In His Image

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It seems to me that there is a common problem that I have to deal with on a regular basis. It comes down to a lack of respect for our fellow man. I understand that in this world we have class wars, and we have racism, and we have a variety of other ways to delineate the differences between various groups of people. But it seems to me that the basic problem comes down to the same thing. People have no respect for their fellow man. 

Maybe this is related to an education system that says all people are animals. Maybe it is people who mistreat children and are allowed to get away with it. Maybe it is the political and social rhetoric that goes along with every political campaign. Maybe it’s the freedom provided by the internet and the lack of face to face communications. Maybe these are all symptoms of a greater problem.

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In The Beginning

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There are few stories that are more controversial than the first few chapters of Genesis. It seems that the very idea of God creating everything from nothing is antithetical to the human race. Atheists desire to undermine the notion of God’s existence, and there are many who argue about the age of the universe, or those who debate the mechanics of it all. Even some who call themselves Christians seem determined to reduce the Genesis  record to a fable or a “just so” story. Does the story of creation as presented in Genesis deserve all this harsh treatment?

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The Water That Gets Inside

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Shipwreck means disaster. It is a synonym for destruction or ruin. Shipwreck always means loss of property, and has often meant loss of life. The term has been used as a metaphor to describe the destruction of entire civilizations and ways of life, and of course the disastrous failure of individuals. Continue reading

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Nurturing A Heart like God’s

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Paul once said that “God made David Israel’s king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” (Acts 13:22) What greater thing could be said about any mortal man? Knowing that David too was a sinner, and knowing that the natural condition of the human heart is described as incurably deceitful (Jer 17:9), it is remarkable indeed that God viewed David’s heart with such approval. Having the heart that won God’s approval was no accident, nor a quirk of nature, but really the result of decisions that David made, and habits that he cultivated in his daily life. To nurture a heart that God approves in ourselves we might consider imitating some of David’s daily habits. Continue reading Share this article:
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Jesus Wept

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John 11:33-38

33 When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. (NIV)

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When You Come Together

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First Corinthians 11:17-34 addresses the celebration of the Lord’s Supper by the assembled church. The Corinthian church had several problems in connection with this observance, which are addressed in the text. The problems included divisions (18) that involved selfishness and overindulgence by some (21) leading to humiliation of some members (perhaps the poorer members, 22). The problems could be resolved by recalling the purpose and meaning of the ceremony (23-26), re-examining one’s personal motives and attitude (27-32) and showing more consideration for each other (33-34)..

Although Paul mentions neither day nor time for the church meeting in this specific passage, there is a repeated reference to the timing as a planned and specific regular appointment, Continue reading

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The Angel of the LORD

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A multitude of passages in the Bible refer to the “angel of the Lord.” The Lord’s angel is seen doing His work in all kinds of situations and with all kinds of people. Both the Old and New Testaments contain references to the “angel of the Lord.” This work includes comforting (as in Gen. 16:7), instructing (as in Exo. 3:2), punishing (as in 1 Chron. 21:16), rebuking (as in Judges 2:1), rescuing (as in Acts 12:7), and various other duties under the banner of God’s angels being whatever God needs them to be (Heb. 1:7) and “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” (Heb. 1:14) Continue reading

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Creatures of Light and Darkness

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Who is on the LORD’s side?

Who is on the LORD’s side? That was Moses’ question at Mt. Sinai when Israel was running wild (Exo. 32:25-26), worshiping and celebrating around the golden calf. Continue reading

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What Is Apollos?

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Apollos is mentioned in Acts 18:24-19:1, 1Corinthians 1-4, 16:12, and Titus 3:13

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? (1 Cor 3:5a NASU)

Those seem like fair enough questions, posed by Paul to the Corinthian Christians. What is Apollos? And what is Paul? Regarding himself, Paul had already said, “Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” (1 Cor 1:1 NASU). So Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Not just an apostle (one sent) but specifically an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. Sent by Jesus, according to God’s purpose. Continue reading Share this article:
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