Category: Growing up spiritually

God will fulfill His purpose in us God does not just call us into His purpose, He is actively working in our life to fulfill that purpose. Psa 138:8  The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands. Phi 1:6  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, 1Th 5:24  Faithful is He who called you, who also will do it. Keeping the focus Hebrews 12:1  Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding  us, let us also lay aside  every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with…

God tests our heart (1 Chr 29:17 NIV)  I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. God wants the trials to reveal the true condition of our heart. Is our heart bitter? Is our heart filled with impatience? Do we continue to submit to His sovereignty? God tests our obedience (Exo 16:4 NIV)  Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow…

(2 Kings 17:41 NIV) Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. In those days, the people worshipped God but continued to serve idols. We may condemn such behavior. Christians all know that there is only one God and would shun away from the thought of bowing down to another deity. Yet idolatry is more than bowing down to another deity. An idol is anything that we regard more highly than God. (Colossians 3:5 NIV) Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Matthew 6:24 NIV) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one…

Direct commands The following are examples of direct commands. These are the things we don’t even need to pray about or ask whether it would please God because God has made it very clear in His word. (1 Th 5:16-18 NIV)  Be joyful always; {17} pray continually; {18} give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (Exo 20:3-17 NIV)  "You shall have no other gods before me. {4} "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. {5} You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the…

Loving God is the greatest commandment (Mat 22:36-38 NIV)  "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" {37} Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' {38} This is the first and greatest commandment. How do we show our love to God? Be faithful In a husband and wife situation, one partner shows love towards the other by being faithful. Likewise, the first thing we need to know about loving God is that we cannot love another thing more than we love God. Exodus 34:14 (NIV) Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Invoking the jealousy of God is not just simply praying to other gods.…

Holy Communion (or Last Supper) What does the Lord's Supper signify? Matthew 26:26­29 (NIV) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." 1 Corinthians 11:23­30 (NIV) For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus,…

https://youtu.be/XtSPTncS8Ps Why is it important to attend church Discussion: Why is it important to attend church? The church is where we can practice corporate worship (Psa 35:18 NIV)  I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. (Psa 116:17-19 NIV)  I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD. {18} I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, {19} in the courts of the house of the LORD-- in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD. (Psa 34:2-3 NIV)  My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. {3} Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. King David knew the…

Evaluate the cause and try to eliminate them Sin Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Ask God to reveal to you any sin that may be contributing to your difficulties. (Psa 139:23-24 NIV)  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. {24} See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. However, suffering is not always the result of sin (See study on Job) Curses (See Blessings & Curses) Uncontrollable factors For example, we organize a picnic and it rains. Human error In such a case, we need to evaluate the situation on a natural plane and ask ourselves how we can avoid this in future.…

Why we should forgive others Forgiving others is a commandment. Not forgiving others is a sin. (Colossians 3:12-13)  Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. {13} Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others (Mat 6:12 NIV) Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Mat 6:15 NIV) But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. When we know that we have sinned against God, we usually want God to forgive us immediately. We ask God not to give us any of the punishment that…

https://youtu.be/N-IIT3BmRoM God promises to guide us in our daily life. Psa 23:1-2 1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want (ie lack for anything). 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, Proverbs 3:5­6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Seek God’s guidance Proverbs 3:5­6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Remember the Jews suffered serious consequences because they did not first inquire of God. Depending on…