Dag Hammarskjöld said: “Forgiveness is the answer to the child’s dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, and what is soiled is made clean again. The dream explains why we need to be forgiven, and why we must forgive. In the presence of God, nothing stands between him and us – we are forgiven. But we cannot feel his presence if anything is allowed to stand between ourselves and others.”
1. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” 2. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” 3. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” 4. “God is faithful,…
Yes, the coming together of God’s people to serve a divine purpose makes the community as encouragement. Indeed, to belong to a local church allows you to associate with individuals at various phases of their faith venture—and to bear their burdens close by them (Galatians 6:2). That is wonderful because everybody has something to instruct and to learn. Indeed, it establishes the ideal climate to be a Barnabas (companion), seeks after a Paul (instructor), or train a Timothy (understudy). It…
Johann Christoph Blumhardt said: “How comforting it is to know that the very highest one, he who ascended from the cross up to the throne of God, is closest of all to those of us who despair of comfort. We are not too small, too weak, or too sinful for him. He is our brother and loves us. And when such a brother rules over us, who can still despair? If we believe it, we will have the risen one…
1. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” 2. “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” 3. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus,…
Have you not heard that in Christian life, there are two crucial battles? Yes, the good fight or the race, and the battles of the enemies against us! Who are the enemies? What are the weapons of their fight? Whatever you desire to pursue, concentrate on the good fight; that’s the only fight we are to fight. Give faith the utmost opportunity to excel in you and to fight your battles. Always remain on The Lord’s side and keep seeing…
Johann Ernst von Holst said: “No one can be a Christian without the cross. The closer we would be to the Lord, the deeper we have to go with him, outwardly or inwardly, into his humiliation and his suffering. That is essential. So let the Lord’s question pierce deeply into your conscience, my soul: Can you, will you drink his cup? Will you endure his baptism? Blessed are all who, through life and death, can humbly answer, “Yes.”
1. “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” 2. “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 3. “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” 4. “But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this, we may know that we are in him.”
Do you mean perfection or purging the soul? Whatever you prefer to call it, the path to eternal life is a lifetime undertaking to see and live eternally with your maker! Have you not heard that being perfect here is all about knowing Jesus as your personal Saviour and keep following Him for HE’s The Way? Oh yes, this is it: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my…
Francis de Sales said: “Purging the soul is a lifetime effort. There is no reason to be upset by our imperfections, for perfection is nothing more than fighting against them. How can we resist them unless we see them? How can we overcome them unless we face them?”