230. Communion - Ritual or Relationship?

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What comes to mind when you think of "communion?" Do you think of some sort of ritual or ceremony or do you think more along the line of relationship and intimacy? We don't get into a deep teaching on this subject this week, but we throw out a few suggestions about what communion may be and what it may not be. Jesus simply told His disciples that when they ate bread and drank wine, to remember Him. Remember His body which was broken for them and remember His blood which was shed for them. Perhaps communion can be as simple as remembering the finished work of Christ and celebrating the life of Christ.

And of course, what would a conversation about communion be without mentioning food! Everywhere Jesus went, there was eating and drinking going on! (Well, except for that 40-day desert experience). :) Food, fellowship, relationship, remembrance... could this all be a part of communion, rather than it being a religious ceremony or ritual?

Ralph Harris - Better Off Than You Think - Part 2

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Part 2 (of 2) of my chat with Ralph Harris, who is with LifeCourse Ministries and has written a book called Better Off Than You Think - God's Astounding Opinion of You. Part 1 is here.

Last week Ralph mentioned that during the last few years, he's seen more and more people "getting" this truth about God's astounding opinion of them and the truth about their new nature.  He shares some of his experiences in telling people about the wonderful way that God and everyone in the heavenlies sees them!  Ralph also talks about various authors and various books he has read that line up with what God has shown him over the years.

Among other things, Ralph also talks about what he terms the "Monster Mash" - the conflict within that is between the Holy Spirit and the flesh - but that is not our conflict.  We are not the Spirit and we are not the flesh.  We are who we are!  The monster that I sometimes think I am, because of what's going on inside of me and because of my outward behavior, is not me at all!

I think you'll be highly encouraged all throughout this conversation.  The truth will make you free as you see and accept the wonderful truth of who God has already made you to be, and of His astounding opinion of you!

Find out more about Ralph Harris and LifeCourse Ministries, as well as the book, at lifecourse.org

229. Intimacy and Communion with God

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This week we're talking about intimacy and communion with God. Is it possible that a person can be doing all the 'right things' in their walk with God, and still miss out on intimacy with Him? You bet. Even if a person is doing various things such as praying, reading their Bible, taking part in numerous church activities and other spiritual activities, which in and of themselves aren't "bad" things of course, they can still miss Jesus.

So we encourage you to relax and trust Jesus, and enjoy God and your life in Christ! We also talk a little bit about the 'ritual' of communion, and how we can all have communion with God anytime, no matter how many people are there or not there.

Ralph Harris - Better Off Than You Think - Part 1

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"Are you prepared to think better of yourself than you have been?"

In the relatively short time that I've known Ralph Harris (through his blog and Facebook, during the past year or so), I have immensely enjoyed both his shallow humor, that is similar to mine (hehehe) and his passionate and captivating way of sharing the good news that not only does God have a high opinion of you - but His opinion is right!

Ralph is with LifeCourse Ministries and has written a book called Better Off Than You Think - God's Astounding Opinion of You.  The book is an excellent and easy-to-read resource for learning and being encouraged in who God is and who you are, and what God really says about you and thinks of youl

You don't think God has too high of an opinion of you?  Has your behavior or other people's opinions of you (or any number of other things) quenched your view of God's astounding opinion of you? In our chat, Ralph says that people in general have an opinion of themselves that is not nearly equal to what God thinks.  That affects our daily approach to life and to God.  So, are you prepared to think better of yourself than you have been?  :)  Listen in, and I think your understanding of God's view of you will be refreshed and your countenance will be lifted up!  Let the truth of God's passion for you set you free!

Find out more about Ralph Harris and LifeCourse Ministries, as well as the book, at lifecourse.org

Here's Part 2 of the interview.

228. Present Day, Real, Living Jesus in Us

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Some ask the question, "WWJD - What Would Jesus Do," almost as if we're looking at some historical Jesus who did some things 2,000 years ago that we are now trying to imitate or copy. But this week we look at the reality of the present-day life of Jesus who indwells us and with whom we're in union.

Rather than looking at things from a perspective of us "trying to be like Jesus," we look at things from the perspective that Jesus has already made us all that we need to be, and we are living from that reality. The foundation of this life is what Christ has already done, not what would He do. We don't look to a historical figure to try to decide how to live, but we live from who He has already made us to be and what He is doing in and through us right now.

227. God is Good

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Even with all the "bad" that goes on in the world, we make the case this week of what we believe to be true - that God is only good!