1. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” 2. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 3. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” 4. “A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it…
Yes, the heart is more important than the mind! Yes, doing things together is more important than doing things alone! Do you remember that alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much! Indeed, talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. It means teamwork begins by building trust. Yes, you can indeed succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed. Trust an individual to succeed through you! Yes, an individual can only add a…
Henri J. M. Nouwen said: “I am with people who are poor in spirit. They teach me that being is more important than doing, the heart is more important than the mind, and doing things together is more important than doing things alone.”
1. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2. “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 3. “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing…
Permit me to put this in the words of C. H. Spurgeon. I quote: “A man may cast away many vices, forsake many lusts in which he indulged, and conquer evil habits, but no man in the world can make himself to be born of God; though he should never struggle so much, he could never accomplish what is beyond his power. And, mark you, if he could make himself to be born again. Still, he would not enter heaven,…
Jesus clearly said that without this – that unless one is born again – he cannot enter or be part of (see) the kingdom of God. Moral or religious reform isn’t enough. One must be born again. Yes, this isn’t something that we can do to ourselves. If Jesus had said, “Unless you are washed, you cannot see the kingdom of God”, then we might think, “I can wash myself.” A man might wash himself, but he could never birth himself. Yes, all over the New…
1. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” 2. “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 3. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now…
Jesus’ teaching about the new birth is all about new life! Nicodemus in John 3 addressed Jesus as a rabbi and teacher; Jesus responded to him as the one who announced and gave new life. Reflect on our Lord’ saying to Nicodemus, the new birth is not about learning, but it is the life that is wanted for in the Messiah’s Kingdom; and life must begin by birth. Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the…
In John 3:4, Nicodemus answered: How can this be? Sound responsible!!!! How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus’ reply may not have been out of ignorance, but from thinking that Jesus meant a moral reformation. His question may be, “How can you teach an old dog new tricks?” Either way, Nicodemus clearly did not understand Jesus or the truth about the new birth. Had our Lord said: “‘Every Gentile must be born again,’ he would have understood.”…
1. “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.” 2. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” 3. “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honours him.” 4. “Listen, my beloved brothers,…