Here are a few Scriptures / Thoughts / Quotes to encourage you and give you hope this week…

“When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.” (2 Cor. 7:5-6 NLT) 

“We stand in the present but dwell on the past in order that we can be steadfast for the future.”  (Dale Ralph Davis)

“Small numbers make no difference to God. There is nothing small if God is in it.”  (D.L. Moody)

“Grace and truth are both necessary. Neither is sufficient. Christ’s heart is equally grieved by grace-suppression and truth-suppression, by grace-twisting and truth-twisting. ‘For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ’ (John 1:17).”  (from The Grace and Truth Paradox by Randy Alcorn)  

“An honest preacher’s prayer: Lord, by your Spirit, may your people hear a better sermon than the one I am about to preach.”  (Kevin DeYoung) 

“The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer.” (John Bunyan)

“…as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”  (2 Cor. 6:10 NASB) 

“What people need is to see and feel our indomitable joy in Jesus in themidst of suffering and sorrow. We commend our life in ministry by afflictions … it means that Christ is real to us, more precious than sleep, health, money, life… Wouldn’t you want a Christ that precious?”  (John Piper – from his final sermon as Pastor of Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN) 

“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:9-10 NIV)

“It is easier to cry against one-thousand sins of others than to kill one of your own.” (John Flavel)

“…judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (James 2:13 NIV) 

“Take away the cross of Christ, and the Bible is a dark book.” (J.C. Ryle) 

“I have but one passion – it is He, it is He alone.” (Count Zinzendorf) 

“Only once did God choose a completely sinless preacher.” (Alexander Whyte) 

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13 NIV) 

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” (Martin Luther) 

“(1) Do you see what this means-all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running-and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

(2) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God-he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

(3) When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That willshoot adrenaline into your souls!”

(Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message) 

Selah