Author: Phil Rehberg

No Condemnation In Our Lives Any More – Weekly Word Of Encouragement

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“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:1 (ESV) Before Jesus we were judged according to the law of sin. This law meant that because we sinned we had to be declared guilty of sinning – no lawyer could win an argument against that. And since we were guilty there had to be a sentence, a punishment of condemnation. The punishment was spiritual death and separation from God; this was our condemnation. We were condemned to death by our sins. But when we accepted Jesus and his death for our sins then the law of sin was defeated. This was because Jesus took the punishment for our sins. So now there is no punishment of death for our sins. So now there is a great divide between guilt and condemnation. We may be “guilty” of a sin but there is no condemnation of death Continue Reading →

help

What Is Our Motive For Serving?

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Serving requires sacrifices. Sometimes we have to postpone something good we want to do in order to help someone in need. But we should remember that we are doing something better than the work we left behind. But even so, good deeds done with the wrong attitude profit us nothing. A small deed done with love profits us more than a great deed done without love. And if all we can do is small deeds, God highly values that, for he takes into account what we are able to do more than how great the deed is. If you love much you will do much. And if you are unselfish then you will accomplish much. Service and ministry should be for the benefit of others, not ourselves. Often service or ministry is motivated by desire for personal gain or glory, powered by our own will, and dependant on our own Continue Reading →

temptation

Resisting Temptation II – Imitation of Christ Chapter 13, Part Two

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This is the second of two posts on resisting temptation; the first one can be found here. All temptations stem from our unstable passions and from lack of trust in God. When we do not stick to our convictions we are like a ship without a rudder tossed around by a storm. Instead, temptations should refine us like a fire refines gold. Temptations should be resisted as soon as they knock on our door. We must not let them into the home of our heart, but rather go outside door and prevent them from entering at all. Once they enter they start to grow. A poet has said: In the beginning You might have won It’s past your skill now No more can be done Temptation progresses from a suggestion and moves into our imagination. Then we have thoughts of its pleasure and then it captures our desire. Finally, we Continue Reading →

God Will Resurrect Us Like Jesus – Weekly Word Of Encouragement

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“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Rom. 6:5 (ESV) In the previous verse scripture explains that we have been buried with Jesus by baptism. In other words, we died like Jesus and this is why our verse says we are united with Jesus in death. And this death is death to sin. Even better, we will have a resurrection like Jesus’ resurrection. We are united with Jesus; he is the head and we are his body. So we go through his death, and we go through his resurrection. We will have the new glorious body and spirit that he had when he rose from the dead! Application: pick some words from the verse that help you and repeat it to yourself throughout the day or week. God Will Reward The Pure – Continue Reading →

temptation

Resisting Temptation – Imitation of Christ Chapter 13, Part One

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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, 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) Troubles 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 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 know that a temptation is lurking” Since we can’t avoid temptations it is best to turn Continue Reading →