#ChristLike

[momentsbeforemass]

The target

“May Christ be heard in our language, may Christ be seen in our life, may Christ be perceived in our hearts.��

This is the target. To become what St. Peter Damian (today’s saint) is describing. To be so completely united with Christ that everything about us reflects Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to live to your fullest potential, to be who God made you to be, this is it.

Not just to talk about it, not just to do it, but to be it.

How is that possible? How do we become that Christlike?

Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel when He says, “I am the vine, and My Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does He prunes so that it bears more fruit.”

Plants only have so much energy. When a plant has lots of extra, random shoots and branches, it divides up its energy between all of those shoots and branches.

None of them amount to much. None of them bear fruit.

This is why if you want a tree or a vine to bear fruit, you have to help the plant to focus its energy on the branches that matter.

You have to get rid of all of the extra, random shoots and branches that are dividing up its energy. You have to prune it.

You and I work the same way.

We only have so much energy. When we’re distracted by the cares and worries and “shoulds” of this life, we divide up our energy between all of that stuff just trying to keep up.

None of it amounts to much. None of it bears fruit.

If you’re not seeing much fruit from what you’re doing right now, then the best way you can use this Lent (which starts tomorrow) is to do some pruning.

From your words, prune the things that don’t reflect Christ.

From your deeds, prune the things that don’t reflect Christ.

From your heart, prune the things that don’t reflect Christ.

Until all that’s left are the things that reflect the One who loves you best.

Let them grow in you. Let them grow in your words, in your deeds, and in your heart.

Until all that you are is Christ.

And you are exactly who God made you to be.

Today’s Readings

[letsdeconstructtogether]

Joy speckled in sand

By the riverside

In the grains of sand

Flecks of gold

Interspersed, hard to see at first

Sifted out, one can now admire

Its grandeur, its warmth, its radiance

These specks are God given

The truly wonderful things of life

The intangible, the beautiful, the incandescent

Joy

A kind that can only be given by Him

An alchemist, He turns clay to gold

He sprinkles it along the river of time

To be admired and treasured

For all

[electricxmayhem]

my mom told me they changed the recipe of the oil they’ll use to anoint charles king to make it vegan and i had to make her shut up because there were literally tears in my eyes like i’m about to start screaming

[corneliusbella]

As we aspire to describe ourselves to others with the attributes that made the disciples Christlike Christians in Antioch, we do so with a heart that seeks to glorify God. By immersing ourselves in the Word of God, we allow His truth to transform us, making us shining lights in a world that desperately needs to see Christ’s love, compassion, and grace in action. Let us remember that this transformation is a journey, and with each step, we take towards Christlikeness, we draw closer to the ultimate goal of becoming more like Him.

[whatwewear2church]

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖊 𝐏𝐭. 𝟏𝟎

[ifiwasafolkstarreal]

TUMBLER FIRST CONTACT

Tumbler Im loose so yall better watch out ...

[drjameslongjr]

“Counseling through the Word” Devotional: I am a Minister of Reconciliation

“Counseling through the Word” Devotional: I am a Minister of Reconciliation

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Introduction

In today's devotional, we explore our identity as new creations in Christ and our calling as ministers of reconciliation. As ambassadors for Christ, we are entrusted with the message of hope and restoration. Join us as we delve into 2 Corinthians 5:17–20 and learn how to live out this powerful truth in our daily lives. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this message of reconciliation with others.

Devotional Thought

When we embrace our new identity in Christ, everything changes. We move from being lost in our sins to becoming a new creation—alive, forgiven, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is not just for our benefit; it’s also a call to action. We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, sharing the hope of Christ with others. Reconciliation: The Heart of the Gospel Reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel. It’s about restoring a relationship that was once broken. Before we came to Christ, we were separated from God by our sins, living in spiritual death. But God, in His mercy, took the initiative to reconcile us to Himself through Jesus. He didn’t count our sins against us but instead offered us forgiveness and new life. As we reflect on this, we recognize that God has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation. We are now His ambassadors, carrying the message of hope and restoration to a world in desperate need of it. This responsibility is not to be taken lightly. Just as Christ’s love compels us, we should be motivated by love to reach out to others, inviting them to experience the same reconciliation we have received. Reconciliation: Living as a new creation Living as a new creation means that our old ways of thinking, living, and relating to others must be replaced with Christlike attitudes and actions. As we embrace our role as ministers of reconciliation, we must also commit to living out the Gospel in every aspect of our lives. This includes showing grace, offering forgiveness, and actively seeking to restore broken relationships. When we live in this way, we not only reflect the heart of God, but we also help others see the transforming power of His love. Our message to the world is simple yet profound: "Be reconciled to God." This is the hope we carry, and it’s the hope we are called to share with others.

Bringing it Home: Applying What We Learned

- Reflect on your new identity in Christ as a new creation. How does this truth impact the way you live and interact with others? - Consider your role as an ambassador for Christ. How can you actively share the message of reconciliation in your daily life? - Are there any relationships in your life that need reconciliation? Pray for the courage and wisdom to pursue peace and restoration.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. Help me to embrace my role as a minister of reconciliation, sharing Your love and forgiveness with those around me. Give me the courage to be an ambassador for Christ, and guide me in restoring broken relationships with grace and humility. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection

- How does understanding your new identity in Christ change your perspective on life and relationships? - In what ways can you be an ambassador for Christ in your community? - Are there specific relationships in your life that need healing and reconciliation? How can you take the first step towards restoration?

Take the Next Step on Your Journey

Thank you for joining me today. If you found this lesson helpful, I encourage you to explore more resources and support on my website, https://jameslongjr.org/. You can also watch my video on my YouTube channel. Finally, would you consider joining our Lessons for Life monthly membership or our online group coaching, where you’ll find powerful coaching videos, a supportive community, and step-by-step guidance for lasting transformation? Remember, true change is possible when you walk in God’s grace and for His glory. Until next time, may you find peace, hope, and joy in Christ alone. Blessings! Read the full article

[gossipwithjesus]

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[yuntwis]

To be a Blind Followers, being good is not a necessity. Just follow the orders of god and you good.

[albertfinch]

BECOMING CHRISTLIKE

There are two types of Christians, the trained and the untrained. Too many Believers view their salvation experience as though it were an arrival – and on one level it certainly is. Yet, your "arrival" is actually the beginning of a journey toward coming to understand your Christ identity and discover your Christ calling. Being "born again" is a step out of darkness into a destiny that will involve perseverance, faith, and spiritual training.

So accept the fact that the Lord's goal is not just your rescue, but also your training. To be spiritually trained will cost you. You must make life choices, spend time in spiritual development, and give yourself an unfolding surrender to learning the glorious ways of God. The result is your transformation. As Jesus put it, "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40).

In all of life, there is nothing that exceeds your desire to be "fully trained." In every way, You desire to be like your teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ.

YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK

The untrained Christian can walk into a life setting yet be completely ignorant of the spiritual dynamics that are influencing him. The spiritual man enters the same setting and he discerns what is happening; he is led by the Holy Spirit and he is effective in all realms.

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Hebrews 5:12–14).

The mature, through practice, actually possess "the mind of Christ" and appraise all things (1 Corinthians 2:15–16). They function successfully and courageously in every dimension of life, because they have been trained.

Of course, the teacher (Ephesians 4:11,12) whom God temporarily uses to train you never takes the place of Christ; The Lord just uses the individual to equip you in understanding your Christ identity, right standing with God, and walking in the Spirit. Of course, the teacher whom God temporarily uses to train you never takes the place of Christ -- the Lord just uses the individual to equip you in these areas. (Ephesians 4:11,12)

GOD USES OTHERS TO TEACH YOU

There are some things God will not teach directly to you but will instead require that you learn certain truths from others. It's significant that an angel told Cornelius to contact Peter and have him explain the truths about Jesus Christ. Why didn't the angel speak directly to Cornelius? It was important that Cornelius learn about God from another man. Humility requires you to appreciate the influence of godly mentors in your life and learn from them. Remember that your goal is not to follow men, but to be trained and equipped so you too can bear fruit that remains in God's advancing Kingdom through your Christ calling.

CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO SPIRITUAL TRAINING

In a generation where households may have a dozen Bibles yet not a minute to study, Jesus desires we become serious in our pursuit of spiritual training. Indeed, let's assure ourselves, no matter what our age or background, in the promise of our Master: "Everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher (Jesus)."

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[livingwellnessblog]

Love, Service, Devotion and the Ultimate Surrender; God's Redemptive Plan

All is God. Make no mistake on this, if there is a concept of oneness, and awareness of being is all, then all is one and the same God. A blade of grass. An angelic being. The sun, the clear blue sky and the clouds drifting by. God, Jesus, and Satan. Hanuman, Ravana, Ram and Sita. All one…. But where do we go from there? The common thread between Hanuman and Jesus lies in their representation of…

[nuggetsfromgodsword]

To Help Men Identify as True Christians

DATE POSTED: Friday, October 6, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years. TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Amplified Bible (AMP) IS FOUND IN Titus 2:1-2; 6-8; THE BIBLE TEXT IS: But as for you, teach the…

[getnotesonlife]

[drwallaert]

Be At Peace With Everyone!

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).  I love how the Lord works in my life. I pray every day for Him to help me be more like Him in my actions, thoughts, and words. Being human and struggling with pride and anger, I often fail at being like Jesus. However, I have learned that reflection and repentance are vital in growing to be more like…

[tpmt4tpm]

At this time in ur life, oUr world what u believe is what u have been told, read &or see which is all questionable, ICYMI.

Especially nowadays, more than ever before, it’s All an illusion. What YOU think see hear & do is what you get.