Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Taste the Lord and see He is good
It is hard to see God's goodness when everything in your life is down and falling apart, but for those who trust and persevere, they will taste the Lord and know He is good.
For awhile we suffer, but God works for the good of everything.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
This means tremendous joy to you, even though at present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident--it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold, and gold, as you know, even though it is ultimately perishable, must be purified by fire.
1 Pet 1:6-7
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,"
Acts 14:22 (extracted)
For awhile we suffer, but God works for the good of everything.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
This means tremendous joy to you, even though at present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident--it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold, and gold, as you know, even though it is ultimately perishable, must be purified by fire.
1 Pet 1:6-7
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,"
Acts 14:22 (extracted)
Proverbs 9:8-9
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love
you.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Philippians 2:3 (KJV)
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
God upholds us with His right hand
When we're overwhelmed with our troubles, it only takes us to be willing to offer up our hand unto Him, to lift our eyes to Him and reach out our hand crying out to Him "save us!", and He will stoop down from above with His mighty hand to save us, to carry us out of the miry depths. He will uphold us with his right hand and cleanse us from our sins, make us whole, make us new. He is our ever present pillar of hope, our source of strength and our deliverer. He alone is Lord, our God.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.
Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.
Psalm 69:14-15
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.
Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.
Psalm 69:14-15
A light at the end
When the world gets dark (around you),
there's always a glimmer of light at the end.
Hold unto that light, and you won't get lost in your way.
Hold unto that light, and you won't get lost in your way.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Being kind to everyone, without showing favourtism
And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:24
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
James 2:8-9
2 Timothy 2:24
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
James 2:8-9
Monday, April 23, 2012
Martin Luther’s Definition of Faith
Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they speak and hear much about faith. ``Faith is not enough,''they say, ``You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.'' They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working, creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, ``I believe.'' That is what they think true faith is. But, because this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything from it, so it does nothing and reform doesn't come from this `faith,' either.
Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever. He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are. Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many words.
Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools. Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do
["An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans," Luther's German Bible of 1522, translated by Robert E. Smith from Dr. Martin Luther's Vermischte Deutsche Schriften, Johann K. Irmischer, ed. (Erlangen: Heyder and Zimmer, 1854), 63:124-125].
Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever. He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are. Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many words.
Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools. Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do
["An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans," Luther's German Bible of 1522, translated by Robert E. Smith from Dr. Martin Luther's Vermischte Deutsche Schriften, Johann K. Irmischer, ed. (Erlangen: Heyder and Zimmer, 1854), 63:124-125].
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies--make straight your way before me. Psalm 5:8
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
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