Another Unintended Consequence of Permissive Parenting

Proverbs 13.24 describes, the one who spares his rod hates his child, but the one who loves his child is diligent in disciplining him.

Recently I heard someone state that the constitution prohibits hate speech. Many young people would either agree with that thinking or support that amendment were someone to make such a proposal. The constitution actually prohibits the muzzling of hate speech. The constitution commands free speech. (more…)

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What We Do Proves What We Believe

Matthew 3.8 commands. produce fruit that proves your repentance.

To the religious, to those who think they are approved by God, to those who know they are ‘right’ theologically; God says, ‘produce fruit that proves your repentance.’ This command is offensive because we like to be measured on our knowledge and intentions rather than the result of our actions.

Indeed, this command was offensive to the religious leaders who first heard it. (more…)

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God’s Marketing Department

Deuteronomy 18.18 promises, I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them whatever I command.

This promise has already been literally fulfilled. It is one of more than 300 promises Jesus fulfilled making Him the unequivocal option for Messiah the Jews have always longed for. However, what this promise communicates and what Jesus communicated, is that God is committed to using people for marketing His Personal reality and His ultimate destiny for humanity. (more…)

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Christianity is a Marathon and not a Sprint

Hebrews 10.36 encourages, you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.

Endurance is one of those qualities we admire in others but struggle to manifest in ourselves. We see the marathon runner and we marvel at their endurance then say they are crazy to train then run that kind of distance. We hear the testimony from the mountain climber and wonder what it would be like to stand on the top of the world only to hear of the cost and dismiss it as too hard.

Endurance is modeled by the few but desired by the many. (more…)

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What Are You Known For?

1 Corinthians 4.1 observes, people should think about us this way – as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Christianity is maligned most of the time unfairly. Haters are just gonna hate. Of all the good in the world most is done by Christians.

When tragedy strikes in the world it is the Christian Church globally that steps in through gifts and talents of supplies and workers to help those struck by nature’s worst. You never read of the Muslim mission society, or the Buddhist mission society or the Hindu mission society helping people in need. (more…)

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A Father’s Work and Highest Priority

Proverbs 27.23 tells us to know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds.image

This is good, solid practical advice for everyone in leadership. God tells us that our first priority as leaders should be our people. For fathers this means knowing how our wife and children are doing then doing those things that will make their lives easier and better. (more…)

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How to Know God Personally

Hosea 6.3 laments, Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to

Retro key and opened book
Retro key and opened book

us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.

When we think of God what do we think of? Our experience of Him personally combined with our teaching about Him will determine the thoughts we have about God as well as our behavior toward God.

The word God means, He Who is above all, the One Who is to be revered, honored and obeyed because He is perfect, wonderful and responsible for all that is, was or ever will be. Does that definition of God seem congruent with our thoughts about God or our behavior before God? Most likely not. (more…)

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The Secret to Happiness in the Christian Life

Colossians 2.7 commands, let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will growimage strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

The secret to happiness in the Christian life is knowing Jesus better and serving Jesus more. This is the summary of Paul’s command to the church as he reminded them of Who Jesus is, God made visible, and what we are to do, spread the message of God’s reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus the Savior. (more…)

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Believing is Not Enough

Romans 2.7 promises, He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the gloryimage and honor and immortality that God offers.

Believing isn’t enough.

The regrettable consequence of the Church’s message these past 50 years is a culture mostly uncommitted to the ways and work of God. Since its founding by God, the Church has always had the responsibility to communicate who God is and what God requires of humanity. (more…)

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The Church Needs to Reclaim it’s Voice

Jeremiah 9.3 observes, they refuse to stand up for the truth. They only go from bad to worse. They doimage not know me, says the LORD.

What is truth? Since at least 1960 the rhetoric has been that there is no truth. This belief has allowed social changes to occur by sweeping away thinking that previously held to certain belief’s about what is right and what is wrong. The result of this myth has been increasing societal chaos.

If we applied this belief to engineering or medicine we would have bridges collapsing, planes crashing, and surgery’s going horribly awry. Math and science depend upon truth so that they can reach conclusions upon which they can base further premises. (more…)

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