Author: Phil Rehberg

The Balance Between God’s Will And Ours – Part One On The Will

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Of all the dimensions of a human it is the will that most hinders our growth. It is not too difficult to grow in our knowledge of God and even fully embrace his truth. We can even develop a powerful desire for God and find our emotions directed towards God.But when it comes to the will we easily avoid making hard decisions. Unfortunately, there is no growth in maturity without developing a robust will. Embracing truth and desiring God do not produce maturity without activating the will. And in cultures where self-control is neglected and people are taught to just go with what they feel then the problem of the will becomes even worse. When God regenerates us in Christ we begin with an infant New Adam will. This will needs to grow through exercise like a muscle. If you had a dramatic conversion then perhaps you will enjoy a Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

All Sacrifice Is Worth It – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” Matt. 19:29 (ESV). Jesus encourages us that God will reward us for sacrifices made in Jesus’ name. In the 1st century the extended family was all-important because it was your support network. Most people could not count on anyone else. Some people are in the same position today though it is easier for many to leave their network of relatives if they wish. But the principle is the same. When we follow Jesus we will have to leave behind the benefit of certain people and things in our life. It may be that friends or relatives reject us or that Jesus calls us to physically move somewhere else. The promise is that we will receive one hundred times what we Continue Reading →

unwanted thoughts

Defeating Unwanted Thoughts During Prayer

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One of the major struggles with prayer is the problem of unwanted thoughts. When we are physically still and in a quiet place our mind takes the opportunity to think about the concerns of the day as well other concerns. Some of these will go away in a few minutes but others will intrude anytime. They can be very annoying and we can end up thinking that we are wasting our time. The good news is that everyone has them and that we don’t need to be discouraged by them. The normal strategy for unwanted thoughts is to just let them float by. Nearly everyone has unwanted thoughts no matter how mature they are; don’t think that you can you rid yourself of them. Instead, when you’re praying picture a stream with all your stray thoughts floating by. This way you do not spend energy and attention trying to address Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Jesus Is Present In Your Gathering – Weekly Word Of Encouragement

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“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt. 18:20 ESV). Jesus is always with us but he promises that when two or three are gathered in his name that he is among them. God loves community and he honors community by promising that he, the Son, is present in a better way than with a single believer. This should encourage us to gather together in small groups as well as big groups and have expectant faith that Jesus is really with us and that we can have a stronger connection to him when we are gathered. In small groups we can pray for someone’s need and wait on Jesus. Maybe someone will have an impression or leading from God. Maybe God will give a word through someone. Jesus is there. If we believe and give him some space then we will begin Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

The Gift Of Rest From Our Burdens – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28, NIV). Jesus encourages us by promising to give us rest when we come to him, in other words, when we place our dependence and hopes on him. He is restful because we can cast all our cares on him (1 Pet. 5:7); we don’t have to do our work with anxiety in our soul. Whether it is a relationship, our occupation, our health, or a spiritual struggle in our heart it is usually our dependence on our own strength or our fears about the future that make us “weary and burdened”. Instead, we can come to Jesus, keep placing our burdens and dependence on him, and trust in the way he will work out the future. When our focus is on him then he gives us rest. Application: put your name in Continue Reading →