Good Words for Today
Hard times are part of God’s severe mercy to his children. They loosen us from our love of the earth and make us long for heaven.
Grace means there is always hope even when we have failed again and again. If you have blown it, there is grace for you. If you haven't blown it, you will sooner or later, and when you do, there will be grace for you when you need it.
"Jesus is the one magnet. Let us not think of any other. Music will not draw to Jesus, neither will eloquence, logic, ceremonial, or noise. Jesus Himself must draw men to Himself; and Jesus is quite equal to the work in every case." Charles Spurgeon
"It is true that we are sinners–but Christ has suffered for us. It is true that we deserve death–but Christ has died for us. It is true that we are guilty debtors–but Christ has paid our debts with His own blood. This is the real Gospel! This is the good news! On this let us lean while we live. To this let us cling when we die." J. C. Ryle
When you decide to go against the flow, don’t expect the world to give you a merit badge for courage.
"God would never make it in the travel industry because he is always leading his best clients into the wilderness." John Piper
Just because you are confused doesn’t mean God is confused. Faith chooses to trust even when life makes no sense.
We can ask Jesus how or where or when. We can even ask him "Will you?" But don’t ask him "Can you?" He's God. He can.
“Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow, only one thing endures—character.” Horace Greeley
"Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!" From the hymn "We Gather Together," 1625
Lord Jesus, forgive me for pouting when I ought to be praising. Open my mouth to declare your greatness today. Amen.
“God didn’t call us to be spectacular. He called us to be faithful." Jon Weber
"I do not ask any man to become a Christian blindly. It is the most reasonable act in the whole world." George Morrison
When you ask God for a blessing, he sends a problem because your blessings usually come through the problems you face.
Let us work on in faith, and expect great things, because our Lord in heaven is praying for us.
"Remember, the growth of a believer is not like a mushroom—but like an oak, which increases slowly indeed—but surely. Many suns, showers, and frosts, pass upon it before it comes to perfection. And in winter, when it seems to be dead—it is gathering strength at the root. Be humble, watchful, and diligent in the means, and endeavor to look through all, and fix your eye upon Jesus—and all shall be well." John Newton
"Holy, holy, holy Lord, God Almighty Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee Holy, holy, holy Merciful and mighty God in three persons blessed Trinity" Reginald Heber, 1861
One day a man saw Abraham Lincoln walking down the street with his two sons by his side. The boys were loudly fighting about something. When the man asked Mr. Lincoln what the problem was, he replied, “Just what’s the matter with the whole world. I’ve got three walnuts, and each boy wants two.” Nothing has changed, has it?
James 4:6 says, “He gives more grace.” What a wonderful thought that is. More grace when we are weary. More grace when we are scared. More grace when we feel trapped. More grace when we have doubts. More grace when we have messed up. If you need grace today, ask for it. God has all the grace you need, and more besides.
God supplies our needs "according to his glorious riches" (Philippians 4:19). This is God’s way of saying, “You can always come back for a second helping. There’s plenty more where that came from.”
"Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God."
Never make light of evil. Remember the cross. Sin is no joking matter.
"By perseverance the snail reached the ark." Charles Spurgeon
On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.
"Darkness fell, His friends scattered, hope seemed lost - But heaven just started counting to three." Bob Goff
"Most hilarious line in all the Bible is Matt 27:65, Pilate on the tomb of Jesus: 'Go, make it as secure as you can.' Good luck with that." Russell Moore
"In the old rugged Cross, stain'd with blood so divine A wondrous beauty I see For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above To pardon and sanctify me." George Bennard, 1913
Never brag about how strong you are. You never know what you might do under pressure. Remember Peter.
Too many times I have failed you, O Lord, but you have never failed me. When I abandoned you, you went to the cross for me. Amen.
“Crown Him the Lord of love! Behold His hands and side— Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified. No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bends His wond’ring eye At mysteries so bright.”
“No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will” (John 10:18). Never feel sorry for Jesus. He didn’t feel sorry for himself.
Palm Sunday reminds us that we can't put off a decision forever. When the moment came to decide, the nation of Israel couldn't make up its mind about Jesus. We need to ponder the momentous events of the first Palm Sunday because spiritual opportunities don't last forever. Will we be brave enough to take our stand with Jesus?
"For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb." "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."
Never make light of sin. It's the reason Christ had to die.
It's not easy to love unlovely people, but this is the true mark of a Christian. It helps to remember that Jesus loved the unlovely when he loved you.
Every answered prayer prepares us for more to come. Every struggle fought in Jesus’ name leads us to higher ground. Every battle with sin purifies the soul so that heaven will not seem foreign to us.
"Be ready for a bad name; be willing to be called a bigot; be prepared for loss of friendships; be prepared for anything so long as you can stand fast by Him who bought you with His precious blood. God give you courage, more and more of it, through faith in himself!" Charles Spurgeon
"Where sin increased, grace multiplied even more" (Romans 5:20). You're worse than you think, but God's grace is far greater than you dream. You can't out-sin the grace of God. That's why the gospel is called Good News.
"You called my name And I ran out of that grave Out of the darkness Into Your glorious day."
"Faithfulness to Christ always arouses opposition." S. D. Gordon