Up until Christ's birth in redemptive history, enjoying the privilege of being one of God's people had been limited to the Jewish nation of Israel. In fact, Israel had been exclusively known as God's people for thousands of years, ever since the time of Moses. But through Jesus, God opened the door for anyone to know the blessing of being one of God's own through salvation in His Son.
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What if you could know the day of your death? Would it be a good thing? The psalmist’s request, “teach us to number our days,” shows that only the Lord knows the number of days given to us in this life. It’s strange to think that today brings us one day closer to the day He has appointed us to enter eternity.
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Some believe we can get more of God’s Spirit over time. However, God has given every believer the Holy Spirit in full (John 14:23). This means there is no need for a second portion or second blessing from the Holy Spirit. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, and we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4; Ephesians 1:3).
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One of the Devil’s more subtle schemes is leading believers away from sound doctrine. He knows that his best chance of immobilizing an effective Christian witness is through distraction with unscriptural, questionable, irrational, and shifting doctrines.
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My parents were caretakers for a group of cottages on three secluded lakes in Northern Ontario. It is an area of 2500 acres with only 7 cottages, plus our family “sugar shack”, where we made maple syrup. It is pristine and still remains this way. I grew up on these lakes and miss being so far away.
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What’s the easiest way to kill holiday joy? Unrealistic expectations. It isn’t easy trying to recapture those feelings of holidays experienced as a child. These great—but unrealistic—expectations can be hard to meet as an adult. And since the pandemic began, the holidays may even be more challenging than usual.
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Truth be told, even in our churches we tend to get so caught up in a success-and-size race that we lose sight of our primary calling as followers of Christ. The "celebrity syndrome" so present in our Christian thought and activities just doesn't square with the attitudes and messages of Jesus. We have skidded into a pattern whereby the celebrities and top dogs in our church life call the shots ...
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One of the distinct memories I have as a kid was waking up super early and seeing my mom sitting on the couch, spending time with God. She’d be up every morning before the sun came up, holding a cup of coffee, with just the glow of the lamp lighting up the room.
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I have a confession to make. I love James Bond movies. I’m not proud of it, but I can quote many of them by heart. Mr. Bond has a special designation. His number is 007. If you’re like me, and you really know something about James Bond, you know the “double-o” designation refers to a special class of agents on her majesty’s secret service who possess something that regular secret ...
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While those words were obviously meaningful to George VI and his subjects amid an escalating war with Germany, they still find an echo in the hearts and minds of men and women today. We live in a time of great uncertainty and anxiety. Whether the context is geopolitics, the national economy, clashing worldviews, or even our own family lives, people today are treading into the darkness, looking for some light ...
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