Category — Inspiring Words from Others

Live in the Present

Blaise Pascal
Pensees

We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in the times which are not ours, and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream of those times which are no more, and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists. For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight, because it troubles us; and if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try to sustain it by the future, and think of arranging matters which are not in our power, for a time which we have no certainty of reaching.

Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past and the future. We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrange the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means; the future alone is our end. So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, it is inevitable we should never be.

Infinite Supply Daily Devotional
24 July 2007

It’s A Wonderful Life
by Chip Brogden

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

We don’t have to imitate His Life, we only have to trust His Life! Trust in His Life to do it in, through, and on behalf of us who cannot do it! And I will tell you something else: if you can Trust in His Life to keep you from losing your temper once, you can do it a million times. Hear what I am saying. If you have ever once trusted in His Life to keep you from losing your temper, you can trust in His Life every single time you are confronted with it, and He will bring you through. Without exception.

Along those lines, I can say with all confidence, that if you can trust His Life to overwhelm your temper, you can trust His Life for everything else. What do you need? Do you worry too much? Are you fearful? Are you bitter? His Life indwells you right now, and longs to make you into something totally new, to transfigure you into something entirely different than what you are now. Thank the Lord that I don’t have to be the way I am, but there is hope for me, and there is hope for you, and there is hope for the worst sinner on the face of the earth, because it is not a question of my effort, but of His sufficiency!

——————————————————————————–

Subscribe to these daily messages:
http://www.TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/join.html

Order Infinite Supply in print:
http://www.TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/books/infinite.html

©2007 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Infinite Supply Daily Devotional
September 8, 2008

It’s A Wonderful Life
by Chip Brogden

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11).

Some Christians think they have to have the right book or the right man of God or the right formula or the right church or the right this or that before they can be victorious. My friend, you already have all the resources you need to live a victorious Christian life. The same Life which rose Christ up from the dead dwells in you! If the Life can do THAT, what is your excuse? What more could you possibly need than the Life which you already possess?

——————————————————————————–

Subscribe to these daily messages:
http://www.TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/join.html

Order Infinite Supply in print:
http://www.TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/books/infinite.html

©2007 TheSchoolOfChrist.Org. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

THE WAY OF THE DISCIPLE
by Chip Brogden

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

A disciple of the Lord Jesus is someone who enters the narrow gate and walks the narrow path until they come to the end of the narrow path and are left with nothing but Christ. As you can see, this is a very, very narrow way, which is why few find it, and fewer still remain on it once they find it. Nothing of self can be retained. All of self must be lost in order to gain Christ.

As we walk the narrow way we are being changed from glory to glory.
Today we should reflect a little more of the glory of God than yesterday; tomorrow we will reflect yet more than we did today. This is growth. Growth is not more knowledge or increase of years: it is simply more of Him and less of me. He increases as I decrease. This is what it means to be a disciple.

©2007 TheSchoolofChrist.org Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Subscribe to these daily messages