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Our Present And Future Bliss

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John Ruysbroec, a Christian spiritual writer who lived from 1293 – 1381, had deep experiences of intimacy with God. Below is a quote of his description of what he felt. The second paragraph is a description of our future bliss in eternity. They are both from his book The Sparkling Stone, chapter 3. The love and joy he describes are encouraging and inspirational. He stated in other places that he did not believe in a merger of essence with God, so he was not heretical. His vocabulary may seem strange, but he was looking for words to describe something that seemed beyond words. [Note: the “spirit” refers to our human spirit.] For students of church history, it is interesting that Ruysbroec uses fire language similar to that used later by Richard Rolle and John of the Cross. As you read it, embrace it as something you will experience one day! “[Those who Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

Thirst For Righteousness – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” Matt. 5:6 (ESV). God is pleased when we hunger and thirst for righteousness. This isn’t just judicial righteousness that we receive when we first believe; it is also lived righteousness, that is, living a godly life, a life that is truly good. And this is something that Jesus wants us to passionately pursue, that we would actually thirst for righteousness. He hopes we realize that we are parched and dry because we do not have the water of God’s righteousness. Remember, this passage is at the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in which he describes a way of life that is far beyond natural human living. And the encouragement is that if we adopt this thirst for righteousness, then God will satisfy us; he will wine and dine us with his goodness so that Continue Reading →

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Are You Modeling Jesus?

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“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Phil. 3:17 (NIV). At first this statement by Paul might seem too audacious. Why would he tell the Philippians to imitate him instead of telling them to imitate Christ? He does talk about imitating Christ in other places so why would he direct the Philippians to focus on Paul? Is he being prideful? Is he too focused on himself? Is he misleading the Philippians? I don’t think he has any of these faults. He was modeling Jesus. I think Paul understood the power and importance of modeling Jesus for spiritual growth. It is easy for us to say that we aren’t the one that others should look to for an example. But really, if we are saying that Jesus changes lives and Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

You Are The Light Of The World – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“You are the light of the world . . . let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14, 16). Followers of Jesus provide the illumination of God’s goodness to the world. We are not darkness to them, and we are not affliction to them. God’s light radiates through us so that others can see who God is, his goodness and how Jesus gives us inner happiness. It’s encouraging to remember that we have the privilege of being God’s light. His light indwells us so that if we abide in him, we will naturally light up like a little sun. We will naturally do good deeds of mercy and kindness, which will stand out in a harsh world. So, just as the sun creates a gravitational pull, others who seek good will gravitate in your direction.  What good deeds Continue Reading →

resurrection new adam

What Is Our Prize In Christ?

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“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things (Phil. 3:13-15 NIV). For a long time the meaning of this passage was foggy to me. What is the goal Paul is talking about? And what is the prize in Christ, and is it different from the goal? The answers were important to me because Paul said it was “One thing I do” which meant it was central to Paul’s life. Also, Paul says those “who are mature” should have the same view as Paul! But how can I have the same view as Paul if I don’t know what the prize is that Paul is pressing on towards? If we are Continue Reading →