Category: Personal Journal
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Walking in Your Gifting
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. – 1 Peter 4:10 According to this passage of Scripture, each one of us has a gift. This gift is some special ability given to us by God to…
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Justification By Faith
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:1 The doctrine of justification by faith is of paramount importance. It’s important because justification is critical to man’s salvation. If a person is not justified, then his fate is an eternity in…
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Like a Thief in the Night
“Behold I am coming as a thief” – Jesus (Revelation 16:15) Throughout the Bible, when we read of the second coming of Jesus, we often hear that He will be coming as a thief in the night. What does that mean? We all know that thieves like to do their…
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The Progression of Sin
In the twilight, in the evening, in the dark and black night. – Pro 7:9 In Proverbs chapter seven, a story is told of a young man that is seen walking down the pathway towards a immoral woman’s house. The woman is known for her inability to stay at home,…
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Understanding the Parable of the Unjust Steward
So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. – Luke 16:8 The parable of the unjust stewart has often made me scratch my head. Why did Jesus tell this…
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You Are the Salt of the Earth (with Video)
Author’s note: Included below are both the blog and the video I have made on this subject. Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor the dunghill, but men throw it out. – Luke 14:34-35…
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Modern Day Jesus
We have…a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, [Who is] a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle… – Hebrews 8:1-2 There are, from time to time, theatrical productions and musicals that arise which seek to depict…
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Waiting on God
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. – Lamentations 3:25 Waiting for anything is not something our generation likes very much. We don’t like to wait in line, for the microwave to finish, or for our cell phone to finally come…
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God’s Garden
For the earth which drinks the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful to those by whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed,whose end is to be burned. – Hebrews…
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Have You Found Your Place? (Sermon Video)
You have a gift. God has given it to you and expects you to use it for His kingdom. Have you found your place yet? ————————————————————————- Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube Join our Email List: Click here This ministry is made possible by your generous gifts. Click here to…
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Helping with Prayer
But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.…
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What are you afraid of?
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? – Psalm 118:6 That’s a good question. What can man do to you? Or, another way to think about it is, ‘What’s the worst man can do to you?’ Throughout history, human beings have…
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Confidence Through Fear
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. – Proverbs 14:26 The fear of the Lord. It is a subject that is not oft spoken of, yet it is found all throughout the bible – both in the Old…
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When My Wife Left Me for Another Man
My wife left me for another man, and, to make it worse, that other man was my brother. Not long after this happened, I was invited to a family get-together. I knew that they would be there together. I’m not sure why I decided to go. The pain of seeing…
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Jealous God
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? – James 4:5 Is God jealous? The apostle James wrote this verse in the context of a stern rebuke to God’s people. They were fighting among themselves, and James faults their “desire for…
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When a Dream has Been Dead for Far Too Long
So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. – John 11:17 Four days is a long time to be dead. I’m no doctor, or scientist, but it’s not hard to understand that a person that’s been dead for four days is not…
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God’s Guaranteed Path to Success
I am the vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. -Jesus (John 15:5) God desires for all of us to be successful workers in the harvest fields of the kingdom of God. Jesus…
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How to Respond to Hard Times
My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord–that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.…
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The Old Testament is Old for a Reason: There is a New Way to Live.
For as many are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.-Romans 8:14 The apostle Paul here (who by the Spirit wrote the book of Romans), makes an astonishing statement about those who belong to the family of God, and that is that they are led…
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What the Bible says about Atheism
The fool says in his heart, “there is no God.” They are corrupt, they have done abominable works. There is none who does good – Psalm 14:1 The bible doesn’t say much about atheism. This is mostly due the fact that there were not many atheists in ancient days. But…
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How to Receive Divine Guidance
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts – Col 3:15 In Colossians 3:15, the Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul, instructs us to let God’s peace ‘rule’ in our hearts. In regards to this passage, it is important to remember that the New Testament was originally written in…
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The Suffering Christian
Yet for your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter – Psalm 44:22 In Psalm 44, the writer begins by recounting the stories he had heard from the days of his ancestors when the Lord did mighty works among them; but he…
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The Slavery of Sin
Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. – Romans 6:12 Freedom is often thrown around in this country as an essential human right. But what is freedom? My four year old daughter seems to think that it means you can…
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3 Biblical Reasons for Unanswered Prayer
Let not that man supposed he will receive anything from the Lord – James 1:7 These are strong words from the Lord’s brother, and to be honest, not very encouraging. I know that I’ve written this verse as a fragmented thought, but it’s on purpose. The point that I want to…
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The Command to Be Strong
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. – Eph 6:10 A command has gone out to all Christians everywhere. The command is to be strong. All Christians are engaged in a spiritual fight. The fight is first for their soul, but secondly…
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4 Steps for Developing Spiritual Hunger
Korah hungered for pride and power (Num 16), but his sons followed not in his ways (Num 26:11). They put their eyes on the One that is above (Col 3), and developed a burning hunger for Him.
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The Treasure of Knowledge
When the apostle Paul is writing this letter to the Colossians, he is not just talking to them about what they need to know, but explaining to them that there is great treasure beyond what they need. Having the basics may get you by enough to survive, but there is…
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The Importance of a Good Conscience
Men and brethren, I’ve lived in all good conscience before God unto this day. – Acts 23:1 As a christian it is vitally important to live with a good, clean conscience at all times. Our conscience is built into our mind by God. It is one of the great evidences…
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Is Faith a Gift?
For I say, through the grace give to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. – Romans 12:3 Is faith a gift? The…
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Is it Possible to be Good without God?
Why do you call Me good? There is none good but God. – Jesus (Matthew 19:17) In another blog post (here), I took some time to explain why Jesus said what He said in this passage, so I won’t do that here. Instead, I want to talk about the point…
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Should You Follow Your Heart?
Sadly, I’ve seen hosts of people drive their lives off the proverbial cliff over and over again, using the faulty GPS of their own heart.
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Was Jesus a Good Person?
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He (Jesus) said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God…” – Matthew 19:15-16 This passage bothered me…
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The Gospel
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures… 1 Cor 15:3-4 What is the Gospel? The gospel is…
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Forgetting What You Look Like
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was – James 1:23-24 The apostle James wrote this in the…
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Being a Doer
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1:21 Are you a doer of the word? James, writing to brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world, warns us of the temptation to be a hearer of the word without doing it. It’s…
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Why Jesus?
Why is Jesus so important? What makes him different than any other man? Can’t I have a relationship with God some other way? The truth is that Jesus is the only way for anyone to approach God, and the only hope for eternal life. In the following I will explain why.…
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Is the Lord Coming Soon?
Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! – James 5:9 In light of the recent happenings in our world, there has been talk about the coming of the Lord and the end of the age. Is the Lord coming soon? Since the days of Christ, men have been proclaiming…
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Should I Judge, or Should I Not Judge?
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. – John 7:24 An oft quoted bible verse is, “judge not, lest ye be judged.” I’ve heard many-a-person use this scripture to get others off their back. Christians often retreat when this phrase is used, but we need to…
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Pray this prayer today!
Thank you Lord for looking after me! I truly love you with all of my heart, and my only desire is to please You in all things. Shape me into the person that you desire me to be. Mold me as a potter molds his clay. Shape me to be…
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Superstar Flower
For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. – James 1:11 In the grand scheme of things the pursuits of the ambitious of…
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Jesus said, “Go and learn what this means…”
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Matthew 9:13 When Jesus tells us to go learn what something means, it’s probably a good idea to go and learn what it means! And here…
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The Emptiness of this World
Sermon at CREW Youth Church – a ministry of Five Rivers Church in Elkton, MD
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The Unsatisfying Nature of this World
“Vanity of vanities,” says the preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” – Ecc 1:2 Solomon (who wrote this verse) lived a life that most people desire, and strive to live. He was rich. He had whatever he wanted. He had any relationship he wanted – as many of them…
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Help in Times Of Temptation
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. – Hebrews 2:18 Jesus was tempted in many ways. We know of His temptation by the devil in the wilderness, but since ‘He was tempted in all points as we are (Heb…
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Living Faith
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says they have faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?… faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. – James 2:14 Sometimes I wonder about those around me, if they are truly saved or not. So…
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Age of Accountability
Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. – Deut 1:39 In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses spoke to the…
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A Balanced Approach to Prosperity and the Gospel
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. -3 John 2 There’s a lot of talk about prosperity and the gospel. I find that there is error on both sides of the debate, and am saddened by those who…
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Power for ministry
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8 The most powerful times of ministry I have had have been times…
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Blueprints for Your Life
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jer 29:11 Anyone who is going to build a building of some kind, if they’re smart, will make sure that they have…
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Heaven is Far Better
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. – Philippians 1:23 I think we are too earthly minded sometimes. Most of our thoughts are centered around what we are doing now, or if they are on the future,…
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Being Born of Water and of the Spirit
Jesus answered, “ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. – John 3:5 Just like a natural man is born of a mother and a father, so the spiritual man must be born of water…
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Momma Didn’t Raise No Fool
It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel. – Proverbs 17:21 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. – Proverbs 15:5 It seems to me that for most people there is an…
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What is an evangelist?
On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was [one] of the seven, and stayed with him. – Acts 21:8 There is only one record of a man being called an evangelist in the bible…
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How to Spank Your Kids the Right Way
[Update: I’ve recently made a couple of videos on this subject: Should I Spank My Kids? & How to Spank Your Kids.] [I’ve also written a free ebook. Click here to download.] Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. –…
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Modern Day Demon Possession
So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. – Mark 1:34 This is a subject that I wade into very carefully. I am wary of people who talk about demons around every corner, and who fly up into hot air ballons…
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The Crafty One
lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. – 2 Corinthians 2:11 Apostle Paul, when writing to the people of the city of Corinth, made quick mention of the devil that provides us with some useful insight. He says, “we are not ignorant…
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Unless a force …
Unless a force greater than the influence of gravity is exerted on an object, it will fall to the earth. Unless Christianity exerts a stronger influence than the world, the enemy’s persuasive tactics will pull our kids from the truth and ultimately cause them to fall away.
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Returning to Your Vomit
As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. – Proverbs 11:26 What a disgusting thing it is for a dog to return to his vomit. How equally disgusting, and more so, for a man to return to the sin that he has forsaken. If…
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How to overcome habitual sin
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to…
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Living faith works.
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? – James 2:14 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. – James 2:26 Your faith must be employed. Fish must…
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True Repentance
We don’t hear a lot about repentance. Its a word that is not used in modern vernacular. The only place we do hear about it is in the bible, or occasionally, in passing, at the church. What does it mean?
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Starting Fresh
I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. – Phil 3:14 Have you ever needed a fresh start?…
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A prayer of praise
God, I love you so much. You are my everything. All the day I think of you. Your goodness fills my heart. You are the longing of my heart. This world leaves me empty and dry, but you, O Lord, are my fulfillment. In you I find true joy and…
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Why is sin a big deal?
Why is sin a big deal? That question seems to come up a lot. “What’s wrong with smoking a little weed? Why can’t I have sex with my girlfriend? So I like to drink, what’s wrong with a that? Everybody does it.” The bible says this: after desire has conceived,…
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Seek God First
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. – Jesus (Luke 12:31) There is never any reason for us to worry about the necessities of life. Our concern should never be about them. We should never, ever concern ourselves with the idea…
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Be Alert
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8, 9…
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Be Careful, God May Give You What You Want
and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” – 1 Samuel 8:22 We all know the great stories of the kings of Israel in the Bible. Especially the stories of David – how he kills the giant, leads Israel to glorious victories, pens songs that…
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All In: Uncommon
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ – 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Sanctify” is one of those weird words that modern folks hardly see anywhere else but the bible.…
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All In: Plow up Your Hearts
This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or my anger will…
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Not My Will
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. – Matthew 6:9-10 When Jesus gave us the pattern of how to pray He was sure to include, “May Your…
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How to be Awesome and do Awesome Things
Being awesome isn't necessarily hard, but it isn't easy either. It isn't hard in the sense that only few people can achieve it, but it's hard in the sense that few people will achieve it. And its easy in the sense that it doesn't take doing great things to become…
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Faith, Not Feelings
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body – Romans 4:19 One of the fundamental principals of the Christian faith is to learn how to believe in God despite contrary circumstances or feelings. God is the only source of perfect truth, so to trust Him,…
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God will be with you in the fire.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me. Psalms 23:4 God is with us! What an awesome thing to know! And because He is with us, there is no reason to fear any evil. God is…
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Keep good friends close
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray. – Proverbs 12:26 Who you hang out with is who you become. It is true today, it was true yesterday, and it will be just as true tomorrow. Those who are around you influence…
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Love always wins
Love never fails – 1 Corinthians 13:8 I like to win. I like to win in sports. I like to win in life. I like to win in business. I like to win people to Jesus. I like to win with people. I think most people do. The bible gives…
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Make the decision before deciding time.
Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. – Dan 1:8 Often times we are faced with temptations, and fall into them, because we are not adequately prepared for them when they come. They catch us off guard, and being in the heat of the moment, we…
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Don’t let what the world names you, change you.
Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed- Nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he…
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The treasure of knowledge
attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in who are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2-3 What are treasures for? What are riches for? What need do they…
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Sin is not a lifestyle choice
Many people walk away from God thinking that 'religion is not for me.' They act as though there are different lifestyles for different people. 'Some people have religion, and its good for them,' they think, 'but I'm not religious, so its not for me.' But this isn't the correct way…
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Why God Requires Our Worship, But Not Our Praise.
You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. – Luke 4:8 Worship has always been a strange thing for me. It’s not that I don’t like to do it, and it’s not that I don’t think God deserves it, but I’ve often wondered about the…
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Superhuman Essentials: Holy Spirit Power
Behold, I send the Promise of the Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. Lk 24:49 You need power for everything you do. You need the power of your muscles to move your body. You need the power…
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Superhuman Essentials: Humility
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “If you you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. And which of you,…
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The True Story of the Demon-Possessed Waitress
“Do good to those who hate you.” – Jesus (Mt 5:44) One day, after church, a normal visit with friends to the local Waffle House turned into quite the eventful experience. It was a Wednesday night (I think), church had ended and a few friends decided to all get together…
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YOLO?
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another – Romans 12:10 The true mark of genuine love is when you prefer another over yourself. In Romans chapter 12, Paul goes through a list of general instructions for us to follow as Christians,…
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Urban Legend: You can be like the world and change the world
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after on that's gold eternally. (paraphrase of 1 Co 9:24-25 – The Message) There are…
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Forgive, It’s For Your Own Good.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you. Eph 4:32 Forgiving each other is a commandment we must obey just as much as any other commandment. And just like every commandment, it is for our own good. Sure, there may…
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God is kind, you should be, too.
Love is kind 1 Cor 13:4 It’s amazing that, even though God is the most offended being in the universe, He still remains kind. In fact, there is none as kind as Him, of Whom it is written, “He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.” (Lk 6:35)…
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The Selfless Love of God
“Love…does not seek it’s own” 1 Corinthians 13:5 What sets God so far apart from humanity is his amazing love. The bible says that God is love. That means that everything that love is, God is. There are different definitions for the word ‘love’ in the english language, so we…
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The guy that pees all over the floor, and the Love of God.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5 One of the most remarkable things about becoming a child of God is the fact that the Holy Spirit comes to, literally, live…
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The testimony of the Three Witnesses
There are three that bear witness: the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood; and these three agree as one. 1 John 5:8 There are so many voices in the world that speak so many different things. How can we know what’s true? Truth is exclusive. There can only be one…
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Conquer thyself (that is, your flesh)
I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. – 1 Co 9:22 The phrase, “Conquer Thyself,” came to my mind when I was thinking about this subject. I have heard the phrase somewhere before, but didn’t know…
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The Crazy Story of Katee’s Birth
Katee's birth was a wild time and I have wanted to write about it so I wouldn't forget. I wish I hadn't waited a year before doing it, but better late than never, and I'm sure that Katrina can help me fill in the details that I may have forgotten.…
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If you have trouble forgiving others, God has trouble forgiving you.
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. – Matthew 6:15 Jesus left us with a great story to illustrate the reasoning behind why God only forgives those who forgive.…
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Determine your own thoughts
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8 While it is true that we can’t control every thought that passes through our mind, it is also true that…
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Your guide into all things truth.
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority,but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” Jn 16:13 We live in a world that’s full of voices.…
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What to do when you are faced with day-to-day temptations
So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. Genesis 39:10 Joseph was a remarkable man. He persevered through 13 years of slavery and imprisonment to become the second most powerful man in…
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What does Jesus hold against you?
But I have a few things against you… Rev 2:14 Imagine the feelings the people of this church felt when Jesus Christ Himself said to them, ‘I have a few things against you.’ I know the feeling I have when I am confronted in such a way by people of…
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How many ‘christians’ deceive themselves
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22 NIV) When you listen to the Word or read the word and never do what it says to do, the bible says that you deceive yourself. You deceive yourself because you have thought…
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How many christians deceive themselves
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22 NIV) When you listen to the Word or read the word and never do what it says to do, the bible says that you deceive yourself. You deceive yourself because you have thought…
Hal Chaffee Ministries 