two roads discernment

Is Victory Over Your Faults Beyond Your Character?

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Have you noticed how sometimes the reason we can’t rid ourselves of a fault is because we haven’t fully intended to do it? We make some mild efforts to change but they don’t work. Then one day we decide to put our full effort into it, ask for God’s help, and presto – the fault is gone! But we also have another kind of experience with out faults: failure, in spite of all our efforts. “I keep trying to stop doing this, but it doesn’t work.” We’ve probably all said this at some point. We want to rid ourselves of a fault so we ask God for help, read books, study Scripture, and exercise our willpower but nothing works. And the fault lives on. Why do we have such different experiences with becoming holy? Because some changes are within our character and some are not. What do I mean by Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

God Does Not Forsake Us

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“I will never leave you nor forsake you” Heb 13:5b (ESV) Sometimes when things go wrong and we are not feeling God’s comfort it is easy for thoughts to come in that God is not really paying attention to us. We wonder if we did something wrong, or if God is just letting us suffer with no help, or if there is something wrong with us so that we are disconnected from God. But this verse promises us that God will not leave us and He will not push us away. Of course, other passages explain that He is displeased with us if we are persistently sinning without repentance. Otherwise, He is there and caring and the suffering will have a benefit if we let it. (Heb. 12:10-11). Our responsibility is to trust His word even though it is dark. One day we will see the good that comes out Continue Reading →

judgment

Courage To Embrace The “Unpleasant” Truths Of Scripture

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This morning I was reading a book by a famous spiritual formation author. In it he talks about “finding the Christ dwelling within us.” Since this was ambiguous I searched to find out if the author believed in the necessity of repentance and the new birth. Instead, I found statements like “Your belovedness precedes your birth…You are fully loved because you belong to God for all eternity. That’s the truth of your identity. That’s who you are. And you can reclaim it at any moment.” So I searched the book (with the Kindle search function) for the words “sin” or “repentance” and they were not found. I could not find a mention of the final judgment of God on human lives. Obviously these ideas could be expressed in different words but I did not find any mention of natural human rebelliousness or of the need to recognize our sinfulness and Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

We Are At A Great Party In Heaven – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect” Heb 12:22-23 (ESV) This idea of coming to the heavenly Jerusalem is a contrast to the previous verses about the fear of the destructive power of God that the Jews experienced when God descended on Mt. Sinai. Instead, God transports followers of Jesus to a joyful mountain in heaven, the heavenly Mt. Zion. And this is not just a future experience, it is something that has already happened for the Scripture says “you have come” which is a translation of perfect verb tense in Greek, which means it is a completed action. Thus, our role is to Continue Reading →

discernment scales justice

Releasing God’s Spirit In The Body Of Christ Through Discernment – Part 2

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Over the years I have experienced impressions through others (and myself) that were clearly from God and helpful and others that weren’t from God. Using reliable principles of discernment has been very important even if there is a long learning curve. Last week we looked at the biblical idea of discernment and how discernment provides a safe place to release the Holy Spirit. This week we will look at some basic principles of discernment we can apply to hearing from God. In general, if a perception fits with the New Testament, especially the fruits of the Spirit, then we can consider if it might be from God. Otherwise, we shouldn’t consider it. This is probably the most basic principle of discernment. It is especially important to keep in mind the virtues that come from the Holy Spirit. Anything from God will reflect His good nature. Just because a perception is Continue Reading →