Apostles and prophets are stewards of a revelation of the mystery of God that God destined for our glory before time began (1 Cor 2:7). The eternal purpose of God is to bring many sons and daughters to glory (Hebr.2:10). God wants a large family of sons and daughters conformed to the glorious image of his Son. Jesus Christ is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebr.1,3).
Category: Biblical teaching
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RESOLUTIONS
New Year is the time for resolutions for many people who want to change their lifestyle in one way or the other. I normally do not make new resolutions when we enter a new year. I have resolved that I will live my life fully for the Lord and that I want to serve his purpose in my entire life. But today I came across some resolutions made by the famous American revivalist Jonathan Edwards. I am posting his 70 revolutions which he read to himself once a week, and think there are lots of things to be learned from these resolutions.
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Controlled by feelings or covenant obligations?
I have been
reading the First Book of Samuel the last few days and I have struck by the
difference in how King Saul and his servant David acted or reacted or responded
to situations they met in life. King Saul was chosen and anointed by God to be
the first king of the Israelites. He had everything going for him. He had a
very good beginning, but he did not finish in a good and honourable way. -
Prophetic realism
I like
spending time with prophets. They inspire me. Their company makes me feel like
a real man with strong passions about God and man, holiness and sin, love and
hate, zeal and laziness. I can’t be indifferent to what they share with me
because there is such fire in their words. The revelation they are living by
enlightens my spirit. In the fellowship of the prophets I am taking to a higher
level of existence. They make me realize that I am not only a human being, but
that I am a man of God, a servant of God. They make me understand that I am
living for something greater than human fame and success. They make me aware of
that I am living for something greater than myself. I realize that I exist,
live and move in God who is my source and my end, the very meaning of my life.
Through the insight I receive from spending time with the prophets enlarge my
life. -
The Manhattan Declaration
I have just read the Manhattan Declaration. I fully endorse everything in that declaration made by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians in USA in an united effort to defend the classical Christian views on hot political and religious issues in our time. I recommend everyone to read and spread the declaration. The reference to the political situation in USA makes it fit for citizen of that nation to sign the document in my understand, otherwise I would have signed it myself.
In Norway the government has already passed laws on abortion, same sex unions and partnerships, which are in the process of changing the entire nation into an ungodly, secular, atheistic, society. No one knows the what full consequences of these laws will be, but they will certainly not foster peace and harmony.
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Tithe and generosity
I have discovered that a lot of believers look at tithe and generosity as two opposites. I find that strange. I believe it is a Christian virtue to be a generous giver and freely help people in their needs. I also believe that the tithe belongs to Christ and that I steal from him if I do not pay the tithe. Only after I have paid the tithe I can become a generous giver!
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To hear him and be healed
This summer I have been reading the four gospels. At the moment I am in the Book of Acts. In Luke I noticed that Luke several times was saying that people came to Jesus to hear him and to be healed from their diseases. When Luke is recapturing what the gospel was all about, he is saying in Acts that it is about what Jesus began to do and to teach. Jesus was healing the sick and preaching the good news in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Walking and talking together
Today I have read the exciting story of the two men walking to the village Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were talking about everything that had happened. They were quite confused and perplexed by what had taken place. It was certainly not in line with their expectations. They had been stirred by a prophetic hope and was looking forward to an imminent release of the people of God from the godless influence of the secular powers of society and a fulfilment of prophetic promises. But their hope had been shattered. They could not explain why things had turned out the way they had.
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The lost father-heart
I just been reading Luke 15 where Jesus is telling three parables, the story of the lost sheep, the story of the lost coin, the story of the lost son. But as I read it I discovered that the message of Jesus is not about losing, sheep, coin or a son, but about the loss of a caring heart, or rather the loss of a father-heart.
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An attractive life
As I was reading in the Gospel of Mark this morning one small sentence struck me. The last sentence of the first chapter really got me thinking. It is just a short summary of what happened as people got to know about the life and deeds of Jesus Christ. People from everywhere kept coming to him. What an attractive life!
People from everywhere kept coming to him because of the attractive life he lived in caring for people, healing the sick and delivering those who were oppressed by unclean spirits. People actually flocked to Jesus. He could not be seen in public without attracting a crowd.
I am not envying him have a crowd around him all the time, but I fully understand why people are attracted to him, as I myself is not only attracted to him, but have fully committed myself to him because of who he is. He is the Son of God and the Son of Man. He is the human expression of the divine love. He is unique in every possible way. He is my Saviour and my Lord. He has forgiven me all my sins. He has given me a new life. He makes me feel special. He makes me dream big dreams. And he lets my dreams come true!
He speaks to me and he listen to me. He loves me and he cares for me. He is always near, never too busy or far away. When no one takes notice of me, still he sees me. He sees my hurts and innermost feelings. He knows my struggles and the challenges I am facing. And I can come to him at any time! He always welcomes me, never turns me away.
I think that if we lived the same way Jesus lived our lives would be attractive as well. If we care for people and have some spiritual power that enables us to help people in their sufferings and challenges people would be attracted. When Jesus Christ lives in us we will an attractive life and be a blessing to many people.