Tag Archives: life of faith

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Two Things

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Alistair Begg

If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit.

Galatians 5:25

The two most important things in our Christian journey are the life of faith and the walk of faith. The person who grasps this is not far from being a master in experimental [experiential] theology, for they are vital points to a Christian. You will never find true faith unaccompanied by true godliness; on the other hand, you will never discover a truly holy life that does not have at its root a living faith relying upon the righteousness of Christ.

Woe to those who seek the one without the other! There are some who cultivate faith and forget holiness; these may be very high in orthodoxy, but they shall be very deep in condemnation, for they hold the truth in unrighteousness! There are others who have strained after a holy life but have denied the faith, like the Pharisees of old, of whom the Master said they were “whitewashed tombs.”1 We must have faith, for this is the foundation; we must have holiness of life, for this is the superstructure.

What use is the mere foundation of a building to a man on the day of tempest? Can he hide himself in it? He needs a house to cover him as well as a foundation for that house. Even so we need the superstructure of spiritual life if we want comfort in the day of doubt. But do not seek a holy life without faith, for that would be to erect a house that can provide no permanent shelter because it has no foundation on a rock. Let faith and life be put together, and like the two supports of an archway, they will make our devotion endure. Like light and heat streaming from the same sun, they are full of blessing. Like the two pillars of the temple, they are for glory and for beauty. They are two streams from the fountain of grace, two lamps lit with holy fire, two olive trees watered by heavenly care.

Lord, give us today life internally, and it will reveal itself externally to Your glory.

1Matthew 23:27

 

 

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Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Without Me – Nothing

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“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4,5, KJV).

As a young man in college and later in business, I used to be very self-sufficient – proud of what I could do on my own. I believed that a man could do just about anything he wanted to do through his own effort, if he were willing to pay the price of hard word and sacrifice, and I experienced some considerable degree of success.

Then, when I became a Christian, the Bible introduced me to a whole new and different philosophy of life – a life of trusting God for His promises. It took me a while to see the fallacy and inadequacy of trying to serve God in my own strength and ability, but that new life of faith in God finally replaced my old life of self-sufficiency.

Now, I realize how totally incapable I am of living the Christian life, how really weak I am in my own strength, and yet how strong I am in Christ. God does not waste our ability and training. We do not lay aside our God-given gifts and talents. We give them back to Him in service, and He multiplies them for His glory.

As Paul says, “I can do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NAS). In John 15, the Lord stresses the importance of drawing our strength from Him:

“Take care to live in Me, and let Me live in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from Me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from Me, you can’t do a thing” (John 15:4,5). Our strength, wisdom, love and power for the supernatural life come from the Lord alone.

Bible Reading: John 15:6-11

TODAY’S ACTION POINT:  I will make it a special goal to abide in Christ so that His life-giving power for supernatural living will enable me to bear much fruit for His glory.

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Charles Stanley – God’s Presence in Hard Times

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Genesis 37:12-36

There are points in life when we are hurting, the situation is clearly outside our control, and we can’t detect so much as a glimmer of relief for the future. At times like that, what can we be sure of?

• God is with us in our troubles. Our heavenly Father comforts us through His Holy Spirit. Because He knows each of His children intimately, He provides whatever is needed in a given situation. The Lord wants us to be mindful of His constant presence so we’ll know we are never alone. And awareness of His love and strength will undergird us with a sense of security. God understands what it is like to suffer, to be rejected, or to lose a loved one. He comprehends the temptations and obstacles we face. He has assigned Himself the task of carrying His children’s burdens (Ps. 68:1-9) and offers peace for our hurting hearts. The God who walks with us can’t be hindered or limited by anything, so we need not be afraid (Matt. 19:26).

• God has a purpose for allowing trials. This is clearly seen in the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. God, however, had planned that those years would prepare the young man to become Egypt’s prime minister. Joseph could not see God’s purpose—and neither will we, most of the time—but he knew the Lord’s character and trusted Him. Joseph’s faith was rewarded when he was able to rescue his family (Gen. 45:1-8).

We are called to live a life of faith. That means we’re to believe God’s promises even when our circumstances confound us. When troubles surround you, remember what is true. God will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5), and His good purposes will always be carried out (Prov. 19:21).