Category: Level: Beginner

speak the truth in love

Speaking The Truth In Love

Posted on by

Our “tongue-control” determines much of how our lives impact others. Consider how much our parents’ words shaped our lives. Consider how much the right words from a friend have encouraged us. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Pro. 16:24, NIV). Consider how much the words of Scripture radically transform our lives. This impact from words is the reason it is so important to master our tongues; our words have the power to encourage and bless others. When we consider how little effort it takes, it is quite amazing that a few well-chosen words can infuse comfort or confidence into someone else’s heart. That is why Ephesians 4:15 states: “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (ESV). Words are essential to the kinds of relationships God wants to see Continue Reading →

bear one another's burdens

Learning To Bear One Another’s Burdens

Posted on by

Most of us say that we want authentic fellowship, but are we practicing this when we have the opportunity? Specifically, are we bearing one another’s burdens as Scripture teaches? Do we pay attention to the burdens of our brothers and sisters in the Lord, whether we are at our church building or not, and look for ways to support them, emotionally or materially? This is essential for authentic community. Today we will meditate briefly on Galatians 6:2: “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (NLT). Absorb. What is the ‘law of Christ’ that this passage refers to? (See Mt. 22:39; Gal. 5:14; Rom. 13:9; 1 Jn. 3:23; James 2:8.) Imagine Jesus standing in front of you speaking these words to you; how does this affect you? Ruminate on it, understand it and let it sink in. Feelings. How did you feel as you absorbed Continue Reading →

new earth

How To Improve Your Eternal Perspective

Posted on by

This is a short meditation on our destiny, designed to produce a stronger eternal perspective so that we can follow Jesus more closely. The passage is: Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp Continue Reading →

What is Christlikeness?

What Does It Mean To Be Christlike?

Posted on by

We know that our highest calling is to be Christlike and love God. But what are the essentials marks of Christlikeness? This post summarizes Christlikeness into five categories. This should help us to examine our lives and pursue areas of growth. Christ fully abided in the Father, which produced everything else in his life. He was filled with the virtues of God, and these virtues led to fruitful deeds, which is one of humanity’s original callings (“Be fruitful”, Gen. 1:28). This is an important element of the image of God, for God is the fountain of fruitfulness. This included actively loving people and healing their bodies and hearts. On Earth, Jesus employed all his faculties to impact others with his words and actions and developed disciples who would carry on his work after him. We are to do the same in our families, occupations, communities and societies. Whoever abides in Continue Reading →

growth of new self

Living From Our New Self – Part 1

Posted on by

When we first believe God does not patch up or remodel our old self; instead, he gives us a new self, made in his image, and that new self overcomes the old self as we abide in Christ. Yet, he does not wipe out our core personality and gifts, rather they are all redesigned within the image of our new self. It is a mystery as to how God preserves these parts of us yet also creates a new self in which these parts will develop. Our new self desires what is good and desires to participate in what is good. When our new self sees good it recognizes it as beautiful and so is drawn to it. Our new self is good because it reflects God and has the same human nature that Jesus has: Jesus’ human nature and our new human nature are both created in the image Continue Reading →