walking in the spirit

Are You Walking With The Spirit?

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“Keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25 NIV). The Holy Spirit guides us with the power of the presence of his goodness more often than with specific words that we hear inside our heads. God gives us his flow of life when we focus on his Spirit: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires . . . the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-6 NIV). This is the practice of walking with the Spirit, and it is one of the most fundamental disciplines in the Christian life, though it often doesn’t make it on lists of spiritual disciplines! Walking with the Spirit is a little abstract but not difficult to learn how to do. Often the felt Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

Ungodly Wealth and Status Will Disappear – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.” (Psalms 49:16-17, NLT). This passage may not seem encouraging at first since it is about judgment on the wicked, but I think it is one of the most encouraging truths in Scripture. Ungodly wealth and status will disappear forever when the ungodly die. We often observe that compromising, unscrupulous, or faithless people become successful in this life. And godly people often do not become prosperous. But God assures us that this is not the end of the story. Everyone will be judged one day (2 Cor. 5:10) and everyone “will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” (2 Cor. 5:10, NLT). Finances may be a trial Continue Reading →

Our Return To The Garden

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God has an amazing plan for us after Jesus returns. Along with being in the direct presence of Jesus and the Father, we will live forever in a perfect community of love with God’s followers. This is what God originally intended for humans in the Garden of Eden, and after Jesus returns, we will return to the Garden. He told Adam and Eve “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals” (Gen. 1:28 NLT). If Adam and Eve and their descendants had not sinned then they would have built a community of people who were completely godly. Thus, their “city” would have been a fantastically harmonious and loving community. It would have been thoroughly creative and constructive as everyone joyfully used their God-given creativity to create and build beautiful and glorious homes Continue Reading →

future

The Power Of Focusing On Our Destiny

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Nothing motivates humans like the hope of a wonderful destiny. And if that destiny is certain then people become absolutely fearless because they dwell in the peace of knowing that no matter what happens their ultimate future will be blissful. This is why God wants us to be absolutely confident in our destiny with him. Thus, one of the most important spiritual disciplines is focusing on our destiny, so we can grow in our confidence. This confidence will strengthen us to endure any troubles. We realize that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18 NIV). Focusing on our destiny enlightens our minds to see beyond the physical realities around us to the reality of the kingdom of God around us. This unstoppable kingdom marches along its predetermined course, bringing all the people of God to the complete fulfillment of Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

He Will Guide Us – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“He will guide us forever.” (Psalms 48:14). God wants to guide our lives like a good Father. And like a good father he does not want to make us into puppets and predetermine everything we do. He wants to give his children room to grow in their wisdom and exercise their will in submission to Christ. At the same time, if we abide in Christ’s commandments, pray, and seek counsel then we can expect that he will guide us. He promises in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (ESV). This doesn’t mean that we will usually receive a clear strong impression from God on all our important decisions. Instead, once we have fulfilled our responsibility to seek his guidance then we make a decision according to any guidance he Continue Reading →