A few thoughts from El Cristal

• Jesus shed His blood for all mankind, but not all mankind will be made clean by His blood.

• When we ask according to our own will, we're overstepping the authority of God.

• Often, we have to pass through the desert before we can arrive at the mount of God (His presence.)

• Peace and security are found in the presence of God.

• Often our reaction to difficult situations is "Why?" but the interpretation belongs to God.

• We want to be willing for experiences that would allow us to enter more deeply into the feelings of Jesus in His suffering.

• The fragrance of the place where we are often sticks to us.  Jesus' life was filled with the fragrance of the place of prayer.

• A grain of wheat has no value in and of itself.  It has to die to be worth anything.

• We must be like little children to have eternal life.  Our human nature wants to be more adult-like - to show our capabilities, our intelligence - but it's like a little child who tries to walk in his father's shoes.  With each step he takes, it becomes increasingly evident that he can't do it.

• Jesus never changed His doctrine to gain the favor of the multitude.

• We don't want to discredit what God is offering to us by our manner of living.

• We're not moving in fear of the devil, but we are taking precautions.

• Professing is standing for something and being willing to let others know about it.

• There's nothing wrong with having a human body, but we need the Lord to show us how to use it.

• It's good to pay the price for the Lord's peace.

• We could have this concept of faith: "I know that God can give me what I want."  True faith is more humble.  It says, "I know that God can give me what He wants.

• The arm of God reaches where no human arm can reach.

• We could make the sacrifice of Jesus a small thing by thinking that we need to do something to earn our salvation.

• Sometimes there are things that balloon up in us - self-pity, pride, etc.  We're thankful for friends who help us pop those balloons.

• Heb. 12:1 - Those that we read about in Heb. 11 are witnesses that it can be done.

• Isaac wasn't turned back by the thought of sacrifice.

• Jesus could have showed His strength by saving Himself but that wouldn't have saved His people.

• If we seek God, He will give us the strength to choose what He has chosen.

• Our salvation is very personal.