This is from the book Joy in Christ’s Presence by Charles Spurgeon
“Somebody!” I do not know your name, but “Somebody!” –God’s electing love rests on you; Christ’s redeeming blood was shed for you; and the Spirit has brought about a work in you, or you would not have touched Jesus. Jesus knows all of this.
He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean.
This is from the book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
That’s the way it is with the Spiritual Disciplines. The desire and the power for them are produced by the grace of God. But Christians themselves must practice the Disciplines. For example, a deep, insatiable hunger for the Bible is a gift from God, but we are the ones who must turn the pages and read the words. God doesn’t pull our passive bodies over to the desk and cause our hands to open the Bible and draw our eyes back and forth over the pages without any effort on our part.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When we are focused on loving Christ, it doesn’t mean we do less. I used to do many of the same things I do now, but I was motivated by guilt or fear of consequences. When we work for Christ out of obligation, it feels like work. But when we truly love Christ, our work is a manifestation of that love, and it feels like love.
In reality, not one of us will ever be worthy. It is useless to attempt earning it; you will never feel ready. It is unknown and uncomfortable. But there really is a God who forgives everything and loves endlessly.
Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
When all my endeavour is turned toward Thee because all Thy endeavour is turned toward me; when I look unto Thee alone with all my attention, nor even turn aside the eyes of my mind, because Thou dost enfold me with Thy constant regard; when I direct my love toward Thee alone because Thou, who art Love’s self hast turned Thee toward me alone. And what, Lord, is my life, save that embrace wherein Thy delightsome sweetness doth so lovingly enfold me?
Nicholas Cusa
Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Me: Yes, sometimes I can see a difference in a lot of things.
This is from the book Defeating Dark Angels by Charles H. Kraft
I suspect the difference between my effectiveness and that of Jesus is that Jesus had perfect intimacy with the Father and did only what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). Because of His complete intimacy with the Father, Jesus always worked at full power, full authority and with perfect timing. I am quite sure that I do not, and I am frequently amazed at God’s willingness to use me nonetheless.
Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 NIV
This is from the book Filled with the Spirit…Then What? by R. Mabel Francis
Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted, vexed, irritated, sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed and despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret. I am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness when all around is trouble.
I need this word today. I had a great morning with the Lord. Then I met with some people and why do I suddenly feel my spirit with pride. I starting believing I am better than them. How false, how not of the Spirit. You have life because of the Lord. You have the Lord because of His grace. Remember who you are in Christ and how He has loved you. He loves those people the same no matter where they are in life. Get your spirit straight and humble and do not let pride continue. Ask God for forgiveness and pray that He gives mercy.
Mark 2:8
And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
