BELIEVING TRUTH IS A CHOICE
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)
Daily Devotional:
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)
Who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong (Hebrews 11:33,34)
Is faith a risk? Of course. But failing to step out in faith is to risk missing real life. I have been challenged by the following thought from an unknown author.
Risk
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1,2)
THE GENUINE PROPHET
If [the prophets] has stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from thir evil way and from the evil of their deeds (Jeremiah 23:22).
An overseer must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (1 Timothy 3:4)
A pastor friend of mind came face-to-face with a parent's worst fear, his teenage daughter had become pregnant before marriage. Perry was struggling with prickly questions. Should he resign his pastorate? Should he encourage an abortion to cover his embarrassment and save face? Should he put her on the pill to avoid future problems?
Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong (1 Kings 3:9 NIV)
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)
If you believe you can, you can.
If you think you are beaten - you are.
If you think you dare not - you don't.
If you want to win but think you can't,
It is almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose - you've lost.
For out in the world we find that success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man,
You are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14)
In His ministry, Jesus often violated the traditional instructions surrounding the observance of the Sabbath because they were a clear distortion of God's commandment. A common practice, born out of a desire to protect a known law or principle, is to establish additional rules to keep us from breaking the laws or violating the principles. We establish fences around the laws, but within a short time the fences become laws.
If any man's work remains, he shall receive a reward (1 Corinthians 3:14)
Significance is a time issue. What is forgotten in time is of little significance. What is remembered for eternity is of great significance. Paul wrote to Timothy: "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:7,8). If you want to increase your significance, focus your energies on significant activities. Those that will remain for eternity.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19,20)
There are material goods that Jesus identifies as "treasures upon earth." And there are immaterial goods which Jesus calls "treasures in heaven." Treasures upon earth have two characteristics.