Author: Phil Rehberg

fire of spiritual intimacy

How Can We Describe Intimacy With God?

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I am on retreat this week so the post today is a quote from something I’ve been reading from John Ruysbroec, a Christian spiritual writer who lived from 1293 – 1381. He had deep experiences of intimacy with God. Below is a quote of his description of what he felt. The second paragraph is a description of what we will experience in the next life. They are both from his book The Sparkling Stone, chapter 3. The love and joy he describes are encouraging and inspirational. He stated in other places that he did not believe in a merger of essence with God, so he was not heretical. His vocabulary may seem strange but he was looking for words to describe something that seemed beyond words. [Note: the “spirit” refers to our human spirit.] For students of church history it is interesting that Ruysbroec uses fire language similar to that used Continue Reading →

discipleship model

You Have A Modeling Career

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“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Phil. 3:17 (NIV) At first this statement by Paul might seem too audacious. Why would he tell the Philippians to imitate him instead of telling them to imitate Christ? He does talk about imitating Christ in other places so why would he direct the Philippians to focus on Paul? Is he being prideful? Is he too focused on himself? Is he misleading the Philippians? I don’t think he has any of these faults. I think Paul understood the power and importance of modeling for spiritual growth. It is easy for us to say that we aren’t the one that others should look to for an example. But really, if we are saying that Jesus changes lives and makes them good then shouldn’t Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Freedom And Confidence With God – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“In [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Eph. 3:12 (NIV) This is a simple but enormous promise for us. Since Christ has paid all our debts we can always approach God without any restrictions. This reminds me of the annual entrance into the holy of holies conducted by the Jewish high priest each year. Only one person could enter, only once a year, only in the Temple, and only the high priest. But now all of us can enter, any time we want, anywhere we want, and we don’t have to be a top religious leader. Better yet, we can be confident that God will welcome us and bring good to us. The Jews did not have this confidence under the old covenant. There is an unverified tradition that the high priest had a rope tied around his ankle when he entered Continue Reading →

spiritual growth, resurrection

What Is The Prize That We Press On Towards?

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“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. Phil 3:13-15 NIV) For a long time the meaning of this passage was foggy to me. What is the goal Paul is talking about? And what is the prize, and is it different from the goal? The answers were important to me because Paul said it was “One thing I do” which meant it was central to Paul’s life. Also, Paul says those “who are mature” should have the same view as Paul! But how can I have the same view as Paul if I don’t know what the prize is that Paul is pressing on towards? If we are going to Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Our Destiny Is Incomparable Blessings From God – 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 that is so that in the next age (after Jesus returns) he could give to us incredible blessings. These blessings are “incomparable”; in other words, they surpass, exceed, transcend other riches. They are beyond other blessings we can imagine. This is God’s intention and future for us. This truth is a tremendous encouragement for keeping our focus on Jesus and fully surrendering ourselves to discipleship and spiritual growth. Simple application: put your name in the verse instead of “us.” Then say it out loud three times. Trust. God Guides The Humble Continue Reading →