We Have The Light Of Life – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalms 18:28, NIV). When Adam and Eve disobeyed God they lost the light of life and thus their knowledge of truth and meaning, and the road of wisdom. They were enveloped in a cloud of darkness that all the poets and philosophers and religious leaders could never break through. No one could find the light of life on their own. Yet for those who humble themselves and turn to God he gives them a spiritual lamp that burns forever. We break through the darkness of the world and begin to live in the light of the knowledge of God. He gives us the light of life. Jesus is the lamp and light of God who reveals true life to us. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in Continue Reading →

Discernment Guidelines Release The Spirit – Part 1

One of the questions I ask people before I give spiritual direction is whether they are open to supernatural ministry. This is because I sometimes invite God to give them impressions in a direction session. The most common response is something to the effect that they are cautious but open as long as there are discernment guidelines or wisdom applied to the situation. I suspect that the majority of Christians have this view, and it is a good one. Scripture is clear that discernment should be exercised in spiritual matters, not just spiritual gifts. Phil 1:9 states: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Thus, Paul desires that believers grow in discernment, presumably in every area of their spiritual life. I Cor. 2:14-15a further explains “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for Continue Reading →

God Will Reward The Pure – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

“To the pure you show yourself pure” (Psalms 18:26, NIV). For those who pursue holiness and purge corruption from their lives God will reward the pure by revealing himself as a holy God. It is the pure who enjoy a relationship with the purity of God. Those who embrace the immorality and destructiveness of the world do not get to enjoy the pure goodness of God. He is hidden to them and instead of his purity they may experience the conviction and correction of God. But to the pure God “shows himself.” God will reward the pure, for when we are pure our faces are then unveiled and we “behold the glory of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18). This Psalm also reminds us of Matthew 5:8 where Jesus promises “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”. Our highest happiness consists of beholding the love, power, beauty Continue Reading →

Our Future Perfect Community

Do you long for the perfect community where humans live in complete harmony and mutual support? One of the most fascinating passages in Scripture is Revelation 21:1-22:5, where our destiny is explained. One part of this destiny is the idea that we will live in a city, the New Jerusalem. This will be our future perfect community. God will dwell with us in this city: “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads,” (Rev. 22:3b-4). And Rev. 21:3 emphasizes God’s presence by stating it three times! The New Jerusalem is also the Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9). Thus, we have the mysterious description of the New Jerusalem as both the Bride and the dwelling place of the Bride and God! Perhaps these are two different ways of Continue Reading →

God Will Show Us Mercy – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

“With the merciful you show yourself merciful,” Psalms 18:25, ESV). God will show us mercy if we will be merciful to others. This reminds us of Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (ESV) and Luke 6:36: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (ESV). We know we are full of faults and weaknesses and so we depend on God’s mercy to forgive them all and bless us anyway. If we make a habit of letting others have their faults and weaknesses and still blessing them, then God promises to do the same for us. We also remember the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:23-35. A king forgave his servant a gigantic debt but wouldn’t forgive a small debt owed to him by a fellow servant. So the king imprisoned the first servant until he paid his debt. Then Jesus says our Father Continue Reading →