“Because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith.” Don’t let religious leaders hold your faith back.
The Holy Spirit is the inner Counselor whose sessions are continuous unless you stop Him. “Quench not the Spirit.”
Look! Christianity is about invisible reality: “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.”
When Jesus said, “Deny yourself,” He didn’t leave much room for choice and preference.
You see the phrase, “The Spirit said,” in the New Testament, but never the phrase, “The pastor said.” Why is that?
The Bible says, “The Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purposes for themselves.” Try not to do that!
“Prepare the way of the Lord” in your life. It’s not someone else’s responsibility to do it for you.
You can’t follow pride and follow Jesus at the same time. Jesus said: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”
It’s the role of the Holy Spirit to lead believers; our role is to actively and continually follow His leadership. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
Jesus warns; “Watch out for false prophets,” telling us there is spiritual junk food. To recognize and avoid it, stay in the Bible.
When Jesus said, “Judge not,” He wasn’t saying that we should approve of everything people say and do.
The Bible says God has “called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” He hasn’t just called you to hear sermons about Him.
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Has there ever been anyone who doesn’t deserve to go to Heaven? yes, everyone.
“Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Heaven’s not just a place to go after death. It’s a way of life to implement in the present. (Read the Sermon on the Mount.)
“Follow Me.” If you don’t want to let God take over and run your life (and church services), you might be pretty uncomfortable in Heaven.
The Bible says God has “called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,” not just to hear sermons about Him.
Heaven’s not only a supernatural location for a future life but a supernatural lifestyle that can be enjoyed today. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
People never become angels, but they can become citizens of Heaven who have voluntarily surrendered their free will to Christ. “Your citizenship is in Heaven.”
Jesus said: “‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me.” Listen to His voice and let God teach you.
Here is a Bible verse for mental health. “Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, think on these things.”
Jesus said; “Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you.” Detractors are good for you.
The Bible says, “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom.” Perhaps churches should try the open sharing of 1 Corinthians 14:26.
Good people are hard to find. Jesus said: “No one is good–except God alone.”
Consumerism: Handle with caution. Jesus said: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.”
Jesus said: “Everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” The goal of church should maturing and releasing people. (Somehow the main image of church became one person speaking, rather than many people ministering to one another and praising God.)
“And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”Today’s 5-fold ministry: senior pastors, associate pastors, administrative pastors, worship pastors, youth/children’s pastors. (Somehow church diverged from the 5-fold plural ministry gifts of Ephesians to a singular pastoropoly.)”
“Upon this rock (of direct revelation from God) I will build my ekklesia.” The three Rs of the New Testament ekklesia. It was real, raw, and revolutionary.
It’s all coming to the light. Jesus said; “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed.”
Feelings are frequently faulty, flowing with falsehood. Follow truth, not feelings.
If you are a Christ-follower, God wants to use you to preach His Good News everyday in words and actions.
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Short Reflections, Lasting Encouragement 