We share rich relationships with one another in the body of Christ, the community Jesus builds in the kingdom of God. The foundation of our relationships is established by God in His kingdom—one body and one Spirit. I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you … [Read more…]
By Howard Snyder In contrast to traditional views, the Bible describes the church in the midst of culture, struggling to maintain its fidelity while tainted by the corrosive acids of paganism and Jewish legalism. This view is sharply relevant for the modern age. We will look briefly at three essential aspects of the biblical view. … [Read more…]
Our ministry as the royal priesthood is found in the kingdom of God. Under the Old Covenant, God devoted the men of 1 of the 12 tribes to serve Himself and the people of Israel as priests. In the New Covenant, Jesus Christ made all believers priests to His God and Father to minister to … [Read more…]
You shine like stars, for God is working in you to will and do what pleases Him. He has shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. When we gather together our light increases like a constellation of stars. When we minister to … [Read more…]
Our Messiah Leads In 1978, God gave me a dream about our call to build the way our Messiah leads instead of man’s way. Now, years later, I can see much progress in the restoration of the church [ecclesia/ekklesia—called out ones, congregation, assembly, community of our King] to the leadership of our Messiah in the … [Read more…]
A wall of enmity divided Jews and Gentiles until they were made one in Christ. The Ephesian church was mostly Gentile. Jews had an ingrained prejudice against them. It was rooted in their heritage as the circumcised, which the Gentiles did not share. The Jews were God’s people Israel and had God’s covenants. The Gentiles … [Read more…]
The enduring faith, hope and love exhibited by the Weatherstone family is inspiring. This is their matter of fact account of the challenges they have come through. We have always believed the Lord doesn’t give us more than we could handle. Our two oldest boys were born with a genetic disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Even … [Read more…]
Walking worthy of the Lord in marriage is a proving ground of our devotion to God. Christ Jesus is our example of how to walk in His way. In just 11 verses, Paul sets it forth. 22 Married women, submit to your own husbands as if to the Lord; 23 because a husband is the … [Read more…]
by Raymond E. Ashmore, D.Min., Imparting Life Ministries True spiritual authority is expressed as the Holy Spirit exercises Christ’s Lordship through designated leaders. There is a difference between an Authority and an instrument of that authority. Authority is resident in Jesus Christ and His Spirit, yet exercised through chosen human vessels. This manifestation of authority … [Read more…]
May our God make you worthy of His calling and by His power accomplish every good thing you decide to do and every work of faith, so as to glorify the name of our Lord Jesus among you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I adapted that blessing … [Read more…]