There’s always been much discussion in Christian circles on the subject of discipleship. And rightly so. Becoming a sold out disciple of Jesus is Christianity 101. Understand, though, the discipleship piece is a dependence piece. Dependence means a life of coming to Jesus and relying upon Him. In our day to day life, in our moment by moment walk with the Lord, should we not ‘come to Him?’ Why wouldn’t we? What is holding us back? This idea of coming to Him is featured in the gospels and in the entire Word of God for that matter. What can we learn about the potential benefits of living a life that involves a constant coming to Jesus?
Exercising Your Spiritual Senses
There was a man desperately wanting to hear from God. As he was listening he thought God said get rid of your garage. Wanting to respond in faith and obedience he immediately went out to his yard and tore down his garage. It was in need of repair anyway. The Lord was watching him and suddenly called all his angels the great cloud of witnesses and other heavenly beings to observe this act of faith and obedience. As the heavenly host watched, God explained, he thought I said get rid of your garage but I actually said get rid of your grudge. Though the man missed it, God was impressed with his faith. Don’t be afraid. to step out, God is cheering you on. you will become seasoned in hearing as you exercise your senses.
From the e-book: Developing your Five Spiritual Senses by Patricia King.
Published & distributed by XP Publishing XP Ministries PO Box 1017 Maricopa AZ 85139 – location 435
God always remembers His Word. He forever recalls His Covenant, and His promises. Anything that He ever said He would do for you personally, will come to pass in your life. The passage of time will never dull the promise He made to you. Anything the Lord specifically spoke in the stillness of your heart, is already done. The very existence of heaven and earth depend on it (Matt 24:35). Do you believe this? Not only does the Lord remember His promises there are other things He refuses to forget. He will not forget your faith toward Him.
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Justin Bieber and His Relationship with God
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber is sincerely trying to repair his bad boy image and develop good Christian values. He earlier created a video of apology for his arrogance and foolish ways, made amends to his mother, and got baptized by Pastor Carl Lentz. Now, the singer is sharing his faith on his Instagram account (@justinbieber). He posted a photo of himself reading and captioned it with a Bible verse from Psalm 43. It reads: “Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.”
He then wrote, “I’m not religious nor do I think I have ANYTHING figured out that’s why I call out on God to help me through what I can’t do on my own. Developing my relationship with God has been the coolest thing I’ve experienced, to know that I’m not alone and I don’t have to live in fear.”
Bieber added that it’s such a wonderful feeling and he hopes his fans would “never feel like I’m pushing anything on you,” but instead think of his post as his way of “sharing the good news I’ve felt in my own life.”
For more on this story see: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/justin.bieber.says.relationship.with.god.is.the.coolest.thing.hes.experienced/55190.htm
George Muller prayed in 7.5 million dollars for his orphanage work without one single person being asked to contribute. Many asked Mr. Muller how he sought to know the will of God, in that nothing was undertaken, not even the smallest expenditure, without feeling it was certain he was in the will of God. You can find his answer here. Do you desire to be as passionate about God’s will as George Mueller was? Here are some Bible thoughts to equip you along this line.
One of my favorite scriptures is this phrase in the Psalms. “The Lord is good and His mercy endures forever.” The phrase occurs 9 times in the Psalms and 14 times overall. The thought of God’s mercy echoes deep within the heart of every born again child of God. Because you know if it wasn’t for His mercy where would you be? How could you have made it? One of the most outstanding features of the Throne of God is this mercy component. It is a place which is saturated and overflowing with God’s mercy.
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3 Ways to Pick Your Spouse Over Other Commitments
Recently my husband and I were talking to our engaged friends about showing each other love through service. The husband-to-be said, “I feel like you treat a lot of your friends better than you treat me. When they come over, you’re willing to cook a full meal, run errands for them, or listen to their long boring stories without missing a word. Honestly, I just wish you would treat me as well as you treat your friends.”
His fiance sat in silence with a smirk on her face for a few minutes and quietly whispered, “Well, that’s pretty embarrassing. I think you’re right.” I loved observing this interaction from a young couple, but thought to myself, I don’t have that issue.
A week later, I found myself awake until 1 A.M. picking up a friend and dropping her car off at the mechanic, and then waking up at 4:45 A.M. the next morning to spend two hours in the car for an airport drop-off. I was battling a cold, had a huge to-do list in front me, and for some reason I said yes to being a before-the-sun-was-up chauffeur! As I was driving home, I let out a big sigh as I thought about the errand my husband asked me run that same day. Before I even had time to complain, I thought of the observation from my friend, I just wish you would treat me as well as you treat your friends. I laughed out loud as I thought about how God had shown me I’m guilty of the same offense. I treat my friends better than I treat my husband. I was so willing to bend over backwards to help a friend but was frustrated about running a simple errand for Caleb.
Have you ever experienced this? Why is it easier to help your friend, serve at the church, or even volunteer at a local shelter than it is to serve your own spouse? The design of marriage is to love and serve each other above everyone else! Honestly, this “aha moment” caused me to sit down and ask God to show me how to make my husband more of a priority. Here are a few practical steps the Lord has taught me on how to do just that.
For more see: http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/juli-slattery/2015/june/how-to-prioritize-your-husband.html
In the first post of this series, “What to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up”, we looked at how fatigue factored into Elijah’s desire to quit life and ministry. We looked at the importance of keeping up with your physical needs. In part two of this series, “More What to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up” we looked at some other factors like comparison and focusing on facts instead of feelings. In this final post, “Even More What to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up” here are some concluding points on responsibility and failure.
Slain Ministers Children Forgive Gunman
The teenage children of one of the victims of the Charleston shooting have said they forgive the killer. Chris and Camryn Singleton have said that they forgive the killer of their mother Sharonda. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45 years old and one of the ministers at the church, was one of nine people killed in the attack on worshippers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Dylann Roof, 21, has been arrested in connection with the killings. In a BBC interview at a service at a Charleston high school, her children Camryn and Chris said they felt “love” for the killer. “I just feel a lot of love, I’m a little bitter, but I’m overewhelmed with love,” said Camryn.
Chris Singleton said: “We already forgive him for what he’s done, there’s nothing but love from our side of the family.”
For more of this story see: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/charleston.shootings.teenage.children.of.slain.minister.forgive.killer/56639.htm
The Word of God says that ‘faith comes by hearing’ – it does not say that faith remains once it has come. You may have faith today for your healing, but that does not mean that you will have faith for healing tomorrow. We can never get away from the subject of faith. You always have to study it, because you always need faith. Once you get faith established in an area in your life, it is much easier to maintain that faith level. It’s hard to build a house initially; it’s easier to maintain it once it has been built. Let’s look at five questions that will help you build and maintain a vibrant faith life.
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Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds Church’s Right to Post Road Signs
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of a church’s right to post roadside signs where other signs are allowed.
The town of Gilbert, Arizona’s restrictions on Good News Community Church’s signs advertising church events violated freedom of speech because they were “content-based regulations of speech,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote on behalf of all nine justices.
Senior Counsel David Cortman says, “The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling is a victory for everyone’s freedom of speech. Speech discrimination is wrong regardless of whether the government intended to violate the First Amendment or not, and it doesn’t matter if the government thinks its discrimination was well-intended,” he said. “It’s still government playing favorites, and that’s unconstitutional.”
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/supreme-court-unanimously-upholds-churchs-right-to-post-road-signs-140584/#oFd7JpZdYdc0LGwt.99
