discernment scales justice

Releasing God’s Spirit In The Body Of Christ Through Discernment – Part 1

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One of the questions I ask people before I give spiritual direction is whether they are open to supernatural ministry. This is because I sometimes invite God to give them leadings in a direction session. The most common response is something to the effect that they are cautious but open as long as there is some discernment or wisdom applied to the situation. I suspect that the majority of Christians have this view and it is a good one. Scripture is clear that discernment should be exercised in spiritual matters, not just spiritual gifts. Phil 1:9 states: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Thus, Paul desires that believers grow in discernment, presumably for every area of their spiritual life. I Cor. 2:14-15a further explains “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

We Dwell In The Holy Of Holies – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus . . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” Heb 10:19b, 22a (NIV) What does it mean to enter the “Most Holy Place”? In the Old Testament the Most Holy Place, also known as the holy of holies, was the only place in the world that one could be assured to encounter the glory of God. Only the high priest could enter once a year. Now any believer can actually enter the Most Holy Place! But what does this mean if we don’t actually see God’s glory with our eyes? Remember II Cor. 3 where Paul explains that we get to enter the Most Holy Place like Moses but we don’t need to wear a veil. Instead, our faces are unveiled and we Continue Reading →

city

Our Future Perfect Community

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Do you long for the perfect community where humans live in complete harmony and mutual support? One of the most fascinating passages in Scripture is Revelation 21:1 -22:5 where our destiny is explained. One part of this destiny is the idea that we will live in a city, the New Jerusalem. This will be our future community. God will dwell with us in this city: “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” Rev. 22:3b-4. And Rev. 21:3 emphasizes this by stating it three times! The New Jerusalem is also the Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9). Thus, we have the mysterious description of the New Jerusalem as both the Bride and the dwelling place of the Bride and God! Perhaps these are two different ways of Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

God Sees Your Ministry And Will Reward You – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Heb. 6:11 (ESV) It is easy to think that no one appreciates the things we do to help others. In their hurry they forget to thank and encourage us for our help. We can tell ourselves that we don’t really need the encouragement but it really makes a difference when we are thanked and encouraged. But if it isn’t happening we have the encouragement from this passage that God does not forget what we do. He sees our work, especially when we help His people. And even more, God actually deems our help as loving Him! We also know from Heb. 6:7 that God gives a reward to those who bear fruit for Him. Thus, God is saying to us “You fulfilled Continue Reading →

sitting in heaven

We Are Actually Sitting With Christ!

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Resurrection is a big theme in Scripture. In several striking passages the Old Testament promises resurrection to the righteous. Isaiah 26:19 states “your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” (NIV) Daniel 12:2 prophecies “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will wake; some to everlasting life, other to shame and everlasting contempt.” See also. 25:8; Dan. 12:3, 13; Hos. 13:14. Then in the New Testament the resurrection of the body becomes the prominent hope for believers. I Corinthians 15 is the classic passage on our bodily resurrection. But there is something more about resurrection in the New Testament. Ephesians 2:6 states “[God] raised us up with him [Christ] and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) What an incredible statement! How is it that we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies? When I look around myself I don’t see Christ in Continue Reading →