Category: Interior Life

walking in the spirit

Are You Walking With The Spirit?

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“Keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25 NIV). The Holy Spirit guides us with the power of the presence of his goodness more often than with specific words that we hear inside our heads. God gives us his flow of life when we focus on his Spirit: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires . . . the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-6 NIV). This is the practice of walking with the Spirit, and it is one of the most fundamental disciplines in the Christian life, though it often doesn’t make it on lists of spiritual disciplines! Walking with the Spirit is a little abstract but not difficult to learn how to do. Often the felt Continue Reading →

future

The Power Of Focusing On Our Destiny

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Nothing motivates humans like the hope of a wonderful destiny. And if that destiny is certain then people become absolutely fearless because they dwell in the peace of knowing that no matter what happens their ultimate future will be blissful. This is why God wants us to be absolutely confident in our destiny with him. Thus, one of the most important spiritual disciplines is focusing on our destiny, so we can grow in our confidence. This confidence will strengthen us to endure any troubles. We realize that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18 NIV). Focusing on our destiny enlightens our minds to see beyond the physical realities around us to the reality of the kingdom of God around us. This unstoppable kingdom marches along its predetermined course, bringing all the people of God to the complete fulfillment of Continue Reading →

Big brother

Jesus Is Our Big Brother

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The family of God has an unusual genesis. It has a Father like other families but it also has another member who made the family possible: a big brother. In the family of God everyone has a big brother and Jesus is our big brother. He is the “oldest” of the siblings because He is the first of the newly designed humans, the first of the new Adams. He was the first to live an ideal human life and he did this is order to blaze a new trail for the rest of us to follow. The power he had to be the first new ideal human is available to us too. When we first believe, we receive a new self that is like Jesus’ pure human self but it is an infant new self. God’s goal was to choose people “to become like his Son, so that his Son would Continue Reading →

child

The Danger Of False Expectations Of God

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We are children of God (Romans 8:16), so when we talk with Him we can say “Our Father in heaven” (Mt. 6:9 ESV). Isn’t it amazing that our Father is the God of all creation? He is the infinite One. He knows all things and sees all things. He is all-powerful. He is the good One. He is so infinitely loving that Scripture says “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8 ESV). He is the One who takes care of us and gives us power to become like Christ so that no matter what comes our way “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37 ESV). But these truths can lead to false expectations of God. We must be careful about comparing God too closely to our earthly father. Many people did not have such good fathers. In that case, God is not like your earthly father; rather, Continue Reading →

god's love Adam man human person heart

I Am Loved By God Even In Pain

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Scripture tells us over and over that we are loved by God. Nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:35-39). The ultimate demonstration of His love was giving His Son to become a human and die for us. He also gives us a new self to live from and puts peace and kindness in our hearts. His Scripture makes us wise and transforms our lives. His Spirit lives in us and actively and patiently works in us. God even answers prayers. And the best gift is that He guarantees us a fantastic eternal destiny. So shouldn’t it be easy to trust that we are loved by God? Unfortunately, trust doesn’t come naturally to us. Consider how often we lose our faith in His love. When life starts caving in, it is harder to keep faith that we are loved by God. We think, “God is all powerful so if Continue Reading →