Prayer Points

Prayer Points

• For continued opportunities to share the Gospel with “the least of these” in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, America. Middle East

• For wisdom in teaching God’s Word and setting an example to the flock (church) that is God-glorifying.

• For the church’s members to be strong in Christ and ever growing in love for Him and each other.

• For the members of the church to have wisdom and courage in knowing how to honor Christ and be witnesses unto Him.  

Knowing Christ and becoming like Him cannot be divorced.

Knowing Christ and becoming like Him cannot be divorced.

In verse eighteen that word “reflect” (used in the NIV) can also mean to “contemplate” which means to think on something. The idea then is that as we think on Christ and look to Him with hearts that are set on Him, there will be a transformation that takes place by the power of the Holy Spirit so that one becomes like Him as well. 

The Lord's Glory

This sort of “knowing” God then goes beyond one’s intellect and into everyday living. When Jesus taught His 12 disciples in the Scripture it was not done in a classroom setting and He did not use big words that they had to look up in a dictionary, but He taught them the Word of God through both word and deed. 

The result of this teaching was that they saw Christ for Who He truly is and they were ultimately made to be “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:23).

In conclusion then, brothers and sisters, we should ask ourselves: “what place does Christ currently have in our hearts and minds?” It is easy to look spiritual in our deeds and, yet, be proud in heart and have thoughts that revolve around ourselves (even while doing “good” things). 

Furthermore, are the fruits of the life of Christ being evidenced in and through us so that we reflect Him – to the glory of His name? Many of us know many Scriptures, but one of the most passed over is the one that says, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.

 Do what it says.” (James 1:22). Therefore, let us not simply know more about the Lord, but live as disciples – that is, those who seek to walk and imitate what they hear and see in their master -- all to the praise and glory of His name! 

Walking With Jesus: Beholding the Glory of God

Walking With Jesus

Beautiful amazing African Maasai Culture with beautiful 
Inspirational text source http://www.zazzle.com/hakuna_matata_
walking_with_jesus_poster-228474480452003448 (©)

Beholding the Glory of God

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Can a man look at the sun without his vision being affected? Can someone touch a hot burner on an oven without reacting to it or showing some mark from it? Neither can one truly begin to know the Lord and not have their life be affected as a result. Such is the way of a disciple. 

For a disciple is not merely someone who sits under another’s teaching, but who observes and seeks to imitate their master/teacher. This is why Jesus’ disciples would ultimately be distinguished from the world by their practices and obedience to His commands (John 13:35). 

Looking closer at the context of this passage in which Paul is speaking to the church at Corinth, one will see that Paul is using the imagery of Moses when he spoke with God on Mount Sinai when Moses’ face was made radiant through that experience (Exodus 34:29-30, 33-35). 

“reflect” the Lord’s glory

By doing this, the Lord was using Paul to show the greater glory of the new covenant that had been established in Christ Jesus in order to combat the false apostles that had infiltrated the church at Corinth and were promoting teachings that were not founded on Christ and, thus, were causing division among the believers there. 

But, exposing the false apostles was only one of the by-products of this teaching, another lesson to be noted though is the transformation that takes place in a believer’s life as they “reflect” the Lord’s glory.


Remember Hakuna Matata Always