Beholding Jesus and Becoming like Him together.

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

ISAIAH 6:8

As God works in us, developing our character to mirror His, He continually asks a question. Gently but consistently, He asks a questions that would lead us to a place of devotion and trust.

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Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

2 Corinthians 9:6

I believe that we can take more away from this scripture than just the simplistic thought about money, that most of us only want to think about. (more…)

“Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! [Isa. 55:1, 2.]”

Matthew 5:6 AMP

I love how the word of God uses the terminology of hunger and thirst. It shows us that there is a posture for revival. The posture is one of desperation. (more…)

Jesus said to the disciples in John:

You are my friends if you do what I command.

John 15:14 NLT

Christ Himself made obedience to Him an absolute requirement for true spiritual intimacy. No one can claim that they have intimacy with Jesus if their life is surrounded by disobedience rather than submission to Him.

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Let your roots grow down into him and let your lives be built on him. Then, your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:7

Imagine one of those huge oak trees that are perfect for a wooden swing. One of those trees we all would like to lay out a blanket and rest under the cool of it’s shade. (more…)

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 13:34-35

Identity is such an important thing because it helps us all to associate who belongs with who, and what belongs with what. Giving something a name or an identity keeps things in order. (more…)

“SO BE done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind. Like…

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.

Ephesians 2:1

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5

By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

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Jesus himself taught us to seek intimacy with God through private prayer. Prayer is where the worshiper pours out his heart to God. Jesus Himself stressed the importance of private prayer.

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 (NLT)

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And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Romans 12:1 NLT

Have you seen one of those hollywood movies or network television shows where a man’s life was saved by the main character, and then, their response after just being rescued from death is to pledge their life in service of the main character? (more…)