Tag: Give Thanks

He Loves us Too Well To Promise That!

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J.C. Ryleby J.C. Ryle

“Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” John 16:33

If we are true Christians, we must not expect everything smooth in our journey to Heaven. We must count it no strange thing, if we have to endure sicknesses, losses, bereavements, and disappointments, just like other men. Free pardon and full forgiveness, grace along the way, and glory at the end–all this our Savior has promised to give. But He has never promised that we shall have no affliction. He loves us too well to promise that!

By affliction He teaches us many precious lessons which without it we would never learn. By affliction He . . . shows us our emptiness and weakness, draws us to the throne of grace, purifies our affections, weans us from the world, and makes us long for Heaven.

In the resurrection morning, we shall all say, “It is good for me that I was afflicted.” We shall thank God for every storm.

“You do not understand now what I am doing–but you will understand later on!” John 13:7

by J.C. Ryle

Lentils & Flattery

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Jonathan Cahnby Jonathan Cahn

The philosopher Aristippus lived a comfortable life by flattering the Greek tyrant Dionysius. He looked down on his less prosperous fellow philosophers. One of them was Diogenes. A story is told that one day Aristippus saw Diogenes washing some lentils. Scornfully, he said to him, “If you would only learn how to flatter Dionysius, you wouldn’t have to wash lentils.” Diogenes replied, “And if you had only learned to live on lentils, you would not have to flatter tyrants.” In Philippians 4:11, Paul says, “For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in.” If you are to live a life of righteousness, godliness, and greatness, you have to wean yourself from the world, from vested interests, and dependencies. The more content you become with the things of God, the freer you’ll be from the world. Thus, the freer you are from the world, the more you will be able to live a life that is holy, godly, and blessed. Be like Paul— content in all things— and you’ll be free to live a life of greatness.

Today’s Mission – Today, choose to be content in all things and to give thanks in every situation. Free yourself from the world.

by Jonathan Cahn