Let God Himself be the main attraction at church again, and let us be tireless in our insistence that church is for God, about God, through God, and to the glory of His great Son.
James MacDonaldRepentance is the key that unlocks the door to all that God has for us, but it is not easy.
James MacDonaldThese criminals represent us. One of them recognized Jesus for who he was and received him; Jesus promised that when he died he would be in heaven with him. The other man rejected Jesus and closed his heart. Unlike the first criminal, when he died he didn't go to heaven. He went to hell. In that sense, these two men on either side of Jesus are just like every person. We either embrace Christ as our Savior and spend eternity with him, or we reject him and say, 'I don't believe it. I'll have nothing to do with.' And these people spend eternity separated from him.
James MacDonaldYou'll face overwhelming odds; you'll be incredibly outnumbered. Fear would be your natural inclination. But keep in mind, God is with you.
James MacDonaldWe all know the disappointments that come when we base anticipation on what we and other humans can deliver. God will never have a problem delivering!
James MacDonaldWhen you say, I don't know exactly what God is doing, but I know he's in control that's evidence you're trusting Him.
James MacDonaldDon't lean on your own understanding. If your trust in God is limited by your understanding of His ways, you will always have a limited trust.
James MacDonaldWhen we pray, we are speaking to the One Whose eternal purpose and designs are unfolding as our present realities. In order to find hope in them, we must seek HIM and HIS perspective. This requires a keen understanding of the redemptive nature of our existence, which points to the glorious gospel of Christ.
James MacDonaldChurch was never intended to be a place where we serve God to the exclusion of meeting with Him.
James MacDonaldI want to be a part of the grand plan. Being on board with God's objectives means I understand that this is not about me.
James MacDonaldPraying is what confirms our true belief that we cannot succeed without God, and its absence confirms the exact opposite.
James MacDonaldYou might not think it now, but if you're one of God's children, you're going to figure it out by the end of your life God is good.
James MacDonaldWhen you come to the place where you can't do anything else, you must stand still and believe... When you can't do anything, let God do it all.
James MacDonaldDoubt is a lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep his promises. Faith is an active confidence that God's promises are always true.
James MacDonaldAll I can say is Bishop Jakes would not currently accept the designation of Prosperity Preacher or Word of Faith Preacher as an accurate description of what he believes currently. Now his ministry will have to bear that out. I'm not here to defend him or stick up for his various errors. And I don't want to minimize error that is significant. All I'm saying is that he, as of two weeks ago, would not accept those terms, in private conversation, as accurate descriptors of what he believes.
James MacDonaldIt doesn't matter what has happened, better things are coming. God's plan produces hope in me.
James MacDonaldOur prayer must be, "Father, I'm waiting for You because I know You are good in what You do and in when you do it.
James MacDonaldGod owns the truth. The issue is our ability to derive truth apart from God's sufficient Word.
James MacDonaldDon't miss God's fingerprints all over the events, lining up people and circumstances in perfect timing to preserve His people and advance His agenda.
James MacDonaldGod brings tests into your life because your faith in Him--your belief that He is in control and that He is good--can be proved only in times when life is hard.
James MacDonaldWhen we worry, we are telling God, "You are neither trustworthy nor in control, so I need to worry and scheme as I take matters into my own hands." In this way unbelief drives worry, for it is impossible to worry when we are trusting in the provision of our sovereign God.
James MacDonaldIt's not unlikely that God would lie that would be a matter of probability. It is impossible for God to lie.
James MacDonaldJesus washing the disciples feet is the most supreme act of humility in all of Godโs word.
James MacDonaldThe Christian way is a life of faith. In order to hold on to the promises of God, you've got to believe them and live by them.
James MacDonaldA rebellion against God, even as believers, is fueled by the toxic fumes of unbelief.
James MacDonaldThe core of humanity's sin problem is not a horizontal behavior to be corrected but a Vertical relationship to be restored.
James MacDonaldEd Welch says that all counseling is a variation on a single theme: knowing and praying for the counselee. Of all the questions the counselor might ask, then, the central guiding question in the counselor's mind is, "How can I pray for you?
James MacDonaldIn a society where rationality has ruled so long, the church frequently fails to see that in forsaking the weekly pursuit of the transcendent, we have given up the only ground that was uniquely ours in this world. In attempting to make the church something that can attract and add value to secular mind-sets, we have turned our backs on our one true proposition - transcendence.
James MacDonaldThis fight is not going to be over in 10 minutes or 10 weeks; there's no quick solution. If you think it's taking too long, remember, God is with you.
James MacDonaldWhat kind of future is in God's plan? A good one to which you can look forward. That's why you can hope.
James MacDonaldOnly when we have done all we knew to do can we wait by faith for God to do what only He can do.
James MacDonaldWhether you realize it or not, your ongoing battle with unbelief drives all your sinful thoughts, emotions, desires, and actions.
James MacDonaldThe counselee should be aware that you are not God. Better yet, she should be aware that you are aware that you are not God.
James MacDonald