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Spiritual growth can ultimately be described as becoming more like Jesus. |
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Friday, 03 February 2012 20:20 |
Spiritual growth can ultimately be described as becoming more like Jesus.
The Scripture continually affirms that God's goal is for his people to
become like his Son, Jesus:
Romans 8:29 (NLT)
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his
Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT)
9 Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature
and all its wicked deeds.10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you
learn to know your Creator and become like him.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory
of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him
as we are changed into his glorious image.
Theologians have used the word "sanctification" to describe this process of
spiritual growth. Wayne Grudem defines sanctification as "A progressive work
of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like
Christ in our actual lives." This definition is helpful because it tells us
that:
(a) Spiritual growth is a process that takes time. Though we would like to
be instantly changed in all the aspects of our character, this is not how
the process works.
(b) Spiritual growth is a work of God and of man. This means that there will
be no spiritual growth without God's help and there will be no spiritual
growth without our effort. If we try to grow apart from God's help and
grace, we will fail. If we do nothing and simply assume that growth will
"just happen" we will not experience much change. This process is described
well in Philippians 2:12-13, which says that Christians should "work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling [our part], for it is God who
works in you [God's part], both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
(c) Spiritual growth always involves increasing freedom from sin. There is
one primary obstacle that prevents us from fully enjoying God: sin.
Therefore, it does not matter how much Bible knowledge we acquire, how much
volunteer work we begin to do for the church, or how spiritual we feel-if we
are not becoming increasingly free from sin, we are not really growing.
(d) Spiritual growth is becoming like Christ. Jesus not only avoided sin,
but he also lived a life of righteousness and blessing to those around him.
True Christlikeness is not just avoiding sin, but also loving God and people
like Jesus. True spiritual growth always makes us more loving. (Luke
Simmons. Devotional thoughts)
Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.
<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/deltontru130096.html> D. Elton
Trueblood
What reservations do you have about this life of faith that God has called
you to? What are you holding back on that is causing your spiritual growth
to be slow or even stunted?
Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) tells me to....
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own
understanding.
Psalm 92:12 (NLT)
12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the
cedars of Lebanon.
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Pray for your town then live like you're the answer. |
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Friday, 02 December 2011 14:58 |
Pray for your town then live like you're the answer.
When Nehemiah heard about the condition of his beloved home town he went
with a heavy heart to God in prayer. I wonder, if when he first heard the
news of the state of Jerusalem, that thought he could and would be the one
to start the restoration of the people of that city, not just the walls. He
became the answer to his own prayers as he was provisioned and released to
go and make a difference.
This is the month of the year when people celebrate the birth of the
Messiah; many never have any idea of the significance of Christmas; they
have more interest in M&S than Christ. As we watch the construction of a new
area of our town centre rapidly rising out of the ground, people are putting
their hope in the projected figures of around 500,000 people a year visiting
Llanelli's new attractions bringing transformation and hope, but just as in
Nehemiah's situation it was the word preached by Ezra that changed the
community, not the walls being built.
As we pray for those leading our community redevelopment we must not lose
sight of our obligation to be living letters, people who clearly live their
lives in such a way that it is seen that they understand that Jesus is
Emmanuel, God with us.
The church is the Hope of the world
CS Lewis writes, "The church exists for nothing else but to draw men into
Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the
cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply, a
waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose. It is even doubtful, you
know, whether the whole universe was created for any other purpose."
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS, THAT JESUS CHRIST IS BORN..........
Happy Christmas
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Thursday, 29 September 2011 10:00 |
Swing the compass
Most Motor Cruisers and Yachts suffer from some compass deviation. Deviation is the problem of compass error owing to the structure of the vessel, proximity of metal objects, magnetic fields or electrical equipment.
In order to allow for deviation in your navigation it is necessary to ‘Swing the Compass’, this expression tends to conjure up in my mind a picture of someone having tied a short length of rope to their compass then swinging it round their head! This is obviously not the case, but it does involve creating a ‘deviation card’ that will show the difference between each of the eight magnetic cardinal and inter-cardinal points and the actual heading shown by the boats compass.
This all sounds really technical and rather complicated but the truth is that it is relatively straight forward with time and a little knowledge.
As I'm sure you know the reason it's done is to make sure the boat/ship and crew get to there intended destination.
In Our life journeys we need to give the same attention to our spiritual compass, many people seem to just sail on without checking what they believe, why they believe, where their belief is taking them and those they have responsibility for.
If we are going to be true followers of Christ and make disciples we have to know 'true North', and be able to help others 'swing their compass'
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. (Hebrews 6:11 NLT)
How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you
don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches. I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word. Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions. I am only a foreigner in the land.
Don’t hide your commands from me! I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for your regulations. (Psalm 119:9-16, 18-20 NLT)
Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:13, 14 NLT)
In November, 1975, 75 convicts started digging a secret tunnel designed to bring them up at the other side of the wall of Saltillo Prison in northern Mexico. On April 18, 1976, guided by pure genius, they tunnelled up into the nearby courtroom in which many of them had been sentenced. The surprised judges returned all 75 to jail.
They should have swung their compass.
Sent from my MyPad
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The fewer the words, the better the prayer. Martin Luther |
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Thursday, 03 November 2011 15:38 |
The fewer the words, the better the prayer. Martin Luther
I have lived to thank God that all my prayers have not been answered. Jean
Ingelow
And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees. William
Cowper
To pray well is the better half of study. Martin Luther
Nothing costs so much as what is bought by prayers. Seneca
Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. S. A. Kierkegaard
We all know that we should pray! But most of us will feel that we don't pray
enough and guilt grips us. Over the next few weeks we will be taking a look
at prayer, fasting and giving. Seeing what Jesus did and looking at how we
should pray.
With Tenacity Luke 18:1-18 (NLT)
With Humility. Luke 18:10 (NLT)
With faith. Matthew 21:22 (NLT) Mark 9:23 (NLT)
With Charity. A forgiving spirit is what gets Gods attention. Mark 11:25
(NLT)
With Simplicity. Matthew 6:5-17 (NLT) Mark 12:38-40 (NLT)
With intensity. Mark 13:33 (NLT) Mark 14:38 (NLT)
With Expectation. This keeps hope alive. Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)
Check out these verses and begin to stir your prayer life with these
attitudes and lets see His kingdom come as we do His will.
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Wednesday, 31 August 2011 08:21 |
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifnJtkAnBq4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my MyPad
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