weekly words of encouragement

Entering Heaven: God’s 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.” 2 Pet. 1:11 (ESV) 2 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 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 honored as we are entering heaven. Later, God will create a New Earth where we will live in God’s Kingdom on Earth forever and we will be tremendously blessed in that next age. Just imagine actually entering heaven 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 Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

The Benefits Of Persecution – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” I Pet. 4:14. Society increasingly views Christians with suspicion. In some places Christians are respected but in others they experience outright hostility and prejudice. Many Christians experience discrimination in their workplace because of their faith. Of course, this is very sad since most of what is good in America came through Christianity (and all good things come from God.) But we can look to the benefits of persecution. It is encouraging to remember that God blesses us when we are rejected for Christ. In fact, this passage promises that just the fact that you are insulted brings you the benefits of persecution, blessings from God. Also, the glorious Spirit of God rests on you, which is a treasure that far surpasses anything you have lost in Continue Reading →

speak the truth in love

The Words Of Jesus Produce Growth

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“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:15-16 NIV). The words of Jesus produce growth. It is an amazing truth that we are actually part of the body of Jesus Christ, the Saviour. He is the head, the one who is in charge, and we are all parts of him, people who he is coordinating all around the world as one whole. But the main point today is that it is from Jesus and the words of Jesus that growth comes. Our connection to Christ is the channel of our spiritual growth. And, dare we say, if our connection is weak our spiritual growth will be Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

Rejoice In Your Eternal Inheritance – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” I Pet. 1:3-4 (ESV) God is keeping a reservation for us in heaven; it is our eternal inheritance. He already paid for it by the death of His Son. In fact, Romans 8:17 explains: Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (NIV). We have an eternal inheritance because we are co-heirs with Christ. We get to inherit the same things he inherited! Our eternal inheritance will be the vacation that never ends and He will shower us with amenities and activities that will leave us with uncontainable joy. We will Continue Reading →

heaven

An Eternal Perspective Eliminates Regrets

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We naturally think more about the present moment than our eternal future. But if we are not ready for eternity now, then how will we be ready tomorrow? Now is the time to live with an eternal perspective. This is essential to our discipleship training. Even if we live a long life what good is it if we have not devoted ourselves to being conformed to the image of Christ? Consider how many Christians have believed for many years but show little spiritual growth. Do we want to enter heaven that way? How great that tragedy would be. “if we keep our eternal hope constantly before us then our actions will quickly harmonize with the Spirit” Death is not our enemy, but a wasted life is. True discipleship leads us to meditate on the end of our earthly life and develop an eternal perspective so that we can live an Continue Reading →