Category: Quotes

[Based upon Jesus’ model of suffering for us…]
Then shouldn’t we also be the first ones to lay down our lives for others? Shouldn’t we also let someone else benefit from our suffering? Those who are forgiven much love much (Luke 7:47), and those who are the recipients of the benefits of suffering should be the first in line to suffer for others. Our love for and devotion to Christ, coupled with our desire to follow His example, should compel us to suffer on others’ behalves with enthusiasm–with gusto.
–Anonymous, Embracing Obscurity

Gusto is a strange word. And not one we probably use very often.
But I like how the author used it here, indicating that we should suffer on the behalf of others with enthusiasm and gusto. It seems such a foreign idea to us — To be enthusiastic to suffer.

And yet…
We see suffering with gusto in Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.

We see suffering with gusto in the apostles who rejoiced that they had been counted worthy to be beaten and suffer public disgrace due to the name of Jesus.

We see suffering with gusto in many of the martyrs who willingly died for their faith in Jesus.

And we are called to be enthusiastic to suffer for the Name and cause of Jesus.
May we suffer with gusto for Him and His Kingdom.

We need to ask ourselves: …What do I intend to do with my knowledge about God, once I have it? …If we pursue theological knowledge for its own sake, it is bound to go bad on us. It will make us proud and conceited…. There can be no spiritual health without doctrinal knowledge; but it is equally true that there can be no spiritual health with it, if it is sought for the wrong purpose and valued by the wrong standard.
–J. I. Packer

Knowledge about God is a good and helpful thing. God has revealed Himself to us so that we can know about Him. However, if we are not using that knowledge to help us become more holy and more like Jesus, then we are using it in the wrong way. Many ungodly men have much knowledge of the Bible. Satan himself, the most ungodly being in all of creation, knows so very much about the Bible.

Knowing the Bible and knowing about God does not help us if we do not know God and have a relationship with Him. I pray that God will help me use the knowledge I have about Him to lead me into a deeper relationship with Him. Also, I hope that I will not allow the knowledge I have about God to increase my pride nor make me conceited. Rather I hope that the knowledge I have about His holiness and love for me in my sinfulness will lead me into greater humility and love for Him and others.

What do you love?
You will certainly become what you love.
Do you love holiness? Then you will become holy.
Do you love the Word of God? Then you will become like Christ, the living Word.
Do you love the name of Jesus? Then your life will manifest His name before all men.
–Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker

Jesus help me to love holiness to become more holy.
Jesus help me to love the Bible and live out its principles and precepts.
Jesus help me to love Your Name and honor You before all men.

And Jesus, help me to love You and become more like You, imitating You in all I do.

…”Take up your cross and follow me,” Jesus said, in the least manipulative invitation that has ever been given.
–Philip Yancey

I have always disliked manipulative invitations… the ones where someone plays hard on peoples’ emotions to get some type of response.

But we can’t call Jesus’ invitation manipulative. In fact, it does not play well on the emotions at all to tell someone that responding to the invitation means death – as in dying to self. And yet, because we realize that to do so is the only way to find true life, true joy, true fulfillment, millions continue to choose to follow Him.

Following Jesus comes at a great cost. But following Jesus provides the greatest return – eternal abundant life.

Jesus’ appearance in our midst has made it undeniably clear that changing the human heart and changing human society are not separate tasks, but are as interconnected as the two beams of the cross.
–Henri Nouwen

We look out at our society and find ourselves frustrated with the fact that it does not seem to be changing for the better. And yet, the only way it will truly change for the better is if individuals have a heart change. One heart change at a time…one transformation at a time…that one change is one small step toward societal change. And as many hearts change, so also does a society. Jesus came to change the human heart – one-at-a-time – and in so doing to change entire societies. And he changes these individual human hearts by his love and power – shown by the cross and the empty tomb.

God change my heart.
Make me into the image of Jesus.
Send a revival, and let it begin in me.