If we don’t keep our heart, which means continually feeding our heart’s affection – if we allow the running of a business or the raising of a family or the maintenance of a church to keep us so busy that we don’t take time to cultivate intimacy with God and to keep our hearts burning with passion for our first love – then we shouldn’t be surprised if our souls collapse into the false intimacy of scandalous sin.
– Gary Thomas in Holy Available
We are heard and accepted, not on the account of our own prayers and services,
but in the beloved Son of God, who maketh intercession for us.
– John Newton
When we use the promises of God as the basis of our intercession,
we are calling God to be faithful – to fulfill his character.
– Tim Kerr
Prayer does change things, all kinds of things.
But the most important thing it changes is us.
– R.C. Sproul
History is silent about revivals that did not begin with prayer.
– J. Edwin Orr
Here’s the joy of the God-empowered life: we can cease expending energy trying to be impressive and instead rest in being used. The reality of being used, by definition, points people back to the One who is using us. Such a ministry glorifies God by relying on God and by demonstrating the reality of God. It recognizes the providence of God, the activity of God, the grace and generosity of God, and the wisdom of God. And there is no greater thrill – absolutely none – than being used to glorify God.
– Gary Thomas in Holy Available
Here are some helpful quotes related to sin for us to reflect on…and respond to:
That every person should grow up and do evil can be no coincidence.
It calls for an explanation.
— John Gerstner
Most sin is born out of spiritual blindness – shown in a vast ugly forgetfulness of God.
– Gary Thomas
That’s what sin does – it intoxicates us with a distorted view of reality.
– Gary Thomas
Salvation in sin is not possible; it is always salvation from sin.
— C. H. Spurgeon
Sin has been pardoned at such a price that we cannot henceforth trifle with it.
— C.H. Spurgeon
One of the best ways to build a zero toleration for sin is to become repulsed by it.
– Gary Thomas
Sin forsaken is one of the best evidences of sin forgiven.
– J.C. Ryle
When we look at life through God’s eyes, we become lost in wonder and convinced of God’s astounding generosity, his marvelous mercy, and his gigantic grace. Sin causes us to look at life through the lens of entitlement – that we deserve salvation without repentance, wealth without work, accolades without self-denial, health without personal discipline, pleasure without sacrifice. Biblical truth reminds us that, in reality, we deserve hell…. Every small laugh, each tiny expression of joy, a simple meal – any momentary reprieve from the ongoing agony of hell – truly is an underserved gift. When we add the assurance that the completed work of Christ guards our eternity, our lives should radiate not merely joy (though there should be an abundance of that) but wonder and astonishment at how good God truly is.
– Gary Thomas in Holy Available
The conversation after church, from a biblical perspective, should go like this:
“How was your hearing today?”
“Pretty good. I was attentive, and I’ve taken the truth to heart. I want to hold on to it, so I’ve taken some notes, and I’m going to be praying about it this weekend. I don’t want to lose what God has given me.”
The sad truth is, most of us would worry more about losing our wallets in church than we would about losing the truth that God laid out for us.
– Gary Thomas in Holy Available
Will you pause for just a moment and consider where your eyesight may be growing dim? Are you blinded to God’s daily blessings because you’re too focused on financial concerns, health issues, or frustrated relationships? Have you stopped seeing people as important and instead stare persistently at possessions, power, and pleasure? Are your eyes so preoccupied by your comfort that they have grown too tired to look at your life and your circumstances from God’s perspective?
– Gary Thomas in Holy Available
What does it say about our churches today
that God birthed the church in a prayer meeting,
and prayer meetings today are almost extinct?
– Jim Cymbala
The apostles had this instinct: When in trouble, pray.
When intimidated, pray. When challenged, pray.
When persecuted, pray.
– Jim Cymbala
One of the biggest threats to incarnational living is pride. Instead of manifesting Christ’s presence, we want to showcase our own presence; instead of dispensing Christ’s wisdom, we want to spotlight our own insights; instead of speaking Christ’s truth, we want to spout our own opinions; instead of adopting Christ’s agenda, we want to accomplish our own five- or ten-year plans; instead of building Christ’s kingdom, we want to spread our own “ministry.”
– Gary Thomas in Holy Available
We serve the ascended and reigning Christ. The world may mock our King. We may disdain his rule by our own sinful rebellion – but the fact is, he reigns. And we can participate in the spread of his kingdom not simply by imitating how he lived while on earth but by making ourselves “holy available” to his dynamic, life-transforming presence within us, by letting him change the way we see, think, feel hear, speak, and serve. It’s the life of Christ in us, continuing his work, exercising his reign, manifesting his presence.
– Gary Thomas in Holy Available
