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A Picture of How We Grow Together
What happens when we get together as a church and read the New Testament together? This “tree” is a great illustration. Missy Hansen in our church made this board. As someone in our church finishes a book of the New Testament, they can put a “leaf” on the “tree.” This was our tree after two weeks of reading. The Lord…
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Reading Acts
In our journey through the New Testament, this next week is to be spent reading the Book of Acts. Some thoughts as you move through the Book of Acts: 1. What emphasis does Luke put on the Holy Spirit and prayer? 2. What would you find to be a key theme or themes in the Book? 3. What patterns do…
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Hardships Are Not Optional
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each…
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Treasuring Jesus is Found in SERVING Him
There are precious promises Jesus gives to those who follow him. Luke 12 has some of the kindest words I could read: 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32, NIV) These are words that should take our breath away. Our Father is pleased to give us the…
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Do You Want the Kingdom or Not?
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feastin the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for…
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Discipline IS Love
One of the backward ideas we seem to have is that God doesn’t “punish” his people because he looooovvvvves them. As if discipline isn’t love. He finally had to bring Judah down to get their attention. It was harsh. It was brutal. Yet, it was not out of God’s fierce anger for revenge. It was out of his heart to get…
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Getting God to Change His Mind
This isn’t a very good Calvinist post. Good thing I’m not a Calvinist. I’m probably not an Arminian, either. I love Exodus because it messes with Calvinist and Armininian viewpoints. It brings the tension of the action of God and the action of humanity into sharp relief. In Exodus 32 Moses has been up on the mountain receiving the covenant…
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How to Make Jesus Useless
1 Jesus left that place and came to his hometown. His disciples followed him. 2 On the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were surprised. “Where did this man get all this? What’s this wisdom he’s been given? What about the powerful acts accomplished through him? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s…
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Elijah and Radical Dependence
2 Then the LORD’s word came to Elijah: 3 Go from here and turn east. Hide by the Cherith Brook that faces the Jordan River. 4 You can drink from the brook. I have also ordered the ravens to provide for you there. 5 Elijah went and did just what the LORD said. He stayed by the Cherith Brook that…
Category: Spiritual Formation
