Quote of the Day 9/22/11

"God so loved you that, despite your hopeless state of sin, he sent his Son - God in the flesh - to live the life you could not live…Though Jesus was free from sin throughout his life, he bore the penalty of sin in his death.  He took your place and your punishment, dying the death you deserved.  Then he rose from the grave in victory over sin." – David Platt Radical Together

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

 

Quote of the Day 9/19/11

“We can change lives by telling stories about great family relationships.  Not perfect ones, you know, accessible ones…your future is what shapes your family, not necessarily your past.” - Jeff Kemp.

Jeff was talking about the new movie coming out this Sept. 30^th called COURAGEOUS.

It’s a great movie and I highly encourage everyone to go see this film.

Check out the News and Events section of this blog for more information about the film.

I also pray that Jeff’s words here would encourage you to think, and pray about, how you can change lives through your story telling.  We have been blessed with a gift that can reach hundreds if not thousands of people…maybe millions!  But through the process of you trying to influence a few, you might save only one.  The bible says that there is rejoicing in heaven when someone gets saved.  Who knows, you might grow closer to Christ in the process.

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Quote of the Day 9/14/11

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
                         

 ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

 ⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
⁹ He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Usually I put the bible verse after a quote but this verse was actually read by President Obama at the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this past weekend.  This passage, along with the reading from Ecclesiastics by former New York Mayor Giuliani and a quote from Abraham Lincoln from former president George W. Bush, was an honorable tribute to those who gave their lives that tragic day.

Despite Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on clergy attending and offering prayer at the event, God’s Word was heard.

Quote of the Day 9/02/11

"The Master of Life's been good to me. He has given me strength to face past illnesses, and victory in the face of defeat. He has given me life and joy where other saw oblivion. He has given new purpose to live for, new services to render and old wounds to heal.  Life and love go on, let the music play." – Johnny Cash

Quote of the Day 8/29/11

"I don't leave a lot of things open-ended theologically. I believe there's one God. I believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I believe we're all sinners. I believe in a real hell and a real heaven. So I'm a Bible guy, for sure. I don't make any apologies about that." – Mark Driscoll 

“Tolerance.”  That seems to be the word of the day.  “We need to be more tolerant or compromising.” You might be able do this in some areas of your life, but compromising God’s word is just not one of them.  God’s Word is God’s Word.  You cannot change it to fit what you want it to mean, discount parts of the Bible because you don’t agree with it or omit sections because it does not fit your life style.  Some churches today are changing what they believe to be more accommodating to the pressures of society.  This is a very dangerous game they are playing.  Bending to the will of man (sinful by nature) will lead to destruction as it did during Jeremiah’s day.  Why repeat history when God’s Word speaks so clearly?  We have the warning signs and need to heed God’s Word.

Truth is truth.  If you walk off a cliff, you are going to fall no matter how much you say you won’t.  The truth that gravity is real is undeniable.  The same goes for God’s Word.  You can say that you are not a sinner or that God does not exist, but the truth will be made clear to you when you pass from this world and into eternity.  Where will you spend your eternity?  Don’t play the game.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

Quote of the Day 8/18/11

“Life is not a manageable project or a test to be taken.  We can find small joys everyday if we have eyes of faith.  We can find meaning if we search for a greater purpose.  And perhaps most important, we need to realize that life is a great gift.” - Phil Cooke

It can be hard to find joy in life today given all the problems with or economy, health issues, wars, rumors of wars, and our faith coming under attack.  But when we latch onto our faith we really can be joyful.  The Bible teaches that God is faithful and His promises are true.  Like Phil Cooke says in his book JOLT!, of which the above quote is taken from, life is a great gift.  Our life is a gift from God.  God gave us this life and paid the price for our salvation.  Let’s not waste His investment.  Give glory to Him in all that you do.

Matthew 6:31-33

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

Quote of the Day 8/06/07

"Consider where God has placed you, who God has put around you, and how God desires to use you for His glory where you live and work." - David Platt


I have been reading David Platt's book Radical Together so I will probably be posting more quotes from this book.  He makes many thought provoking statements including the one above.  What is our purpose?  Whether you are a Christian or not you have probably asked yourself this question once or twice, if not many times.  We all would like to feel that our time here in this life has some meaning or served some higher purpose.  David Platt lays it out plainly and gives many scripture references to back it up.  Consider the statement above in your life and pray about what direction God is leading you. What opportunities has God placed before you? Who has God brought in your life that has a need you can provide for?  God is with us and our lives are to bring Him glory.

Jeremiah 7:23
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.