Look at [this obvious fact] which is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him reflect and remind himself that even as he is Christ’s, so too are we.
2 Corinthians 10:7 AMPC
THREE DIRECTIONS THE BIBLE FINDS WORTHY OF REFLECTION.
REFLECTION DIRECTION 1 - My Past.
My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn't think that many of you were … But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame.
1 Corinthians 1:26, 27 CEV
Study the past if you would define the future. Confucius
REFLECTION DIRECTION 2 - My Future.
A person may do things only to make himself happy. That person's harvest will be God's punishment and death. Or a person may do the things that God's Spirit wants. That person will receive a harvest from God's Spirit. The harvest will be life with God for ever.
Galatians 6:8 Easy
REFLECTION DIRECTION 3 - My Present.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… So do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today.
Matthew 6:33, 34 VOICE
CHURCH PLANT REFLECTIONS LESSONS BY A CHURCH PLANTER
Past – A Shared Memory of a Life Lived Faithfully
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Acts 20:17-21 NIV
Present – A Present Demonstration of a Life Lived Faithfully.
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Acts 20:22-24 NIV
Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Acts 20:25, 26 NIV
Future – An Unwavering Commitment to a Life Lived Faithfully.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
Acts 20:28-32 NIV
God’s grace can forgive sin.
God’s grace can prevent sin.
The grace of God that brings salvation to all men has appeared, and teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live sober-minded, righteously, and godly in this present world...
Titus 2:11, 12 NMB
When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 20:36 NIV
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