weekly words of encouragement

Looking Forward To The Tree Of Life – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“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 →

gong

“Without Love You Ain’t Nothing”

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“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” I Cor. 13:1-2 (NIV). The title of this post is from a Larry Norman (Christian music pioneer) song of the 1970s, and he was echoing the words from I Cor. 13:2. He sang them because these are some of the most important words in Christianity, without love, we are nothing. This passage shocks us with the surprising truth that even if someone has great spiritual gifts they are nothing without love! In fact, they are a nuisance, like a noisy gong. They are not a true disciple. What is surprising is that God Continue Reading →

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 →