The next time you experience a hard moment, tell yourself this: "these moments are not just for my own growth in grace, but for my calling to be a tool of that same grace in the life of a fellow sufferer."
What we lose when the Bible is only on a screen:
1. You remember where the verse lives on the page and aids memorization.
2. The page shows you much more at once. You see the context, not just a few verses at once.
3. The page keeps your notes. Years from now they will still be there, in your own hand.
4. The page cannot distract you with a notification. It only asks to be read.
5. The page is something your children watch you open and they know it’s the Bible.
The screen gives much. The page gives more.
“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!” Psalm 97:1
The existence and rule of the God of the Bible is a very happy reality.
No one gives grace better than the person who knows they need it most, and no one gives second chances more than the person who recognizes how many fresh starts they've been given in Christ.
When was the last time you felt an impulse to do something for Jesus, but then you glanced around, thought how strange you might look, and let the desire die?
Sometimes the tug is relatively small: Kneel in corporate worship. Stop and talk to a stranger. Other times, you may feel stirred to something bolder: Start a Bible study on your block. Foster a few children. Gather some brothers and try street preaching.
But then you look around and see no one else you know following Jesus like that. And so you don’t either. Maybe Jesus would tell us what he once told Peter: “What is that to you? You follow me!”
Read “Take That Risk for Jesus” by Scott Hubbard.
"The next time you are approaching a conversation you anticipate being difficult, take time to pray for the person with whom you disagree. Get your heart into a place where you genuinely wish them well. Pray earnest blessings on them." (Gavin Ortlund)
“God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:9–10
Which he does by replacing stony hearts in Gentiles with hearts of faith in Messiah Jesus (Ezekiel 11:19).
God's first words after the Fall were, "Where are you?"
It's only one word in Hebrew: אַיֶּכָּה (ayyekah).
In that one word is compressed a whole theology:
-God seeks out the lost sinner.
-God welcomes him to confess.
-God desires his restoration.
-God works his redemption.
Our salvation hangs on God’s zeal for his own name.
“Though our iniquities testify against us,
act, O Lord, for your name’s sake . . .
for you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,
and we are called by your name;
do not leave us.” Jeremiah 14:7–9
" Dear prayer partners,
I hope and pray that you are doing well and growing in the grace of Christ. This is not merely a greeting, but my heartfelt desire for you. Of even greater significance, this is also God’s great desire and purpose for you.
In Romans 8:29, Paul wrote, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
How should we respond to this great truth? The answer is found in Matthew 5:48, where Jesus said, “You are to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Considered outside of its context, this demand should shake us to the core because we know that none of us are perfect or will be perfect until the day we stand before God in glory.
However, it will not trouble the believer who understands the grace of God in Christ. When we become convinced that we are fully and immutably loved and accepted in Christ, we can strive for greater sanctification, even perfection, because we know our performance in no way determines our standing before God.
We are loved even when we fail, even when we fall.
When I was a little boy, I admired those circus performers who walked from one high pole to another on a tightrope. It seemed exhilarating but far too dangerous to attempt. However, I thought I could manage it, even enjoy it, if there was a safety net below the tightrope.
Similarly, we can attempt Christlikeness, even to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect, when we are convinced the grace of God will always catch us.
Be encouraged. You are greatly loved.
Learn to walk in that love and aspire to grow in sanctification without fear.
Set your goals extremely high — even to be conformed to Christ and perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect — because your standing and worth before God are not determined by whether you attain them.
Christ settled that issue long ago on Calvary.
Your brother,
Paul"