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How Can We Be Like Jesus If We Are Not Divine?

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When we talk about becoming like Jesus someone might object that Jesus was divine and we are not. How are we supposed to become like Jesus? How can we have all the love and faith and humility he had? I used to wonder this myself. But after carefully looking at Scripture I realized that Jesus did not depend on his divinity to live like he did. A key Scripture is Philippians 2:6-7 which explains that Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (ESV). Thus, the second person of the Trinity, God the Son, chose to let go of his divine powers and be born as a human. He lived as a human and served his Father as a human – Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Blessings Follow When The Kingdom Is Supreme

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Mt. 6:33 (NIV) The “these things” are food, drink and clothing which Jesus mentions just before this verse. He is trying to teach us not to be anxious about these things. The cure is to pursue the kingdom of God above all else, as well as righteousness – which is right living approved by God. If our number one priority is living within God’s realm and rule then he promises to provide our most basic needs. Based on Jesus’ other teachings we also receive joy  and peace and fruitfulness! It’s true that occasionally devout Christians suffer famine but I think this is the exception that proves the rule. If we truly make God’s kingdom our top priority in whatever we do we will find blessings that far surpass any blessings we Continue Reading →

growth

God’s Glorious Mission In You

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Is it a burden or privilege that God wants us to become like Christ? Isn’t it is a privilege that he provides a way for us to become New Adams and New Eve’s in the image of the second Adam, Jesus? In fact, it is astonishing that we can start doing that now. As soon as we are born anew we can start progressing towards being someone fully governed by the Spirit, full of peace, harmony, light and love. Let’s look at some passages about becoming like Christ. In Galatians 4:19. Here Paul told the Galatians that he was “in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (ESV). Paul’s goal is that Christ would actually be formed in the readers. Christformation is his goal and he feels like he is in labor. It takes time and effort in order for Chrisformation to happen, it is a continuous process. Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

You Are God’s Light – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“You are the light of the world . . . let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14, 16). Followers of Jesus provide the illumination of God’s goodness to the world. We are not darkness to them and we are not affliction to them. God’s light radiates through us so that others can see who God is and what goodness is and how Jesus gives us inner happiness. It’s encouraging to remember that we have the privilege of being God’s light. His light indwells us so that if we abide in him we will naturally light up like a little sun. And just as the sun creates a gravitational pull, others who seek good will gravitate in your direction.  God’s Song Of Love Is With Us – Weekly Words Of EncouragementSeptember 8, 2026Jesus Is Our Big BrotherSeptember 4, Continue Reading →

activational reading book knowledge

Activational Reading – How To Let God’s Word Change You

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We know that we need to let Scripture soak in to our deepest self. We want to let it assimilate into our soul and saturate our whole being.   One ancient way of doing this is lectio divina which involves the sequence of: reading Scripture, then meditating on it, then responding in prayer, then quietly contemplating (gazing upon or receptively sitting with) the Scripture or whatever has impacted you. Since this model is weak in the area of activating the will I altered it some and labeled it activational reading. It has four steps. Activational Scripture Reading Step one is to absorb the Scripture passage. This includes reading it, understanding it and letting it sink in. Roll the words around in your mind and heart. What is the author trying to communicate? What do the words actually mean? What do they not mean? What is the purpose of the passage? If Continue Reading →