There is an old adage that goes, “People buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t like.” That is a sadly accurate summary of how the world tends to look at money. As Christians, however, we recognize that our money has a higher purpose.
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The Bible gives us many examples of people who chose love over hurt. These people knew that love never fails. I think about the young man Joseph. The second youngest of twelve brothers born to Jacob, he was his father's favorite, and everyone in the family knew it.
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In previous blogs we have looked at a couple of reasons why the church exists: the exaltation of God and the edification of the saints. But let’s look at a third reason: The church is called to evangelize the world.
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Many of the blessings of God are released into our lives only through persistent, unrelenting prayer. God had promised to bless Jacob when he returned to his homeland, yet only after a full night of wrestling—and giving Jacob a permanent injury—did God let Jacob pin him and obtain the blessing.
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A quick Google search of the above statement produced some 17 million results. You read that right, seventeen million! The statement struck me while reading through Haggai recently. The prophet’s work is limited to two chapters which you could read on a smoke break (I’m dating myself). Nostalgia shows up in the second chapter: Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it ...
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People who are worldly wise often try to disguise this worldly wisdom as God's wisdom. Worldly wisdom comes in the guise of spirituality or religion, but there is a vast difference between the wisdom of these false religions and that of true spirituality rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ. God's wisdom is pure in motive, gentle, and merciful. It is not arrogant, boastful, harsh, or unforgiving.
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What is the gift of prophecy? The gift of prophecy is one of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity. Many believe prophecy is future-telling or speaking secret truths of God. However, Scripture defines the gift of prophecy as God equipping someone to share the truths of the Gospel for the purpose of “edification, exhortation, and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3).
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Living righteously virtually guarantees that not everyone will like you or agree with you, and some will even come against you. Walking with Christ is not for the faint of heart.
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One day your child is crawling around in diapers and the next she’s engaged. In the months that follow you’re adrift in a sea of wedding details, showers, and ever-growing expenses. Like a marathon runner on mile twenty-five, the end of your parenting journey is in sight. Another mile. Another chance to bless your child before marriage.
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The question of relationships in heaven is one of the major issues Christians wonder about. Will we recognize our loved ones? Will we remember our earthly relationships? What kind of relationships will we have? Will we have family love and fellowship in heaven? Will our relationships in heaven be anything like they are here?
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