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 →

weekly words of encouragement

God Rules All Governments – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” (Psalms 47:8, ESV). It is easy to forget that God rules all governments; he really does reign over the earth. We are heavily influenced by our natural eyes which see all the actions of humans, all the power of governments, and all the force of armies. We elect Presidents and Prime Ministers and we pray they will wisely rule us; and this is good. But “the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). He is unseen but God rules all governments. He allows people to harm and destroy one another and so it seems that God is inactive. But in this age he is only letting us choose to love him or reject him. Yet he still has ultimate control and so we do not need to fear. If Continue Reading →

prophecy

The Marriage Of Prophecy And Discernment

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May of us have experienced disappointments with those who give prophecies. We know that Scripture gives high honor to prophecy. When someone prophesies this means they are speaking spontaneous words from God. This reflects God’s desire to communicate with his children and give them encouragement and instruction (1 Cor. 14:31). God values prophecy and instructs us to “be eager to prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:39 ESV). Yet, prophecy and discernment must be combined if believers want to edify others. In practice it is common to find many problems with the exercise of the gift of prophecy. The one receiving the prophecy often adds their own interpretation when they express it which damages what God is trying to say. Also, in their zeal to be supportive of prophecy many leaders do not apply the principles of discernment which leads to “prophets” giving advice about others’ futures which ends up taking people down Continue Reading →