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Tag: spiritual formation

The Holy Spirit – the Difference Maker

The Holy Spirit – the Difference Maker

Have you ever wondered why you don’t make any spiritual progress? You’ve been diligent with spiritual practices and attended faithfully church functions but nothing happens? Sometimes we are lead to desert and that’s ok. There are different seasons in faith life too. But make sure that you don’t ignore the most important aspect of your spiritual life: the Holy Spirit.  This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life…

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Spiritual Formation

Spiritual Formation

What do you think? What is spiritual formation all about? I think it is simply becoming what God has meant you to be. It is the process of becoming Christ-like. It is growing in con-FORM-ity to Christ. How does it happen? Only by letting God work in and through us. We can facilitate the process of spiritual formation but it’s always God’s work, not ours. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in…

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You Are God’s Work in Progress

You Are God’s Work in Progress

Do you ever feel that you are not doing enough or accomplishing enough? Even in the realm of faith? It is time to step back and look at the big picture. Then hopefully you will be able to relax and rest in God’s grace. Because all is well. So then [God’s gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God’s mercy. [It depends not on one’s own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in…

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Good Morning, God! (or How to Start Your Day Right)

Good Morning, God! (or How to Start Your Day Right)

How do you start your day? Do you have some routines that are always the same? How long do you go until you greet God each day? You answer defines the robustness of your faith. Really. Either you lean on God or on your own strength. Either you live for God or for yourself. Either you put God first or yourself. In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for…

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Why Does God Test Us?

Why Does God Test Us?

Why does God test us? What do you think? The Bible is pretty clear about this. This is how Moses answered: The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. (Deut.13:3-4; NLT) Kurt Bubna states in his new book Epic Grace, Chronicles of a Recovering Idiot “God will…

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Abiding in the Tree of Life

Abiding in the Tree of Life

We are called to have an intimate and organic relationship with Jesus. We are called to abide in the tree of life. How can we do that? Only by faith. Only by grace. We can read about the Tree of Life throughout the Bible. We are first introduced to the tree of life at the Paradise (Genesis 2:9). But the most fascinating vision is found in the book of Revelation: The Tree of Life was planted on each side of…

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Give Blessing in Return

Give Blessing in Return

Peter is one of the Bible characters whose spiritual growth impresses me time after time. He was passionate for Jesus from early on yet he didn’t first really understand what it meant to live for Jesus. But Peter was willing to learn, first from Jesus and later on from the Holy Spirit. Peter’s story is an encouraging example of heavenly spiritual formation, what it really means to grow in grace. Just think…Peter was the one who cut off the ear…

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You Are Dust

You Are Dust

Even though the world around us is full of marks of death and dying we try to deny our own mortality. We like to live in La-La Land and pretend we are not aging and our life will go on forever. But the sooner we face the reality: we are dust and we will return to dust, the better we can embrace living fully. Like a parent feels compassion for their children—    that’s how the LORD feels compassion for those…

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A Cup Running Over

A Cup Running Over

Is glass half full or half empty? They say your answer depends on your outlook on life. But as Christians our life does not depend on us or on our outlook on life. Our cup is always full. Because our life depends on God and the Holy Spirit fills the portion that is empty. John the Baptist leads the way: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30, AMP) The less we are, the more prominent place God has…

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Share the Bounty of Spiritual Fruit!

Share the Bounty of Spiritual Fruit!

God has promised to bless his children richly. But these blessings are not material things. Nonetheless these blessings bring forth all the good things in life: God’s kingdom isn’t about eating food and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14: 17, CEB) We can’t produce spiritual fruit on our own. And artificial fruit just does not do it. The only way to bear spiritual fruit is by abiding in Christ. Even then it’s never…

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