Pray...
Christians in the free world should pray for the Christians in North Korea who are under terrible oppression. Spiritually they are under another Nero.
A Timeless Reminder
This nineteenth century message has been paraphrased for the twenty first century so that you might better understand what this beloved brother in Christ was saying to us.
May you the modern reader be greatly blessed as you absorb this message.
And all of you who propagate the message of salvation meditate on it seriously and apply it to your life.
- this introduction is from the editor of Christian Faith Digest
- by Charles Spurgeon
read I Corinthians 7:20
Every person should stay in the same place of ministry God has called them to.
Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by
becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible teachers. But! how many would be shut out from any
opportunity of witnessing for the Most High if this were the case.
Beloved, it is not an office, it is earnestness; it is not a position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God.
God is most surely glorified in that shoemaker’s stall, where the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour's love, yes, glorified far more than by a paid official religiousness performing his priestly duties.
The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned cart driver as he drives his horse, and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow labourer by the roadside, as much as by the popular evangelist, who, throughout the world is thundering out the gospel. God is glorified by our serving Him in our humble vocations.
Take care, dear reader, that you do not forsake the path the Lord has chosen for you by seeking better and better occupations, and take care you do not dishonour your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your calling. Every honest trade may be set apart for the gospel that you might reach others for Christ.
Turn to certain passages in the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labour connected either with most daring deeds of faith, or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness. Therefore do not be discontented with your calling.
Whatever God has made your position, or your work, stay in that place, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another He will show you.
Lay aside selfish ambition, and embrace peaceful content.
May you the modern reader be greatly blessed as you absorb this message.
And all of you who propagate the message of salvation meditate on it seriously and apply it to your life.
- this introduction is from the editor of Christian Faith Digest
--------------------------------------
- by Charles Spurgeon
read I Corinthians 7:20
Every person should stay in the same place of ministry God has called them to.
Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by
becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible teachers. But! how many would be shut out from any
opportunity of witnessing for the Most High if this were the case.
Beloved, it is not an office, it is earnestness; it is not a position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God.
God is most surely glorified in that shoemaker’s stall, where the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour's love, yes, glorified far more than by a paid official religiousness performing his priestly duties.
The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned cart driver as he drives his horse, and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow labourer by the roadside, as much as by the popular evangelist, who, throughout the world is thundering out the gospel. God is glorified by our serving Him in our humble vocations.
Take care, dear reader, that you do not forsake the path the Lord has chosen for you by seeking better and better occupations, and take care you do not dishonour your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your calling. Every honest trade may be set apart for the gospel that you might reach others for Christ.
Turn to certain passages in the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labour connected either with most daring deeds of faith, or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness. Therefore do not be discontented with your calling.
Whatever God has made your position, or your work, stay in that place, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another He will show you.
Lay aside selfish ambition, and embrace peaceful content.
WE ARE COMMANDED by our God and great King above to…
1) Love our NEIGHBOR Romans 13:9
x
x
Love our ENEMIES Matthew 5:44
Love our BRETHREN John 13:34,35
Love our SPOUSES Colossians 3:19; Tit 2:4
Love the WORD of God 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 John 2:5
Love and OBEY GOD with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind Matthew 22:37,38You will notice that "Love our enemies" is at the top of the list.
We all love those close to us...but if we cannot or just plain refuse to love those who hate us we cannot possible love the Lord Jesus Christ, and when we claim to be a Christian we are lying, and projecting a false image of the Christian faith.
Never forget what Christ has done for you and never forget what you were.
Memory can be a blessing or a curse. In the spiritual life, it can be very healthy to remember what life was like before we met Jesus. If you remember where you started, you’ll appreciate much more the grace of God that has brought you to where you are today.
So Never Forget we were sinners, and we still are.
But we said "Yes" to Jesus and that is what sets us apart...not our imagined perfection.
So Never Forget we were sinners, and we still are.
But we said "Yes" to Jesus and that is what sets us apart...not our imagined perfection.
In God's family there is discipline if we sin, and that discipline can sometimes be painful.
The Lord will chasten His best beloved servants if they cease from full obedience to Him.
It is far better to be spanked by the Lord now (which shows He loves us) than to be discarded and reside in hell for eternity.
The punishment of sin is everlasting, but the fatherly chastisement of it in a child of God is but for a season. The sickness, the poverty, the depression of spirit, will pass away when they have had their intended effect. Remember, we are not under law, but under grace. The rod may make us smart, but the sword shall not make us die. Our present grief is meant to bring us to repentance that we may not be destroyed with the wicked."
We must not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but we must do all we can to help those who are in misery.
We must have compassion on the souls of others, and help them; pity those who are in sin, and seek to snatch them as brands out of the burning fire.
This is in part from Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" August 14th.
It is far better to be spanked by the Lord now (which shows He loves us) than to be discarded and reside in hell for eternity.
The punishment of sin is everlasting, but the fatherly chastisement of it in a child of God is but for a season. The sickness, the poverty, the depression of spirit, will pass away when they have had their intended effect. Remember, we are not under law, but under grace. The rod may make us smart, but the sword shall not make us die. Our present grief is meant to bring us to repentance that we may not be destroyed with the wicked."
We must not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but we must do all we can to help those who are in misery.
We must have compassion on the souls of others, and help them; pity those who are in sin, and seek to snatch them as brands out of the burning fire.
This is in part from Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" August 14th.
Are you willing to take a risk?
To laugh, is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep, is to risk appearing weak.
To reach out for friendship, is to risk rejection.
To expose feelings, is to risk revealing who we truly are.
To dare to dream, is to risk appearing immature.
To love, is to risk having your heart broken.
To live, is to risk dying.
To hope, is to risk despair.
To try, is to risk failure.
But the greatest hazard in life is … to risk nothing.
To weep, is to risk appearing weak.
To reach out for friendship, is to risk rejection.
To expose feelings, is to risk revealing who we truly are.
To dare to dream, is to risk appearing immature.
To love, is to risk having your heart broken.
To live, is to risk dying.
To hope, is to risk despair.
To try, is to risk failure.
But the greatest hazard in life is … to risk nothing.
A link to the web site of...
"At In Touch Ministries, our mission is to lead people worldwide into a
growing relationship with Jesus Christ
and to strengthen the local church."
-Dr. Charles Stanley
Trust and obey ... a Christian hymn
1
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4
But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
- https://youtu.be/mmGb3zRv6xE - - https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/582 -
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4
But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
- https://youtu.be/mmGb3zRv6xE - - https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/582 -
Christians must leave the building to reach others
What will you do?
We must leave our safety zone and the warm feelings of those who agree with us and meet head-on the hostility of a world without faith. Only under these conditions can we effectively introduce others to Jesus Christ the risen Lord.
This is what the first believers did and we should do likewise.
Acts 8:1-4 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
About the 4th century and later, Christians came under the false teaching that only the clergy preached the word and the laity only went to church. Nowhere in the New Testament is this taught.
Jesus tells us to go.
So if you feel like you’re stagnating in the church building you probably are... then go out and be the Church, because that is our reason for remaining on earth.
Where do you place your faith?
Do you worship your bible, or do you worship God?
You can be sure of this...
...the Word of God is the Word of God whether it is within the pages of a book or in digital format on your computer or whatever device you may have at your disposal.
It is very sad that some Christians think that the bible can only be in book form, and if it isn't it is not the true word of God. What a tragedy to think that way.
God is to be worshiped, not words on a page. The words on a page, whether in book form or digital only point us to God's will for our lives that can lead us to Salvation in Christ.
So do not let others lead you into legalistic bondage, but be led by the Spirit of a Holy and Righteous God.
You can be sure of this...
...the Word of God is the Word of God whether it is within the pages of a book or in digital format on your computer or whatever device you may have at your disposal.
It is very sad that some Christians think that the bible can only be in book form, and if it isn't it is not the true word of God. What a tragedy to think that way.
God is to be worshiped, not words on a page. The words on a page, whether in book form or digital only point us to God's will for our lives that can lead us to Salvation in Christ.
So do not let others lead you into legalistic bondage, but be led by the Spirit of a Holy and Righteous God.
Beloved Christian, if you are hurting remember this...
Rough grain must be crushed to make fine flour.
Eight Ways to Identify Cult Brainwashing
...a refresher Course for longtime Christians
1.) Part One: Milieu Control
2.) Part Two: Mystical Manipulation
3.) Part Three: The Demand for Purity
4.) Part Four: The Cult of Confession
5.) Part Five: The Sacred Science
6.) Part Six: Loading the Language
7.) Part Seven: Doctrine Over Person
8.) Part Eight: The Dispensing of Existence
1.) Part One: Milieu Control
2.) Part Two: Mystical Manipulation
3.) Part Three: The Demand for Purity
4.) Part Four: The Cult of Confession
5.) Part Five: The Sacred Science
6.) Part Six: Loading the Language
7.) Part Seven: Doctrine Over Person
8.) Part Eight: The Dispensing of Existence
Not Harmless
Christians...be on your guard against godless sayings. They are not harmless sayings, they can creep in and damage one's faith.
- It's Father God, Not Mother Nature!
by Bill Brinkworth
Search these things out for yourselves.
- It's Father God, Not Mother Nature!
by Bill Brinkworth
Search these things out for yourselves.
Trust and Submit to the will of Jesus
Each new day can be a new blessing if we submit to the will of Christ in our lives no matter what happens.
For a whole four days I was faced with an extremely bad situation (or so I thought) that at my age could have resulted in my death.
Just worry, worry, worry, and very little sleep, and I did not want to share this with anyone.
I finally gave up and told our Lord, “I’m yours. You own me. You do with me whatever pleases you, even to the point of losing everything, even my life. I’m tired of being afraid.
I will always love you and trust you no matter what happens.”
The next morning what I thought was a bad situation had simply vanished.
Dear Christian friends, no matter what kind of a trial you are in. No matter how bad it is. Trust Him with everything, even your own life.
And if you are not a believer in Jesus repent of your unbelief, asking His forgiveness and trust Him and accept His free gift of eternal life. He will change you from within.
And this can only be between you and the Lord Jesus Christ, you don’t need a middle man.
For a whole four days I was faced with an extremely bad situation (or so I thought) that at my age could have resulted in my death.
Just worry, worry, worry, and very little sleep, and I did not want to share this with anyone.
I finally gave up and told our Lord, “I’m yours. You own me. You do with me whatever pleases you, even to the point of losing everything, even my life. I’m tired of being afraid.
I will always love you and trust you no matter what happens.”
The next morning what I thought was a bad situation had simply vanished.
Dear Christian friends, no matter what kind of a trial you are in. No matter how bad it is. Trust Him with everything, even your own life.
And if you are not a believer in Jesus repent of your unbelief, asking His forgiveness and trust Him and accept His free gift of eternal life. He will change you from within.
And this can only be between you and the Lord Jesus Christ, you don’t need a middle man.
Christianity is a Verb
Christianity was never meant to be a "Passive" type of religion like the religions of the world.
Our Lord designed it to be a living active faith that brings others to the door of eternal life.
Our Lord designed it to be a living active faith that brings others to the door of eternal life.
A Reminder For Those Who May Need It...
“All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus Will Be Persecuted.”
2 Timothy 3:12
2 Timothy 3:12
ESSENTIALS and NON-ESSENTIALS, in the Christian faith
Or in other words ... add on's are man made rules that make it difficult for unbelievers to become Christians.
Jesus Christ simply says this to those who encounter him "Will you follow me." That is just a simple question, not a whole lot of rules on rules on rules.
Essentials and Nonessentials
Jesus Christ simply says this to those who encounter him "Will you follow me." That is just a simple question, not a whole lot of rules on rules on rules.
Essentials and Nonessentials
In The Christian Faith
Nonessentials: are the subjects that do not affect a person’s salvation and could possible include pre or post-trib rapture, worship on Saturday or Sunday, musical instruments in the church, the charismatic gifts, worship styles, dress codes, haircuts, etc. Unfortunately, the disagreements that arise around these subjects result in denominational fragmentation.
Essentials: of the faith would include who God is, who Jesus is, salvation by grace, and Jesus' resurrection. The Bible tells us that these doctrines concerning God, Christ, salvation, and resurrection are essential to the faith. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that Christians know their faith and know how to defend it against the doctrines that compromise the essentials.
"Now, brothers, I have applied these things
Nonessentials: are the subjects that do not affect a person’s salvation and could possible include pre or post-trib rapture, worship on Saturday or Sunday, musical instruments in the church, the charismatic gifts, worship styles, dress codes, haircuts, etc. Unfortunately, the disagreements that arise around these subjects result in denominational fragmentation.
Essentials: of the faith would include who God is, who Jesus is, salvation by grace, and Jesus' resurrection. The Bible tells us that these doctrines concerning God, Christ, salvation, and resurrection are essential to the faith. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that Christians know their faith and know how to defend it against the doctrines that compromise the essentials.
"Now, brothers, I have applied these things
to myself and Apollos for your benefit,
so that you may learn from us
the meaning of the saying,
"Do not go beyond what is written."
1 Corinthians 4:6
50 Great Gospel Hymns
Dear Readers,
Whether you are Christian or not, this gospel hymns video is here in the hope that you will enjoy these old timers that possible some of you may not have heard since your childhood years.
A rare treasure that has almost disappeared from the modern Church. Cling to them … if we don’t we will be the losers.
You will have to make time for this video, it is two hours long. But well worth your time.
--- and if you're busy and want listen, you can stop and restart whenever you want.