Month: September 2020

Weekly words of encouragement

Blessing For Helping The Weak – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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Blessed are those who have regard for the weak. Psalms 41:1 (NIV) God has a big heart for those who are weak, troubled, needy. That is why he will bless those who help the weak: they are doing God’s work. They satisfy God’s heart to help those who need help. This is one of the defining traits of a faithful Christian, to watch out for weak and determine how to help them. This encourages us because we know that even though we are not benefitting ourselves when we sacrifice our time and effort for another, God will provide a blessing even greater than if we had just focused on ourselves. Thus, the one who loves God by helping the weak comes out ahead of those who do not. Our blessing may not come until the next age but it will surely come and our joy will endure. Blessed Are Those Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

God’s Plans For Us – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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Many, Lord my God,are the wonders you have done,the things you planned for us. Psalms 40:5 (NIV) God has plans for us. This is the rock of our soul, that we know he will do good for us. For the rest of our life on earth, he will give us victory over sin and trials. We will radiate Christ’s light to those around us. We will enjoy God’s Spirit and live with peace and joy. In the next life we will be free from our old corrupt self. We will see Jesus and be transformed to be like him, which means the image of God will be fully restored in us. We will be “married” to Christ so that his divine nature will permeate us. We will live in eternal bliss. God will reward us individually for the sacrifices and good works we have done in his name. We will Continue Reading →

prosperity

Are Believers Supposed To Be Prosperous? – Part 4

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In this series we have looked at the contrast in prosperity between the old and new covenants. Last week we also looked at the prosperity gospel and giving and tithing. Some believers may prosper and some may not, and those who do need to give generously to those who do not. Those who have plenty should “be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:17, NIV). Believers are not supposed to just accumulate wealth but rather spread their wealth around in order to even out the differences in congregations in the interest of fairness. This is the idea behind 2 Corinthians 8:14-15: “Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack” (ESV). This was also practiced in full Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Sure Footing For Our Journey – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalms 37:23-24 (NIV) Our Christian life is a journey, and it comes with many twists and turns and stumbles. We may want God to give us instructions for every step, but he does not do this, nor would he want to. He wants us to learn to trust his invisible hand, which we may not even recognize. Instead of waiting for step by step instructions, God would like us to delight in him. This keeps our hearts abiding in him, which he honors with guidance. Our steps will be “firm”; they will solidly contact the ground and give us a foundation for our next step. We may stumble because of the troubles in the world or because of our lack of Continue Reading →

prosperity

Are Believers Supposed To Be Prosperous? – Part 3

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Last week we looked at the two phases of the kingdom of God and problems with the prosperity gospel. One of the common elements of the prosperity message is the claim that God will bless us financially because of generous giving. Scripture does clearly teach that God will give us some blessing for our generosity. For example, we have the promise in 2 Corinthians 9:6: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (ESV). (See also Jesus’ words at Matthew 6:3-4.) But what type of blessings will God give? Paul makes his thinking on this clear in his letter to the Galatians. He teaches that when believers contribute financially to their ministers their reward is spiritual: Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever Continue Reading →