We Cannot Do Well Without Thinking

Believe me, this world is not a world in which we can do well without thinking, and least of all do well in the matter of our souls. "Don't think," whispers Satan: he knows that an unconverted heart is like a dishonest tradesman's books, it will not bear close inspection. "Consider your ways," says the Word of God--stop and think--consider and be wise. (Haggai 1:5,7)

Just as a bad servant does wrong, and then says, " I never gave it a thought," so young men run into sin, and then say, "I did not think about it--it did not look like sin." Not look like sin! What would you have? Sin will not come to you, saying, "I am sin"; it would do little harm if it did. Sin always seems "good, and pleasant, and desirable," at the time of commission. (Genesis 3:6)

Oh, get wisdom, get discretion! Remember the words of Solomon: "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." (Proverbs 4:26)

J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

In Christ

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV

It May Become a Useful Servant, but It Is Always a Bad Master

Remember what I say: if you would cleave to earthly pleasures--these are things which murder souls. There is no surer way to get a seared conscience and a hard impenitent heart than to give way to the desires of the flesh and mind. It seems nothing at first, but it tells in the long run.

Consider what Peter says: "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." (1 Peter 2:11) They destroy the soul's peace, break down its strength, lead it into hard captivity, make it a slave.

Consider what Paul says: "Mortify your members which are upon the earth." (Colossians 3:5). "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24) "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection." (1 Corinthians 9:27) Once the body was a perfect mansion of the soul--now it is all corrupt and disordered, and needs constant watching. It is a burden to the soul--not a helpmeet; a hindrance--not an assistance. It may become a useful servant, but it is always a bad master.

J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

We Are Born Proud

Pride sits in all our hearts by nature. We are born proud. Pride makes us rest satisfied with ourselves--think we are good enough as we are--stop our ears against advice--refuse the gospel of Christ--turn every one to his own way. But pride never reigns anywhere so powerfully as in the heart of a young man.

How common it is to see young men heady, high-minded, and impatient of counsel! How often they are rude and uncourteous to all about them, thinking they are not valued and honored as they deserve! How often they will not stop to listen to a hint from an older person! They think they know everything. They are full of conceit of their own wisdom. They reckon elderly people, and especially their relations, stupid, and dull, and slow. They fancy they want no teaching of instruction themselves: they understand all things. It makes them almost angry to be spoken to. Like young horses, they cannot bear the least control. They must needs be independent, and have their own way. They seem to think, like those whom Job mentioned, "We are the people, and wisdom shall die with us." (Job 12:2). And this is all pride.

J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

I picked this book up a while back. I've been slow to read it because I know it will be convicting. So far, that's true.

Then They Spit in His Face

Then they spit in his face... Matthew 26:67

The NFL Is looking into an altercation between two players yesterday. Reportedly, one player spit in the other player's face. 

Check out this video from ESPN.com starting at the 1:20 mark: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5780875

We all recognize the vulgarity of being spit on. It happened once to me when I was in junior high. I still remember it.

I'm confident our precious Savior also remembers the feeling of the spit of His creation smacking against His lovely face.

Oh, how he loves us!

Artificial Pleasures

One of the greatest calamities that sin has brought upon us is the debasement of our normal emotions. We laugh at things that are not funny; we find pleasure in acts that are beneath our human dignity; and we rejoice in objects that should have no place in our affections.

The world's artificial pleasures are all but evidence that the human race has to a large extent lost its power to enjoy the true pleasures of life and is forced to substitute for them false and degrading thrills.

~ A.W. Tozer, The Divine Conquest via Thoughts on the Way

Seeking a Way to Destroy Him

And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 

~ Mark 11:18

My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?”

All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me.

They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.”

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!

By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.

But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!

Amen and Amen.

~ Psalm 41 5, 7-13