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In: Bible and Theology, God's Character, Prayer and Devotions

“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it— the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:2-3) In verse one, we helpfully learn this prophecy came to Jeremiah when he was imprisoned/under arrest basically. This is the lead up to God announcing he’s fed up with the evil of the Chaldean oppressors and promises to destroy them (strike them down) and restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel (the kingdom being divided at this time.) First let’s notRead More →

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In: Prayer and Devotions

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) This gem comes to us when God sends Samuel to anoint a son of Jesse to be king instead of Saul and doesn’t tell Samuel right away which one. Samuel sees the good, kingly looks and height of the eldest, and thinks this must be the one God has chosen to be king. We do this today.Read More →

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

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) According to James, we are deceiving ourselves about what we believe in our hearts when we read the bible, known intellectually what it says, and go out and ignore it in practice. So how do we not turn away from this uncomfortable mirror and promptly forget what we looked like and keep on as we are? In our instant culture and world, we often react by habit and by impulse. If our habits are godly, that is great. If our habits are indistinguishable from our impulses, that’s not so great. Contrary to whatRead More →

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

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114) This verse follows the statement, “I love your law,” thus it is reasonable this sentence offers a reason why:  in the pages of scripture he finds shelter in  it’s consistent,  unchanging, dependable definition of right and wrong, and its testimonies of God’s actions in history on the behalf of his people, and the promises we inherit from our spiritual forefathers. Through this, and the hope/faith it builds in him, he finds protection and deliverance–from what? Likely, the double-minded, wicked evil-doers he wants away from, double-minded indicating they waver between twoRead More →

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

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.” (Psalm 119:93) This falls in an a eight verse octane that begins in verse 89 and continues to verse 96. It starts off saying God’s word is fixed in the sky, that the earth is firm and consistent because it’s creator is, and that all creation serves him and remains where it is because he has put it there. From there it assert that only because he found joy and pleasure in God’s law was he able to survive great suffering that had caused him persistent pain and distress. This isRead More →