“The basic purpose of prayer is not to bend God’s will to mine, but to mold my will into his.”
Tim Keller
Category: Christian Thoughts
Our Priorities Reflect What Our Vision Really Is
Our place as Christians is in the body of Christ, under the authority of Christ… that’s the Lord’s plan.
But often our plans work contrary to His. Instead of connecting us in the body they disconnect us from it… the same plans that we’re asking the Lord to bless.
At the end of the day it comes down to our “vision.”
Our priorities reflect what our vision really is.
Our perceptions inform our priorities… the things we perceive as most important become our vision… our treasure.
The words of Jesus are often direct and challenging… but they leave the choice as ours… like when He said…
…”where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
How precious a treasure is our gospel to us…
- Mark Saunders
Trust The Farmer’s Fence
Some years ago in a lion-infested country, farmers would keep their cattle locked up in a kraal with a wooden fence enclosing them and it was strong enough that no lion could break in. But when the clever lion would roar at midnight the cattle did not know enough to trust the farmer’s fence. Terrified, they’d stampede until they themselves broke down their only protection.
All the lion had to do to get those cattle was simply roaring and sit back and wait for food. Please trust God’s love and protection. Don’t let fear caused by the roaring of the devil break down that fence of protection!
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
Teachings Of Jesus Christ
Jesus used parables – short stories with hidden messages in his teachings.
Some of the main themes that Jesus taught, which Christians now embrace, include:
- Love God
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Forgive others who have wronged you
- Love your enemies
- Ask God for forgiveness of your sins
- Jesus is the Messiah and was given the authority to forgive others
- Repentance of sins is essential
- Don’t be hypocritical
- Don’t judge others
- The Kingdom of God is near. It’s not the rich and powerful – but the weak and poor – who will inherit this kingdom
In one of Jesus’s most famous speeches, which became known as the Sermon on the Mount, he summarized many of his moral instructions for his followers.
Who Do We Follow – Our Own Fleshly Desires or Jesus?
Jesus as Lord of our everyday lives.
It means that we’ve chosen.
Chosen between the world and the cross.
Christians we must choose and we’re faced with these choices all the time.
Our attitudes… our thoughts… what we watch… what we listen to… how we spend money… how we spend time.
These choices have a big impact on how we grow spiritually.
They reflect who we are… they show us how we need the grace of the Lord… how we need the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to continue.
So we must choose daily – who do we follow – our own fleshly desires or Jesus?
A lot of Christian life is “lived in this space”… in the “natural”… we can fast and pray all we like but if we don’t choose daily we won’t grow.
- Mark Saunders