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Education and Training

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You know there’s a phrase that I’ve heard many times and I really dislike it. They say in Europe, “oh the American church… it’s a mile wide and an inch deep.” Oh really?

But you know, there’s a certain meaning to that phrase and it’s this – what about discipleship? People say to themselves, “Okay, I gave my life to Christ. He forgave my sins. I’m a child of God. I’m going to heave when I die.” And, you want to see them grow!

This happened to Pat and me with our four sons and now our 8 grandsons. We want to see them grow. Not only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ so that they have eternal life, we want them to be disciples.

In Hebrews ch.6 we read, “Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” That everybody likes.

We want to see our children and our grandchildren grow up and go on to maturity and become true followers of Jesus Christ who love the Word of God, who love the church, who love communion, who love prayer, and who love to share the Good News to those who are still lost.

Yes, Jesus says let us go to maturity. And, we can do it ourselves and we can help others go on to maturity if they stay close to Jesus Christ and His Holy Word.

All This is Ours!

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Have you ever thought about the amazing privileges we have as children of God? Think about it. Hebrews chapter 10 tells us all about them. First, it says we can draw near to God with a sincere heart. That we do that in full assurance of faith. That our hearts are sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscious. That our bodies are washed with pure living water.

We hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, because the One who promised it is faithful. We spur one another on to love and good deeds. We meet together for fellowship. We encourage one another and, it says, all the more as we see the Day of our Lord approaching.

You know, all these privileges are ours in Jesus Christ! Is that amazing or what? The blood of Jesus purified and opened the door in such a way that we can actually walk right into the most holy place, the very presence of God. In the Spirit, in prayer, in worship, in meditation-you and I can actually feel and be by faith, in reality, in the very presence of God Almighty.

Hebrews 10:19 says, “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” Check it out for yourself. You can make an amazing impact on your world when you live life in light of God’s promises, God’s privileges, and God’s reality.

Evelyn’s Story

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A New Way of Thinking
Evelyn Fernandez has an amazing story. This young woman in the Philippines followed God’s leading for her life. There were many men who wanted to marry her. But Evelyn would have none of it. She said, “With all the abandoned children here in our city, why would I get married and have more kids?”

Instead, she wanted to adopt children and bring them up as her own. And that’s exactly what Evelyn did. She became a primary school teacher, and over many years she adopted forty-two children. Wow! 42! And can you believe it? Thirty-eight of those children ended up working for various Christian ministries. Now that’s influence!

Many people you meet measure their worth by comparing themselves to others, never embracing God’s purposes for them. If you know someone like that, remind them that God has a plan for their life. It may not look like anyone else’s plan. Evelyn’s sure didn’t. But it’s His special, tailor-made plan–just for them.

Read them this verse from Psalm 139: it says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139 is a fantastic reminder of God’s presence in, and purpose for, our lives. Is there someone you know who needs to hear this truth today? And by the way, have you embraced God’s purpose for your life?