Pleasing God and Pleasing People are Mutually Exclusive

Galatians 1.10 asks, am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Why is it that man pleasers and God pleasers are not synonymous? How is it that pleasing men keeps us from serving Christ? Relational evangelism has led many Christians to believe they are at least closely related. In trying to win people to Christ we try to become friends with men. Indeed, Jesus was a friend of sinners! So it seems Paul’s words conflicts with Jesus’ work. (more…)

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Being A Good Christian Is Not Enough

Ezekiel 21.3-4 records, this is what the Lord says: I am against you. I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. Because I am going to cut off the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.

 

The sin of Israel was too much, too consistent, too long for God to overlook any longer. Though there were a few who obeyed God, the culture itself was rotten to the core. Judgement, punishment and disaster were the result of Israel’s persistent disobedience to God. Yet even in this promise to slay the righteous and the wicked, God also promised to save a few. (more…)

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A Simple Description For Christian Living

1 Corinthians 16.13-14 commands, be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

 

A quick summary of how those who claim to be Christians are to live the Christian life in this pagan world that opposes God and the truth of His Word. We are to watch ourselves, guard our conduct, character and thinking, lest we become sucked into the ways of the world. Our flesh is weak though our spirit is willing to obey. The ideas of satan to disobey God are subtle and appealing to our feelings but they move us out of alignment with God’s will, and when followed, lead us to a place completely at odds with His Word. The best defense is a good offense. (more…)

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Christians Need To Get Off The Couch And Into The Fray

1 Corinthians 9.25,27 observes, everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever….No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Too many Christian men fail to see themselves running a race. They do not see themselves in a cosmic battle for the souls of men of whom they are the Lord’s army to be fighting for the freedom, capture and security from sin and death those currently under the dominion of ignorance to Jesus as Savior. (more…)

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Now Is Not The Time To Preach Justice

Lamentations 3.64-66 asks, pay them back what they deserve, Lord, for what their hands have done. Put a veil over their hearts, and may Your curse be on them! Pursue them in anger and destroy them from under the heavens of the Lord.

 

Jeremiah watched his city and his nation become destroyed by the enemies of his people. His prayer to God was for God to bring justice against those enemies. We too have many today crying for justice. This often means punishing those who are deemed evil and making reparations to those who are claiming to have been wronged. (more…)

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The Reason For Our Spiritual Poverty

Psalms 1.1-2 describes, blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

 

The Scripture has many names for the people of God including aliens and strangers in the world. Though our God has left us in this world He commanded that we not be of the world. The beloved Apostle John describes worldliness as loving what our eyes see, what our hearts want and boasting of our accomplishments. Too many Christians are living worldly lives. (more…)

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God is NOT like Santa Claus

Jeremiah 20.8,11 describes, whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long…….But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. (more…)

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Church: Make America Great Again

Isaiah 64.7 observes, no one calls on Your name or strives to lay hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have given us over to our sins.

This chapter, like many of the previous chapters, seems to speak to our country and our church today. All of the many things going wrong in our culture has not driven many yet to the point of perpetual prayer. Who is striving to lay hold of God? (more…)

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How to Recieve God’s Blessings

Psalms 91.14-16, explains, because he loves Me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name. He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.

 

The blessing of the Lord, who does not want that in their life? I know I certainly do. How then do we receive God’s favor? (more…)

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God Expects The Church To Testify To Truth

Isaiah 43.10-12 records, you are My witnesses, declares the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from Me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses, declares the Lord, that I am God. (more…)

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