Tony Cooke > Quotes

“Purpose transcends personality. It is important for supportive ministers to serve based on their awareness of God's purpose. His purpose is foundational and will remain steady when personality conflicts and other difficulties arise.... Challenges come to all types of relationships. Only the relationships that are built on a strong foundation will survive and thrive.”
― Tony Cooke, In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers

“Good attitudes are contagious; they inspire and encourage others. Bad attitudes are also contagious; they create a negative and hostile work environment and make others feel uncomfortable - like they have to walk on eggshells all the time.”
― Tony Cooke, In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers

“Eventually, as I studied grace more in-depth, I began to see the truth: After being saved it was still His grace that made me His, kept me His, and would enable me to live in a way that pleased Him.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“It's only by spending time with Jesus that our thoughts, words, and actions will ever be transformed into His image.”
― Tony cooke, In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers

“However, the Word gives us a different perspective. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16), and this includes the salutations and benedictions of the epistles. I am convinced they are not superficial formalities. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit to impart powerful spiritual blessing to all who read them.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Shown (Ezra 9:8). Poured (Psalm 45:2). Received (Romans 1:5). Seen and perceived (Acts 11:23; Galatians 2:9).”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“As you read, remember that God is completely committed to you. Don't just read for information but seek the transformation He offers.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace: The DNA of God: What the Bible Says About Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Grace is multiplied unto us through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2). An individual can: Receive grace in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). Set aside or treat as meaningless the grace of God (Galatians 2:21). Fall from grace (Galatians 5:4). Insult the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). Fall short of grace (Hebrews 12:15). Turn the grace of God into lewdness (Jude 4).”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (This phrase occurs ten times in Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, and Philemon 3.)”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Ephesians 1:2; 6:24”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (This phrase occurs one time in 2 Corinthians 13:14.)”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“These two verses are the hello and goodbye in the book of Ephesians. The standard greeting before Jesus came on the scene was shalom, the word for God’s peace in the Hebrew language.1 Paul and other New Testament writers added grace (charis) to the greeting, making it a very powerful statement.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come.” (This phrase occurs one time in Revelation 1:4.)”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Others specializing in the field of grief recovery state that the most difficult time following the death of a loved one is usually between seven and nine months afterward.”
― Tony Cooke, Life After Death

“There is a depth of meaning every time the Holy Spirit greets us with some form of, “Grace and peace.” Today, few understand this. We greet one another with, “Hello! How are you?” But in most cases we are not expecting a revealing or meaningful answer, nor are we saying something profound in our greeting. Likewise, our goodbyes are usually something like, “See ya later,” or a simple, “Bye.” No weighty communication there! Perhaps this is the reason most of us give little thought to the beginning and ending of the epistles. We assume the writers were simply expressing a formality, and we believe the true substance of Scripture is between what are called the salutations and benedictions.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“It's true that we are not saved BY works, but it's also true that we are saved UNTO works (see Ephesians 2:8). In other words, works are not the CAUSE of our salvation, but they are to be a RESULT of our salvation. Works are not the ROOT of our salvation, but they are to be the FRUIT of our salvation.”
― Tony cooke, In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;”
― Tony Cooke, In Search of Paul: Unleashing the Power of Legendary Mentors in Your Life

“Continue in grace (Acts 13:43). Abound in grace (2 Corinthians 8:7). Be strong in grace (2 Timothy 2:1). Grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). The Word of God speaks of: Great grace (Acts 4:33). The abundance of grace (Romans 5:17). The exceeding grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:14). The glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:6). The riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). The exceeding riches of His grace (Ephesians 2:7). The dispensation of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:2). The gift of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:7). The grace of life (1 Peter 3:7). The manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10). The true grace of God (1 Peter 5:12).”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Similar variations of this phrase occur nine times in Romans 16:20,24; 1 Corinthians 16:23; Galatians 6:18; Philippians 4:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:18; Philemon 25; and Revelation 22:21.)”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you’re in control, they’re in control.”
― Tony Cooke, Your Place on God's Dream Team: The Making of Champions

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (This phrase occurs one time in 2 Peter 1:2.)”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“These are God’s thoughts and intentions toward us. He is for us, not against us. None of these letters begin with “Shame, Guilt, and Condemnation to you” because that is not God’s heart toward us, grace is.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“occurs five times in Colossians 4:18; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:22; Titus 3:15; and Hebrews 13:25.)”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Grace be with you” (or you all). (This phrase”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Keep in mind that if God waited until we were perfect before He allowed us to be in His service, none of us could ever serve. We shouldn't use this truth as a cop-out to not change out improve, but to encourage us to keep striving when we're tempted to quit, remembering we've all got room to grow.”
― Tony cooke, In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers

“It is the grace of God that makes us rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). God’s grace is sufficient for us and causes us to reign in life (2 Corinthians 12:9; Romans 5:17). We are called by grace into grace (Galatians 1:6,15). Grace enables us to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). Our words can impart grace to others (Ephesians 4:29). We are partakers of grace (Philippians 1:7). We sing with grace in our hearts, and our words are to be seasoned with grace (Colossians 3:16; 4:6). Grace gives us everlasting consolation and good hope (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Grace teaches us to live holy lives (Titus 2:11-12). Grace helps us in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Grace enables us to serve God acceptably (Hebrews 12:28). Grace establishes our hearts (Hebrews 13:9). Grace is obtained by coming boldly before His throne (Hebrews 4:16).”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Seventeen times in the New Testament, some variation of “Grace and peace to you” is used in expressing blessing to God’s people. In bringing God’s grace to mankind, Jesus also brought the peace every Old Testament believer had sought. The fact that grace is always used first indicates that grace is the root of what God did for us through Jesus, while peace follows as the fruit of His gracious work.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Because of its frequent use in Scripture, grace should be an oft-preached topic, and a frequent subject of discussion among believers. Consider the following descriptions of grace found in the Bible.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“Even though I realized it was by God’s grace I had become His child, I had somehow come to think that my continued acceptance with God was based on me doing everything perfectly. I also realized that I had been trying to live the Christian life in my own strength. I knew God loved me enough to save me, but as I struggled with my flesh and the world, sometimes failing, I saw Him as angry, judgmental, and disappointed in me. Through this misperception, I saw Him not as my loving Father and Helper but as a mere faultfinder.”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power

“The prophets of old prophesied of the grace that should come to us (1 Peter 1:10). This grace came by Jesus (John 1:17). Jesus was full of grace, and it is from His fullness that we receive one grace after another (John 1:14,16). The grace of God was upon Jesus and gracious words proceeded out of His mouth (Luke 2:40; 4:22). It was by grace that Jesus tasted of death for every man (Hebrews 2:9).”
― Tony Cooke, Grace, the DNA of God: What the Bible Says about Grace and Its Life-Transforming Power