Classic Christian Quotes # 2

Classic Christian Quotes # 2

Looking to Jesus.... (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)

There is a real touch of Paul in this Letter to the Hebrews – "Looking off unto Jesus." Whoever actually wrote this Letter, the shadow of Paul is over it. His influence is everywhere. And certainly he was called upon to look off unto Jesus. Now that is a very vital lesson for us to learn. We have to do that again and again in our Christian life. If we get our eyes upon anything but the Lord Jesus we just go to pieces. Have all respect for God's saints. I am not saying that you have to eye every servant of God with suspicion and be saying all the time: "Well, of course, he is not perfect, you know." Give honor to whom honor is due, but never build your faith upon any man, however good he may be.

And as for ourselves – well, I think perhaps we are more tempted to look at ourselves than anything else! This is one of our real Christian exercises. We have continually to remove our eyes from ourselves and everything to do with ourselves. There is nothing more discouraging than this self of ours, and nothing more misleading. Our own judgments are all wrong, and so are our thoughts and ideas. They are not God's thoughts. We must take our eyes off ourselves, but not look out into space and be vacant. "Look off unto Jesus," and you know how that sentence is finished – "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Did you start this thing? Are you a Christian because you decided to be a Christian? Well, the Lord help you if that is so! No, He started this thing. Are you not glad that you can say: "It was the Lord who found me. It was the Lord who put His hand on me." What He said is very true: "Ye did not choose Me, but I chose you" (John 15:16). He was the author of our faith, and it says that He is the finisher – He will finish it.

~T. Austin-Sparks~
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A Mob Mentality Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. —Matthew 26:49 Some people question why Jesus would choose Judas to be His disciple, knowing that Judas would do what he did. If someone had to condemn Jesus, if it was written in the Scriptures that Jesus would be condemned by a friend, then why condemn Judas? Wasn't he just a pawn? Not at all. It's important to realize that the Lord's selection of Judas as one of the Twelve did not seal his fate. Rather, it gave him an opportunity to observe Jesus closely. As Judas properly concluded later, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). God, in His sovereignty, had determined that His Son would be betrayed by a friend. But divine foreknowledge does not destroy human responsibility or accountability. Judas made a decision freely and would be judged accordingly. In that dramatic moment when Judas identified Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" (Matthew 26:50). Then we're told, "They came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him." The Bible says a multitude came to arrest Jesus, and this would have included the officers of the temple, who were granted limited powers by the Romans in matters concerning Jewish religion and society. They were moving together as a mob. That is so typical of the mob mentality. Many of the people who joined in on this probably had no idea of what they were doing or why. The same is true today. To a large degree, a vast majority of people do not reject Christ because they have looked into it or because they have some honest questions about the Bible or Christianity. They reject Christ because they let others do their thinking for them. They mock because others mock. And they become willing victims of someone else's prejudice.

~Greg Laurie~

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Exodus 21; Matthew 19 Today's Thoughts: Faith, or seeking a sign? But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." - >Mark 8:12 There are four gospels that describe the life of Jesus, from His birth to His death. Even though these accounts were written by different men at different times, many of their stories are literally identical in the details. Even though each gospel is unique in its own way, many of the miracles and events are shared throughout them. How is this possible? Have any of us ever told the same story the exact same way the second time? And anyone who tells the story next would no doubt make changes to it. The only way this is possible is through the Holy Spirit of God. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Yet many people still refuse to believe that the Bible is completely inerrant and perfect in its every detail. One of the miracles told in all four gospels is how Jesus fed the people with a few fish and some loaves of bread. On one occasion He fed five thousand people and on another, He fed four thousand, having leftovers each time. In Mark chapter eight, the religious people are the ones questioning Jesus, asking Him for a “sign.” After all that Jesus had done in this miracle alone, the people still did not believe in Him. What other sign could He possibly give them? Jesus performed miracle after miracle for the three years of His ministry, in full view of everybody looking. He even foretold of His death, which happened just as was prophesied, but many would still not believe. I am sure the Lord sighs deeply even now, in those times when He shows Himself so clearly to someone, yet they refuse to believe Him. They want more proof. There is a reason that Hebrews 11:6 states that faith is the only way to please God. The Lord knows how hard it is for us to really believe in Him and His promises. Look up and see all that Jesus is doing in your life right now. Do you trust Him or are you still seeking a sign from Him for more proof? If you are struggling in your faith, ask the Lord to increase your faith. So often in life, we get so far down the road before we realize what God did for us a long time before. If only we could realize His signs when He is working in our lives and praise Him for His faithfulness to us. Are you seeking a sign today? Seek Jesus first and you may just notice all kinds of signs that you have been missing. ~Daily Disciples Devotional~ ______________________________________

Oh, what a glorious truth is this! (Charles Spurgeon) "You are altogether beautiful, my love--there is no flaw in you!" Song of Songs 4:7  Although a poor tried child of God may feel the force of his inbred sin and have to continually struggle with it--and though he may, from day to day, be conscious of his many imperfections--yet before thoseeyes which see everything, there is no flaw to be seen upon the believer in Christ. I mean no flaw in this respect--that he can never be condemned or punished for his sin. His sin is finally and fully andforever pardoned! Oh, what a glorious truth is this!