Author: Phil Rehberg

honesty

When Being Honest Is Risky

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Scripture teaches that we are to “put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor” (Eph. 4:25, NIV). Honesty is a greater challenge when it comes to pointing out an uncomfortable truth that others are ignoring, which is important for moving to elder-level maturity. For example, if someone we are close to or have responsibility for is harming others or themselves with attitudes, words or actions then do we not have a duty before God to say something? “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6, ESV). Sometimes we need to speak up even when there is no intention to harm. For example, if our congregation or ministry is having a problem and no effective solutions are being implemented, then we need to speak the truth and point out the negligence. Groups tend to ignore uncomfortable root issues or adopt low-pain solutions that have little hope of success. Consistent Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Rejoicing Over God’s Judgment – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. Psalms 98:8-9 (NIV) We do not normally associate singing with God’s judgment. Why would someone sing for joy about the day when God will send so many people to destruction? Isn’t this a sad time? This Psalmist does not think of judgment this way. They are thinking of judgment in terms of God bringing goodness and justice to the earth. Do we not mourn all the suffering around us? Are we not sick of all the malevolence dwelling in so many people? Are we not sad about all the hearts that rebel against God and persuade others to do the same? Instead, we look for an end to suffering and neediness. We Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

God Blesses The Righteous – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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Light shines on the righteousand joy on the upright in heart. Psalms 97:11 (NIV) The lost may find temporary pleasure or prosperity in their unrighteous pursuits and hobbies, but these benefits are nothing compared to the blessings of the righteous. Anyone who has believed in Christ and abides in him is righteous. And for us God gives light. We can see what road we are on and where we are going. We can see the obstacles and pits on our path and go around them. In God’s light we see what others cannot see. The righteous also have a joy that others cannot have. Our joy comes from our fellowship with the Lord, who shines his light on us so we can fellowship with him who dwells in infinite light. We rejoice that we are his and he is ours. We rejoice that he has illuminated the way of righteousness Continue Reading →

mask

Unmask Your False Self

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Humans have a habit of creating a false self. We love to pretend that we don’t have the faults, weaknesses, and pain that we really have. In order to get others to value us we construct a false self that we think they will like. A false self can also stem from pride or the desire to control. Thus, even if you are overcoming shame and self-rejection you can still give in to the temptation of hosting a false self. A very common false self for those who have been believers for some time is a false self that appears more Christlike than they really are, usually created by them in order to gain honor from other Christians. This is a religious false self, and it can grow very secretly. We are naturally inclined to present ourselves as more whole than we really are, so we need to consciously resist Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Yahweh Reigns – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;let the distant shores rejoice. (Psalms 97:1, NIV) When it feels like our world is collapsing, or at least that everything seems crazy, we can still rejoice. Why? Yahweh reigns over all the earth. He is the only one who knows how to manage a sinful world with kindness and justice. And he has the power to do it. He gives people freedom but he still accomplishes his purposes because his ways are far beyond ours. Therefore, we can be glad when trials come. We may also be sorrowful but joy still resides in our spirit if we fix our eyes on the Lord. All who follow the Lord can be glad and rejoice. Yahweh reigns and his reign will be complete after the Son returns and establishes justice on the earth. God Will Show Us Mercy – Weekly Words Of EncouragementNovember 10, Continue Reading →