Category: Kingdom Community

Fellowship and koinonia

speak the truth in love

Speaking The Truth In Love

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Our “tongue-control” determines much of how our lives impact others. Consider how much our parents’ words shaped our lives. Consider how much the right words from a friend have encouraged us. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Pro. 16:24, NIV). Consider how much the words of Scripture radically transform our lives. This impact from words is the reason it is so important to master our tongues; our words have the power to encourage and bless others. When we consider how little effort it takes, it is quite amazing that a few well-chosen words can infuse comfort or confidence into someone else’s heart. That is why Ephesians 4:15 states: “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (ESV). Words are essential to the kinds of relationships God wants to see Continue Reading →

bear one another's burdens

Learning To Bear One Another’s Burdens

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Most of us say that we want authentic fellowship, but are we practicing this when we have the opportunity? Specifically, are we bearing one another’s burdens as Scripture teaches? Do we pay attention to the burdens of our brothers and sisters in the Lord, whether we are at our church building or not, and look for ways to support them, emotionally or materially? This is essential for authentic community. Today we will meditate briefly on Galatians 6:2: “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (NLT). Absorb. What is the ‘law of Christ’ that this passage refers to? (See Mt. 22:39; Gal. 5:14; Rom. 13:9; 1 Jn. 3:23; James 2:8.) Imagine Jesus standing in front of you speaking these words to you; how does this affect you? Ruminate on it, understand it and let it sink in. Feelings. How did you feel as you absorbed Continue Reading →

heaven, on earth

Where Will We Spend Eternity?

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We often say that we will live forever in heaven. But Scripture speaks of a New Earth. ​Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” Revelation 21:1-3 (ESV) So, where will we live? To begin, we recall that in this present age we are citizens of the New Jerusalem which is in heaven (Heb. 12:22) and will descend to earth in the next age. Thus, our new home Continue Reading →

new earth, callings

Looking Forward To The Fulfillment Of The Purposes Of Our Lives

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This post is about our future hope, the anchor for our lives. First, think back to the Garden of Eden. Consider the callings (we could also refer to them as missions or commissions) that God gave to Adam and Eve. They lived in a paradise, but God did not want them to just sit and enjoy the scenery. Rather, he made them in his image and likeness giving them tremendous abilities and individual gifts so that they could expand the Garden of Eden and create beautiful societies in a beautiful world. Below are the eleven callings God gave to them; these are the purposes for our existence: The Eleven Callings for Humans in the Garden of Eden Bear the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) Be fruitful (Gen. 1:28) Multiply (Gen. 1:28) Fill the earth (Gen. 1:28) Subdue the earth (Gen. 1:28) Exercise dominion over animals (Gen. 1:28) Work the garden Continue Reading →

empathy

Do You Show Christlike Empathy?

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Empathy is one of the most valuable qualities of a disciple of Jesus. Empathy goes to the very heart of Christianity. The supreme act of empathy was the incarnation. God chose to identify with us, put himself “in our shoes”, by becoming a human. He became what we were so we could become the full image of what he is. He did this by choosing to experience the same troubles, pain and suffering that we do. Even more, he allowed himself to be crucified to take the responsibility for our sins. If God is willing to be that empathetic for us shouldn’t we become known for our empathy for others? Empathy means training ourselves to stop our thoughts about ourselves and focus on where the other is coming from. It means being willing to consider the challenges and pain the other has faced or is facing. Or maybe just making Continue Reading →