Our afflictions brothers and sisters often will not be extinguished, they will be dwarfed and swallowed up in the joy of Christ. That’s how we overcome, most of the time. It’s not their elimination, but the placing of them in that larger context.
How can we truly understand who we are unless we know who we were and what we have the power to become?
How myopic it is to view His ministry as all crucifixion and no resurrection!
Listening is one of the forms of love.
As we come closer to Him, we not only “stand all amazed”-we even kneel all amazed!
The flame of family can warm us and at the same time be a perpetual pilot light to rekindle us.
Sometimes we are so busy being the hammer or the anvil, that we forget who really needs the shaping.
Obviously, family values mirror our personal priorities. Given the gravity of current conditions, would parents be willing to give up just one outside thing, giving that time and talent instead to the family.
I am as I am, And so is a stone; Them that don’t like me, Must leave me alone.
When in situations of stress we wonder if there is any more in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed.
Let the scriptures refresh you.
Celestial criteria measures service, not status.
The more quickly we loosen our grip on the things of the world the more firmly we can take hold of the things of eternity.
Therefore, as we strive to become as the Father is and as Jesus is, we are to become more gracious and merciful, more kind and considerate. Even more, we are to do this in a world which does little to encourage such qualities of character.
Trying to observe the slow shift from self-centeredness to empathy is like trying to watch grass grow.
Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory!
Those who do too much for their children will soon find they can do nothing with their children. So many children have been so much done for they are almost done in.
Personal, spiritual symmetry emerges only from the shaping of prolonged obedience. Twigs are bent, not snapped into shape.
On the straight and narrow path, there are simply no corners to be cut.
Regarding trials, including of our faith and patience, there are no exemptions-only variations.