GEMS
As I read books and listen to preachers and others speak, occasionally I read or hear a gem of truth that is so outstanding and powerful that it merits being remembered and shared with others. Watch this link for new gems as I unearth them.
Freedom or Tyranny
“When a government fears its people you have freedom. When the people fear their government you have tyranny.” — Thomas Jefferson
Equality
“One also finds in the human heart a depraved taste for equality, which impels the weak to want to bring the strong down to their level, and which reduces men to preferring equality in servitude to inequality in freedom”
Alexis De Toqueville
Who’s Upsidedown?
”Scripture says the early Christians ‘turned the world upsidedown’ Acts 17:6. In our generation the world is turning the church upsidedown.” From John MacArthur’s 2010 3rd edition of his book, Ashamed of the Gospel, a book well worth reading.
Crucified to the World
My desires seem especially to be after weanedness from the world, perfect deadness to it, and that I may be crucified to all its allurements. My soul desires to feel itself more of a pilgrim and a stranger here below, that nothing may divert me from pressing through the lonely desert, till I arrive at my Father’s …house.” –
David Brainerd 18th century American missionary to Native Americans in the New York/Pennsylvania area. Died at the age of 29.
Don’t Worry
Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” When God says no, there is a reason…and it is a good one.
Charles Spurgeon
An American tourist visiting England in 1888, preparing to sail home the next week, took his last long awaited opportunity to hear the famous Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s preach in his church.
Upon arriving just before the service began, he was deeply disappointed to find the church packed with no room for him. An usher noting his disappointment as he was turning to walk away, leaned of his desire and led him to the front of the auditorium to an empty seat in the first row.
After the service was over, as the tourist was leaving the church, the usher found him again and asked him what he thought of his pastor, Spurgeon.
The tourist replied. “I didn’t see Spurgeon. I only saw Jesus.”
Apathy
“Everywhere there is apathy. Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false. A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Refusing to worship God
A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.” ~CS Lewis
True humility
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. C.S.Lewis
Lunatic or Lord!
C.S. Lewis
How to avoid a broken heart
Who gets the credit?
It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.-
Harry Truman
Fear and Faith
“FEAR puts your circumstances between you and God,
FAITH puts God between you and your circumstances.”
my sister, Carolyn Sherman, shared this on Face Book
Running Over
The optimist says, the cup is half full. The pessimist says, the cup is half empty. The child of God says; My cup runneth over. –Anonymous
Majors and Minors
Don’t “Major on the Minors” or you’ll “Minor on the Majors!” – Karl Bastian
Contentment
“Christian contentment is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord and to be totally at His disposal in the place He appoints, at the time He chooses, with the provision He is pleased to make.” Randy Alcorn
Diplomats or Prophets
“We who preach the Gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We are not diplomats, but prophets and our message is not compromise but an ultimatum.”
AW Tozer in Man The Dwelling Place of God 1966
“Cocooning Ourselves”
Throughout this year we will be emphasizing the social graces, things that will heighten your effectiveness for the Gospel’s sake. This morning we’re talking about “cocooning” ourselves. We go from our personal vehicle to our cell phone to our computer, and we can go throughout a day surrounded by people and yet not really involved with them. These “things” can keep us isolated from others (which is rude, thoughtless and uncaring). They can feed the feeling of self-importance and de-emphasize the worth of others (Philippians 2:3).
Introduction to a daily chapel message at Bob Jones University by President Stephen Jones
I am pleased that the emphasis on practical Christian living that I received from Dr. Bob Jones Sr. in chapel over fifty years ago is still being emphasized by the Founder’s great-grandson, Dr. Stephen Jones. who is the current president of Bob Jones University.
Our Happiness?
“If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.” – C.S. Lewis