The Bible could be likened to the Believer’s ship:
It’s cover is like the hull which contains the whole.
It’s binder then is like the mast which holds it upright and together.
It’s pages are like the sails which catch the Spirit’s blowing.
It’s words are like our rudder which guide us to peaceful seas.
It’s Author, our Compass who shows us the way.
It’s Christ, our Captain who steers us to glory.
~ apl
“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
~ Proverbs 10:19
There used to be a popular old adage that said God created us with two ears and one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we speak. In a day and age where through social media and the like everyone feels the need to have a “voice”, let us remember the Scriptural wisdom of guarding our speech and restraining our lips. Because of our sinful hearts, the more the mouth speaks, the more prone it is to speak sinfully. There is godly wisdom in silence. Let us speak only when it will be edifying for others and pleasing to the Lord (Col. 4:6).
~ apl
[Y]ou reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
~ Mark 7:9
Traditions in the life of God’s people can be of benefit unless they conflict with Scripture and the commandments of God. When we take more pride in keeping our traditions rather than in obeying the Lord, we have put ourselves in opposition to Him. In this passage, as elsewhere in Scripture, holding to traditions is not condemned all together. It is when Christ’s Church supplants God’s ways with their own that tradition becomes an idol. Therefore let us continue in those traditions which exalt Christ, enhance God’s glory and strengthen our faith, holding fast to that which is good, and reject anything, any tradition, that places our wants, will, or ways above His own.
~ apl
With heavenly hosts,
and angelic ranks,
We lift our hearts,
and give Thee thanks.
Until that bright,
and glorious day,
when temporal life,
finds eternal array,
When over we cross,
Jordan’s river banks,
still we praise,
and give Thee thanks.
~ apl
“It is either all of Christ or none of Christ! I believe we need to preach again a whole Christ to the world – a Christ who does not need our apologies, a Christ who will not be divided, a Christ who will either be Lord of all or will not be Lord at all!”
~ A.W. Tozer
“For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
~ 1 Corinthians 2:2
Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, help make Your Son, my Savior, my all in all. May nothing hinder my love, gratitude and devotion to Christ! In Jesus. name, amen.
“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”
~ Brother Lawrence
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
~ Galatians 6:9
Prayer Life Pause: Dear Jesus, may I seek out little ways each day to display my love and devotion to You. In Your name, amen.
“Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me”
~ Matthew 25:40b
Jesus teaches His followers a very valuable lesson in these few words taken from Matthew’s Gospel. His lesson is this: The love, mercy and compassion we show to the least of those in this world who belong to Him, His brethren, is as if we are doing it unto Jesus Himself. Our Lord so identifies with us, that we when we serve one another, it is as if we are personally serving Him. Do we look at our charity, compassion and care for our fellow saints in this light? Does the knowledge that loving and serving the Body of Christ is as if we are loving and serving Him increase your motivation to labor in His kingdom? My prayer is the least of these know Christ’s love because it is seen and felt through you. Amen.
~ apl
“Jesus has many who love his kingdom in heaven, but few who bear his cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share his feast, but few his fasting. All desire to rejoice with him, but few are willing to suffer for his sake. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion. Many admire the miracles but few follow him to the humiliation of his cross. Many love Jesus as long as no hardship touches them… They who love Jesus for His own sake, and not for the sake of the comfort for themselves, bless Him in every trial and anguish of heart, no less than in the greatest joy. And were He never willing to bestow comfort on them, they would still always praise Him and give Him thanks.”
~ Thomas a’ Kempis
“The habit of private prayer, and the constant practice of heart-communion with God—are the surest indicators of the work of the Holy Spirit upon the soul.”
~ Charles Spurgeon
Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, may I find myself in constant communion with You through bathing my life in private prayer with the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”
~ Philippians 4:8
We must be encouraged daily to take captive our thoughts in obedience to Christ. The natural mind is prone to wander and to entertain thoughts, ideas, and imaginations which would tend against the holiness and righteousness of God. Therefore, as Paul concludes his letter to the Church at Philippi, he entreats them towards a kind of thinking, a meditating on the things of God, things which are true, and noble, and just. Things which are pure and praiseworthy. Things which are lovely and of good report that even the smallest inkling a believer might have, has the potential to be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. Take this verse to heart and meditate on these things.
~ apl
A Prayer Life 