

Prayer, 

The Christian life is a life of paradoxes. We must give to receive, realize we are blind to see, become simple to be wise, suffer for gain, and die to live.

Contentment

Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.

Eternity

Oh! how amazing it is that people can talk so much about men's power and goodness, when if God did not hold us back every moment, we should be devils incarnate!

Faith

I love to live on the brink of eternity.

Eternity

Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

God

You know they boasted about the Titanic, that it was the one ship that could not be sunk. Somebody said ‘God Almighty can’t sink this ship’ You can be pretty sure when somebody says something like that it’s going to sink on its first voyage. But there is one ship that isn’t going to sink.. and that’s the church

The Church

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one GO there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for.

Humility

Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.

Labor

If any man thirsts, let him come unto me, and drink

“I Am’s” of Paul: I am – 2

Persuaded:

That nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ:

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That nothing is unclean of itself:

Romans 14:14

But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.

That He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him:

2 Timothy 1:12 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until this day.

Debtor:

Romans 1:4

And who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

2 Timothy 1:12

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

The apostle to the Gentiles:

Romans 11:13

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry

Encouragement and God’s Promises

Matthew 14:27 

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

Acts 27:22

And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Nehemiah 6:9

For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

Isaiah 40:30-31

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 25:3

Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 119:28

My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.

2 Peter 3:13

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

Romans 15:5

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,

1 Corinthians 14:3

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

Seven one-liners! From Calvary's quiet Lamb,

What was Jesus saying during the rest of His six hours on the cross?

He didn't require His wounds to dry, scab and scar before He forgave. There is no record that Jesus calculated His personal pain before discharging His pardon. Each bruise and blow was met with silent mercy.

He was openly showing His bride how to embrace the cross that awaited her—and no true disciple can escape the cross.

But for all the strains you and I face as followers, no one will ever pay a toll like Jesus. His death is filled with endless grace and boundless perplexity.

Yet it was Jesus, not I, who violently died in silent payment.

But while you're celebrating, pause to remember the greatest silent sermon ever preached—the one that lasted for six hours. It's the one that's easy to memorize but difficult to emulate—the one that was lived, not spoken, by a silent Lamb. 

Think it over…

. God sees:

God sees everything. Don’t do anything because others seeing you.

. Jesus is unseen guest!

Worship -

Worship day - Word for everyone.

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will. He hears him. - John 9:31

Spiritual Quotes 

 “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.”

 “Prayers never fall on deaf ears.”

 “You'll never realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you've got.”

 “The most glorious promises of God are generally fulfilled in such a wondrous manner that He steps forth to save us at a time when there is the least appearance of it.”

 “Gratitude is the most fruitful way of deepening your consciousness that you are not an "accident," but a divine choice.”

About Evil Speaking

 Commands against it:

Exodus 22:28

Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Ephesians 4:25-31

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.   Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:   Neither give place to the devil.   Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.   Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.   And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.   Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Shortens life:

Psalms 34:13

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

1 Peter 3:9-10

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.   For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Brings sure judgment:

Psalms 12:3-4

The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Matthew 12:36-37

But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.   For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

1 Corinthians 6:10

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Spiritual Quotes 

 “We should live our lives as though Christ was coming this afternoon.”

 “Why do you hasten to remove anything which hurts your eye, while if something affects your soul you postpone the cure until next year?”

 “God does not waste an ounce of our pain or a drop of our tears; suffering doesn't come our way for no reason, and He seems especially efficient at using what we endure to mold our character. If we are malleable, He takes our bumps and bruises and shapes them into something beautiful.”

“I Am’s” of Paul: I am - 1

 Clean pure:

Acts 18:6

But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Acts 20:26

Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.

Ready:

1. To bound for Jesus.

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

2. To preach the gospel.

Romans 1:5

Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

3. To come to you.

2 Corinthians 12:14

Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

4. To be offered.

2 Timothy 4:6

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

Spiritual Quotes

God is always near in spite of our fears.

When God’s Word is hidden in our heart, His ways will become our ways.

God shares in our sorrow.

Thankfulness is the soil in which joy thrives.

                                   

Compassion

Quotes on Compassion

Each time I think of the word "compassion" comes to mind the parable told by Jesus Christ about the Good Samaritan. To me it stands as the perfect model of compassion for the good Samaritan treated the fallen robbery victim with care, and engaged him as a human being. He could have simply turned away; instead, he extended a much more "difficult" task of providing the need of the other person, and took care of him. (Luke 10:34 NIV)

Having the Good Samaritan in perspective, I'd like to share quotations about compassion I've chosen from the wisdom of famous thinkers and celebrities:

.  "One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion." 

.  "The dew of compassion is a tear." 

. “I have no idea what's awaiting me, or what will happen when this all ends. For the moment I know this: there are sick people and they need curing.” 

. "Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men." ~ Confucius, Teacher and Philosopher

. "Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will." ~ William Cowper, Poet

. "Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." ~ Albert Einstein, Scientist

. “On the one hand maybe I’ve remained infantile, while on the other I matured quickly, because at a young age I was very aware of suffering and fear.” ~ Audrey Hepburn, Actress

. "Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism." 

. "I believe in human dignity as the source of national purpose, human liberty as the source of national action, the human heart as the source of national compassion, and in the human mind as the source of our invention and our ideas." ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy 

. "I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures." ~ Lao Tzu, Philosopher

. “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~ Mother Teresa

. "Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future." ~ Nelson Mandela

. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ~ Plato, Philosopher

. "Compassion is the basis of all morality." ~ Arthur Schopenhauer 

. "The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." ~ Albert Schweitzer, 

. "And as I've gotten older, I've had more of a tendency to look for people who live by kindness, tolerance, compassion, a gentler way of looking at things." ~ Martin Scorsese, Film Director and Producer

. “And when I came in with tears in my eyes, you always knew whether I needed you to hold me or just let me be. I don't know how you knew, but you did, and you made it easier for me.” ~ Nicholas Sparks, Novelist

. Learning to have more compassion greatly involves working out the best in others. At times it can be challenging and “inconvenient,” and it is rarely simple. But I can't think of any other way to make compassion effective than to follow that great teacher I know who in relation to the Parable of the Good Samaritan, commanded: “Go and do likewise.”