I'll Be Honest

Paul Washer | Classic Preaching Gem | We must not trade the priceless, transformative presence of Christ for temporary entertainments or mere scientific pursuits. True passion for God is demonstrated by a heart that burns for His glory—a heart that is willing to be frustrated and challenged, knowing that every trial is a reminder of our need for Him.

Article written by Tony Leiter | What goes through the mind of a child that is raised in a godly household? I’m sure every parent who seeks to bring up their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4) has at some point in time wondered this. So, we ask ourselves, what is a very common pitfall for children who are raised in a Christian household?

Read article: https://illbehonest.com/most-common-pitfall-for-children-raised-in-a-christian-home

Geoff Thomas | 2024 Fellowship Conference Session #4. The cross is propitiation. Jesus’ sacrifice appeased the wrath of a sin-hating God. By taking the punishment that we deserved, he declared that God’s righteous anger against sin was fully satisfied. In his death, God’s justice and love meet on Calvary.

Join us for the 2025 Fellowship Conference, held April 17-20, 2025, in Denton, Texas, where believers from across the globe gather to exalt Christ, reflect on the power of the cross, and grow in faith.

Register: https://illbehonest.com/fellowship/

As believers we must consider the example of Jesus Christ--specifically let us consider his prayer life. Jesus was often found alone praying to his Father. He often prayed throughout the night and he even prayed before making decisions. This shows us the importance of connecting with God through prayer and relying on Him for direction.

Chapter 11 from Gardiner Spring's, "The Power of The Pulpit" | It is beneficial for us to keep such an example of ministerial diligence before our eyes. Through Paul’s life, we can better appreciate how much can be accomplished by the patient and self-sacrificing efforts of one devoted servant of God.

Effective diligence encompasses the entirety of a minister’s life, requiring full dedication to the work of the Gospel. For a minister, time is more precious than rubies. A diligent minister carefully manages his time, gathering up every fragment so that none is wasted. There is nothing he feels more solemnly accountable for, nor anything he uses more cheerfully or intensely, in service to his Lord. While he, like everyone, needs moments of rest, it is essential that he chooses these moments with an honest conscience, fully aware that, when faced with the choice between labor and rest, it is natural to lean toward rest.

Chapter 15 from Gardiner Spring's, "The Power of The Pulpit" | It was a bold and presumptuous step on my part, when, as a young man just entering my third year in ministry, I dared to instruct others by publishing Essays on the Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character. Nearly forty years in the ministry have since taught me that youth and inexperience can address such a profound topic with far more ease and confidence than the perspective brought by age, deeper reflection, and the weight of a more varied—and often more humbling—experience. - Gardiner spring

Jesus made it clear: “Out of the heart come evil thoughts” (Matthew 15:19). The Pharisees looked righteous on the outside, but inside, they were full of hypocrisy and sin. Legalism shifts the focus from heart transformation to external rule-keeping—missing the point entirely. True purity isn’t about following rules; it’s about a heart changed by God. Are we focused on appearances, or on real transformation?

Matthew 15:18-20

18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.

19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

20 These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.”

Tim Conway | James Series | Romans 9 shatters human pride, reminding us that salvation is not earned but rests entirely on God's sovereign mercy. This humbling truth forces us to abandon self-reliance and stand in awe of the God who has mercy on whom He wills. When we grasp this reality, it silences our objections and drives us to worship rather than debate. Instead of questioning God’s justice, we are left marveling at His unsearchable wisdom and undeserved grace.

Bob Jennings | Then I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, along with the living creatures and the elders. Their number was described as myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. They cried out with a loud voice:

“Worthy Is The Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing; and every created thing, in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and under the sea, is declared by Him who sits on the throne and by the Lamb, ‘Blessing, honor, glory, and dominion, forever and ever!’”