Category: Quotes

There is tremendous relief in knowing that God’s love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion Him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.
–J. I. Packer

We all wonder if those around us would love us if they really knew us. “If they knew the real me, the real struggles I have, the real doubts, the real thoughts that go through me, the real ugliness that sometimes is within my heart and mind and soul, the real jealousy, the real anger…. If they could see all of that, would they still be willing to say, “I love you”?

Fortunately the answer to that question when asked of God is that He would say – “I do know all of that about you, and I love you completely. I know every terrible thought you have had and yet I love you more than anyone else ever has or ever will. I loved you before you were born and I will love you to the very end. My hope is that you will realize this truth and that you will love me in return so that you can be with me for all eternity.”

I love the fact that there is no way I can mess up God’s love for me (and don’t believe Satan when he tries to tell you otherwise using guilt and shame). And I love the fact that though my heart is, at times, wretched and corrupt, I can put my faith in the love of Jesus so I can be with Him forever.

There is no discovery that He can make that can disillusion Him about me. He loves me in spite of myself. And I am so thankful He does.

What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God.

For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone.
–Thomas à Kempis

Amen.
I would rather experience any and all of the fruits of the Spirit than to know the definition of each one. May we choose today to love God and serve Him with every step we take, every choice we make, every word we speak, and every thought we think.

Do you know what my deepest cry to God has become, the cry that burns, the one that draws sobs from my heart and tears from my eyes every time?

“Oh God, please don’t leave me like this. I want more of You. Please don’t leave me like this.”

–Fred Stoeker & Stephen Arterburn

May your prayer today be:
“God, please don’t leave me like this. I want more of You. Change me. Mold me. Make me more like Jesus.”

God’s will in this age is that his people be scattered like salt and light in all legitimate vocations. His aim is to be known, because knowing him is life and joy. He does not call us out of the world. He does not remove the need to work.

He does not destroy society and culture. Through his scattered saints he spreads a passion for his supremacy in all things for the joy of all peoples. If you work like the world, you will waste your life, no matter how rich you get. But if your work creates a web of redemptive relationships and becomes an adornment for the Gospel of the glory of Christ, your satisfaction will last forever and God will be exalted in your joy.
–John Piper

Why do you work?
Is it so you can make money to have more stuff for yourself? Or to do more of the things you want to do? That is working like the world. Self is the focus.

God tells us to work so that we can share with those in need.
Ephesians 4:28 – He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

God also tells us to work not as those working for our employer, but as if we are working for Him.
Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.
Ephesians 6:6-7 – …Not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men.

So what does working for the Lord look like? Self no longer is the focus. The Lord and others become the focus. Using our position and sphere of influence to develop redemptive relationships that help people know Christ more through their relationship with you. Can your co-workers say that they know Christ better because of their relationship with you? Can your employer say that? Can your employees say that? Can your clients say that?

God may not be calling you out of your current vocation to work in a church. More than likely, He is calling you to use the position He has placed you in to build relationships with those around you that will exalt and glorify and honor Him and lead those people around you to know Him better.

Working for Him exalts Him instead of self.