“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If we get paid what we deserve, we're not going to like our wages. On the other hand, God, who is rich in mercy and grace, gives us his gift because of the sacrifice of Jesus and not what we deserve. I don't know about you, but that surely does make me want to serve him more passionately and faithfully!
Quotes
.. If you have the Spirit without the Word, you blow up. If you have the Word without the Spirit, you dry up. If you have both the Word and the Spirit, you grow up. - Don Lyon
.. More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world, and more people have been driven from the church by the hardness and ugliness of so-called Christianity than by all the doubts in the world. - William Barclay
Proverbs 10:8
“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.”
It's easy to give our opinion. It's kind of fun to "put in our two cents worth." It's easy to "talk the talk." Unfortunately, however, our talk can often be a way to keep us insulated from the obedience God desires. No matter our age or experience, if we are wise, we will accept the righteous commands of God!
Deuteronomy 10:21
“He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”
He is our praise! The God who parted the Red Sea and supplied manna to the Israelites in the wilderness is also the God who did the most amazing miracles in us — he has turned our selfish hearts to do his will and turned our lives to do his eternal work in the world. Then, after doing those things in us, he has gifted us and empowered us to do those things he has placed in our hearts. He is our praise, the One we worship and the One who makes us worthy worshipers!
Matthew 10:22
“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Jesus' words are very strong! His emphasis is for a reason. Christians need to realize that they are not going to be the dominant culture. Discipleship can be hard and demanding; most folks want things simple and easy. The values that disciples are called to put into place in their lives are not going to be the dominant cultural ones. "So be ready!" Jesus is telling us. "Be ready to face criticism and rejection." But while we know it may be an uphill battle to change the hearts of men and women, we can be God's tools to bless others and to lead them closer to him! And for us, salvation in all its glory awaits us at the end of the journey.
If we get paid what we deserve, we're not going to like our wages. On the other hand, God, who is rich in mercy and grace, gives us his gift because of the sacrifice of Jesus and not what we deserve. I don't know about you, but that surely does make me want to serve him more passionately and faithfully!
Quotes
.. If you have the Spirit without the Word, you blow up. If you have the Word without the Spirit, you dry up. If you have both the Word and the Spirit, you grow up. - Don Lyon
.. More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world, and more people have been driven from the church by the hardness and ugliness of so-called Christianity than by all the doubts in the world. - William Barclay
Proverbs 10:8
“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.”
It's easy to give our opinion. It's kind of fun to "put in our two cents worth." It's easy to "talk the talk." Unfortunately, however, our talk can often be a way to keep us insulated from the obedience God desires. No matter our age or experience, if we are wise, we will accept the righteous commands of God!
Deuteronomy 10:21
“He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”
He is our praise! The God who parted the Red Sea and supplied manna to the Israelites in the wilderness is also the God who did the most amazing miracles in us — he has turned our selfish hearts to do his will and turned our lives to do his eternal work in the world. Then, after doing those things in us, he has gifted us and empowered us to do those things he has placed in our hearts. He is our praise, the One we worship and the One who makes us worthy worshipers!
Matthew 10:22
“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Jesus' words are very strong! His emphasis is for a reason. Christians need to realize that they are not going to be the dominant culture. Discipleship can be hard and demanding; most folks want things simple and easy. The values that disciples are called to put into place in their lives are not going to be the dominant cultural ones. "So be ready!" Jesus is telling us. "Be ready to face criticism and rejection." But while we know it may be an uphill battle to change the hearts of men and women, we can be God's tools to bless others and to lead them closer to him! And for us, salvation in all its glory awaits us at the end of the journey.
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