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The privileged life of narcissism
The big story out of this weekend was Elliot Rodger. Another gunman goes crazy. More innocent lives taken. More calls for gun control. More concern for mental illness. (And by the way, nothing will be done about either of those things. Just chill. No need to comment on either subject.) As I’ve watched this story unfold (and I couldn’t help it because…
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Loving truth AND loving others
1 Cor. 13:6 — Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (NIV) The careful walk we must take in the Spirit is to understand we want to communicate with kindness, but we cannot work so hard on being kind that we neglect truth. Then, there is the other side that gives little regard for kindness because TRUTH is…
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Walking in the Spirit
Some of the lessons I am learning from 1 Corinthians 12: 1. Spiritual gifts and the moving of the Spirit should be an expectation in the life of the Church. It doesn’t have to be in some huge scene. It doesn’t need to be “spectacular” or “epic” or distracting or annoying. Life in the Spirit should be something normal. At…
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The HARD question on spiritual gifts
Tomorrow I am leading our church through part of 1 Corinthians 12-14 as we explore the power of the Spirit. The hard question I have in my mind is this: As Paul is addressing specific issues in the Corinthian church regarding spiritual gifts, abuses, etc., what would be the question or exhortation or correction the Spirit would have for US concerning spiritual gifts?…
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My lifelong love of Scriptures
I was reflecting on some key moments in my own life when the study of Scripture had a tremendous impact on my life with a class yesterday. Then the thought hit me, “EVERY significant shift in my life happened out of studying the Word.” Shifts in ministry emphasis, where I did ministry, key decision points… prayer and the Scriptures were…
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Prayers of the Day
Prayer for Mission Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. A…
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Angst without the guidance
This article from First Things is a critique of Matthew Vine’s work on homosexuality. THAT will get some comments (possibly), but that is NOT what I want to focus on. What I want to focus on is the bottom of the article in this paragraph: We do not judge a Christian teacher only by his age or experience, to be…
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Prayer for the Day — an undivided heart
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps. 86:11, NIV) Lord, the allegiances of this world call me in so many different directions. Today, let my heart be undivided. Let it be FOCUSED. Teach me your way today. Let my heart be united to revered your name, to hold you in…
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Being bold in prophetic words
As I prepare teaching on 1 Cor. 12-14 in our series on the Holy Spirit, there is something that is on my mind and may sound quite rude. I am not trying to disrespect people, and especially the Holy Spirit, but this question just comes to my mind as I think of services where there have been messages in tongues…
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Creating a healthy laboratory for the Spirit and spiritual gifts
What is the outcome of this, brothers and sisters? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All these things must be done to build up the church. (1 Cor. 14:26, CEB) We all have fears. Even as Pentecostals, we all have fears when it comes to church services. One…
