Equipping Christians to become disciples
If you complain habitually and tend to resent people then your very nature will become sour over time. The effect is very marked. The person becomes like sour milk. It affects them to their core, and a sense of grievance overtakes them. For example, I …
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Ingratitude doesn’t stay silent for long. It inevitably turns into grumbling out loud, which is an even worse problem. It has a corrosive and poisonous effect on everybody. It harms the person complaining. Plus it undermines those who listen to it, and especially those who …
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We are selfish due to our sinful, flesh nature. Therefore the norm is for us to be ungrateful. Gratitude is exceptional. We have all experienced ingratitude from others and we don’t like it. Yet we also know we have all been guilty of it ourselves. …
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4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NASB) 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) And now we thank thee, our God, and praise thy glorious name. 1 …
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It is also possible that you have picked up the mistaken impression that because it can be difficult to be a disciple at times then it follows that Jesus must be a harsh taskmaster who is never satisfied with us. That is absolutely not the …
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I hope that what I have said in this chapter is balanced. I have attempted to emphasise the joys and benefits that come from being Jesus’ disciple, both in this life, and also in eternity. However I have also gone to great lengths to try …
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If you want to be successful as a disciple and to grow as quickly and as far as possible, then you will need to come to terms with the fact that God carries out these ongoing quality control tests. Stop being surprised, perplexed or annoyed …
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Another reason why God puts all of us through difficult experiences, whether we ask for them or not, is because He wants us to develop strength, stamina and hardiness. He wants us to be able to withstand a series of difficult experiences, over a sustained …
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Obviously, most of us have no desire to suffer or to be put under pressure. Indeed, it would be perverse for us to actually want to suffer, or to gain any pleasure from it. We should not want it in that sense. Nevertheless, it is valid to …
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Not all of the difficult or unpleasant circumstances that we experience are due to God’s chastening or punishment. Some of it has other causes and purposes. One of those is that God allows us to face adversity, struggle, opposition and difficulty as a way of changing us. …
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