Marks of the True Christian (ESV)

Marks of the True Christian (Listen)

Romans 12: 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,7 serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.8 Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it9 to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Character of God:

Oh the depth and beauty of God! So seldom do we fully see - too busy with 'life'; too earth bound and finite are we. How good sometimes to be stopped in our tracks by suffering in order that God would have us to take a good long look at 'who God is' and to bring us to worship God as we ought!
 
The 10 commandments reflect the character of God! This is the best book on the ten commandments!
http://www.tabernaclebookshop.org/god-s-rules-for-holiness-9781870855372.html

The passages on love in the Bible likewise reflect the character of God in all His perfection, here are the best sermons I have heard on the love of God.
http://bbcq.org/sermons.php and scroll down to the following series:Love - The Heart of God - [Pastor Troy D. Cane] ; starting 9 May 2010

Is your Christianity a 'cultural Christianity' that is worth nothing?

By Al Martin:
http://bbcq.org/articles/article01.php
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=22811120120
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1221111334111
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8910131783 
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=826101220466
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=92911115411

By Paul Washer:

http://media.sermonaudio.com/mediapdf/52906154239.pdf
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52906154239

February: Science experiments, puppies and garden tucker

He Makes No Mistakes

My Father's way may twist and turn, 
My heart may throb and ache. 
But in my soul I'm glad I know, 
He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray. 
My hopes may fade away, 
But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, 
For He doth know the way.

Tho' night be dark and it may seem, 
That day with never break; 
I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, 
He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see, 
My eyesight far too dim; 
But come what may I'll simply trust, 
And leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift, 
And plain it all He'll make, 
Through all the way, tho' dark to me, 
He made not one mistake. 

― A.M. Overton

Will you do this for me?

http://urbanservant.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/gentle-reminder.html

God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered

Spurgeons - Morning, February 18

   "Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me."       Job 10:2

   Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces.

   There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were

   not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so

   grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a

   glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of

   surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star--not to be seen in the

   sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of

   adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set

   the jewels of his children's graces, to make them shine the better. It

   was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, "Lord, I

   fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith." Was not this

   really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?--for how

   canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised?

   Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be

   discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides,

   it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of

   sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges

   in order to make us better Christians. He trains his soldiers, not in

   tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to

   forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams,

   and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile

   with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not

   this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not

   the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this

   the reason why he is contending with you?

   "Trials make the promise sweet;

   Trials give new life to prayer;

   Trials bring me to his feet,

   Lay me low, and keep me there."

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