Thoughts from JC Ryle

  These following notes from JC Ryle's book Thoughts for Young Men are valuable for all of us to take a look at.

Thoughts for Young Men

Flee youthful lusts

Seek God while it is still early

Few young men seem to be Christians‐‐exhort them

Death and judgment are awaiting young men and they don't seem to remember that WHAT YOUNG ME ARE NOW IS WHAT THEY WILL BE IN THE FUTURE

The Devil is diligently trying to destroy you

Young men need exhortation‐‐the sorrow of it will save them (they begin serving God now)

The Thought of Foolishness

 

The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

Proverbs 24:9 (KJV)

My Soul Return to Rest, for the Lord hath dealt Bountifully with thee!

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath

dealt bountifully with thee. Psalms 116:7 (KJV)

 

     In Christ, we have peace that passes all understanding. In the Hand of the Almighty, our soul can rest in peace in the presence of the Lord amidst horrendous circumstances and persecution. Did not David have God’s fellowship and rest in the midst of running for his life for years? Did not Paul rejoice in spite of his beatings and sing at midnight hymns of praise though being bound hand and foot? Return unto they rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee!

Do not place your confidence in Princes (leaders, rulers)

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.  Psalms 118:9 (KJV)

 

       Our confidence is not placed in princes—government officials, leaders or those who guide us. For we know that the men we place our hopes in inevitably will fall for they are finite. Even the most righteous man on the earth is not perfect and is a sinner. But our hope is not in man or in a ruler, it is in God! The Almighty! Our Father! Our King! Our Provider! Our Salvation! Our Refuge!

 

Don't place your confidence in Man

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalms 118:8 (KJV)

 

      How vain it is for us to place our confidence—our trust, our hope, our security, our encouragement, our support in man. Man will fail us, it is inevitable for he is finite. Plus, fearing man produces no freedom, but only bondage and a hindrance to obediently following the Lord. Instead of fearing man, may you trust in the Lord and serve (fear) Him only. Place your confidence in His! Place your trust.

Quote

Maturity in the Christian life is measured by only one test: how much closer to His character have we become?

Elyse Fitzpatrick

Thought Bite

If you fight Satan w/Scripture, he'll flee (Matt 4), but if you entertain lust~you've opened the door to sin (James 1:14)~you can't blame the devil!

The Lord's Counsel Stands

We all go through times when the Lord seems to be directing us somewhere other than where we thought he was directing us. I hope this is an encouragement to you to:

Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV)

²¹ There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

Contemplate this Today

Here is a Scripture to contemplate today:

  "A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent." Proverbs 28:20 KJV

Worldviews--a little problem or a root issue?

Hi guys,
  I just watched this video. What are you opinions on it?

http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-videos/169621-is-open-air-preaching-judgemental.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=clnewsletter&utm_content=CL+Daily+20130821

my personal response:
I really wonder if the two views presented are more than just opinions. Has this conflict of worldviews infiltrated the American Church? Is tolerance more important than truth? ....sadly, it seems that if someone's heart is broken over there sin because of the Truth of the Word of God, then we have been "judgmental." What did Jesus do? He preached and He loved, but He did not try to make His message appealing in His sermons, instead He desired a true change of heart rather than tickling someone's ear in to joining a club. He flatly told people that they would daily have to deny themselves and take up their cross to follow Him--that was and still is an "offensive" message!

Quote

Here is a quote I read in one of my devotionals, take time to contemplate it.
 

“God knew that following His ways would create quietness, order, rest, and happiness. His wisdom is timeless. Grasp for things—a job, fame, or fortune—rather than concentrating on fulfilling your responsibilities will almost always end in a struggle.” Practical Happiness, p. 186 Bob Shultz

Point to Consider

 This comes from a book called Solid Foundation by Dr. LeRoy Bailey:

 

We need to learn to

#1 hear from God

#2 do what He says

And #3 patiently wait during the times that He doesn’t say anything.

Point to Consider

Never compromise your Faith for money....even if it is your paycheck and livelihood.

A Quote to Consider

I do not believe that God created an egalitarian world. I believe the authority of parent over child, husband over wife, learned over simple to have been as much a part of the original plan as the authority of man over beast.

C.S. Lewis

Finding Truth

You never discover truth; truth is revealed. --Experiencing God, Blackaby

God's Word

Take God's Word as what it is: perfect, without error, and eternally true.

Leadership Tip

Leadership tip: review. Take time to process info; not just keep throwing new in.

Success isn't a title

Success isn't a title, but being obedient to what the Lord told you.

Thought Bite

Re-energizing/balance tip: sabbaticals--time alone with The Lord to think and plan and listen to His Will and Word

An Abomination to Whom?

An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Prov 29:27 (KJV)

    When you live righteously, there will be wicked people who think you stink. It is because you are an abomination to the wicked. In addition a just man is detested by the unjust man’s decisions.