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

First, my apologies for the meme’s attention-grabbing nature. True love for God does wait for marriage to have sex, and it is best to be prepared to enter into marriage before doing so. However, it seems we need to start preparing kids to marry at younger ages. If the reports are true that upward of 80% of Christian evangelical young adults are having premarital sex, that is a rather strong indicator we’re delaying marriage longer than most have the self-control to wait. Based on my experiences, for a young couple deeply in love, following the cultural trend of delaying marriage until nearly thirty and alsoRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Faith, Grace, Legalism, Prayer and Devotions

An internet meme of unknown-to-me origin, if it came from a Christian, puts its foot in its mouth with this “clever” zinger of a sound byte: “Grace didn’t save Noah, …obedience did.” At best, this is a half-truth (and a half-truth is usually dangerous.) Hebrews 10:38 tells “Now the just shall live by faith;” and HE 11:7 continues, “By faith Noah . . . prepared an ark for the saving of his household.” And Genesis 6:8 (KJV) says “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (Thanks to Alice Spencer for supplying me that verse.) Walking in faith does mean obeying God, butRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Divorce, God's love, Grace, Guest posts, Legalism, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

The Pharisees confronted Jesus over divorce in Matthew 19 asking if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus answered in part with a line that would become part of many marriage ceremonies, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6) The Pharisees raised a reasonable legal point and asked, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” Jesus responded, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.”  (Matthew 19:8) The certificate ofRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Devotional Writings, Dreams and Spiritual Warfare, Guest posts, Prayer and Devotions

Spiritual warfare is a part of every Christian’s life and an integral part of a balanced relationship with God. It is not some “special revelation” meant for a few especially gifted people. Nor is it a formula or a set of complicated, extra-biblical rituals that resemble role-playing games. The new Christian is born into the battle. We do not choose the battle but must learn to do battle. Jesus tells us (John 15:18-19) the world hates you because it hated me first and you are not of the world. Jesus taught us that whatever we ask the Father in Jesus’ name He will give itRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Children, God's love, Gospel, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

Recently, via the media, American Christians received a terrible taste of what the word “persecution” means to millions of our brothers and sisters around the world. People marching into some place you ought to be safe and ending your mortal life to express their direct objection to your faith. Of course, it also means churches meeting in secret, since it is illegal for you to gather with other believers for worship, being restricted in how you earn your living, risks of your home and business (of any sort) and church being torched because of your faith. It is rare for people in my area ofRead More →