Christian Living / Suffering

Turning Things Around in the World

2 Timothy 2.25-26 encourages, perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.

The world is going crazy because people are increasingly doing crazier things. Granted, 24-hour negative news brings to our attention more crime, more violence and more human atrocity than we ever had before but still, does it seem like the world is running amok at a greater rate than ever?

The world has been in tough places before. It would have been hard times to be on the wrong side of Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan. It would have been hard times during the black plague. It was hard times during both world wars. It is hard times for those living wherever ISIS rules or seeks to rule. (more…)

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October 30, 2017
heaven / Judgement / obedience / Suffering

Our Choices Have Consequences

2 Thessalonians 1.8 observes, with flaming fire He will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

The next verse says that God will then send to eternal punishment all of these same people. In a word Christianity defines this place of eternal separation from God and eternal suffering as hell. Hell is no longer an accepted place among people. (more…)

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October 20, 2017
evangelism

If YOU Are Grateful, Tell Somebody

Psalm 107.2 declares, let those delivered by the LORD speak out, those whom He delivered from the power of the enemy.

Who is the enemy? The enemy of all humanity? Death.

Only one God promises deliverance from death to ALL who humble themselves and follow Him. Only one God proved His ability to deliver on His promise by Himself rising from the dead after men were convinced of their killing Him on a cross. (more…)

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September 28, 2017
Christian Living / heaven / Judgement

Finishing Well Means Not Growing Complacent

Psalm 101.8 describes, each morning I will destroy all the wicked people in the land, and remove all evildoers from the city of the LORD.

David was a man deeply committed to the ways of God. At least initially. His commitment was so serious that God described him, ‘as a man after His own heart.’ For God to consider a man like Him in desire, will and way is the greatest compliment anyone could receive. Yet, David imploded. (more…)

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September 22, 2017
evangelism / Judgement / obedience

Christians Need to Stop Quitting and Start Working

Ezekiel 22.30 records, I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.

God is watching us. God is watching us to see who is working for Him and with Him to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the case of Israel, God looked for a man who was praying for mercy on behalf of the people and warning the people about the consequences of their disobedience in order to move increasingly more people toward obedience to God.

This work, God said, would have delayed or even thwarted His plan for punishing Jerusalem but alas, no one was found to be working on this project resulting in Jerusalem’s destruction. (more…)

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September 19, 2017
evangelism / heaven / Judgement

What Do People Expect From Christians?

2 Corinthians 4.2 encourages, by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.

What do non Christians expect from Christians? Certainly a virtue or morality that is different from everyone else. This would include honesty, compassion, love, hard work, and thoughtfulness. While no one lives perfectly, thus each of us demonstrates our need for God’s forgiveness, those who claim to follow Jesus are expected and even commanded, to live like He lived. (more…)

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September 15, 2017
Judgement / obedience / Suffering

Getting God’s Help

Ezekiel 8.6 observes, son of man, do you see what they are doing – the great abominations that the people of Israel are practicing here, to drive Me far from My sanctuary? But you will see greater abominations than these!

This snapshot into the life of Israel records them fasting and praying seeking God’s mercy and favor for changing their miserable situation. Difficult times has the affect of moving us to prayer. Israel was trying to market themselves to God as penitent, faithful and obedient.

Yet God sees all, not just the religious show we put on for Him. (more…)

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September 5, 2017
faith

The Kind of Faith God Rewards – Part I

Hebrews 11.2 observes, for by it the people of old received God’s commendation.

The ‘it’ in this sentence is faith. There is a faith that God commends. What does that mean? To commend, is to recognize with reward, it is to esteem, it is to uphold as significant. We have all watched award ceremonies whether the Oscars, Hall of Fame or Olympics. All of us like to be positively recognized.

One day God is going to recognize and reward people for their great works done for His glory while they lived on earth. That will be one long ceremony. (more…)

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August 29, 2017
Christian Living

What Does God Really Want From Us?

1 Samuel 15.22 warns, does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams.

If you slowly read this verse and soak in it’s meaning, doesn’t it make sense that if there really is a God this is exactly how He would be? Doesn’t it make sense that if there really is a God He couldn’t be fooled by our religion into thinking we were good? Neither would religious activities truly make a person good if the normal activities of their life were evil. Wouldn’t obedience to God seem to make the most sense as to what God really requires? (more…)

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August 25, 2017