We are living in a day of self-seeking and irresponsibility, even in Christian circles. Few indeed are the Christian believers who have truly laid their all on the altar for Christ. Few are the spiritual leaders who truly put God FIRST . Rather they think first, albeit subconsciously, of their positions, popularity, salaries and the success of the organizations over which they preside. While professing strong allegiance to God and His Word, they are nevertheless careful not to emphasize those passages from the Word which might ruffle feathers or rock the boat, as we say. In spite of their professed fidelity to God's Word and will, their first objective is actually to keep their organizations running smoothly and pleasantly so that they may continue to grow in numbers. This has become a way of life in Christendom, but in this matter too we should 'search the Scriptures daily,' to determine whether these things have God's approval, for however good and right a thing may seem, if it is at variance with the Word, rightly divided, it is contrary to the will of God and therefore wrong.
|
Not only as each new year dawns, but constantly, persistently, the God of all grace urges His blood-bought children to give themselves to Him in complete surrender and so to prove to themselves how much more blessed it is to yield to His will than to indulge in their own.
|
In describing the Mound-builders no effort has been made to paint their costume, their modes of life or their system of government. They are presented to the reader almost exclusively under a single aspect, and under the influence of a single emotion. It matters not to us whether they dwelt under a monarchical or popular form of polity; whether king or council ruled their realms; nor, in fine, what was their exact outward condition. It is enough for us to know, and enough for our humanity to inquire, that they existed, toiled, felt and suffered; that to them fell, in these pleasant regions, their portion of the common heritage of our race, and that around those ancient hearth-stones, washed to light on the banks of the far western rivers, once gossiped and enjoyed life, a nation that has utterly faded away.
|
When Paul went to the Jew first, it was not because it seemed that Israel might yet accept Christ and His kingdom, but simply because God would leave Israel no excuse for rejecting Messiah. Paul confirmed Peter's message, and mightily contended with the Jews everywhere that 'Jesus is the Christ.' And miracles accompanied this confirmation testimony--greater miracles, indeed, than Peter himself had wrought. But, unlike Peter, Paul never offered the kingdom to Israel. His ministry among them was not to turn the nation to Christ, but to save any from among them who might believe, receiving salvation by grace, and to leave the rest without excuse. Thus God was concluding Israel in unbelief and, even at that early date, mightily using Paul to proclaim grace to the Gentiles.
|
The true Church is not an organization, nor does one join it through the noisy mechanics of denominational machinery. Rather it is a living organism, a body, and believers are joined to it by the quiet working of the Holy Spirit.
|
Paul was to know and proclaim God's will, His purpose, in view of Israel's rejection of christ. Had god been taken by surprise in the crucifixion of Christ Would He now be forced to resort to some makeshift arrangement No, for the crucifixion was all part of--indeed, the central part of, His secret, eternal plan, now revealed to Paul.
|
Through His redemptive work we are 'justified from all things' (Acts 1338,39) and now rejoice in 'the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace' (Eph. 17), a position in Christ at God's right hand (Eph. 24-6), 'all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ' (Eph. 13) and 'the hope of the glory of God' (Rom. 52), to be fully realized when we are 'caught up together...to meet the Lord in the air' (1 Thess. 417). Then will be fulfilled the desire of God's loving heart 'That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus' (Eph. 27).
|
The salvation of the lost is not best accomplished by great popular campaigns, conducted by a small minority of specialists in public evangelism, but by the godly, honest witness of believers individually. It is pure irresponsibility to leave the evangelization of the lost to the 'experts,' as many are doing today. God would have every believer do his part to win the lost to Christ by prayer, personal witness and sincere godliness.
|
In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.
|
We can often tell by a man's walk whose son he is, and we should walk so that men about us will know that we are the children of God. One thing is certain--our stand for the truth will mean little if our conduct does not harmonize with our testimony.
|
He had a certain frankness and generosity, qualities indeed which turn to a man's ruin, unless tempered with discretion.
|
In times of tumult and discord bad men have the most power mental and moral excellence require peace and quiteness.
|
It is found by experience that admirable laws and right precedents among the good have their origin in the misdeeds of others.
|
Our first responsibility is not to build the Church or even to get souls saved--it is to represent Christ and to bring His message to the world. As God beholds us in Christ, so the world must behold Christ in us. As Christ represents us before the Father, so we must represent Christ before the world.
|
Keen at the start, but careless at the end.
|
I am my nearest neighbour.
|
Rumor is not always wrong. - from Life of Agricola
|
There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.
|
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; / And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
|
It is the rare fortuene of these days that one may think what one likes and say what one thinks.
|
No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations.
|
In essence, science is a perpetual search for an intelligent and integrated comprehension of the world we live in.
|
Hateful is the power, and pitiable is the life, of those who wish to be feared rather than loved.
|
That cannot be safe which is not honourable.
|
I don't care half so much about making money as I do about making my point, and coming out ahead.
|
So that he seemed not to relinquish life, but to leave one home for another.
|
No government is safe unless fortified by goodwill.
|
Acts 10:1:
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
(NIV)
NOW [living] at Caesarea there was a man whose name was Cornelius, a centurion (captain) of what was known as the Italian Regiment
(AMP)
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
(KJV)
|