We all have life-defining moments. They are like open-book tests, but we don't know we have been examined until it is over.
John BevereDo not be afraid to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal any unforgiveness or bitterness. The longer you hide it, the stronger it will become and the harder your heart will grow. Stay tenderhearted.
John BevereGodly fear, faith, and humility is the true threefold cord that canโt easily be broken (see Ecclesiastes 4:12).
John BevereTrue humility is absolute obedience and dependence on God. It puts Him first, others second, and ourselves third in all things.
John BevereThe Spirit of God is jealous over us; He doesn't want superficial fellowship, but genuine intimacy.
John BevereGod is waiting to satisfy us, yet His goodness will not satisfy us if we are already full of other things.
John BevereIf we donโt risk being hurt, we cannot give unconditional love. Unconditional love gives others the right to hurt us.
John BevereI say that trials and tests locate a person. In other words they determine where you are spiritually. They reveal the true condition of your heart. How you react under pressure is how the real you reacts.
John BevereOffended people still may experience miracles, words of utterance, strong preaching, and healing in their lives. But these are gifts of the Spirit, not fruits. We will be judged according to fruit, not gifting. A gift is given. Fruit is cultivated.
John BevereThe man or woman who doesn't forgive has forgotten the price that Christ paid for them on the Cross.
John BevereOften God will send us what we need in a package we don't want. Why? To let us know He's God and we cannot second-guess Him. We cannot search for answers merely with our heads; we must seek Him and His provision with our hearts. Scripture cannot be interpreted from our limited human mental understanding. There must be a breath of the Spirit of God. He alone gives wise counsel and correct application.
John BevereGrace gives us the power to live, and mercy keeps us free from guilt, condemnation, and shame.
John BeverePhysical growth is a function of time. No two-year-old child has ever been six feet tall. Intellectual growth is a function of learning. Spiritual growth is neither a function of time or learning, but it is a function of obedience.
John BevereI am so tired of criticalness being called discernment. Do you want to know true discernment? Paul said "That your love may abound in all discernment." When you are willing to die for somebody that is when you are actually discerning them. Jesus could call the Pharisees hypocrites and snakes because he went to the cross and died for them. So the next time you are quote "discerning" about somebody ask yourselves the question could you die for them? If you can`t say yes, you're critical because the love of God is to lay down your life for them, and discernment is rooted only in love. Got it?
John BevereThere is no other way to know good from evil, right from wrong, unless we have His Word dwelling richly in our heart. It's good for us to spend time in His Word.
John BevereGod is seeking those who hear His call to a life of worship. Those who heed are those who will walk in His presence. They will know Him intimately as He will manifest Himself to them.
John BevereJust as Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered, we learn obedience by the difficult circumstances we face. When we obey the Word of God that is spoken by the Holy Spirit, we will grow and mature in the times of conflict and suffering. Our knowledge of Scripture is not the key. Obedience is.
John BevereGod doesn't author hardship but uses it to strengthen us for greater conquests. He never leads us into a storm that He doesn't give us the power to overcome.
John BevereWe don't want to merely obey God: we need to catch His heart. It is then we will glimpse the wisdom behind His directives, and not just see them as laws.
John BevereWhat we say in private we must be willing to say with a heart burning with love and honor before the face of our leaders. If not, we will poison our spirits and it will manifest in the presence of our leaders.
John BevereHow can a good God appoint cruel people to positions of authority? The answer is simple: God is the originator of the authority, but He is not the author of the cruelty. Man is responsible for his cruel actions, not God. All authority is of God, but not all authority is godly.
John BevereWe don't honor just to get a reward; we honor because it is the heart of God, and it is our delight.
John BevereChristianity is not a sprint but an endurance run. Therefore it is not how we start the race that counts, but how we complete it. How we finish is determined by the choices we make, and those are often formed by patterns we develop along the way.
John BevereWe must always keep in mind all legitimate authority is from God, and is given for protection, provision, and peace.
John BevereWe are like horses that must be broken; basically that one should submit to a pastor even if he is wrong.
John Bevere