Building Spiritually for Increased Success on the Mission Field
Preparation for missions is a double sided coin, involving both natural and spiritual elements. Both are vital to the success and sustainability of a missions ministry.
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Jesus Forgives Sinners on Calvary
Two men hung next to Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. They were both sinners, but one had a hardened heart. The other man knew who Jesus was and took the opportunity to ask for forgiveness. He said: "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
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Religious Counseling and Understanding
A discussion of the Ebb and Flow model of grief as it relates to religious counseling.
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Jesus Prays for the Preservation of His Disciples
It was not realistic for Jesus to ask God to remove the disciples from the world just so that they could be protected from evil, just as it is not realistic for believers today to ask to be taken home just to escape the hardships of life here on earth. Without the chosen people bringing the lost to Christ, many nonbelievers could not find their way.
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Expecting the Kind of Authentic Love that Children Expect from God
Another childlike attribute that would be esteemed by Christ is a child's expectation to be loved, not hurt. Unless a child has been traumatized somehow, they expect to be loved and nurtured. The source of authentic ultimate love is God the Father. It is through the revelation of Father God in Christ, that one finds the source of genuine love. Believer and non-believers alike, should come in the expectation that they are loved, and that a way has been made to enter fully into that love by Jesus' ministry.
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Jesus is the Beloved Son of God
Jesus did the will of His Father, and He knew that His Father was pleased with Him, and that He loved Him. Despite the suffering that He was about to partake, there was no doubt in Jesus' mind that He was the Beloved Son of God.
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Letting Go of Personal Control and Giving God the Control Results in Freedom from Anxiety and Burnout
God is in control, yet He has chosen to include His children in the process. He has paid a very dear price, the death of His dear Son, to insure freedom of choice for His creation.
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The Parable of Dives and Lazarus is also Known as The Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus
The Pharisees believed in the afterlife, and in angels, and that God punished the wicked and rewarded the righteous in the world to come, so Jesus utilized this knowledge to paint a vivid illustration of their worst nightmare, a future of eternal torment. This teaching resulted in the parable of Dives and Lazarus, also knowns as The Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus.
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Composer Charles Wesley Writes Jesus, Lover of My Soul
From his hiding place, which was situated by a quiet babbling brook, Charles Wesley could hear the movement and angry voices of his pursuers. He settled back into the hedge to await their departure. He filled his waiting time by composing a hymn; a prayer of trust in God as his refuge: Jesus, Lover of My Soul.
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The Christian Principle of Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit
Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness can be attained with a newly acquired object, a car, or clothing or appliance, for example. A sunny day can make someone happy, or a bouquet of flowers. Usually happiness is a result of something external. But joy is internal. It is not an emotion, but an inner appreciation and sense of satisfaction due to a spiritual reality.
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