Ben Braly

follower of Christ, ⛪️husband, 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦father of three, BCM Director at JAX BCM Vols fan!🍊

[Timothy Keller (1950-2023) @timkellernyc]

Because God loves me and accepts me, I do not have to do things to build up my resume.

[Paul David Tripp @PaulTripp]

The whole reason Christ came to earth was because our performance was inadequate! Rest in the perfect performance of Christ on your behalf and live in humble, loving and grateful relationship with God and others.

[Paul David Tripp @PaulTripp]

Rest is never found in the quest to understand; rest is found in trusting the One who understands it all.

[Ben Braly @bbraly1]

@dustyslay Still representing after all these years. 🤣

[Paul David Tripp @PaulTripp]

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.

[Paul David Tripp @PaulTripp]

If you're in Christ, you don't need to fear the anger of the Lord. On the Cross, Jesus absorbed the full anger of God. He paid the penalty for our sins so that we have the guarantee that the Father will never express destructive, eternal anger against us.

[Randy Alcorn @randyalcorn]

Wealth can steal our appetite for eternity, and make this world feel like home. Christians are called “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11). “Our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). As this world becomes more prominent, we lose sight of the next and eternal world.

[L O V E R 💕 @LolzPat]

I’m starting to see that the gospel isn’t about forcing yourself to stop sinning, but about loving God so deeply that sin loses its appeal.

[Timothy Keller (1950-2023) @timkellernyc]

You can't add to Christ without subtracting from Christ.

[Chad Bird @birdchadlouis]

Jesus does not say,
“It’s almost finished,
as soon as you do your part.”

He says, “It is finished.”
No sin remains un-died for.
He did it all, all for you.

[Dustin Benge @DustinBenge]

On the cross, Jesus did not accomplish partial salvation. He finished redemption!

[Dustin Benge @DustinBenge]

5 reasons Christ had to die:

1. Sin demands a penalty
(Rom. 6:23)

2. We could not save ourselves
(Isa. 64:6)

3. The law required a perfect sacrifice
(Heb. 10:4)

4. God is both just and the justifier
(Rom. 3:26)

5. Love required it.
(John 3:16; Rom. 8:32)

[Chad Bird @birdchadlouis]

Throughout my life, I’ve experienced seasons when my relationship with the church was strong and joyful, and others when it was decidedly not. Bad experiences left a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m sure many of you have had a similar experience.

When that happens, it's far too easy to drift away. Or walk away. Or stomp off in anger, swearing never to come back.

I did that, too. For a few years.

But about fifteen years ago, God began to open my eyes to see how much I need my brothers and sisters in Christ. I need a pastor. In fact, I desperately need the life of a local congregation.

Christianity is not a privatized “me and Jesus” kind of faith, comprised of solitary believers who fly solo spiritually.

How does Paul describe the church in 1 Corinthians 12? As a body.

Just as my ear does not exist apart from the rest of my body, nor does my hand live independently from my chest or neck, so Christians are not meant to live apart from their connection to other Christians.

Our life of faith is inextricably bound up with the life of the church, and the life of the church is inextricably bound up with Christ himself.

That does not mean church life will always be easy and joyful. That should go without saying. The church is comprised of sinners; every pastor is a sinner, too. So, of course, there will be problems and challenges, disagreements and difficulties, some quite painful.

Welcome to life in a fallen world.

But we still need each other. In fact, for that very reason, we need each other. We need to confess to one another, forgive one another, and bear each other’s burdens.

We need to be baptized, hear the Word of God, sing hymns of praise, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and share in all the gifts God gives through the life of the church.

So, “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25).

[Timothy Keller (1950-2023) @timkellernyc]

In Jesus, we're given a Second Adam, not a second chance.

[Louie Giglio @louiegiglio]

The Enemy always seems to arrive with the same speech: “If God really loved you, He would do something different for you. Your circumstances would be different. Your circumstances would be better right now.”

No.

God always loves you.
God is always for you.
God always has a plan.
God is always with you.
God goes the distance with you.

Sometimes our circumstances don’t add up to the dream we have envisioned, but that never means God isn’t with us. Look at Hebrews 13:5, just one of the places where God promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

That truth alone–that God never leaves or forsakes us–that’s a game changer.

[Scott Sauls @scottsauls]

"People pleasing is like setting yourself on fire to keep other people warm."
- Henry Cloud

[Scott Sauls @scottsauls]

We're experts at justifying the small, retaliatory cruelties we inflict on people who've hurt us. The cold shoulder, the withheld kindness, the grudge. We tell ourselves they deserve it. But nursing our wounds and keeping score isn't strength. It's just another form of bondage.

[Ben Braly @bbraly1]

@ChristinaTippen Me

[Paul Worcester @PaulWorcester]

Dear ministry leader,

Your most fruitful season of ministry may not be in the times with massive crowds or momentum. As fun as it is to have people flocking to your church or ministry, this is not always the whole picture of what is going on… Don’t fall into the trap of comparison or competition! Be faithful in whatever season you are in and focus on the quality of your disciple-making and God will produce the quantity of impact over time! Looking back, some of the most fruitful leaders God raised up through my ministry where in seasons I was discouraged by the pace of growth. 🤷‍♂️ Your ministry is not your identity! We are just unworthy servants only doing our duty. (Luke 17:10) Stay in the saddle and stay encouraged! (1 Cor 15:58)