Weekly words of encouragement

Victory Over Trials Leads To Jesus’ Throne – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” (Ps. 18:29, NIV) In this Psalm King David is rejoicing over his victories that God gave him over his political and military enemies. Under the new covenant believers have no geographic kingdom in this world and “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world” (Eph. 6:12, NIV). This sounds like a daunting task, for mere humans to defeat unseen rulers and authorities! And yet, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37, NIV). How can we be conquerors? With the full armor and weapons of God. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done Continue Reading →

rewards

Our Future Reward Of Developing God’s Creation – Rewards Part 2

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Our last post on individual rewards leads to the question of how God will reward believers. Since he is going to reward us what will the rewards be? Scripture gives few details, but we have at least one clue from Jesus’ parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11-27) that Jesus told when some thought the appearance of the kingdom was imminent. A ruler gave some money (a mina) to some of his servants and instructed them to put the money to work while he was gone. When he returned he heard the report: “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

We Have Eternal Lamps – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalms 18:28, NIV) When Adam and Eve disobeyed God they lost their knowledge of God and thus their knowledge of truth and meaning and the road of wisdom. They were enveloped in a cloud of darkness that all the poets and philosophers and religious leaders could never break through. No one could find the light of life. Yet for those who humble themselves and turn to God he gives them a spiritual lamp that burns forever. We break through the darkness of the world and begin to live in the light of the knowledge of God. Jesus is the lamp and light of God who reveals true life to us. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5, Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Seeing God’s Purity – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“To the pure you show yourself pure” (Psalms 18:26, NIV). For those who pursue holiness and purge corruption from their lives God will reveal himself as a holy God and Lord. It is the pure who enjoy a relationship with the purity of God. Those who embrace the immorality and destructiveness of the world do not get to enjoy the pure goodness of God. He is hidden to them and instead of his purity they may experience the conviction and correction of God. But to the pure God “shows himself” for when we are pure our faces are then unveiled and we “behold the glory of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18). This Psalm also reminds us of Matthew 5:8 where Jesus promises “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”. Our highest happiness consists of beholding the love, power, beauty and wisdom of God. Thus, we are Continue Reading →

rewards

God Rewards Each One Individually – Rewards Part 1

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Scripture teaches that after Jesus returns individual believers will receive individual rewards based on their life on this present earth. “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God . . . each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10 12, ESV) (see also Heb. 4:13). “Each will receive his wages according to his labor” (1 Cor. 3:8, ESV). After we run the race in this life God will reward his beloveds with gifts for all their service and for all the progress they made in Christformation. This is the victory of God’s good justice. Everything matters. Rewards for believers are most plainly promised in 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (ESV). Can you Continue Reading →