Impacting Verses and Quotes

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

~ Luke 9:23-24 ~

"There can be no earnest desire to know Christ, nor any holy panting after a spiritual revelation of Him while the heart is pursuing worldly object."

- J.C. Philpot -

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

~ Luke 9:62 ~

"There is too much at stake and too much glory to be gained for Christ to turn back, loose our hand from the plow, or become distracted."

- Paul Washer -

"We follow Him all the time or we get lost."

- Mr. Chris Pappas -

"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
...for behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

~ Luke 17:20,21 ~

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

~ 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 ~

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

~ 2 Corinthians 7:1 ~

"Everyone wants to be clothed with power,
but no one wants to be stripped of self."

- Leonard Ravenhill -

"...Occupy till I come."

~ Luke 19:13 ~

"Have I been making a fair show in the flesh
without having a corresponding inner life?"

- Charles Spurgeon -

"A ship can be diverted from it's course by a storm and still be headed for it's destination.  It is the overall pattern that counts.
[But] if your actions are out of tune with your beliefs, you tend to change either your actions or your beliefs."

- Albert Wolters -

~Brittany

Patience Makes Perfect

"Possess your souls with patience.

Never complain.  Never murmur.

Never feel sorry for yourself."

- Brother Chris Pappas -

We were very blessed this past Lord's Day to make one of our semi-frequent visits to a church body we have come to love and appreciate very much.  Pastor Pappas's messages were such a blessing to our family that day, (as they always are!) and the fellowship was sweet and encouraging.  Towards the end of his message for second service he stated the above quote.  It really spoke to me as I feel the Lord has been teaching me much about patience (and many other things) over the past couple of years.  The Lord brought this message just when I needed it and I wrote it down in my journal so I wouldn't forget.  It brings to mind the following passages:

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

~  Romans 5:3-5 ~

"But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect and entire,

wanting nothing."

~ James 1:4 ~

Patience is such an important lesson to learn.  We must have hope and be patient.  The Lord is doing His perfect work.  We must just simply, quietly trust and wait on Him.  I hope this is a blessing to some of you as well.  May the Lord bless and guide the rest of your week.

~Brittany

After I had finished writing this, I was trying to decide what to title the post when the thought struck me - patience makes perfect (from the above verse).  We've all heard the saying "Practice makes perfect", but what a neat spiritual thought that "patience makes perfect!"  Wow!  The Lord is so good!  His Word is always fresh and bringing new encouragement! :-)

How are you doing in the fire?

Excellent exhortation by Brother Chris Pappas, pastor of Collins Road Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, on trials. Lessons from the book of Daniel chapter 3:19.

Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

Is your faith being tested in the furnace?? Be encouraged to stand firm as you listen to this message.