Relational Spirituality
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This document discusses the importance of relational spirituality, specifically loving God completely by knowing Him more clearly, loving Him more dearly, and following Him more nearly. It explores how God's unconditional love for humanity calls us to respond by drawing nearer to Him through obedience, spiritual disciplines, and trusting in His goodness even when His commands seem counterintuitive. The ultimate purpose is to cultivate an intimate relationship with the triune God.
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Relational Spirituality
- 1. Relational Spirituality Dr. Kenneth Boa and Bill Ibsen
- 3. The Christian Life Loving God Completely
- 4. The Christian Life Loving God Loving Ourselves Completely Correctly
- 5. The Loving Others Christian Compassionately Life Loving God Loving Ourselves Completely Correctly
- 6. The Loving Others Christian Compassionately Life Loving God Loving Ourselves Completely Correctly
- 7. The Loving Others Christian Compassionately Life Loving God Loving Ourselves Completely Correctly
- 8. Overview
- 10. Overview Loving God completely Loving ourselves correctly
- 11. Overview Loving God completely Loving ourselves correctly Loving others compassionately
- 13. The God of the Bible
- 14. The God of the Bible Infinite, personal, and triune
- 15. The God of the Bible Infinite, personal, and triune Displays the glory of His being and attributes through intelligent moral agents
- 16. The God of the Bible Infinite, personal, and triune Displays the glory of His being and attributes through intelligent moral agents We rebelled against God
- 17. The God of the Bible Infinite, personal, and triune Displays the glory of His being and attributes through intelligent moral agents We rebelled against God Christ paid price of our guilt
- 18. The God of the Bible Infinite, personal, and triune Displays the glory of His being and attributes through intelligent moral agents We rebelled against God Christ paid price of our guilt Christ removed the barrier to relationship
- 19. Our Purpose
- 20. Our Purpose To grow in an intimate relationship with God
- 21. Our Purpose To grow in an intimate relationship with God To know, love, enjoy, and honor the triune God
- 22. The Triune, Intensely Relational God Father Son Spirit
- 23. We Were Created for Relationships God Us Others
- 25. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY
- 26. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR DEPRAVITY
- 27. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order
- 28. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order
- 29. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order Ensnared in trespasses Bear image of God and sin
- 30. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order Ensnared in trespasses Bear image of God and sin
- 31. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order Ensnared in trespasses Bear image of God and sin Capable of harnessing Unable to rule our tongue forces of nature Most violent, cruel, and
- 32. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order Ensnared in trespasses Bear image of God and sin Capable of harnessing Unable to rule our tongue forces of nature Most violent, cruel, and
- 33. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order Ensnared in trespasses Bear image of God and sin Capable of harnessing Unable to rule our tongue forces of nature Most violent, cruel, and Most wonderful & contemptible beings on creative beings on Earth Earth
- 34. The Human Dilemma OUR DIGNITY OUR Grandeur of created DEPRAVITY Degradation of created order order Ensnared in trespasses Bear image of God and sin Capable of harnessing Unable to rule our tongue forces of nature Most violent, cruel, and Most wonderful & contemptible beings on creative beings on Earth Earth
- 36. “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers
- 37. “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers the moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
- 38. “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him?” Ps. 8:3-4
- 39. God’s Loyal Love for Us
- 40. God’s Loyal Love for Us Causeless (Rom. 5:6)
- 41. God’s Loyal Love for Us Causeless (Rom. 5:6) Measureless (Rom. 5:7-8)
- 42. God’s Loyal Love for Us Causeless (Rom. 5:6) Measureless (Rom. 5:7-8) Ceaseless (Rom. 5:9-11)
- 43. God’s Loyal Love for Us Causeless (Rom. 5:6) Measureless (Rom. 5:7-8) Ceaseless (Rom. 5:9-11) Spontaneous and unending
- 44. God’s Loyal Love for Us Causeless (Rom. 5:6) Measureless (Rom. 5:7-8) Ceaseless (Rom. 5:9-11) Spontaneous and unending Inseparable and constant (Rom. 8:35-39)
- 45. God’s Unconditional Love for Us
- 46. God’s Unconditional Love for Us Nothing we do can cause God to love us more
- 47. God’s Unconditional Love for Us Nothing we do can cause God to love us more Nothing we do can cause to love us less
- 48. God’s Unconditional Love for Us Nothing we do can cause God to love us more Nothing we do can cause to love us less Not a performance- based love
- 49. How Do We Respond to Such Love?
- 50. How Do We Respond to Such Love? Remote and unreal truths?
- 51. How Do We Respond to Such Love? Remote and unreal truths? Grip our minds, wills, and emotions?
- 52. How Do We Respond to Such Love? Remote and unreal truths? Grip our minds, wills, and emotions? Spiritual truth eludes us when we limit it to the conceptual realm and fail to internalize it
- 53. How Do We Respond to Such Love? Remote and unreal truths? Grip our minds, wills, and emotions? Spiritual truth eludes us when we limit it to the conceptual realm and fail to internalize it Orthodox mental construct versus a profound personal conviction
- 54. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253)
- 55. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ,
- 56. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us;
- 57. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast born for us.
- 58. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast born for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may we
- 59. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast born for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may we know Thee more clearly,
- 60. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast born for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may we know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and
- 61. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast born for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may we know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly;
- 62. St. Richard of Chichester’s Prayer (1197-1253) “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast born for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may we know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly; for Thine own sake.”
- 63. Mk.12:30
- 64. “And you shall love the Lord your God Mk.12:30
- 65. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart Mk.12:30
- 66. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul Mk.12:30
- 67. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (love Thee more dearly) Mk.12:30
- 68. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (love Thee more dearly) and with all your mind Mk.12:30
- 69. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (love Thee more dearly) and with all your mind (know Thee more clearly) Mk.12:30
- 70. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (love Thee more dearly) and with all your mind (know Thee more clearly) and with all your strength” Mk.12:30
- 71. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (love Thee more dearly) and with all your mind (know Thee more clearly) and with all your strength” (follow Thee more nearly) Mk.12:30
- 72. May We Know Thee More Clearly
- 73. May We Know Thee More Clearly Paul’s deepest desire: growing in knowledge of Jesus (Eph.1,3; Phil. 1, Col.1)
- 74. May We Know Thee More Clearly Paul’s deepest desire: growing in knowledge of Jesus (Eph.1,3; Phil. 1, Col.1) This knowledge would not be merely propositional but personal
- 75. -Apostle Paul
- 76. “... that God may give you a spirit of -Apostle Paul
- 77. “... that God may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation -Apostle Paul
- 78. “... that God may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him...” -Apostle Paul
- 80. I pray that the eyes of your heart
- 81. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling....
- 82. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling.... and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” Eph. 1:17-18
- 84. “... to know the love of Christ
- 85. “... to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” Eph. 3:19
- 86. What it Takes to Know God More Clearly
- 87. What it Takes to Know God More Clearly Time
- 88. What it Takes to Know God More Clearly Time Takes time to cultivate a relationship
- 89. What it Takes to Know God More Clearly Time Takes time to cultivate a relationship Intimacy will require time for spiritual disciplines
- 90. What it Takes to Know God More Clearly Time Takes time to cultivate a relationship Intimacy will require time for spiritual disciplines Obedience
- 91. What it Takes to Know God More Clearly Time Takes time to cultivate a relationship Intimacy will require time for spiritual disciplines Obedience Personal expression of our trust in his Person
- 92. May We Love Thee More Dearly
- 93. May We Love Thee More Dearly To know Him is to love Him
- 94. May We Love Thee More Dearly To know Him is to love Him His love for us is spontaneous, free, uncaused, and undeserved
- 95. May We Love Thee More Dearly To know Him is to love Him His love for us is spontaneous, free, uncaused, and undeserved He loves us despite our unlovableness, ugliness, and foolishness
- 96. May We Love Thee More Dearly To know Him is to love Him His love for us is spontaneous, free, uncaused, and undeserved He loves us despite our unlovableness, ugliness, and foolishness Not the enemy of our joy, the Source of our joy
- 97. May We Follow Thee More Nearly
- 98. May We Follow Thee More Nearly Growth in love/knowledge of Christ experientially teaches that He is trustworthy
- 99. May We Follow Thee More Nearly Growth in love/knowledge of Christ experientially teaches that He is trustworthy Things to do or avoid-- leads to a greater good
- 100. May We Follow Thee More Nearly Growth in love/knowledge of Christ experientially teaches that He is trustworthy Things to do or avoid-- leads to a greater good Following hard demands obedience
- 101. May We Follow Thee More Nearly Growth in love/knowledge of Christ experientially teaches that He is trustworthy Things to do or avoid-- leads to a greater good Following hard demands obedience May appear counter-intuitive
- 103. “If you love Me,
- 104. “If you love Me, you will keep
- 105. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” Jn. 14:15
- 106. Our Great Task
- 107. Our Great Task To will to do His will
- 108. Our Great Task To will to do His will To love the things He loves
- 109. Our Great Task To will to do His will To love the things He loves To choose the things He sets before us for our good
- 110. Summary
- 111. Summary Loving God completely means to love Him more dearly, know Him more clearly, and follow Him more nearly
- 112. Summary Loving God completely means to love Him more dearly, know Him more clearly, and follow Him more nearly God powerfully and deeply loves us- in spite of our performance
- 113. Summary Loving God completely means to love Him more dearly, know Him more clearly, and follow Him more nearly God powerfully and deeply loves us- in spite of our performance God ALWAYS has our best interests at heart
- 114. Summary Loving God completely means to love Him more dearly, know Him more clearly, and follow Him more nearly God powerfully and deeply loves us- in spite of our performance God ALWAYS has our best interests at heart God’s “love-language” is obedience to Him
- 116. Who Defines You?
- 118. Who Defines You? World Word
- 120. We cannot consistently behave
- 121. We cannot consistently behave in ways that are different
- 122. We cannot consistently behave in ways that are different from what we believe about ourselves
- 123. Self-Love
- 124. Self-Love Psycho-babble + “look inside yourself for answers”
- 125. Self-Love Psycho-babble + “look inside yourself for answers” Biblical view: Loving ourselves correctly means seeing ourselves as God sees us
- 126. Self-Love Psycho-babble + “look inside yourself for answers” Biblical view: Loving ourselves correctly means seeing ourselves as God sees us Not automatic; Counter- cultural
- 127. Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us
- 128. Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us Biblical grace humbles us without degrading us and elevates us without inflating us
- 129. Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us Biblical grace humbles us without degrading us and elevates us without inflating us Unworthy ≠Worthless
- 130. Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us Biblical grace humbles us without degrading us and elevates us without inflating us Unworthy ≠Worthless Avoids extremes of “worm theology” and pride/autonomy
- 131. Who Does God Say I Am?
- 132. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been accepted by Christ (Ro.15:7)
- 133. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been accepted by Christ (Ro.15:7) No performance-based acceptance
- 134. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been accepted by Christ (Ro.15:7) No performance-based acceptance I am a fellow heir of Christ (Ro.8:17)
- 135. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been accepted by Christ (Ro.15:7) No performance-based acceptance I am a fellow heir of Christ (Ro.8:17) I am a friend of Jesus (Jn.15:15)
- 136. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been accepted by Christ (Ro.15:7) No performance-based acceptance I am a fellow heir of Christ (Ro.8:17) I am a friend of Jesus (Jn.15:15) I am no longer a slave to sin (Ro.6:6)
- 137. Who Does God Say I Am?
- 138. Who Does God Say I Am? I am a child of God (Jn.1:12)
- 139. Who Does God Say I Am? I am a child of God (Jn.1:12) I have been justified and redeemed (Ro.3:24)
- 140. Who Does God Say I Am? I am a child of God (Jn.1:12) I have been justified and redeemed (Ro.3:24) I will not be condemned by God (Ro. 8:1)
- 141. Who Does God Say I Am?
- 142. Who Does God Say I Am? I am now light in the Lord (Eph.5:8)
- 143. Who Does God Say I Am? I am now light in the Lord (Eph.5:8) I have been made alive with Christ (Eph.2:4-5)
- 144. Who Does God Say I Am? I am now light in the Lord (Eph.5:8) I have been made alive with Christ (Eph.2:4-5) My new self is righteous and holy (Eph. 4:24)
- 145. Who Does God Say I Am?
- 146. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been set free in Christ (Gal.5:1)
- 147. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been set free in Christ (Gal.5:1) I am a new creature in Christ (2Co.5:17)
- 148. Who Does God Say I Am? I have been set free in Christ (Gal.5:1) I am a new creature in Christ (2Co.5:17) I am chosen, holy, beloved, and blameless before God (Eph.1:4, Col.3:12)
- 149. Identity Truths
- 150. Identity Truths We may not feel these things are true
- 151. Identity Truths We may not feel these things are true Must not reason from our performance to our position
- 152. Identity Truths We may not feel these things are true Must not reason from our performance to our position Our security and significance in Christ are not threatened by earthly failings or rejection
- 154. No Peace in Relationships God Us Others
- 155. From the Vertical to the Horizontal
- 156. From the Vertical to the Horizontal Love God with all your heart (Mt. 22:37)
- 157. From the Vertical to the Horizontal Love God with all your heart (Mt. 22:37) Love one another (Jn. 13:34)
- 158. From the Vertical to the Horizontal Love God with all your heart (Mt. 22:37) Love one another Love neighbor as (Jn. 13:34) yourself (Mt. 22:39)
- 159. Expressing God’s Love on the Horizontal
- 160. Expressing God’s Love on the Horizontal No act that begins with love of God that doesn’t end with love of neighbor
- 161. Expressing God’s Love on the Horizontal No act that begins with love of God that doesn’t end with love of neighbor The more we love God, the more we will express His love to others
- 162. Expressing God’s Love on the Horizontal No act that begins with love of God that doesn’t end with love of neighbor The more we love God, the more we will express His love to others Those who do not love, do not know God, for God is love
- 163. The Essence of True Greatness
- 164. The Essence of True Greatness “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:43-45)
- 165. The Essence of True Greatness “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:43-45) “... but I am among you as the one who serves” (Lk. 22:27)
- 167. Jesus:Lord,Yet Servant He knew his dignity and power
- 168. Jesus:Lord,Yet Servant He knew his dignity and power He knew his significance and identity
- 169. Jesus:Lord,Yet Servant He knew his dignity and power He knew his significance and identity He knew his security and destiny
- 170. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others
- 171. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized
- 172. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized Rejected
- 173. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized Rejected Slandered
- 174. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized Rejected Slandered Misunderstood
- 175. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized Rejected Slandered Misunderstood Plotted against
- 176. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized Rejected Slandered Misunderstood Plotted against Betrayed
- 177. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized Rejected Slandered Misunderstood Plotted against Betrayed Denied
- 178. Undefined/Unbound by the Opinions of Others Criticized Rejected Slandered Misunderstood Plotted against Betrayed Denied Abused
- 179. Christ’s Resources Are Our Resources
- 180. Christ’s Resources Are Our Resources Dignity and Power: every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3, 19; 3:16, 20-21)
- 181. Christ’s Resources Are Our Resources Dignity and Power: every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3, 19; 3:16, 20-21) Significance and Identity: Become children of God (Rom.8:16; 1Jn. 3:1-2)
- 182. Christ’s Resources Are Our Resources Dignity and Power: every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3, 19; 3:16, 20-21) Significance and Identity: Become children of God (Rom.8:16; 1Jn. 3:1-2) Security and Destiny: Nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:18; 35-39)
- 183. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships
- 184. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships One-upmanship vs. putting others first
- 185. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships One-upmanship vs. putting others first Our identification with Christ is the basis for our imitation of Christ in servanthood (Phil. 2:3-4)
- 186. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships One-upmanship vs. putting others first Our identification with Christ is the basis for our imitation of Christ in servanthood (Phil. 2:3-4) Being called a servant and being treated like one are two different things
- 187. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships
- 188. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships God is about RELATIONSHIPS
- 189. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships God is about RELATIONSHIPS Maturity in Christ: Growing other- centeredness and diminishing self- centeredness
- 190. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships God is about RELATIONSHIPS Maturity in Christ: Growing other- centeredness and diminishing self- centeredness The rewards of investing in others exceed the pains that people can cause
- 191. The Risks and Rewards of Relationships God is about RELATIONSHIPS Maturity in Christ: Growing other- centeredness and diminishing self- centeredness The rewards of investing in others exceed the pains that people can cause Investment in others:eternal value
- 192. Five Kinds of People
- 193. Five Kinds of People Very Resourceful People- ignite our passion
- 194. Five Kinds of People Very Resourceful People- ignite our passion Very Important People- share our passion
- 195. Five Kinds of People Very Resourceful People- ignite our passion Very Important People- share our passion Very Trainable People- catch our passion
- 196. Five Kinds of People Very Resourceful People- ignite our passion Very Important People- share our passion Very Trainable People- catch our passion Very Nice People- enjoy our passion
- 197. Five Kinds of People Very Resourceful People- ignite our passion Very Important People- share our passion Very Trainable People- catch our passion Very Nice People- enjoy our passion Very Draining People- sap our passion
- 198. The Grace of Forgiveness
- 199. The Grace of Forgiveness There is no sin so great that God will not forgive,
- 200. The Grace of Forgiveness There is no sin so great that God will not forgive, but there is no sin so small that it does not need to be forgiven
- 201. Forgiven By God
- 202. Forgiven By God God’s forgiveness erases the sin from existence (Ps. 103:12; Is. 38:17)
- 203. Forgiven By God God’s forgiveness erases the sin from existence (Ps. 103:12; Is. 38:17) Lingering disposition to try to work off the debt and earn forgiveness
- 204. Forgiven By God God’s forgiveness erases the sin from existence (Ps. 103:12; Is. 38:17) Lingering disposition to try to work off the debt and earn forgiveness “Outsinned God’s grace” is a failure to grasp the extent of God’s grace and love
- 205. Forgiving Others
- 206. Forgiving Others Forgiven by God, we are exhorted to forgive others
- 207. Forgiving Others Forgiven by God, we are exhorted to forgive others “be kind to one another, tender- hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32; Mt. 5:12)
- 208. The Cost of Forgiveness
- 209. The Cost of Forgiveness Natural inclination to:
- 210. The Cost of Forgiveness Natural inclination to: Excuse ourselves and blame others
- 211. The Cost of Forgiveness Natural inclination to: Excuse ourselves and blame others Reach for grace/understanding for ourselves, but reach for justice/ revenge for others
- 212. The Cost of Forgiveness Natural inclination to: Excuse ourselves and blame others Reach for grace/understanding for ourselves, but reach for justice/ revenge for others Believers are to offer grace rather than justice to wrongdoers
- 213. The Cost of Forgiveness
- 214. The Cost of Forgiveness Forgive: To release from any obligation to repay you
- 215. The Cost of Forgiveness Forgive: To release from any obligation to repay you Not forgetting, excusing, or smoothing over: Costly
- 216. The Cost of Forgiveness Forgive: To release from any obligation to repay you Not forgetting, excusing, or smoothing over: Costly Letting loose of pride allowing trivial things to corrode a relationship
- 219. Loving God Loving Self Completely Correctly
- 220. Loving Others Compassionately Loving God Loving Self Completely Correctly
- 221. Loving Others Compassionately Loving God Loving Self Completely Correctly Knowing
- 222. Loving Others Compassionately Loving God Loving Self Completely Correctly Knowing Being
- 223. Loving Others Compassionately Doing Loving God Loving Self Completely Correctly Knowing Being
- 224. The End
- 225. Reflections Ministries Resources
- 226. Reflections Ministries Resources Reflections - A free monthly teaching letter
- 227. Reflections Ministries Resources Reflections - A free monthly teaching letter ReflectionsMinistries.org website - Daily Growth email and free text and audio resources
- 228. KENBOA.ORG KenBoa.org ken_boa Kenneth Boa
Hinweis der Redaktion
- Teddy Stallard Illustration from Tony Campolo.\n\nHow is it that a Miss Thompson’s heart could be turned from cold indifference towards a contemptible Teddy Stallard to warm, heart-felt love for him? Let me suggest that she began to understand something about who she was in light of who God is, and therefore how God feels about people like Teddy.\n
- The Christian life can be simplified to just three areas: Loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately. If I love God completely, I will know what He cares about, and I will try to please Him. In so doing, I will also embrace what He declares about me as truth, so that I can be complete in Christ. This in turn, allows me up to freely give to others without expectation of reciprocity, and empowers me with my Father’s love for others.\n\nSince God is a relational being, we who are created in His image are also called to right relationships, first with Him and then with each other.\n
- The Christian life can be simplified to just three areas: Loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately. If I love God completely, I will know what He cares about, and I will try to please Him. In so doing, I will also embrace what He declares about me as truth, so that I can be complete in Christ. This in turn, allows me up to freely give to others without expectation of reciprocity, and empowers me with my Father’s love for others.\n\nSince God is a relational being, we who are created in His image are also called to right relationships, first with Him and then with each other.\n
- The Christian life can be simplified to just three areas: Loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately. If I love God completely, I will know what He cares about, and I will try to please Him. In so doing, I will also embrace what He declares about me as truth, so that I can be complete in Christ. This in turn, allows me up to freely give to others without expectation of reciprocity, and empowers me with my Father’s love for others.\n\nSince God is a relational being, we who are created in His image are also called to right relationships, first with Him and then with each other.\n
- The Christian life can be simplified to just three areas: Loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately. If I love God completely, I will know what He cares about, and I will try to please Him. In so doing, I will also embrace what He declares about me as truth, so that I can be complete in Christ. This in turn, allows me up to freely give to others without expectation of reciprocity, and empowers me with my Father’s love for others.\n\nSince God is a relational being, we who are created in His image are also called to right relationships, first with Him and then with each other.\n
- The Christian life can be simplified to just three areas: Loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately. If I love God completely, I will know what He cares about, and I will try to please Him. In so doing, I will also embrace what He declares about me as truth, so that I can be complete in Christ. This in turn, allows me up to freely give to others without expectation of reciprocity, and empowers me with my Father’s love for others.\n\nSince God is a relational being, we who are created in His image are also called to right relationships, first with Him and then with each other.\n
- We will be discussing these three dimensions of the Christian life: loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately.\n
- We will be discussing these three dimensions of the Christian life: loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately.\n
- We will be discussing these three dimensions of the Christian life: loving God completely, loving ourselves correctly, and loving others compassionately.\n
- Ali aged 10: laying in the pasture under a starry sky at our new home: Ali, where are you? “I’m right here”, I’m out in the pasture! What are you doing? I’m talking to God!\n
- The God of the Bible is infinite, personal, and triune. \n\nBecause God is a community of three persons, one of His purposes in creating us is to display the glory of His being and attributes to intelligent moral creatures who are capable of responding to His relational initiatives. \n\nIn spite of human rebellion and sin against the person and character of the Lord, Christ bore the awesome price of our guilt and inaugurated “a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20) by which the barrier to personal relationship with God has been overcome.\n
- The God of the Bible is infinite, personal, and triune. \n\nBecause God is a community of three persons, one of His purposes in creating us is to display the glory of His being and attributes to intelligent moral creatures who are capable of responding to His relational initiatives. \n\nIn spite of human rebellion and sin against the person and character of the Lord, Christ bore the awesome price of our guilt and inaugurated “a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20) by which the barrier to personal relationship with God has been overcome.\n
- The God of the Bible is infinite, personal, and triune. \n\nBecause God is a community of three persons, one of His purposes in creating us is to display the glory of His being and attributes to intelligent moral creatures who are capable of responding to His relational initiatives. \n\nIn spite of human rebellion and sin against the person and character of the Lord, Christ bore the awesome price of our guilt and inaugurated “a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20) by which the barrier to personal relationship with God has been overcome.\n
- The God of the Bible is infinite, personal, and triune. \n\nBecause God is a community of three persons, one of His purposes in creating us is to display the glory of His being and attributes to intelligent moral creatures who are capable of responding to His relational initiatives. \n\nIn spite of human rebellion and sin against the person and character of the Lord, Christ bore the awesome price of our guilt and inaugurated “a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20) by which the barrier to personal relationship with God has been overcome.\n
- The God of the Bible is infinite, personal, and triune. \n\nBecause God is a community of three persons, one of His purposes in creating us is to display the glory of His being and attributes to intelligent moral creatures who are capable of responding to His relational initiatives. \n\nIn spite of human rebellion and sin against the person and character of the Lord, Christ bore the awesome price of our guilt and inaugurated “a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20) by which the barrier to personal relationship with God has been overcome.\n
- Because the infinite and personal God loves us, He wants us to grow in an intimate relationship with Him. How strange is it that an invisible, powerful, loving Spirit longs to show Himself to us, to relate to us, to love us, to display His power to us!\n\nIt was for this purpose that we were created - to know, love, enjoy, and honor the triune Lord of all creation.\n
- Because the infinite and personal God loves us, He wants us to grow in an intimate relationship with Him. How strange is it that an invisible, powerful, loving Spirit longs to show Himself to us, to relate to us, to love us, to display His power to us!\n\nIt was for this purpose that we were created - to know, love, enjoy, and honor the triune Lord of all creation.\n
- Because God is a community of persons, He is also a relational being, and the two great commandments of loving Him and expressing this love for Him by loving others are also intensely relational. We were created for fellowship and intimacy not only with God but also with each other. The relational implications of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity are profound. \n
- Since we were created in God’s image and likeness, we too are relational beings. The better we know God, the better we know ourselves. Augustine’s prayer for this double knowledge (”May we know Thee, may we know ourselves”) reflects the truth that our union with Christ is overcoming the alienation of God, with ourselves, and with others that occurred at the Fall.\n\nIn many cases, we’re not at peace with others because we’re not at peace with ourselves because we’re not at peace with God.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Human nature is a web of contradictions. \nWe are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; \n\nWe bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins. \n\nWe are capable of harnessing the forces of nature (solar power, wind power, water generators) but unable to rule our tongue (grumbling, cursing, slander, ingratitude); \n\nWe are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.\n
- Our spiral galaxy contains more than 200 billion stars and extends to a diameter of 100,000 light years. Yet our galaxy is but a member of a local cluster of about 20 galaxies, which is but one member of massive supercluster of thousands of galaxies, totaling more than 100 billion! What is humanity, indeed!\n
- Our spiral galaxy contains more than 200 billion stars and extends to a diameter of 100,000 light years. Yet our galaxy is but a member of a local cluster of about 20 galaxies, which is but one member of massive supercluster of thousands of galaxies, totaling more than 100 billion! What is humanity, indeed!\n
- Our spiral galaxy contains more than 200 billion stars and extends to a diameter of 100,000 light years. Yet our galaxy is but a member of a local cluster of about 20 galaxies, which is but one member of massive supercluster of thousands of galaxies, totaling more than 100 billion! What is humanity, indeed!\n
- As enormous as God’s creation is, and as minute as man is in the scope of God’s creation, God does take thought of us; He takes a significant interest in us, as He relates in His word:\n\n1. We see in Romans 5 that God’s loyal love for us is causeless, Nothing in us merited or evoked his love, indeed, Christ died for us when we were his ungodly enemies.\n\n2. Not only is His love causeless, it is also measureless. It is impossible to measure the extent of His love. In fact, because He is infinite, His love for us is also infinite--that is, His love for us has no limits whatsoever. \n\n3. His love is ceaseless- it cannot and will not ever end. Nothing we do earned His love, so nothing we do can unearn his love.\n\n4/5. God’s love is spontaneous and unending- he loved us because he chose to love us, and nothing can separate us from that love or diminish it if we belong to Him. This means we are secure in the Lord’s unconditional love.\n
- As enormous as God’s creation is, and as minute as man is in the scope of God’s creation, God does take thought of us; He takes a significant interest in us, as He relates in His word:\n\n1. We see in Romans 5 that God’s loyal love for us is causeless, Nothing in us merited or evoked his love, indeed, Christ died for us when we were his ungodly enemies.\n\n2. Not only is His love causeless, it is also measureless. It is impossible to measure the extent of His love. In fact, because He is infinite, His love for us is also infinite--that is, His love for us has no limits whatsoever. \n\n3. His love is ceaseless- it cannot and will not ever end. Nothing we do earned His love, so nothing we do can unearn his love.\n\n4/5. God’s love is spontaneous and unending- he loved us because he chose to love us, and nothing can separate us from that love or diminish it if we belong to Him. This means we are secure in the Lord’s unconditional love.\n
- As enormous as God’s creation is, and as minute as man is in the scope of God’s creation, God does take thought of us; He takes a significant interest in us, as He relates in His word:\n\n1. We see in Romans 5 that God’s loyal love for us is causeless, Nothing in us merited or evoked his love, indeed, Christ died for us when we were his ungodly enemies.\n\n2. Not only is His love causeless, it is also measureless. It is impossible to measure the extent of His love. In fact, because He is infinite, His love for us is also infinite--that is, His love for us has no limits whatsoever. \n\n3. His love is ceaseless- it cannot and will not ever end. Nothing we do earned His love, so nothing we do can unearn his love.\n\n4/5. God’s love is spontaneous and unending- he loved us because he chose to love us, and nothing can separate us from that love or diminish it if we belong to Him. This means we are secure in the Lord’s unconditional love.\n
- As enormous as God’s creation is, and as minute as man is in the scope of God’s creation, God does take thought of us; He takes a significant interest in us, as He relates in His word:\n\n1. We see in Romans 5 that God’s loyal love for us is causeless, Nothing in us merited or evoked his love, indeed, Christ died for us when we were his ungodly enemies.\n\n2. Not only is His love causeless, it is also measureless. It is impossible to measure the extent of His love. In fact, because He is infinite, His love for us is also infinite--that is, His love for us has no limits whatsoever. \n\n3. His love is ceaseless- it cannot and will not ever end. Nothing we do earned His love, so nothing we do can unearn his love.\n\n4/5. God’s love is spontaneous and unending- he loved us because he chose to love us, and nothing can separate us from that love or diminish it if we belong to Him. This means we are secure in the Lord’s unconditional love.\n
- As enormous as God’s creation is, and as minute as man is in the scope of God’s creation, God does take thought of us; He takes a significant interest in us, as He relates in His word:\n\n1. We see in Romans 5 that God’s loyal love for us is causeless, Nothing in us merited or evoked his love, indeed, Christ died for us when we were his ungodly enemies.\n\n2. Not only is His love causeless, it is also measureless. It is impossible to measure the extent of His love. In fact, because He is infinite, His love for us is also infinite--that is, His love for us has no limits whatsoever. \n\n3. His love is ceaseless- it cannot and will not ever end. Nothing we do earned His love, so nothing we do can unearn his love.\n\n4/5. God’s love is spontaneous and unending- he loved us because he chose to love us, and nothing can separate us from that love or diminish it if we belong to Him. This means we are secure in the Lord’s unconditional love.\n
- Because God’s love comes without conditions or without strings, nothing we do can cause God to love us more, and nothing we do can cause God to love us less. We simply cannot and do not merit God’s favor, nor can we earn his acceptance. Thus, the good news is that we cannot un-earn His acceptance! We can grieve Him, and we can set ourselves up for His discipline, but He will continue to infinitely love us.\n
- Because God’s love comes without conditions or without strings, nothing we do can cause God to love us more, and nothing we do can cause God to love us less. We simply cannot and do not merit God’s favor, nor can we earn his acceptance. Thus, the good news is that we cannot un-earn His acceptance! We can grieve Him, and we can set ourselves up for His discipline, but He will continue to infinitely love us.\n
- Because God’s love comes without conditions or without strings, nothing we do can cause God to love us more, and nothing we do can cause God to love us less. We simply cannot and do not merit God’s favor, nor can we earn his acceptance. Thus, the good news is that we cannot un-earn His acceptance! We can grieve Him, and we can set ourselves up for His discipline, but He will continue to infinitely love us.\n
- 1. All too often, these revealed truths seem so remote and unreal that they do not grip our minds, wills, and emotions. We may sing abut the love of God in worship services and learn about it in Bible classes but miss its radical implications for our lives. How would your life be different TODAY if you really believed that you were infinitely loved?\n\n2. Spiritual truth eludes us when we limit it to the conceptual realm and fail to internalize it. We dilute it through cultural, emotional, and theological filters and reduce it to a mental construct that we affirm more out of orthodoxy than out of profound personal conviction. \n
- 1. All too often, these revealed truths seem so remote and unreal that they do not grip our minds, wills, and emotions. We may sing abut the love of God in worship services and learn about it in Bible classes but miss its radical implications for our lives. How would your life be different TODAY if you really believed that you were infinitely loved?\n\n2. Spiritual truth eludes us when we limit it to the conceptual realm and fail to internalize it. We dilute it through cultural, emotional, and theological filters and reduce it to a mental construct that we affirm more out of orthodoxy than out of profound personal conviction. \n
- 1. All too often, these revealed truths seem so remote and unreal that they do not grip our minds, wills, and emotions. We may sing abut the love of God in worship services and learn about it in Bible classes but miss its radical implications for our lives. How would your life be different TODAY if you really believed that you were infinitely loved?\n\n2. Spiritual truth eludes us when we limit it to the conceptual realm and fail to internalize it. We dilute it through cultural, emotional, and theological filters and reduce it to a mental construct that we affirm more out of orthodoxy than out of profound personal conviction. \n
- 1. All too often, these revealed truths seem so remote and unreal that they do not grip our minds, wills, and emotions. We may sing abut the love of God in worship services and learn about it in Bible classes but miss its radical implications for our lives. How would your life be different TODAY if you really believed that you were infinitely loved?\n\n2. Spiritual truth eludes us when we limit it to the conceptual realm and fail to internalize it. We dilute it through cultural, emotional, and theological filters and reduce it to a mental construct that we affirm more out of orthodoxy than out of profound personal conviction. \n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- So how do we love God more completely?\nIn the last two years, I have adapted and used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord.\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- Loving God completely involves our whole personality -- our intellect, emotion, and will. (Mk. 12:30).\n\nThe better we come to know God (”may we know thee more clearly”), the more we will love him (”love thee more dearly”). And the more we love him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey him in the things he calls us to do (”follow thee more nearly”).\n
- The greatest prayers in Ephesians 1 and 3, Philippians 1, and Colossians 1 reveal that Paul’s deepest desire for his readers was that they grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.\n\nThe knowledge the apostle had in mind was not merely propositional but personal. That is to say, this knowledge was a firsthand, experiential, personal knowledge, not just a theoretical knowledge. For some, God becomes an abstract intellectual formulation instead of a living person they love on bended knees. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship that is born out of the trinitarian love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.\n\n\n
- The greatest prayers in Ephesians 1 and 3, Philippians 1, and Colossians 1 reveal that Paul’s deepest desire for his readers was that they grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.\n\nThe knowledge the apostle had in mind was not merely propositional but personal. That is to say, this knowledge was a firsthand, experiential, personal knowledge, not just a theoretical knowledge. For some, God becomes an abstract intellectual formulation instead of a living person they love on bended knees. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship that is born out of the trinitarian love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.\n\n\n
- Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians\n
- Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians\n
- Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians\n
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- Time is an essential ingredient to knowing God.\nLike any earthly relationship, it takes time to cultivate a relationship with the person of God. To say “I’d really like to know Jim, but I’m not willing to spend any time with him” is as ridiculous a statement with others as it is with God.\nNot only that, but practicing the spiritual disciplines such as solitude, silence, prayer, and the reading of Scripture also require time. Unless we set aside consistent time for these disciplines, we will not become intimate with our Lord.\n\nThe more we are impressed by Him, the less we will be impressed by people, power, and things.\n
- Time is an essential ingredient to knowing God.\nLike any earthly relationship, it takes time to cultivate a relationship with the person of God. To say “I’d really like to know Jim, but I’m not willing to spend any time with him” is as ridiculous a statement with others as it is with God.\nNot only that, but practicing the spiritual disciplines such as solitude, silence, prayer, and the reading of Scripture also require time. Unless we set aside consistent time for these disciplines, we will not become intimate with our Lord.\n\nThe more we are impressed by Him, the less we will be impressed by people, power, and things.\n
- Time is an essential ingredient to knowing God.\nLike any earthly relationship, it takes time to cultivate a relationship with the person of God. To say “I’d really like to know Jim, but I’m not willing to spend any time with him” is as ridiculous a statement with others as it is with God.\nNot only that, but practicing the spiritual disciplines such as solitude, silence, prayer, and the reading of Scripture also require time. Unless we set aside consistent time for these disciplines, we will not become intimate with our Lord.\n\nThe more we are impressed by Him, the less we will be impressed by people, power, and things.\n
- Time is an essential ingredient to knowing God.\nLike any earthly relationship, it takes time to cultivate a relationship with the person of God. To say “I’d really like to know Jim, but I’m not willing to spend any time with him” is as ridiculous a statement with others as it is with God.\nNot only that, but practicing the spiritual disciplines such as solitude, silence, prayer, and the reading of Scripture also require time. Unless we set aside consistent time for these disciplines, we will not become intimate with our Lord.\n\nThe more we are impressed by Him, the less we will be impressed by people, power, and things.\n
- Time is an essential ingredient to knowing God.\nLike any earthly relationship, it takes time to cultivate a relationship with the person of God. To say “I’d really like to know Jim, but I’m not willing to spend any time with him” is as ridiculous a statement with others as it is with God.\nNot only that, but practicing the spiritual disciplines such as solitude, silence, prayer, and the reading of Scripture also require time. Unless we set aside consistent time for these disciplines, we will not become intimate with our Lord.\n\nThe more we are impressed by Him, the less we will be impressed by people, power, and things.\n
- 1. To know God is to love him, because the more we grasp- not merely in our minds but also in our experience- who he is and what he has done for us, the more our hearts will respond in love and gratitude. “We love because he first loved us.” (1 Jn. 4:19).\n\n2/3. God’s love for us is spontaneous, free, uncaused, and undeserved; he did not set his love on us because we were lovable, beautiful, or clever, because in our sin we were unlovable, ugly, and foolish. He loved us because he chose to love us.\n\n4. As we expand our vision of our acceptance and security in Christ who loved us and gave himself for us, we begin to realize that God is not the enemy of our joy but the source of our joy. When we respond to this love, we become the people he has called us to be.\n
- 1. To know God is to love him, because the more we grasp- not merely in our minds but also in our experience- who he is and what he has done for us, the more our hearts will respond in love and gratitude. “We love because he first loved us.” (1 Jn. 4:19).\n\n2/3. God’s love for us is spontaneous, free, uncaused, and undeserved; he did not set his love on us because we were lovable, beautiful, or clever, because in our sin we were unlovable, ugly, and foolish. He loved us because he chose to love us.\n\n4. As we expand our vision of our acceptance and security in Christ who loved us and gave himself for us, we begin to realize that God is not the enemy of our joy but the source of our joy. When we respond to this love, we become the people he has called us to be.\n
- 1. To know God is to love him, because the more we grasp- not merely in our minds but also in our experience- who he is and what he has done for us, the more our hearts will respond in love and gratitude. “We love because he first loved us.” (1 Jn. 4:19).\n\n2/3. God’s love for us is spontaneous, free, uncaused, and undeserved; he did not set his love on us because we were lovable, beautiful, or clever, because in our sin we were unlovable, ugly, and foolish. He loved us because he chose to love us.\n\n4. As we expand our vision of our acceptance and security in Christ who loved us and gave himself for us, we begin to realize that God is not the enemy of our joy but the source of our joy. When we respond to this love, we become the people he has called us to be.\n
- 1. To know God is to love him, because the more we grasp- not merely in our minds but also in our experience- who he is and what he has done for us, the more our hearts will respond in love and gratitude. “We love because he first loved us.” (1 Jn. 4:19).\n\n2/3. God’s love for us is spontaneous, free, uncaused, and undeserved; he did not set his love on us because we were lovable, beautiful, or clever, because in our sin we were unlovable, ugly, and foolish. He loved us because he chose to love us.\n\n4. As we expand our vision of our acceptance and security in Christ who loved us and gave himself for us, we begin to realize that God is not the enemy of our joy but the source of our joy. When we respond to this love, we become the people he has called us to be.\n
- 1. As we grow to know and love God, we learn that we can trust his character, promises, and precepts. One reason I know the Bible is true is because virtually everything God points out as sin are the very same causes of pain, trouble, or death that I have experienced in my life or seen in the lives of people I know personally- whether it be drunkenness, pride, ingratitude, grumbling, unforgiveness, or adultery, I have seen these things cripple or destroy those who choose them. He alone has the words of truth; no other literature on this planet even remotely compares to the wisdom of what God says is either good or bad.\n\n2. Thus, whenever he asks us to avoid something, it is because he knows that it is not in our best interests. And whenever he asks us to do something, it is always because it will lead to a greater good. \n\n3. If we are committed to following hard after God, we must do the things he tells us to do. But the risk of obedience is that it will often make no sense to us at the time. It may be countercultural to obey the things the Holy Spirit reveals to us in the Scriptures. Radical obedience sometimes flies in the face of human logic, but in these times our loving Father tests and reveals the quality of our trust and dependence on Him.\n\n
- 1. As we grow to know and love God, we learn that we can trust his character, promises, and precepts. One reason I know the Bible is true is because virtually everything God points out as sin are the very same causes of pain, trouble, or death that I have experienced in my life or seen in the lives of people I know personally- whether it be drunkenness, pride, ingratitude, grumbling, unforgiveness, or adultery, I have seen these things cripple or destroy those who choose them. He alone has the words of truth; no other literature on this planet even remotely compares to the wisdom of what God says is either good or bad.\n\n2. Thus, whenever he asks us to avoid something, it is because he knows that it is not in our best interests. And whenever he asks us to do something, it is always because it will lead to a greater good. \n\n3. If we are committed to following hard after God, we must do the things he tells us to do. But the risk of obedience is that it will often make no sense to us at the time. It may be countercultural to obey the things the Holy Spirit reveals to us in the Scriptures. Radical obedience sometimes flies in the face of human logic, but in these times our loving Father tests and reveals the quality of our trust and dependence on Him.\n\n
- 1. As we grow to know and love God, we learn that we can trust his character, promises, and precepts. One reason I know the Bible is true is because virtually everything God points out as sin are the very same causes of pain, trouble, or death that I have experienced in my life or seen in the lives of people I know personally- whether it be drunkenness, pride, ingratitude, grumbling, unforgiveness, or adultery, I have seen these things cripple or destroy those who choose them. He alone has the words of truth; no other literature on this planet even remotely compares to the wisdom of what God says is either good or bad.\n\n2. Thus, whenever he asks us to avoid something, it is because he knows that it is not in our best interests. And whenever he asks us to do something, it is always because it will lead to a greater good. \n\n3. If we are committed to following hard after God, we must do the things he tells us to do. But the risk of obedience is that it will often make no sense to us at the time. It may be countercultural to obey the things the Holy Spirit reveals to us in the Scriptures. Radical obedience sometimes flies in the face of human logic, but in these times our loving Father tests and reveals the quality of our trust and dependence on Him.\n\n
- 1. As we grow to know and love God, we learn that we can trust his character, promises, and precepts. One reason I know the Bible is true is because virtually everything God points out as sin are the very same causes of pain, trouble, or death that I have experienced in my life or seen in the lives of people I know personally- whether it be drunkenness, pride, ingratitude, grumbling, unforgiveness, or adultery, I have seen these things cripple or destroy those who choose them. He alone has the words of truth; no other literature on this planet even remotely compares to the wisdom of what God says is either good or bad.\n\n2. Thus, whenever he asks us to avoid something, it is because he knows that it is not in our best interests. And whenever he asks us to do something, it is always because it will lead to a greater good. \n\n3. If we are committed to following hard after God, we must do the things he tells us to do. But the risk of obedience is that it will often make no sense to us at the time. It may be countercultural to obey the things the Holy Spirit reveals to us in the Scriptures. Radical obedience sometimes flies in the face of human logic, but in these times our loving Father tests and reveals the quality of our trust and dependence on Him.\n\n
- John 14:15 says “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” \n\nThe way Jesus sees it is that love and obedience are inextricably linked. We cannot say we love God if we refuse to obey Him. But we can love Him by obeying Him.\n\n
- John 14:15 says “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” \n\nThe way Jesus sees it is that love and obedience are inextricably linked. We cannot say we love God if we refuse to obey Him. But we can love Him by obeying Him.\n\n
- John 14:15 says “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” \n\nThe way Jesus sees it is that love and obedience are inextricably linked. We cannot say we love God if we refuse to obey Him. But we can love Him by obeying Him.\n\n
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- 5 Love Languages: Quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service.\n
- 5 Love Languages: Quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service.\n
- 5 Love Languages: Quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service.\n
- 5 Love Languages: Quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service.\n
- Will age 11: I’m wipin’ off the lipstick, but I’m not wipin’ off the love.\n
- We are constantly in danger of letting the world instead of God define us, because that is so easy to do. It is only natural to shape our self-image by the attitudes and opinions of our parents, our peer groups, and our society. None of us are immune to the distorting effects of performance-based acceptance, and we can falsely conclude that we are worthless or that we must try to earn God’s acceptance. Only when we define ourselves by the truths of the Word rather than the thinking and experiences of the world can we discover our deepest identity.\n
- We are constantly in danger of letting the world instead of God define us, because that is so easy to do. It is only natural to shape our self-image by the attitudes and opinions of our parents, our peer groups, and our society. None of us are immune to the distorting effects of performance-based acceptance, and we can falsely conclude that we are worthless or that we must try to earn God’s acceptance. Only when we define ourselves by the truths of the Word rather than the thinking and experiences of the world can we discover our deepest identity.\n
- Eventually, no matter how long you try to dress them up differently, a dog will act like a dog, not a horse.\n\n\n
- Eventually, no matter how long you try to dress them up differently, a dog will act like a dog, not a horse.\n\n\n
- Eventually, no matter how long you try to dress them up differently, a dog will act like a dog, not a horse.\n\n\n
- 1. All of us have encountered psychobabble about self-love, including the call to look within ourselves to discover the answers to our problems. But Scriptures exhort us to look to Christ, not to self, for the solutions we so greatly need. \n\n2. Seeing ourselves as God sees us is the biblical view of self-love. This will never happen automatically, because the scriptural view of human depravity and dignity is countercultural. Requires consistent discipline and exposure to the Word of God, plus a context of fellowship and encouragement in a community of like-minded believers. Without these, the visible will overcome the invisible, and our understanding of truth will gradually slip through our fingers.\n
- 1. All of us have encountered psychobabble about self-love, including the call to look within ourselves to discover the answers to our problems. But Scriptures exhort us to look to Christ, not to self, for the solutions we so greatly need. \n\n2. Seeing ourselves as God sees us is the biblical view of self-love. This will never happen automatically, because the scriptural view of human depravity and dignity is countercultural. Requires consistent discipline and exposure to the Word of God, plus a context of fellowship and encouragement in a community of like-minded believers. Without these, the visible will overcome the invisible, and our understanding of truth will gradually slip through our fingers.\n
- 1. All of us have encountered psychobabble about self-love, including the call to look within ourselves to discover the answers to our problems. But Scriptures exhort us to look to Christ, not to self, for the solutions we so greatly need. \n\n2. Seeing ourselves as God sees us is the biblical view of self-love. This will never happen automatically, because the scriptural view of human depravity and dignity is countercultural. Requires consistent discipline and exposure to the Word of God, plus a context of fellowship and encouragement in a community of like-minded believers. Without these, the visible will overcome the invisible, and our understanding of truth will gradually slip through our fingers.\n
- \n2. A biblical understanding of grace addresses both human depravity and human dignity. It avoids the extreme of worm theology (I’m worthless, I’m no good, I’ll never amount to anything, I’m nothing but a rotten sinner) and the opposite extreme of pride and autonomy (”What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” 1Cor. 4:7)\n
- \n2. A biblical understanding of grace addresses both human depravity and human dignity. It avoids the extreme of worm theology (I’m worthless, I’m no good, I’ll never amount to anything, I’m nothing but a rotten sinner) and the opposite extreme of pride and autonomy (”What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” 1Cor. 4:7)\n
- \n2. A biblical understanding of grace addresses both human depravity and human dignity. It avoids the extreme of worm theology (I’m worthless, I’m no good, I’ll never amount to anything, I’m nothing but a rotten sinner) and the opposite extreme of pride and autonomy (”What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” 1Cor. 4:7)\n
- The following biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ are derived from a few selected passages in the NT. These passages teach a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in God’s Son.\n
- The following biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ are derived from a few selected passages in the NT. These passages teach a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in God’s Son.\n
- The following biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ are derived from a few selected passages in the NT. These passages teach a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in God’s Son.\n
- The following biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ are derived from a few selected passages in the NT. These passages teach a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in God’s Son.\n
- The following biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ are derived from a few selected passages in the NT. These passages teach a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in God’s Son.\n
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- My former identity in Adam has been put to death; my new and eternal identity in Christ is now a living reality.\n
- My former identity in Adam has been put to death; my new and eternal identity in Christ is now a living reality.\n
- My former identity in Adam has been put to death; my new and eternal identity in Christ is now a living reality.\n
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- We’re not at peace with others because we’re not at peace with ourselves because we’re not at peace with God.\n
- We were created for an intimate relationship with the infinite and personal God who loves us. He initiates this relationship, and we love him because he first loved us. Loving God completely is the key to loving self correctly (seeing ourselves as God sees us), and this in turn is the key to loving others compassionately. As we grow in the understanding of God’s unconditional love and acceptance of us in Christ, we are increasingly liberated from using people to meet our needs.\n\nThere is no act that begins with the love of God that does not end with the love of neighbor.\n
- We were created for an intimate relationship with the infinite and personal God who loves us. He initiates this relationship, and we love him because he first loved us. Loving God completely is the key to loving self correctly (seeing ourselves as God sees us), and this in turn is the key to loving others compassionately. As we grow in the understanding of God’s unconditional love and acceptance of us in Christ, we are increasingly liberated from using people to meet our needs.\n\nThere is no act that begins with the love of God that does not end with the love of neighbor.\n
- We were created for an intimate relationship with the infinite and personal God who loves us. He initiates this relationship, and we love him because he first loved us. Loving God completely is the key to loving self correctly (seeing ourselves as God sees us), and this in turn is the key to loving others compassionately. As we grow in the understanding of God’s unconditional love and acceptance of us in Christ, we are increasingly liberated from using people to meet our needs.\n\nThere is no act that begins with the love of God that does not end with the love of neighbor.\n
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- Most of the time, servanthood involves simple acts in the mundane routines of life- small acts of thoughtfulness and other-centeredness- not literally giving up one’s life for another.\n
- Most of the time, servanthood involves simple acts in the mundane routines of life- small acts of thoughtfulness and other-centeredness- not literally giving up one’s life for another.\n
- Jn. 13 records a visual parable communicating servanthood to his disciples by washing their feet.\n\nJesus knew that “the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God” (Jn. 13:3).\n\n1. He knew his dignity and power (” the Father had given all things into His hands”)\n2. He knew his significance and identity (” and that He had come forth from God”)\n3. He knew his security and destiny (” and was going back to God).\n\nHe knew Whose and who he was, and his relationship with the Father gave him the power and security to love and serve others.\n
- Jn. 13 records a visual parable communicating servanthood to his disciples by washing their feet.\n\nJesus knew that “the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God” (Jn. 13:3).\n\n1. He knew his dignity and power (” the Father had given all things into His hands”)\n2. He knew his significance and identity (” and that He had come forth from God”)\n3. He knew his security and destiny (” and was going back to God).\n\nHe knew Whose and who he was, and his relationship with the Father gave him the power and security to love and serve others.\n
- Jn. 13 records a visual parable communicating servanthood to his disciples by washing their feet.\n\nJesus knew that “the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God” (Jn. 13:3).\n\n1. He knew his dignity and power (” the Father had given all things into His hands”)\n2. He knew his significance and identity (” and that He had come forth from God”)\n3. He knew his security and destiny (” and was going back to God).\n\nHe knew Whose and who he was, and his relationship with the Father gave him the power and security to love and serve others.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- It would have been impossible for Jesus to love and serve others had he allowed himself to be defined and bound by the opinions of the people around him.\n
- Just as Jesus knew who he was, where he came from, and where he was going, so all who have put their trust and hope in him should know the same. But few do.\n\nLike Christ, we have:\n1. Dignity and power; every spiritual blessing has been given into our hands\n2. Significance and identity: we have become the children of God\n3. Security and destiny: We have been given the security and destiny of knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.\n\nThese limitless resources meet our deepest needs and overcome the human dilemma of loneliness, insignificance, and meaninglessness.\n
- Just as Jesus knew who he was, where he came from, and where he was going, so all who have put their trust and hope in him should know the same. But few do.\n\nLike Christ, we have:\n1. Dignity and power; every spiritual blessing has been given into our hands\n2. Significance and identity: we have become the children of God\n3. Security and destiny: We have been given the security and destiny of knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.\n\nThese limitless resources meet our deepest needs and overcome the human dilemma of loneliness, insignificance, and meaninglessness.\n
- Just as Jesus knew who he was, where he came from, and where he was going, so all who have put their trust and hope in him should know the same. But few do.\n\nLike Christ, we have:\n1. Dignity and power; every spiritual blessing has been given into our hands\n2. Significance and identity: we have become the children of God\n3. Security and destiny: We have been given the security and destiny of knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.\n\nThese limitless resources meet our deepest needs and overcome the human dilemma of loneliness, insignificance, and meaninglessness.\n
- 1. As these truths about what God has already accomplished for us become clearer in our thinking, we grow in awareness of our true freedom in Christ and desire to express this freedom and security in the way we approach relationships. Instead of one-upmanship, we can take pleasure in putting others first.\n\n2. Our identification with Christ leads to and is the basis for our imitation of Christ. Paul invited the Philippians to do this when he told them to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important that yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)\n\n3. It is one thing to be called a “servant” and being treated like one. We need to frequently review that our performance and our acceptance by others has nothing to do with our dignity and value, since this is determined by God and not the world. When we suffer rejection and indifference, the pain will be real, but it need not destroy us, since we have made the radical decision to look to God and his resources alone for our true and unchanging identity and worth.\n
- 1. As these truths about what God has already accomplished for us become clearer in our thinking, we grow in awareness of our true freedom in Christ and desire to express this freedom and security in the way we approach relationships. Instead of one-upmanship, we can take pleasure in putting others first.\n\n2. Our identification with Christ leads to and is the basis for our imitation of Christ. Paul invited the Philippians to do this when he told them to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important that yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)\n\n3. It is one thing to be called a “servant” and being treated like one. We need to frequently review that our performance and our acceptance by others has nothing to do with our dignity and value, since this is determined by God and not the world. When we suffer rejection and indifference, the pain will be real, but it need not destroy us, since we have made the radical decision to look to God and his resources alone for our true and unchanging identity and worth.\n
- 1. As these truths about what God has already accomplished for us become clearer in our thinking, we grow in awareness of our true freedom in Christ and desire to express this freedom and security in the way we approach relationships. Instead of one-upmanship, we can take pleasure in putting others first.\n\n2. Our identification with Christ leads to and is the basis for our imitation of Christ. Paul invited the Philippians to do this when he told them to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important that yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)\n\n3. It is one thing to be called a “servant” and being treated like one. We need to frequently review that our performance and our acceptance by others has nothing to do with our dignity and value, since this is determined by God and not the world. When we suffer rejection and indifference, the pain will be real, but it need not destroy us, since we have made the radical decision to look to God and his resources alone for our true and unchanging identity and worth.\n
- 1. God is a community of being; he created us in his image as relational beings whose ultimate source of fullness and enjoyment should have been found in fellowship and intimacy with God. God has overcome our alienation from him, ourselves, and others. He is a comprehensive relationship-restorer.\n\n2. As children of God through faith in Christ, we are called to a lifestyle of growing other-centeredness and diminishing self-centeredness as Christ increases and we decrease.\n\n3. When we are secure in Christ, the rewards of investing our lives in people exceed the pains that people can cause. Paul saw people not only as a source of joy but also as a reward, both in the present and in the future.\n\n4. It has been said that “everyone ought to fear to die until he has done something that will last forever.” Joan of Arc said “It is not a tragedy to die for something you believe in, but it is a tragedy to find at the end of your life that what you believed in betrayed you. What lasts? What can give permanence to the work of our hands (Ps. 90:17)? The Bible says that people go on into eternity. When we invite Christ to manifest his life in and through us, when we represent the Lord Jesus in our spheres of influence and encourage others to know him better, we are investing in something that transcends this planet. We bring nothing into this world, and we can take nothing material out of it. But if we are investing in the lives of people, our investments will accrue dividends forever, since people were made in the image of God to inhabit eternity.\n
- 1. God is a community of being; he created us in his image as relational beings whose ultimate source of fullness and enjoyment should have been found in fellowship and intimacy with God. God has overcome our alienation from him, ourselves, and others. He is a comprehensive relationship-restorer.\n\n2. As children of God through faith in Christ, we are called to a lifestyle of growing other-centeredness and diminishing self-centeredness as Christ increases and we decrease.\n\n3. When we are secure in Christ, the rewards of investing our lives in people exceed the pains that people can cause. Paul saw people not only as a source of joy but also as a reward, both in the present and in the future.\n\n4. It has been said that “everyone ought to fear to die until he has done something that will last forever.” Joan of Arc said “It is not a tragedy to die for something you believe in, but it is a tragedy to find at the end of your life that what you believed in betrayed you. What lasts? What can give permanence to the work of our hands (Ps. 90:17)? The Bible says that people go on into eternity. When we invite Christ to manifest his life in and through us, when we represent the Lord Jesus in our spheres of influence and encourage others to know him better, we are investing in something that transcends this planet. We bring nothing into this world, and we can take nothing material out of it. But if we are investing in the lives of people, our investments will accrue dividends forever, since people were made in the image of God to inhabit eternity.\n
- 1. God is a community of being; he created us in his image as relational beings whose ultimate source of fullness and enjoyment should have been found in fellowship and intimacy with God. God has overcome our alienation from him, ourselves, and others. He is a comprehensive relationship-restorer.\n\n2. As children of God through faith in Christ, we are called to a lifestyle of growing other-centeredness and diminishing self-centeredness as Christ increases and we decrease.\n\n3. When we are secure in Christ, the rewards of investing our lives in people exceed the pains that people can cause. Paul saw people not only as a source of joy but also as a reward, both in the present and in the future.\n\n4. It has been said that “everyone ought to fear to die until he has done something that will last forever.” Joan of Arc said “It is not a tragedy to die for something you believe in, but it is a tragedy to find at the end of your life that what you believed in betrayed you. What lasts? What can give permanence to the work of our hands (Ps. 90:17)? The Bible says that people go on into eternity. When we invite Christ to manifest his life in and through us, when we represent the Lord Jesus in our spheres of influence and encourage others to know him better, we are investing in something that transcends this planet. We bring nothing into this world, and we can take nothing material out of it. But if we are investing in the lives of people, our investments will accrue dividends forever, since people were made in the image of God to inhabit eternity.\n
- 1. God is a community of being; he created us in his image as relational beings whose ultimate source of fullness and enjoyment should have been found in fellowship and intimacy with God. God has overcome our alienation from him, ourselves, and others. He is a comprehensive relationship-restorer.\n\n2. As children of God through faith in Christ, we are called to a lifestyle of growing other-centeredness and diminishing self-centeredness as Christ increases and we decrease.\n\n3. When we are secure in Christ, the rewards of investing our lives in people exceed the pains that people can cause. Paul saw people not only as a source of joy but also as a reward, both in the present and in the future.\n\n4. It has been said that “everyone ought to fear to die until he has done something that will last forever.” Joan of Arc said “It is not a tragedy to die for something you believe in, but it is a tragedy to find at the end of your life that what you believed in betrayed you. What lasts? What can give permanence to the work of our hands (Ps. 90:17)? The Bible says that people go on into eternity. When we invite Christ to manifest his life in and through us, when we represent the Lord Jesus in our spheres of influence and encourage others to know him better, we are investing in something that transcends this planet. We bring nothing into this world, and we can take nothing material out of it. But if we are investing in the lives of people, our investments will accrue dividends forever, since people were made in the image of God to inhabit eternity.\n
- In “Restoring Your Spiritual Passion”, Gordon MacDonald observes that we encounter five kinds of people:\n\n1. Very Resourceful People: who add to our lives and ignite our passion. These are mentors, and they are often older men or women who are willing to build their experience and wisdom into our lives.\n\n2. Very Important People: who share our passion. These people love us enough to ask us tough questions and keep us honest as they work together with us and share our vision.\n\n3. Very Trainable People: who catch our passion, and these are people newer to the faith in whose lives we have been called to make an investment.\n\n4. Very Nice People: who enjoy our passion but do not contribute to it. These people make up the large majority of congregations in America.\n\n5. Very Draining People: who sap our passion by causing conflicts and constantly looking for comfort and recognition. If we are not careful, VNP’s and VDP’s we encounter will absorb the majority of our available time. We can protect our selves from difficult people without writing them off.\n
- In “Restoring Your Spiritual Passion”, Gordon MacDonald observes that we encounter five kinds of people:\n\n1. Very Resourceful People: who add to our lives and ignite our passion. These are mentors, and they are often older men or women who are willing to build their experience and wisdom into our lives.\n\n2. Very Important People: who share our passion. These people love us enough to ask us tough questions and keep us honest as they work together with us and share our vision.\n\n3. Very Trainable People: who catch our passion, and these are people newer to the faith in whose lives we have been called to make an investment.\n\n4. Very Nice People: who enjoy our passion but do not contribute to it. These people make up the large majority of congregations in America.\n\n5. Very Draining People: who sap our passion by causing conflicts and constantly looking for comfort and recognition. If we are not careful, VNP’s and VDP’s we encounter will absorb the majority of our available time. We can protect our selves from difficult people without writing them off.\n
- In “Restoring Your Spiritual Passion”, Gordon MacDonald observes that we encounter five kinds of people:\n\n1. Very Resourceful People: who add to our lives and ignite our passion. These are mentors, and they are often older men or women who are willing to build their experience and wisdom into our lives.\n\n2. Very Important People: who share our passion. These people love us enough to ask us tough questions and keep us honest as they work together with us and share our vision.\n\n3. Very Trainable People: who catch our passion, and these are people newer to the faith in whose lives we have been called to make an investment.\n\n4. Very Nice People: who enjoy our passion but do not contribute to it. These people make up the large majority of congregations in America.\n\n5. Very Draining People: who sap our passion by causing conflicts and constantly looking for comfort and recognition. If we are not careful, VNP’s and VDP’s we encounter will absorb the majority of our available time. We can protect our selves from difficult people without writing them off.\n
- In “Restoring Your Spiritual Passion”, Gordon MacDonald observes that we encounter five kinds of people:\n\n1. Very Resourceful People: who add to our lives and ignite our passion. These are mentors, and they are often older men or women who are willing to build their experience and wisdom into our lives.\n\n2. Very Important People: who share our passion. These people love us enough to ask us tough questions and keep us honest as they work together with us and share our vision.\n\n3. Very Trainable People: who catch our passion, and these are people newer to the faith in whose lives we have been called to make an investment.\n\n4. Very Nice People: who enjoy our passion but do not contribute to it. These people make up the large majority of congregations in America.\n\n5. Very Draining People: who sap our passion by causing conflicts and constantly looking for comfort and recognition. If we are not careful, VNP’s and VDP’s we encounter will absorb the majority of our available time. We can protect our selves from difficult people without writing them off.\n
- In “Restoring Your Spiritual Passion”, Gordon MacDonald observes that we encounter five kinds of people:\n\n1. Very Resourceful People: who add to our lives and ignite our passion. These are mentors, and they are often older men or women who are willing to build their experience and wisdom into our lives.\n\n2. Very Important People: who share our passion. These people love us enough to ask us tough questions and keep us honest as they work together with us and share our vision.\n\n3. Very Trainable People: who catch our passion, and these are people newer to the faith in whose lives we have been called to make an investment.\n\n4. Very Nice People: who enjoy our passion but do not contribute to it. These people make up the large majority of congregations in America.\n\n5. Very Draining People: who sap our passion by causing conflicts and constantly looking for comfort and recognition. If we are not careful, VNP’s and VDP’s we encounter will absorb the majority of our available time. We can protect our selves from difficult people without writing them off.\n
- One of the most important dynamics in relational spirituality is the grace of forgiveness.\n\nThe OT and NT center on the theme of redemption and forgiveness, stressing the human condition as one of alienation and moral guilt before the holiness of the Creator. Through God’s mighty and loving act of redemption in the cross of Christ, he can offer the gracious gift of forgiveness without compromising the perfection of his justice and character. And through the grace of divine forgiveness, our alienation can be overcome and a loving, secure, relationship as true members of God’s family can be inaugurated.\n
- One of the most important dynamics in relational spirituality is the grace of forgiveness.\n\nThe OT and NT center on the theme of redemption and forgiveness, stressing the human condition as one of alienation and moral guilt before the holiness of the Creator. Through God’s mighty and loving act of redemption in the cross of Christ, he can offer the gracious gift of forgiveness without compromising the perfection of his justice and character. And through the grace of divine forgiveness, our alienation can be overcome and a loving, secure, relationship as true members of God’s family can be inaugurated.\n
- 1. God’s forgiveness erases the sin from existence. In the imagery from the OT, he removes it “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). He casts our sins behind his back (Is. 38:17), he wipes out our transgressions for his own sake (Is. 43:25), he remembers our sin no more (Jer. 31:34).\n\n2. Even after coming to Christ, many people find it difficult to accept God’s unconditional forgiveness. There is still a lingering natural disposition to think we must work off the debt and earn divine forgiveness. \n\n3. Guilt feelings can cause people to revisit the sin instead of laying hold of God’s forgiveness. The idea that we have outsinned the grace of God is a failure to grasp the height and depth of God’s grace and love.\n
- 1. God’s forgiveness erases the sin from existence. In the imagery from the OT, he removes it “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). He casts our sins behind his back (Is. 38:17), he wipes out our transgressions for his own sake (Is. 43:25), he remembers our sin no more (Jer. 31:34).\n\n2. Even after coming to Christ, many people find it difficult to accept God’s unconditional forgiveness. There is still a lingering natural disposition to think we must work off the debt and earn divine forgiveness. \n\n3. Guilt feelings can cause people to revisit the sin instead of laying hold of God’s forgiveness. The idea that we have outsinned the grace of God is a failure to grasp the height and depth of God’s grace and love.\n
- 1. God’s forgiveness erases the sin from existence. In the imagery from the OT, he removes it “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). He casts our sins behind his back (Is. 38:17), he wipes out our transgressions for his own sake (Is. 43:25), he remembers our sin no more (Jer. 31:34).\n\n2. Even after coming to Christ, many people find it difficult to accept God’s unconditional forgiveness. There is still a lingering natural disposition to think we must work off the debt and earn divine forgiveness. \n\n3. Guilt feelings can cause people to revisit the sin instead of laying hold of God’s forgiveness. The idea that we have outsinned the grace of God is a failure to grasp the height and depth of God’s grace and love.\n
- 1. Having been forgiven by the grace of God on the basis of Christ’s finished work on the cross, we are exhorted to manifest forgiveness in our relationships with others (see Mt. 18:21-35).\n
- 1. Having been forgiven by the grace of God on the basis of Christ’s finished work on the cross, we are exhorted to manifest forgiveness in our relationships with others (see Mt. 18:21-35).\n
- When we forgive those who have hurt us, we acknowledge that we too have needed forgiveness and that we are not as different from the offender as we might like to think.\n\n1. There is a natural tendency in all of us to excuse our own faults and to blame others for their faults, \n2. an inclination to reach for justice and possibly revenge when the same wrong is committed by others. \n3. In Christ, we are to offer grace rather than justice to the wrongdoer.\n
- When we forgive those who have hurt us, we acknowledge that we too have needed forgiveness and that we are not as different from the offender as we might like to think.\n\n1. There is a natural tendency in all of us to excuse our own faults and to blame others for their faults, \n2. an inclination to reach for justice and possibly revenge when the same wrong is committed by others. \n3. In Christ, we are to offer grace rather than justice to the wrongdoer.\n
- When we forgive those who have hurt us, we acknowledge that we too have needed forgiveness and that we are not as different from the offender as we might like to think.\n\n1. There is a natural tendency in all of us to excuse our own faults and to blame others for their faults, \n2. an inclination to reach for justice and possibly revenge when the same wrong is committed by others. \n3. In Christ, we are to offer grace rather than justice to the wrongdoer.\n
- When we forgive those who have hurt us, we acknowledge that we too have needed forgiveness and that we are not as different from the offender as we might like to think.\n\n1. There is a natural tendency in all of us to excuse our own faults and to blame others for their faults, \n2. an inclination to reach for justice and possibly revenge when the same wrong is committed by others. \n3. In Christ, we are to offer grace rather than justice to the wrongdoer.\n
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