MEAT FOR MATURITY – DISCIPLESHIP

“I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” Acts 20:32 (ESV). This quote is from Paul’s speech to the elders of the Ephesian church, and he emphasizes how important the “word of his grace” is for our spiritual growth. If we devote ourselves honestly and wholly to God’s words, absorbing Scripture, then his words will definitely build us up. This means meditating on them; chewing them until they because part of us. Then, we will be assured of gaining an inheritance with the rest of the saints of God, which reminds us of Jesus words to “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Mt. 6:20).  Below is an effective pattern for absorbing Scripture (meditation): Activational Scripture Reading. Use the four headings to remind yourself to practice absorbing Continue Reading →

“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” Rev. 3:21 (ESV). God wants us to “conquer” this life by overcoming the sin in ourselves and living a Christformed life. This includes being faithful in the midst of trials and suffering. No matter what happens “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). In the end we will reign with Jesus. If we will persevere and be faithful to the end, then we will actually have the privilege of sitting with Jesus on his throne. This means that we will reign with Jesus! This seems too good to be true but it is an important biblical theme; God promises a reign of the saints in Rev. 2:26-28 and we see it fulfilled in Rev. 22:5. Jesus reigns Continue Reading →

“To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7b (ESV). What kind of conquest is this verse talking about? Here are some of the words just prior to this passage: I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV) So, in one sense the Christian life is one of conquest: in Christ we conquer the destructive enemies of our life so we can love God and help others to do the same. Sometimes conquest is hard but he makes us “more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37), and if we persevere God will reward us with the great privilege of feasting from the tree God created to give true life. In Genesis Continue Reading →