evangelism / Judgement / Suffering

Persecuted, Suffering or Hiding?

Philippians 1.29 reminds us that, it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him.

Fox News recently reported that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, again (HERE).

When we think of suffering however we think only in terms described in this article. In North America, under this definition, we don’t suffer because we are not persecuted. Not wanting to be left out of the suffering conversation, we in North America broaden suffering to include our difficulties: divorce, bankruptcy, cancer etc. (more…)

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April 3, 2017
Christian Living / evangelism / obedience

What on Earth Are We Focused Upon?

Philippians 3.13-14 records, I am single-minded….. I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Most business men I know are quite single-minded: striving to win in the marketplace. The win is the new client, increased market share, greater revenue or just the approval of the boss. Success in these areas results in greater income and more responsible titles.

Few are the men not swept up into this way of thinking and living. (more…)

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March 30, 2017
Christian Living / Theology

Giving and Receiving To and From God

John 17.10 records, Everything I have belongs to You, and everything You have belongs to Me.

In this passage of Scripture Jesus is wrapping up His ministry on earth with a prayer that He has allowed to be recorded for posterity that we might better understand the heart, mind and will of God. In this prayer Jesus reminds the Father that everything He has belongs to Him..pause. What does Jesus possess at this time in His prayer? (more…)

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March 27, 2017
evangelism / faith / Theology

Are the Bible and the koran the Same?

Joshua 8.18 records hold out toward Ai the curved sword in your hand, for I am handing the city over to you.

I was listening to two men discuss religion today. The first commented that the Muslims are a real world problem, their book commands them to kill everyone who isn’t one. The second guy commented that the Bible says the same thing so it and its adherents are just as bad.

The first guy rebutted his friend by stating now we live by the teachings of Jesus so Christians are better. This didn’t convince the second guy that there is any difference between ISIS and Baptists. Do both of these books record God telling His people to kill everyone? (more…)

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March 21, 2017
Christian Living / evangelism

Christianity is the World’s Only Hope

Galatians 3.28 proclaims, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Christianity is the ONLY world religion to record in its sacred writings that all people are equal in value before the One True God. Hinduism separates humanity by caste because of the teachings of their gods. Islam separates people by gender and religion giving permission to its adherents to mistreat either according to the writings of their prophet.

Only Christianity proclaims God made all people from one man and one woman and that this same God suffered the punishment all people deserve in order to reconcile all people, male and female, black and white, Jew and Gentile to Himself through Jesus the Savior. (more…)

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March 17, 2017
evangelism / obedience

What Food Energizes You?

John 4.34 says the Man, who is God, Jesus, said to them, My food is to do the will of the one who sent Me and to complete His work.

It is a difficult assignment but it is the one we have been given nevertheless; that we live life like God lived life when He lived life among us as one of us. How did the Man, Who is God live life? (more…)

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March 15, 2017
faith / heaven / Judgement / Theology

Why Should We Please God?

2 Corinthians 12.21 records, I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.

The knock on Christianity from adherents of other religions is the ease by which Christians are able to get to heaven. Christianity is the only religion that claims it’s means to heaven is the receiving of it freely from God as a gift imparted by God’s grace through faith in His love and kindness. (more…)

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March 13, 2017
Judgement / money / work

What Concerns God Should Concern Us

Luke 16.15 warns, Jesus said to them, you are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God’s sight.

This statement by God, warning us that what we value He despises, should terrorize us. Now certainly this cant be true in everything. (more…)

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March 2, 2017
Christian Living / obedience / Suffering

Perseverance Keeps Us On God’s Side

Exodus 6.9 observes, they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and hard labor.

God had great plans in store for Israel but they couldn’t receive them because their life was hard. They wanted what God was offering but when the process became more difficult than they expected they didn’t believe God was really going to deliver on His Word.

This is how most of us respond to God. (more…)

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February 25, 2017
Christian Living / evangelism / Judgement / obedience

God’s Work Requires Focus

1 Corinthians 7.35 encourages, without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.

This expectation seems opposed to Jesus’ commendation of Mary who sat with Jesus instead of Martha who was busy making lunch for Jesus. Jesus’ caveat was that He would not always be with us in the flesh so Mary had indeed chosen the better activity.

From the beginning however God has been at work. So too the Son came to work by seeking and saving the lost. (more…)

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February 23, 2017