Christopher Kendall's Blog (189)

Joh 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

This does not mean that God approved the conduct of men, but that he had benevolent feelings toward them, or was “earnestly desirous” of their happiness. God hates wickedness, but he still…

• The value of people
• How people are to be treated in church
• Following up visitors, phone call, a letter, on behalf of the church
• A strategy for responding to both positive & negative feedback

 1.     The value of  people…

Introduction

A school boy walked into his class room with a shotgun and killed all his class and the teacher, at the end of 2003.  A 17 year old murdered a 10 year old girl.  What is happening to the youth these days' what we watch on TV the movies we choose to watch all starts of with a thought, as the more we think on it then becomes an action and we rehearse it out in our…

2Co 5:1  For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Your Heavenly Father never intended for you to dwell in the earthly realm, constantly looking at and dwelling on your problems.  You were birthed for the heavenlies. In fact, you are the only creature of…

Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are  secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of…

Every word you say will have an affect on others. Positive words will encourage and strengthen other people, but negative words will tear down and harm them. You must decide whether to speak positively or negatively. Please understand that speaking positively requires a deliberate decision, whereas speaking negatively comes easily—for it is human nature. Therefore, actively strive to speak positive and encouraging words to…

“Walking in Humility”

(James 3:13-18 NKJV)  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. {14} if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts do not boast and lie against the truth. {15} this wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. {16} for where…

Grace is mentioned 170 times and is God's unmerited favor, it is by grace you are saved and not by works alone Eccl 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.…

In this world where many are driven by ambition and keep striving for betterment, it is easy to become so goal-oriented and so focused on where we’re heading that we don’t give time to the things that are important now.  We can miss smelling the roses along the way.  We can miss the loving hugs of our little ones.  We…

Luke will not write of things about which Christians may safely differ from one another, and hesitate within themselves; but the things which are, and ought to be surely believed. The doctrine of Christ is what the wisest and best of men have ventured their souls upon with confidence and satisfaction. And the great events whereon our hopes depend, have been recorded by those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and ministers of the word, and who were perfected in their understanding of…

After the rapture or court up:  Here is comfort for the relations and friends of those who die in the Lord. Grief for the death of friends is lawful; we may weep for our own loss, though it may be their gain. Christianity does not forbid, and grace does not do away, our natural affections. Yet we must not be excessive in our sorrows; this is too much like those who have no hope of a better life. Death is an unknown thing, and we know…

Isaiah 65:17-25 - In the grace and comfort believers have in and from Christ, we are to look for this new heaven and new earth. The former confusions, sins and miseries of the human race, shall be no more remembered or renewed. The approaching happy state of the church is described under a variety of images. He shall be thought to die in his youth, and for his sins, who only lives to the age of a hundred years. The event alone can determine what is meant; but…

Luke 23:43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

God made the visible paradise in the eastern part of the world: but that which we behold with the eyes of our mind is the place of everlasting joy and salvation, through the goodness and mercy of God, a most pleasant rest for the souls of the godly, and a most quiet and joyful dwelling.

Rev 21:1-27 The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the…

Throughout the Bible, the word “heaven” is used to describe three locations: First, there is the atmosphere that envelops the earth; this is the first heaven. Next, the vast regions of outer space are collectively referred to as “heaven,” or “the heavens”; this is the "second heaven.” Finally, the location of God’s throne is specifically called “the third heaven” by Paul (2 Corinthians.12:2).

Isa 65:17 Take notice! I'm about to create new heavens and…

It's so easy to get discouraged when we're striving to do what God wants us to do as I found with myself. We see others sliding by-taking shortcut's. And, they seem to have it all. They reject God's way but good things seem to come to them. It's hard work to do the right thing, But in the end, God's blessings do come to those who do God's good will..

He Comforts Us

Matt…

Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at all grace; and put on the whole armour of God, which he prepares and bestows. The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course. The combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only; we have to do with…

Eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian.

1. The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of…

Rom 6:14 Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law. You now live under God's grace.

Every man is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead to death, or the new and spiritual obedience implanted by regeneration. The apostle rejoiced now they obeyed from the heart the gospel, into which they were delivered as into a mould. As the same metal becomes…

Romans 6:11-15

 In the same way, you should see yourselves as being dead to the power of sin and alive for God through Christ Jesus.

The strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto. But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist…

Ephesians 6:10-18

Here is a general exhortation to constancy in our Christian course, and to encourage in our Christian warfare. Is not our life a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the common calamities of human life. Is not our religion much more a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the opposition of the powers of darkness, and with many enemies who would keep us from God and heaven. We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to…