christianity
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FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES OUR ATTITUDE
When Christians remember 9/11, we also need to remember 5:44. Jesus said, “Love your enemies…do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Someone may object that this sounds… Continue reading
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WHAT ARE WE SAYING TO THE POWERS?
Ephesians 3:10 Paul says that God intends “through the church” to make His manifold wisdom known “to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” These “powers” belong to the unseen spiritual realm that figures prominently in Paul’s understanding of… Continue reading
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FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES OUR BOUNDARIES
Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). That was more than a call to go somewhere with Jesus. It was a promise that following Him would change them. Before Jesus could use John… Continue reading
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Following Jesus Changes Our Desires
John followed Jesus, but following Jesus meant Jesus had to change John. In Luke 9, Jesus and His disciples were traveling toward Jerusalem when a Samaritan village refused to receive Him. James and John were offended. They asked Jesus, “Lord,… Continue reading
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FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES US
Some people follow Jesus hoping He will make them important. James and John did. In Mark 10:37, they asked Jesus, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”… Continue reading
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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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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
