A few thoughts from El Cristal

• What is our reaction when God shows us how we appear before Him?

• Part of the work of the gospel is to destroy confidence in what is false.

• The feeling "I can do it" hinders us because then God cannot help us.

• Jesus didn't keep back anything for Himself.

• We'll never have anything to boast about, but by the grace of God we can keep going forward.

• We have to have power to be able to die.

• Without death, there can be no resurrection.

• A tree that is complete has roots, branches, leaves and fruit.

• Without the seal of the Spirit, we have no hope.  The seal identifies to whom something belongs.  Animals that are sealed (branded) are those who have been purchased by the owner.

• The children of God have a great advantage in this world; everything works together for their good.

• When God calls us, it is to bless us and to make us a blessing to others.  If we fail to respond, we miss out on our own blessing and the opportunity to be a blessing.

• There's a difference in reading and listening to God's word and in having God's word revealed to us.

• Many times we confuse "I can't" and "I won't."

• Clay can't be made into a vessel without being in the hands of the potter.  We can't be made like Jesus without being in the hand of God.

• God can't do anything in us if we don't offer Him our life.

• When we see others who are invested in this, it causes us to want to invest more in it ourselves.

• God wants us to keep dying quietly - like Jesus.

• Our spiritual health depends on what we feed every day.

• Many people seek a momentary salvation.  We want everlasting salvation.

• There is no reason to lose hope.