Our spiritual life grows, like our growth in this world. Our spiritual life may not grow at all, or it may grow quite rapidly, so how would we know when we have spiritually matured?
First of all, our perceptions change. We would see things with different eyes. When we see things as Jesus sees them, we have really spiritually matured with our perceptions.
Secondly, our mood changes. This lets us adapt to a better mood and may even help us in life.
Last of all, we wouldn't see things so short-sightedly. Things may seem bleak for you right now, but if you trust in the Lord, he will guide you to something great. A good example is Joseph. He spent 13 years of pain in Egypt and experienced betrayal many times. But he still trusted in the Lord, and the Lord gave him a very high rank in Egypt. In his time of power, he didn't seek for revenge. When he had his first son, he named him Manneseh, which basically meant 'forget it.' He was going to forget 13 years of sadness, pain and betrayal.
Most importantly, spiritual growth only happens if you want to grow.
So do you want to grow?
If you do, please pray to Jesus. Tell him that you want to spiritually grow and want to become like him, tell him that you know things will be tough but if you get through, there will be a greater reward.
Monday
The growth of your spiritual life
Our spiritual life grows, like our growth in this world. Our spiritual life may not grow at all, or it may grow quite rapidly, so how would we know when we have spiritually matured?
First of all, our perceptions change. We would see things with different eyes. When we see things as Jesus sees them, we have really spiritually matured with our perceptions.
Secondly, our mood changes. This lets us adapt to a better mood and may even help us in life.
Last of all, we wouldn't see things so short-sightedly. Things may seem bleak for you right now, but if you trust in the Lord, he will guide you to something great. A good example is Joseph. He spent 13 years of pain in Egypt and experienced betrayal many times. But he still trusted in the Lord, and the Lord gave him a very high rank in Egypt. In his time of power, he didn't seek for revenge. When he had his first son, he named him Manneseh, which basically meant 'forget it.' He was going to forget 13 years of sadness, pain and betrayal.
Most importantly, spiritual growth only happens if you want to grow.
So do you want to grow?
If you do, please pray to Jesus. Tell him that you want to spiritually grow and want to become like him, tell him that you know things will be tough but if you get through, there will be a greater reward.
First of all, our perceptions change. We would see things with different eyes. When we see things as Jesus sees them, we have really spiritually matured with our perceptions.
Secondly, our mood changes. This lets us adapt to a better mood and may even help us in life.
Last of all, we wouldn't see things so short-sightedly. Things may seem bleak for you right now, but if you trust in the Lord, he will guide you to something great. A good example is Joseph. He spent 13 years of pain in Egypt and experienced betrayal many times. But he still trusted in the Lord, and the Lord gave him a very high rank in Egypt. In his time of power, he didn't seek for revenge. When he had his first son, he named him Manneseh, which basically meant 'forget it.' He was going to forget 13 years of sadness, pain and betrayal.
Most importantly, spiritual growth only happens if you want to grow.
So do you want to grow?
If you do, please pray to Jesus. Tell him that you want to spiritually grow and want to become like him, tell him that you know things will be tough but if you get through, there will be a greater reward.
Remembering our purpose
God gave us this life for a purpose.
If not so, he could just take anyone who gets baptized up to heaven straight away.
But no, he doesn't, for we must use our lives for our main purpose: Spreading the Gospel.
Spreading the Gospel is just telling anyone about the Lord, and asking them to believe and trust in the Lord and fulfilling our purposes that we were created for.
Sounds simple, doesn't it?
Simple as it is, the number of new Christians that comes into the house of God is getting smaller and smaller. This is because of our high understanding of science and Christians that just can't be bothered spreading the Gospel.
Don't think that the best Christians have no interaction with unbelievers, think that the best Christians are the ones that help the most people become believers.
God keeps a list of everyone we've helped, so basically, it's the more the better.
The main reason we don't get up from our couches and tell everyone about the Lord is in the following questions:
1. Do you believe in the end of the world?
2. Do you believe it's when Jesus will come again and judge us?
3. Do you believe it's coming closer?
4. Do you believe it will happen today?
Most of us will answer yes, yes, yes, no.
We should be answering yes, yes, yes, yes.
If you have any doubts, pray to God about it. He wants to hear about EVERYTHING.
It's funny how we pray better when we're in trouble or in need of help.
Maybe we should try to pray better. All the time.
Don't live each day like your first, live it like your last.
Don't just reach for just the one person, reach for as many people as you can.
If not so, he could just take anyone who gets baptized up to heaven straight away.
But no, he doesn't, for we must use our lives for our main purpose: Spreading the Gospel.
Spreading the Gospel is just telling anyone about the Lord, and asking them to believe and trust in the Lord and fulfilling our purposes that we were created for.
Sounds simple, doesn't it?
Simple as it is, the number of new Christians that comes into the house of God is getting smaller and smaller. This is because of our high understanding of science and Christians that just can't be bothered spreading the Gospel.
Don't think that the best Christians have no interaction with unbelievers, think that the best Christians are the ones that help the most people become believers.
God keeps a list of everyone we've helped, so basically, it's the more the better.
The main reason we don't get up from our couches and tell everyone about the Lord is in the following questions:
1. Do you believe in the end of the world?
2. Do you believe it's when Jesus will come again and judge us?
3. Do you believe it's coming closer?
4. Do you believe it will happen today?
Most of us will answer yes, yes, yes, no.
We should be answering yes, yes, yes, yes.
If you have any doubts, pray to God about it. He wants to hear about EVERYTHING.
It's funny how we pray better when we're in trouble or in need of help.
Maybe we should try to pray better. All the time.
Don't live each day like your first, live it like your last.
Don't just reach for just the one person, reach for as many people as you can.
God wants you
God wants you.
But not just some of you, all of you.
Hes not interested in your spare time, half hearted prayers and left-over money but all of it. Spend time worshiping at all times, with all your heart and mind. You please God my worshiping at all times, even when you're worn-out and tired.
But not just some of you, all of you.
Hes not interested in your spare time, half hearted prayers and left-over money but all of it. Spend time worshiping at all times, with all your heart and mind. You please God my worshiping at all times, even when you're worn-out and tired.
What are we worth?
Most things can be sold for money, so we know what their worth. But how do we know how much we're worth to God?
God sees us with a different point of view than humans, so what does God see in us and what does most people see in us.
Most people see from the outside, they judge us by:
Appearance: Weather we look good or not
Occupation: Do we have a good job?
Wealth: How much money do we have?
and Talent: Are we especially smart at something?
God sees differently: He looks at our hearts, he is happy when we're happy, he's crying for us when we're sad. He loves us because we're his creation. In Genesis, when he made us, he said it was very good. Everything else he made was just good. That gives us an idea of what we're worth. We're worth more to God than anything else on earth. That was why Jesus died on the cross for us, he could easily not care about us and not die, but he chose to die for us because that was the only way our sins would be forgiven.Your worth is best summed up by Romans chapter 12 verse 3: For by the grace give me I say to every one of you; Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. We are worth the amount of faith inside us.
Now that you know how much you're worth it's your time to think: should I see other people as? Should I judge them by their appearances or look into their hearts?
God sees us with a different point of view than humans, so what does God see in us and what does most people see in us.
Most people see from the outside, they judge us by:
Appearance: Weather we look good or not
Occupation: Do we have a good job?
Wealth: How much money do we have?
and Talent: Are we especially smart at something?
God sees differently: He looks at our hearts, he is happy when we're happy, he's crying for us when we're sad. He loves us because we're his creation. In Genesis, when he made us, he said it was very good. Everything else he made was just good. That gives us an idea of what we're worth. We're worth more to God than anything else on earth. That was why Jesus died on the cross for us, he could easily not care about us and not die, but he chose to die for us because that was the only way our sins would be forgiven.Your worth is best summed up by Romans chapter 12 verse 3: For by the grace give me I say to every one of you; Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. We are worth the amount of faith inside us.
Now that you know how much you're worth it's your time to think: should I see other people as? Should I judge them by their appearances or look into their hearts?
Sunday
Life - a test
God has tested many people in the Bible. He tests their love, obedience and faith. God tested Abraham by telling him to offer his son Isaac, God tested Adam and Eve etc. Everyone is being tested all of the time, whether through success, conflict, disappointment or dissatisfaction. Although the tests God gives aren't known, some are predicted via the Bible; these include unanswered prayers, major changes in life and sometimes death of a loved-one.
When you finally realize that life is a test, you will find that everything is significant in your life. Some of the tests you receive will be overwhelming and some you will barely notice - but every small thing you do will have large and eternal implications.
"Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones.
Luke 16:10"
When you finally realize that life is a test, you will find that everything is significant in your life. Some of the tests you receive will be overwhelming and some you will barely notice - but every small thing you do will have large and eternal implications.
"Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones.
Luke 16:10"
Friday
Genesis 2
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Adam and Eve
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground- the LORD God formed the man The Hebrew for man (adam) sounds like and may be related to the Hebrew for ground (adamah) it is also the name Adam (see Gen. 2:20). from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman, '
for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Wednesday
Life with God
We were made for a purpose by God, but without having God in your life your life will not have a purpose. A life without God in it is worth than death itself.
This means that even if you feel hopeless, hold on tight! God will help you.
Many people spend their lives trying to make a mark on earth, but why care about what people think about you when it's what God thinks that matters? Reputations can be destroyed, records can be broken and tributes can be forgotten - but Gods' love will last forever. You were not put on earth to make a mark, but to be prepared for everlasting life with God.
"
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
This means that even if you feel hopeless, hold on tight! God will help you.
Many people spend their lives trying to make a mark on earth, but why care about what people think about you when it's what God thinks that matters? Reputations can be destroyed, records can be broken and tributes can be forgotten - but Gods' love will last forever. You were not put on earth to make a mark, but to be prepared for everlasting life with God.
"You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3"
Monday
Meaning of Easter
What's the true meaning of Easter?
Easter is not just about fluffy white bunnies , chocolate eggs and a holiday of four days.
It's to remember Jesus, how he died a sinful death when it was us that sinned, how he'd risen from the grave, surprising everyone. But is there more to Easter? I decided to consult the Bible.
Firstly, What's the definition of Easter?
In the dictionary, Easter means the celebration of when Jesus was resurrected.
Second Question, Then why do we celebrate the resurrection of Christ?
Well, first of all, I think we celebrate the resurrection of Christ in order to remember what Jesus has done for us. It's remembered because it's so important: For us to get to know the Lord and for the Lord to become closer to us.
Also, though we may not say it, we celebrate Easter by guilt. We may not think so, but in our hearts we are guilty, for making the only innocent person that existed suffer because of our sinning.
We also celebrate Easter because it's the time when our sins are forgiven. No one is sinless. Jesus' whole purpose for dieing on the cross was for this.
Third Question, How should we celebrate Easter?
That's a tough question. In the Bible, it was written that before Jesus was crucified, he talked about the approaching of Judgement Day. After his death, angels told his disciples that he will come once again.( Judgement Day.) So I can't help but think Judgement Day may be somehow linked to Easter.
Also, before Jesus left, he gave his disciples the Great Commission. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age."Matthew 28:19-20.
So this Easter, maybe you could change that little bit. Sure, you could still enjoy your chocolate eggs and your four days rest, but just keep in mind what Easter is about. Ask yourself: 'Judgement Day is getting closer, how can I help fulfill the Great Commission?'
Give your friend a Bible, pray a little harder. It all matters.
Have a good Easter ^^
Easter is not just about fluffy white bunnies , chocolate eggs and a holiday of four days.
It's to remember Jesus, how he died a sinful death when it was us that sinned, how he'd risen from the grave, surprising everyone. But is there more to Easter? I decided to consult the Bible.
Firstly, What's the definition of Easter?
In the dictionary, Easter means the celebration of when Jesus was resurrected.
Second Question, Then why do we celebrate the resurrection of Christ?
Well, first of all, I think we celebrate the resurrection of Christ in order to remember what Jesus has done for us. It's remembered because it's so important: For us to get to know the Lord and for the Lord to become closer to us.
Also, though we may not say it, we celebrate Easter by guilt. We may not think so, but in our hearts we are guilty, for making the only innocent person that existed suffer because of our sinning.
We also celebrate Easter because it's the time when our sins are forgiven. No one is sinless. Jesus' whole purpose for dieing on the cross was for this.
Third Question, How should we celebrate Easter?
That's a tough question. In the Bible, it was written that before Jesus was crucified, he talked about the approaching of Judgement Day. After his death, angels told his disciples that he will come once again.( Judgement Day.) So I can't help but think Judgement Day may be somehow linked to Easter.
Also, before Jesus left, he gave his disciples the Great Commission. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age."Matthew 28:19-20.
So this Easter, maybe you could change that little bit. Sure, you could still enjoy your chocolate eggs and your four days rest, but just keep in mind what Easter is about. Ask yourself: 'Judgement Day is getting closer, how can I help fulfill the Great Commission?'
Give your friend a Bible, pray a little harder. It all matters.
Have a good Easter ^^
Bible - Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
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