#itsalljesus

[thetonycross]

The way we continually talk about our own inabilities is an insult to our Creator. To complain over our incompetence is to accuse God falsely of having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining from God’s perspective those things that sound so humble to men. You will be amazed at how unbelievably inappropriate and disrespectful they are to Him. We say things such as, “Oh, I shouldn’t claim to be sanctified; I’m not a saint.” But to say that before God means, “No, Lord, it is impossible for You to save and sanctify me; there are opportunities I have not had and so many imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord, it isn’t possible.” That may sound wonderfully humble to others, but before God it is an attitude of defiance. Conversely, the things that sound humble before God may sound exactly the opposite to people. To say, “Thank God, I know I am saved and sanctified,” is in God’s eyes the purest expression of humility. It means you have so completely surrendered yourself to God that you know He is true. Never worry about whether what you say sounds humble before others or not. But always be humble before God, and allow Him to be your all in all. There is only one relationship that really matters, and that is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. If you maintain that at all costs, letting everything else go, God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless value to God’s purposes, and yours may be that life. WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS The vital relationship which the Christian has to the Bible is not that he worships the letter, but that the Holy Spirit makes the words of the Bible spirit and life to him. The Psychology of Redemption, 1066 L #oswaldchambers #myutmostforhishighest #devooftheday #itsalljesus #jesuspaiditall #humility #bethechange #bethechurch #christdiedforus #redeemed #saved #saint #theredeemeded #trustinhim #godsprovision #ultimatelove #christmas

[thetonycross]

Good words from an old friend #oswaldchambers. The key to the missionary’s difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer, not work— that is, not work as the word is commonly used today, which often results in the shifting of our focus away from God. The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization. The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. “Pray the Lord of the harvest….” In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view. From Jesus Christ’s perspective, there are no nations, but only the world. How many of us pray without regard to the persons, but with regard to only one Person— Jesus Christ? He owns the harvest that is produced through distress and through conviction of sin. This is the harvest for which we have to pray that laborers be sent out to reap. We stay busy at work, while people all around us are ripe and ready to be harvested; we do not reap even one of them, but simply waste our Lord’s time in over-energized activities and programs. Suppose a crisis were to come into your father’s or your brother’s life— are you there as a laborer to reap the harvest for Jesus Christ? Is your response, “Oh, but I have a special work to do!” No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, “a servant [who] is not greater than his master” (John 13:16), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. “Pray the Lord of the harvest,” and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer. #weareallmissionaries #missions #fostercare #families #jesussaidit #itsalljesus #bethechange #tridadio #triathlonlife #holyspirit #walkbyfaith #sharejesus #prayer #praying #prayeithoutceasing

[thetonycross]

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ #itsalljesus #byfaithwearesaved #trustinHim #jesusalone #grace #mercy #truth #weareallsinners #belikejesus #bethechange #bethechurch #loveofchrist #instarunners #tridadio #triathlete #triathlon

[thetonycross]

““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ #sharejesus #bethechange #goandtell #itsalljesus #gospel #matthew514 #training #triathlon #tridadio #trilife #running

[thetonycross]

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ #bethechange #sharejesus #sharehope #godsword #itsalljesus #letyourlightsoshine #thinkofothersmorehighlythanyourself #lovegodlovepeople #running #trilife #tridadio #triathlon #training

[thetonycross]

@sydney_e_cross on her 1st mission trip. Pray for @obc_zone as they share the message of hope that is only found in Jesus. #missions #youth #sharejesus #bethechange #itsalljesus #telltheworld #olivebaptistchurch

[thetonycross]

What Makes God Proud But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16) I want very much for God to say to me what he said about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: “I am not ashamed to be called your God.” As risky as it sounds, does this not really mean that God might actually be “proud” to be called my God? Fortunately this wonderful possibility is surrounded (in Hebrews 11:16) by reasons: one before and one after. Take the one after, first: “God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” The first reason he gives why he is not ashamed to be called their God is that he has done something for them. He made them a city — the heavenly city “whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). So, the first reason he is not ashamed to be called their God is that he has worked for them. Not the other way around. Now, consider the reason he gives in the front. It goes like this: “They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.” “Therefore” signals that a reason has just been given for why he is not ashamed. The reason is their desire. They desire a better country — that is, a better country than the earthly one they live in; namely, a heavenly one. When we desire this city more than we desire all that this world can give, God is not ashamed to be called our God. When we make much of all he promises to be for us, he is proud to be our God. This is good news. So, open your eyes to the better country and the city of God, and let yourself desire it with all your heart. God will not be ashamed to be called your God. From “The Unashamed God” copied & shared via #solidjoys by #desiringgod #devotional #godsjoy #godspromise #devotional #trustingod #heavenlycity #notofthisworld #runnning #trilife #tridadio #training #training #itsalljesus #hespreparedaplace

[thetonycross]

Facing Criticism Christ-like leaders are not exempt from being criticized, even when our actions as parents, friends, or colleagues spring from a desire to help others. There will be times when we need to respond to the criticism, and times when God directs us to stay silent. Follow Jesus’ example and live so that when you are criticized, you are criticized for obeying God and helping others. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."—Acts 4:19-20 Prayer: Jesus, You are an example to me in all things, even in knowing how to handle criticism. You know the ways I am tempted to respond to criticism, whether it is undeserved or has a basis in fact. Help me listen to Your voice above all else and to respond with humility and obedience to Your correction, especially when others criticize me unjustly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Shared and copied from the #devotional #leadlikejesus via the #bibleapp #leadership #jesusisourexample #jesuspaidit #bethechange #sharejesus #entrepreneur #entreleadership #truth #wordofgod #itsnotaboutme #itsalljesus #saltandlight #cityonahill #ironmangulfcoast #halfironmantraining2017 #trailrunning #training #fitness #running #instarunners