Meat for the Mature

Host: FLOURISH Author Phil Rehberg Deeper thoughts for believers embracing humility, vulnerability, Cross & Resurrection, community & the union of love

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Instead, God’s blessings flow when we keep in mind that all the good that we have began with God’s grace. He guides the humble, not the self-sufficient. https://t.co/ZLHP0ZoTI3

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Yet it is still true that we will not be put to shame when we hope in God in this life. This means that our souls are not defeated by the enemies and corruption around us or in us. https://t.co/DwMhZ9bNcQ

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God promises that those who come to him in sincerity and holiness will have the privilege of “standing” in his presence. We will see God better; we will have more participation in his nature; we will drink more of his Spirit. https://t.co/QaE7B7Pezh

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These truths are the unpleasant truths of God. We don’t like them. We don’t want to say them. We don’t want to say them to others or put them in writing. We are afraid we will sound like one of those shrill, harsh preachers of condemnation. https://t.co/RxlfhDVJ5T

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“The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him.” (Psalms 22:26, NIV). In the later Old Testament writings, the “poor” were people who not only lacked physical resources but also depended on Yahweh. https://t.co/I4YLyleRXL

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KIng David's blessings apply to us: “He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great through your salvation;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.

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God’s commands don’t just keep us from being destructive; they also guide us into peace and maturity. They guide us into communion with God in Christ. That is why God's commands bring joy, they bring us closer to him. https://t.co/mc5y1jlyA8

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"The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me...He brought me out into a spacious place. (Psalms 18:4-5, 19, NIV). https://t.co/fpRyTq1s58

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Under the new covenant, believers have no geographic kingdom in this world and “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world” (Eph. 6:12, NIV). https://t.co/gd4tndvmB7

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Yet for those who humble themselves and turn to God he gives them a spiritual lamp that burns forever. We break through the darkness of the world and begin to live in the light of the knowledge of God. https://t.co/rBpRZYzrJp

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It is the pure who enjoy a relationship with the purity of God. Those who embrace the immorality and destructiveness of the world do not get to enjoy the pure goodness of God. https://t.co/MBBO1mpOPt

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But in the New Jerusalem the future perfect community will finally come to pass. We will finally be free of our corruption, able to love one another perfectly, and live productive lives. https://t.co/HT7K6gPJly

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It’s not always easy to be merciful, which is why God has to remind us to do it. But we are motivated by the fact that God will show us mercy, and that what we receive from him is far greater than anything we lose from those who harm us. https://t.co/mnTzhr7wBo

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I don’t feel like I am sitting in the heavens. Yet Scripture makes it clear that we are. We have a spiritual resurrection now. Col. 2:12 teaches “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him.” (ESV) https://t.co/vgIE8srsjx

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All the things that people pursue to find deep happiness will not satisfy them. We have found the Source of ultimate happiness. True happiness is found when we are with God. https://t.co/wugBlbosLD

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It is a promise to believers that they will find blessing if they live righteously. Jesus himself said that the pure in heart will see God (Matt. 5:8). James says “draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8, ESV). https://t.co/LlsZFZFeMP

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So now God is with us, even in a single righteous person! But even better than that: “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” Matthew 18:20 (NIV). https://t.co/qn6mejxYrC

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I got into a debate online with someone who was complaining about God ordering the death of some people in the Old Testament. I explained that the root reason for God’s judgment was that the people were destroying relationships. https://t.co/5GmKlzqX7Q

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He also affirms that God will help the victims and do justice to the wicked. We may not be under attack from the wicked but we feel the impact of the ungodly ways of the people around us. https://t.co/PfKKcvlQ1O

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We also see that at the beginning of his ministry Jesus proclaimed these words: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18 ESV) https://t.co/DTYNEpbt5a