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In: Bible and Theology, Fear and Anxiety, Legalism, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) Lately, I’ve been using the Verse of the Day for this column (M-F), and I groaned a bit when this came up. In the conservative circles that have heavily influenced me in my walk with Christ, this verse is most often mentioned in the context of disapproving of the media our brother chooses to consume.  We would generally be wiser to take heed to what media we feed ourselves, asRead More →

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“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8) This is a rather chilling verse if we have been wont to think grace means we can deliberately sin without consequence. Here we are warned we cannot even inadvertently do so without reaping what we’ve sowed in this life. Yes, we have grace, yes God’s blood cleanses from all sin when we repent and turn to him. ButRead More →

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“ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3) The bible likes to turn our expectations upside down. Trials equal pain and pain equals avoid and even loathe. Not joy. Right? Trials often mean sorrow and suffering and other things we’d much rather not go through and even would not wish on our worst enemy. But James gives a really good reason we should see joy in trials. To put it another way, the saying is “growing pains”, not “growing pleasures.” It’s in the seasons of trial thatRead More →

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“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) We often get this one backwards. We want to lash back in kind, or worse, do to them before they do to us. Instead we need to ask, if we were in that person’s position, how would we want treated? And do likewise unto them. In other words, we need to use a little empathy. Forgive us, Lord, for we have often followed the world’s golden rules rather than yours. We pray we would be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgivingRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) Lord, deliver us from fear, bitterness, the lust of the eye, the desire of the flesh. Strengthen us to overcome and endure temptation. Open our eyes to see your way of escape.  Enable us to, in love, obey your word. Bring to our minds in the hour of temptation the exact bible verse that speaks to ourRead More →