Weekly words of encouragement

Our Future Gives Us Peace – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” II Pet. 3:13 (ESV) We do not have to be distressed about this present age nor doubt that God will judge the good and the bad. Those who have received the Son will have life in the next age, the New Creation. We will dwell on a new earth underneath new heavens and society will be as God originally meant it to be. So our hearts now dwell in the place of constant anticipation of the New Creation. This destiny gives us peace and motivates us to remain united with God now and to do His work on this earth. Whether our efforts produce much visible fruit now or not, what matters is that we abide in His will. For this God will richly reward us in the New Creation. See Continue Reading →

close friends

Do You Desire Deeper Friendships? – Part Three

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So far in this series we have looked at four ways for developing close spiritual friends: bearing burdens, using spiritual gifts, building one another up, and encouragement. Today we look at two more: comfort and intentionality. II Cor. 11:4 teaches us: “[God] comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (ESV)  It is interesting that the Greek word for comfort is the same word used to describe that Holy Spirit as a comforter, paraklētos. Thus, believers have the role of doing the work of the Holy Spirit toward each other. All comfort comes from God and we are to be the channels. Paraklētos can also mean exhort or urge and this is how it is used in other passages. Thus, we are to comfort, exhort and urge Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

We Can Have A Rich Entrance Into The Kingdom – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” II Pet. 1:11 (ESV) II Peter 1 lists virtues we should seek such as faith, self-control, endurance, godliness and brotherly kindness. Then God promises that if we practice these qualities that we will have a “rich” entrance into the kingdom of Jesus! In other words, if we will diligently become like Christ then we will be tremendously blessed in the next age. Just imagine actually entering into the kingdom and experiencing a big celebration for you personally because you dedicated your life to being like Jesus in your relationships and actions on earth. It might seem like God is going overboard to promise us a rich entrance but that is how He is. Thus, it is more than worth it to dedicate ourselves to God in Continue Reading →

close friends

Do You Desire Deeper Friendships? – Part Two

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Last week we looked at two principles for developing close spiritual friends: bearing each others’ burdens and using spiritual gifts. This post looks at two more. Remember, this could apply one on one or in a group. The next principle is intentionally building one another up to be more like Christ. I Cor. 14:26b states: “Let all things be done to build each other up.” Eph. 4:12-13 explains that God gave different types of people to the church “for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain . . .  to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Think about how helpful it would be to have a couple friends who consistently encouraged you to become more like Christ. How much strength would it give you to have someone speaking words to help you be more like Christ in specific situations in Continue Reading →

close friends

Do You Desire Deeper Friendships? Part One

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Do you ever feel like you want some close spiritual friends you can tell your life to? Are you feeling a hole in your spiritual life where close friends should be? This is because we were designed to have close spiritual friends in mutually edifying relationships where we can reveal our true self and be channels of God’s grace. The New Testament refers to this as fellowship; the Greek word is koinonia, which literally means participation. What does the New Testament teach about fellowship? One of the principles we observe in the Apostle Paul’s life is that we should support one another especially in troubled times. This is stated plainly in Galatians 5:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (ESV). This implies that we actually let other people know what our burdens are! Think about how often we don’t do this. How often do you Continue Reading →