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Spiritual Amnesia
I've been observing in myself a tendency to forget how the Lord has helped me throughout my Christian walk when life's disappointments, spiritual battles, temptations, or difficulties come. It's like I'm using a macro lens on the current unpleasant or stressful situation and my spiritual sight becomes like the periphery--all out of focus. It is much more healthy to use the "panorama setting" in these times, to remember God's faithfulness and goodness that never wavers.
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Let Love Lead
Many years ago, I heard a sermon given by a wise pastor who said that when you are deciding whether or not to do something, and you feel pushed and anxious about it, that this is not from the Lord. His prompts are more like a draft horse pulling a plow. His powerful love leads us. After all, the Bible says that, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." (Romans 8:14) The Greek word for led used here is agō, which means to lead out or guide.
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Are Christians Supposed to Make the World a Better Place?
I've often heard people, well-meaning believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, say things like: "We need to make a difference in our world, in our country, in our community, and in our homes." Or, "Let's get out there and change the world." Should we? Or do we, ever so subtly, even by something seemingly good, get sidetracked from our vocation as Christians? I often have felt a check in my spirit when I hear things like this. Up until maybe 4 or so years ago, statements like this confused and weighted me down. I would ask the Lord, "What do you want me to do? Should I start a charity…
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“Can’t Tip Someone Who Doesn’t Love Jesus.” Check, Please!
Neo-Nazis. Antifa. The Right. The Left. The Liberals. The Conservatives. Muslims. Blacks. Gays. I can feel the hate. What is fake news, and what is responsible journalism? Where is truth? Then I read the above note quoted in my title, scribbled on a restaurant bill to a lesbian waitress, and my first thought was: have Christians actually forgot that their goal in life is to help lead others to Jesus, to WANT to see them go to heaven? I've read quite a few comments posted in response to this, and many common-sense opinions offered. I wanted to add my own, but decided to pray about it first. I find that…
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Who is Your Enemy?
While it is always good to ask ourselves the question, "Who is my neighbor?," now is the time to ask ourselves, "Who is my enemy?" With all that is going on in the world today, I can’t help but think this quote is timely. In this country, we are a dynamic group of people with disparate viewpoints. Our weakness can be wanting to fight for those beliefs so strongly for our own particular group, that we forget who the true enemy is.
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Take Courage & Don’t Be Afraid
Peter walked on water. If it had been me in Peter's sandals--a fisherman on a wave-tossed sea, trying to bend my mind around the idea that my master teacher is somehow standing on the water and this really is not an apparition--I think I would have stayed in the boat with the other fellas. I've heard several sermons on this passage in the bible, all pointing out that Peter's faith was pretty amazing, even if he began to sink. After all, there are few other accounts throughout history of anyone walking on water. A cursory Google search reveals a young dude named Maurus who was a monk under St. Benedict,…
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Are You Looking for Purpose In Life?
Jesus' call is always a call to die to self...self-love, self-direction, self-fulfillment--self-anything--and live to God.
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A Humble Heart
Where can we find true humility these days? It seems that here in the United States--with all the political strife, disrespect for any and all human life, and dishonor given to God--humility has left the building.
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June 11, 2022
Do you dream of doing great things for God? Many churches are stressing this these days. What does God say? What did Jesus model?
