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The easy distractions of this noisy world
Daniel 7 is a key chapter in understanding all that follows regarding Jesus’ ministry. It is probably here that Jesus draws his use of “Son of Man,” or “Human One” in the Common English Bible. It is a vision of distractions and a vision that calls us to focus. The distractions are the violent actions of this world. They really…
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The deepest seat of our deepest emotions
When our “hearts” (which is our English way of describing an ancient concept of the “deepest seat of our deepest emotions”) belong to Christ, there is such wonderful, beautiful change. Paul describes it in Colossians 3:12-17. When Christ rules the deepest seat of my deepest emotions, anger is shoved away and love takes its place. Bitterness is crushed and compassion…
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What do you treasure?
In all of our searching, and it all of the noise trying to distract us in this world, there is one place we can come back to: All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. (Col. 2:3) Treasure Christ. In all pursuits, know he is the source and HE is the treasure. He is the treasure that…
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The Pharisee in all of us
The incredible danger in my life is the lurking of the Pharisee. Reading the Common English Bible helps me identify that ugliness a bit better. Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust… (Luke 18:9) I am tempted in this way. It’s that attitude I…
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Studying the Bible
The LIFE Group I lead will begin different methods of studying the Bible based on Rick Warren’s book. The form for the Devotional Study Method is HERE. We will be walking through different approaches and forms to studying the Bible. Join us in the journey!
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To rejoice in the Lord
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Phil 4:4) Rejoicing is not always a frantic shout-fest, trying to spin up frothing emotion. It is a state of deep content. Deep joy doesn’t have to shout. Last night I took my wife to one of our favorite restaurants and we shared a fabulous steak, along with some amazing…
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When the oppressed cry out
20 Then the Lord said, “The cries of injustice from Sodom and Gomorrah are countless, and their sin is very serious! 21 I will go down now to examine the cries of injustice that have reached me. Have they really done all this? If not, I want to know.” (Gen. 18:20-21) When the cries of the oppressed have reached the ears of God, he will come…
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Am I simply doing what Jesus asked?
I often worry over “right numbers” or “right moments.” The right moment is found in hearing the call of God and obeying. Right numbers? Forget it. God isn’t bothered by ANY number. Just get going in what he has asked you to do! 18 Jesus asked, “What is God’s kingdom like? To what can I compare it? 19 It’s like a mustard seed that someone…
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Rebelling against the plaid
When I think of how church is “done” today, all I can see is plaid. The fad is fading (one can hope) but it comes from watching some video coming from some “cutting edge” pastors … excuse me… leaders conference… and 99 percent of the people on the video who were on stage or being interviewed or were doing the interviewing wore plaid in…
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Greed isn’t about being rich
Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.” (Luke 12:15) If we could easily identify “greed” as just a dollar amount, it would be so much easier. We often try to put a dollar amount on greed… and then tax it. The…
Category: Bible Study
