From: John & April Correia <[email protected]>
Subject: Encouragement's From The Heart - August 20, 1998
Date: Thursday, August 20, 1998 1:38 AM

"Where, beloved, is the teaching on holiness, on purity, on suffering for Christ's sake in the arena of His choosing, on a cross of His sovereign design?  Much of our current theology lays emphasis on obtaining blessings rather than on attaining holiness, which comes through trials, testings and sufferings."  Kay Arthur (from Beloved)  

We are called to test everything in light of Scripture (1 John 4:1.  Paul praised the Boreans and said they where "more noble minded" because they listened then tested all things against the Scriptures - many came to believe. (Acts 17:11)  

Look around you, with a discerning eye, there is so much compromise in the church today.  Unity, we must all be united.  In most cases there is unity at the cost of the cross and false doctrine is creeping in, maybe not exactly from the pulpit.  It could be that Elders, Deacons and teachers from unrenounced cultic backgrounds are bringing in their doctrine and mixing it with sound doctrine; salt mixed in sweet water still makes the water salty.  

Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  (Mt. 7: 13,14)  

We are called to "enter through the narrow gate".  Don't allow yourself to be deceived any longer.  For we are to be "in the world" but "not of the world" (Rom. 12:2; Jn. 2:15,16)  Let your standard be NO MORE COMPROMISE!  

Jesus, Himself, said He is the way, the truth and the life... (Jn. 14:6) and Hebrews 13:8 assures us that, "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever."  Study His character, which will lead you through the narrow gate - choose to follow the narrow road that leads to life and only few find.  

We are called to be at peace but not at the cost of the cross.
by April Correia
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The above message (poem, story, etc.) is sent to you as a ministry of encouragement.  Please feel free to pass the encouragement on to others. If you'd like to be added to the mailing list reply to  [email protected] Subject:  "add to"  Encouragement's From The Heart.   Have a joyous and bountiful day in the Lord! April Correia   PRAISE THE LORD!!  We are currently working on the "Encouragement From The Heart" Website.  Here you will be able to re-read past encouragements along with other selected stories, poems and more.  There will also be a discernment site where you can link to other sites on discernment, like CRI, Answers in Action, Precept Ministries, Watchman fellowship, more.   The Lord is definitely in control.  Special thanks to our  Webmasters,  Chris & John ! NEW ADDRESS - http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/1483/encourag.html  
Blessings to blessings!  April Correia   
all glory to God!
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