“There is a danger that when Christians talk about being justified in God’s sight, we imagine righteousness as a kind of virtual bank account that someone transfers money into. It makes salvation a mechanical or mercenary process. . . . Only when we are united with [Jesus] , through faith and the Holy Spirit, do […]
“God’s kingdom agenda can be defined as the visible manifestation of the comprehensive rule of God over every area of life. . . . Jesus’ longest sermon in the Bible is specifically about the kingdom. [In] the centerpiece of that sermon . . . Jesus definitively explained how we are to view and position God’s […]
“Those who follow in the footsteps of Christ ought to be the most passionate people on the planet. The word enthusiasm comes from a combination of two Greek words: en and Theos. It means ‘in God’. And the more you get into God, the more passionate you become.”- Mark Batterson Mark Batterson continues Chapter 8 […]
“Tested, proven, genuine faith comes when we let God lead us into weakness. That is a reason to rejoice.”- Banning Liebscher “These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor when […]
“There must be nothing, absolutely nothing, in my daily conduct that, copied by another, could lead that one into unholiness.”- Missionary surgeon Helen Roseveare “You have love righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”- Hebrews 1:9 As Nancy DeMoss concludes Chapter 1 of […]
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”- James 1:19-20 (NIV) In the final chapter (13) of Anger, Dr. Gary Chapman cautions against two common approaches used to respond to an angry person. In addition, neither approach involves […]
“One little if can change everything. One little if can change anything.”- Mark Batterson “Give Pharaoh of Egypt the title King Bombast, the man who missed his moment.”- Jeremiah 46:17 (New English Bible) If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities is the most recent book by Mark Batterson, lead pastor of […]
Kyle Idleman continues Chapter 4 of The End of Me by noting that, in God’s kingdom economy, much is determined by the audience you choose. If your primary interest is in what other people think, your reward is their applause or attention. In Matthew 6:1, Jesus says, “Be careful not to practice you righteousness in front […]
“Having said this, she (Mary) turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.”- John 20:14 “If you’re scared that you don’t matter; if you’re lost and need to be found; if you’re looking for a Savior, all you gotta do is turn around.”- Matt Maher I would estimate […]