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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Andrew Carnegie's wife was so fond of classical music that at the end of every year, she insisted that Andrew pay any outstanding debts incurred by the New York Philharmonic Symphony. Finally, Andrew became weary and faced the symphony's board of directors with this challenge: "I can't keep doing this year in and year out. You need to go out and raise half of the money needed, and I will ...
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In this passage, the apostle Paul outlines four Truths about our life in Christ to encourage us as we seek to live for Him. We are bound to Christ, not the law (vv. 1-6). Christ frees us from the bondage of performance of the law so that we now have joy instead of despair, life instead of death, love instead of duty, and willing service instead of begrudging effort.
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In every false gospel the focus is on us, on our political views, on our well-being, on our good works, on our own interpretation of God's Word, on our personal experiences. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the focus is on Jesus—His death, His burial, His resurrection. All false gospels are human-centered. The one true Gospel is Christ-centered. Even the hope of heaven is focused not so much on us ...
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An amazing thing happens as we praise God for all He is and does. We see more clearly the Truth of His nature. We see that He is the unlimited, holy, eternal King. We see that He is all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful. We see Him as loving, merciful, and long-suffering.
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Psalm 47:1 says: "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy." Most people have no problem clapping and shouting for their favorite sports team, but when it comes to church, they become tongue-tied, merely mouthing the words. Some don't even do that. They come to praise God, but they never do. They keep their mouths shut.
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In spite of the hostility and persecution all around them, the Thessalonians welcomed the Good News with the joy of the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit gives power to our witness. He is at work in us as we witness, and He is at work in those we witness to. He gives power—dynamite—to our words, and He opens the eyes and ears of those who see and hear us.
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How do you build your life on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? By holding on to something that is secure and immovable. That's why Paul says, "[S]tand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Those teachings—the Truth of the Gospel, the foundation of the Christian faith as it was handed to us from ...
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In the Middle East, the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is special. Sheep know their shepherd's voice, and they follow him when he calls. If a stranger comes along, the sheep shrink back.
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God wants a daily relationship with us. How it must grieve Him when we run to Him only in times of trouble and need! We beg and plead for God's help, but when help arrives, we forget to thank our rescuer. We bargain with God for His blessings, but once we have received them, we go back to our old habits. It seems to be human nature that we seek ...
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