Month: June 2024

temptation

How To Resist Temptation – Part 1

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We will always have troubles and temptations in this world. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” John 16:33 (NIV) Moreover, it will be a struggle to resist temptation because the root of temptation is within us, for “each person is tempted when he is lured and tempted by his own desire.” James 1:14 (ESV) Trials and suffering naturally become temptations because they tempt us to doubt and turn from following Jesus. Therefore, if we are having troubles then we know that a temptation is lurking. So, in order to resist temptation we need to be on constant alert to know when a temptation has begun.  We don’t need to be anxiously consumed with fear of temptations, but neither can we afford to neglect awareness. The enemy is always prowling around like a lion hoping to sink his teeth into us. “if we are having troubles then we Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

Christ Is Inside You – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  Col. 1:27 (NIV)  The mystery is that Christ is inside you. Maybe you are used to hearing that Christ is inside you, but if you think about it, you should realize it is a fantastic mystery. How can another person be inside you? If you had no knowledge of Christianity and someone told you that the Son of the infinite God can live inside you, you might think they were crazy. Yet it is true, and it is a “glorious” treasure! Christ is inside you; he lives in you, with his Holy Spirit. It is impossible to be closer to a person than to have them live inside you, and if you were to choose among all the people who ever lived, you would want Jesus Continue Reading →

Jesus the shepherd

Constantly Abiding In Jesus – Words From A Master

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Today we have some profound words about abiding in Jesus from Francis De Sales (b. 1567 – d. 1622), from Chapter 13 of his book Introduction to the Devout Life. His words complement a post that appeared here a couple of weeks ago about abiding in Jesus . De Sales inspires us to keep in constant contact with God throughout the day. “You can express spiritual desires to God by short, ardent movements of your heart. Marvel at his beauty, implore his help, cast yourself in spirit at the foot of the cross, adore his goodness, converse often with him about your salvation, present your soul to him a thousand times during the day, fix your interior eyes upon his sweet countenance, stretch out your hand to him like a little child to his father so that he may lead you on, place him in your bosom like a fragrant bouquet, plant him Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

Our Future Blessings In Christ – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“God raised us up with Christ…in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:6-7 (NIV) It is hard to think of greater words of encouragement than these. God has already raised us up spiritually with Christ and the reason he did this is so that in the next age (after Jesus returns) he could give us incredible blessings. Our future blessings are “incomparable”; in other words, they surpass, exceed, transcend other riches. Nothing on earth can compare to our future blessings. They are beyond any other blessings we can imagine. This verse reminds us of 1 Peter 1:13, “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (ESV). This grace, and all our future blessings that go with it, is God’s intention Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

The Gift Of The Spirit Is God’s Guarantee – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” Eph 1:13-14 (NIV) The gift of the Spirit is a mark, a seal, a deposit, and a guarantee! God stamped a mark on us and sees us with his mark that seals us as belonging to him, like a brand on a cow; we are part of his herd, which is the best herd possible. The Holy Spirit is also a down payment from God on all the good he is giving us, which is his kingdom and all the blessings that go with it. We gave our lives to him and showered us with blessings, and he lets us have a down payment now so we can taste our future. And the gift of the Spirit is a guarantee that nothing can stop God from bringing us Continue Reading →