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Love the Immigrant
Nothing like the Bible to mess with our politics. (But, hey, it’s OLD Testament, so feel free to “ignore it.”) 18 He enacts justice for orphans and widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing. 19 That means you must also love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt. 20 Revere the Lord your God, serve him, cling to him, swear…
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Do you love “truth” or do you love TRUTH?
16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in him is…
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A Storm is Raging
3 Our God is coming; he won’t keep quiet. A devouring fire is before him; a storm rages all around him. (Ps. 50:6, CEB) This is not a happy time. In this Psalm he is coming out of justice. He doesn’t want another sacrifice. He doesn’t want another worship song. No more fake offerings. This isn’t about appeasing a god because…
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Where Our Passions Lie
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple those who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as those involved in exchanging currency sitting there. 15 He made a whip from ropes and chased them all out of the temple, including the cattle and the sheep. He scattered the…
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Because You May Forget
11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you…
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The Joy of Clinging
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:5-8, NIV)…
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Common Courtesy
2 They shouldn’t speak disrespectfully about anyone, but they should be peaceful, kind, and show complete courtesy toward everyone. (Titus 3:2, CEB) What SHOULD mark us as believers is the ability to extend common courtesy toward people. Unfortunately, this is an easy verse to read over quickly and move on, because, quite frankly, being nasty is just too much fun! (Or…
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The God Who Looks You in the Eye
8 I will instruct and teach you about how you should live. I will advise you as I look you in the eye. (Ps. 32:8, NET Bible) Today is Ash Wednesday. We begin Lent in the Church. (Not all of the Church, but part of the Church. It is our part, anyway.) This is a day of observance. We come before…
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Why Lent?
As a Pentecostal, I am encouraged by hearing about more and more Pentecostals/Charismatics who actually observe Lent in some way. I also understand there are vast numbers who still don’t observe. More problematic to me, however, are those who almost laugh off Lent and especially Good Friday. They claim some superiority of spirituality by saying righteous things like, “We don’t…
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Preparing Our Hearts for Lent
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Our church will remember this event for the first time. It’s my first time overseeing this type of service. It is time for Lent. It is time for preparing our hearts and lives. 23 Examine me, God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test! Know my anxious thoughts! 24 Look to see if there is any…
Tag: Lent
