Advent
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16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. (Isaiah 28:16, NIV) What God lays down as a foundation is the sure thing. Israel had been dealing… Read more
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John 3:16-21 was in our Advent reading for yesterday. What great HOPE… and what great disappointment… can be found in these few verses! There is the great hope of God’s love. He loved this world so much he gave his son. The hope of this world is LIFE in Christ. Jesus’ intention is not to condemn.… Read more
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One of our Advent readings today is Eph. 6:10-20. It’s one we, as Pentecostals, love. Spiritual warfare. Here is the ironic thing I find in this passage and our current attitude in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting. On the one hand I’m fairly sure I could get almost 100 percent agreement from my… Read more
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The pro-life ethic is possible. It is not something laid out by Jesus and just left in the text of Matthew’s gospel. Peter picks it up (as do the other New Testament writers) and calls on the reader to understand the need for change. We do NOT have to live in the grip of this… Read more
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Part of the Advent Reading is in 2 Thessalonians. Today’s reading in 2 Thess. 2:1-12. The question here is this: Why is deception so easy? Paul writes encouragement to the Thessalonians because he wants them to know what is truth. He lets them know they don’t have to be so easily conned in this game of, “Here comes… Read more
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For Sunday’s text I am focusing on “longing” for the return of Christ and using the Luke text on Anna as we watch her long for Messiah. Here are some interesting things to notice right off the top: 1. She is OLD. Who in the world thinks about anyone over 25 doing anything for God… Read more
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There are so many myths to bust about how we view our sanitized versions of Christmas. The perfect Mary and Joseph. The clean straw. All that good stuff. We want our “meek and mild” Jesus. But Advent is a time to be reminded of Jesus coming again. And when he comes, it’s not so “quiet.”… Read more
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5 I said, “Mourn for me; I’m ruined! I’m a man with unclean lips, and I live among a people with unclean lips. Yet I’ve seen the king, the Lord of heavenly forces!” (Isa. 6:5, CEB) Advent is the powerful story of Christ coming to us. It also needs to remind us of the state of… Read more
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23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1 Thess. 5:23-24, NRSV) The work God has started in you will… Read more
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There was a radio show that ran in the Twin Cities called “Garage Logic.” I think it still runs in a smaller time slot, but the station has been taken over by sports talk and “Garage Logic” has been severely scaled back. The premise of the show was just common sense. One of their favorite… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 