Month: October 2018

Weekly words of encouragement

We Will Withstand All Storms – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matt. 7:24-25 (NLT). Jesus encourages us that if we follow his words (in this passage he is coming to the end of his Sermon on the Mount) then no matter what happens we will not collapse, our life will not end up worthless. This reminds us of Romans 8:35-39 which promises that nothing (death, persecution, powers, etc) can separate us from the love of God. Notice that Jesus recognizes that storms will come; we are not immune from troubles. But no matter what is assaulting you from the outside, your soul and spirit will withstand the forces and emerge stronger and more attractive than Continue Reading →

fivefold way stages of growth

Our Fivefold Way of Growth – Part 1

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A fascinating dimension of Christformation is the various phases of growth that believers go through. We know that we go through phases because Scripture warns us against being immature. In 1 Corinthians 3 the Apostle Paul makes a disappointing evaluation of the Corinthian Christians when he says: “I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ” (v. 3 NIV). We do not want to remain in the infancy phase. Thus, it is important to have an understanding of the phases of growth God wants to take us through. Understanding progressions of our growth helps us to know where we are and where we are going. It also helps us to be okay with where we are and not dislike ourselves for not being more mature. Understanding phases also teaches us what thoughts and feelings are normal for Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

A Promise For Searchers – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” Matt. 7:7 (NIV). The encouragement here is that God will let us find him and his truths and his gifts. He does not want to keep them hidden. But they are hidden when we begin. That is why our responsibility is to seek and knock. Why does he ask us to seek and knock instead of just revealing everything to us without effort on our part? One reason is that there are many things that we are not ready for. First, we need to absorb and apply what we already know. Another reason God wants us to seek is that the process of seeking prepares us for receiving what we will find. As we seek we become focused, we put other things aside, and desire grows in our heart. Focus and desire help to transform us Continue Reading →

puzzled

How Can We Be Like Jesus If We Are Not Divine?

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When we talk about becoming like Jesus someone might object that Jesus was divine and we are not. How are we supposed to become like Jesus? How can we have all the love and faith and humility he had? I used to wonder this myself. But after carefully looking at Scripture I realized that Jesus did not depend on his divinity to live like he did. A key Scripture is Philippians 2:6-7 which explains that Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (ESV). Thus, the second person of the Trinity, God the Son, chose to let go of his divine powers and be born as a human. He lived as a human and served his Father as a human – Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Blessings Follow When The Kingdom Is Supreme

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Mt. 6:33 (NIV) The “these things” are food, drink and clothing which Jesus mentions just before this verse. He is trying to teach us not to be anxious about these things. The cure is to pursue the kingdom of God above all else, as well as righteousness – which is right living approved by God. If our number one priority is living within God’s realm and rule then he promises to provide our most basic needs. Based on Jesus’ other teachings we also receive joy  and peace and fruitfulness! It’s true that occasionally devout Christians suffer famine but I think this is the exception that proves the rule. If we truly make God’s kingdom our top priority in whatever we do we will find blessings that far surpass any blessings we Continue Reading →