You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing… – John 15:16, Amplified Bible (AMP) We must never lose sight of the sobering truth that we did not choose God as our Master. He… Continue reading You are not the recruiter. You are the recruitee.
Category: Relating to God
God hates it when people throw away His gifts.
Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit]… – 1 Timothy 4:14, Amplified Bible God designed us all in specific ways for specific reasons. As part of our packages of design, God bestowed upon us certain gifts, and He did… Continue reading God hates it when people throw away His gifts.
The wilderness has its benefits.
Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. – Matthew 4:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) The idea of “wandering in the wilderness” doesn’t gin up happy thoughts. Instead, it usually produces thoughts of pain, anguish, and despair. It was in the wilderness… Continue reading The wilderness has its benefits.
It helps our relationship if you are a little soft.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. – Psalm 37:4, Amplified Bible (AMP) The word “delight” in Psalm 37:4 is the Hebrew word “anag.” It is used ten times in the Old Testament, and it is translated seven times as “delight,” one time… Continue reading It helps our relationship if you are a little soft.
Sometimes, people die early for a very good reason.
The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come [even through wickedness]. He [in death] enters into peace… – Isaiah 57:1-2, Amplified Bible I’ve lived enough life to have seen… Continue reading Sometimes, people die early for a very good reason.
Try to encourage your shepherd every now and then.
Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Amplified Bible Which profession do you think fits the description… Continue reading Try to encourage your shepherd every now and then.
Stop the nastiness at its source.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. – Proverbs 4:23, KJV There have been more movies released than I care to count that have the following plot: stop a deadly disease from spreading before it destroys the world. In such movies, the protagonists scramble feverishly to isolate… Continue reading Stop the nastiness at its source.
Do you really understand how serious this is?
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. – Numbers 32:23, King James Version (KJV) None of us have a true grasp of how horribly destructive sin is. We often excuse our “little” sins by suggesting that no one else… Continue reading Do you really understand how serious this is?
Your idols are powerless to help you.
Who is [such a fool as] to fashion a god or cast a graven image that is profitable for nothing? – Isaiah 44:10, Amplified Bible (AMP) You can either yield your idols to God, or God will strip you of them. If you trust anyone or anything more than the Creator, He will have nothing… Continue reading Your idols are powerless to help you.
Be content with how God made you.
…be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]… – Hebrews 13:5, Amplified Bible When preachers preach on Hebrews 13:5, they usually focus on being content with the material possessions and circumstances that God has given us. Of course, Hebrews 13:5 absolutely teaches us this lesson, but it also teaches us another lesson… Continue reading Be content with how God made you.