Christian
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Sanctification, Not Isolation
“For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” — Isaiah 56:7 When Jesus cleansed the Temple, He quoted a passage that reached far beyond Israel: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for… Continue reading
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WHEN YOU WALK AWAY DISAPPOINTED IN YOURSELF
There have been times when I’ve walked away from a ministry moment thinking of myself in derogatory terms. I said something I shouldn’t have said. I handled something poorly. I spoke when I should have listened—or spoke like a fool… Continue reading
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HOLY – Taboo or To Be
Holy! Now there’s an interesting word. The Hebrew term is qadosh and the Greek word is hagios. I’m neither a Hebrew nor a Greek scholar, but at the heart of these words is the idea of being set apart—something or… Continue reading
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When Desire Becomes a Dictator
There is nothing wrong with wanting someone to share your life with. There is nothing unspiritual about longing for companionship, praying for a godly spouse, or hoping that God will bring someone into your life whom you can love and… Continue reading
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A Family the World Cannot Explain
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one” (Ephesians 2:14). There is nothing unusual about people gathering with people like themselves. Bikers gather with bikers. Cowboys gather with cowboys. The wealthy tend to associate with the wealthy,… Continue reading
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THEY ARE NOT THE ENEMY
In the Old Testament, many of Israel’s great victories were military. Pharaoh’s army was destroyed in the sea. Jericho fell. David defeated Goliath. Israel fought invading armies and conquered hostile nations. The enemies were often visible, and victory could be… Continue reading
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VICTORY IN A WORLD NOT YET CHANGED
Paul told the believers in Ephesus that God had raised them up and seated them with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). That was an extraordinary thing to tell a small church living in a spiritually hostile city. Christ… Continue reading
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THE THORN
THE THORN2 Corinthians 12:7–10 Paul called his thorn in the flesh “a messenger of Satan.” Whatever form that messenger took, its purpose was hostile. Satan intended it to buffet Paul—to strike at him repeatedly, to weaken him, and, if possible,… Continue reading
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LET’S GET CONNECTED
Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). That sounds strange at first because we obviously can do things without Him. We can build buildings, organize programs, preach sermons, sing songs, create music, produce impressive services, draw… Continue reading
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BELIEF DOESN’T CREATE REALITY
The man called into a talk radio show that was discussing the afterlife. He was confused. He wanted to believe in reincarnation, but Elliot said there was no afterlife, while Billy Bob claimed he had experienced life after death. So,… Continue reading
