Death, Hades, and Christians part 1

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There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death
Prov 14:12 NIV

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
Heb 2:14-15 NASU

In the beginning, there was no death. God, the creator of all things, is not the author of death, but of life. The testimony of scripture is that “He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Continue reading →

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Samuel the Seer

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Samuel the seer was the last of those leaders of Israel called judges, and the first of those spiritual leaders called prophets (or seers). He bridges the period of the judges and that of the kings, having anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. We don’t know when he was born, but it must have been the latter part of the 12th century B.C.E., since by the time Saul was anointed around 1050 Samuel was “old” (1 Sam. 8:1, 5, 10:2). Despite his advancing age, Samuel still lived and was somewhat active in leadership for about thirty more years. Continue reading →

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Your Will Be Done

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I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
Ps 143:10 NIV

The psalmist, and indeed the whole testimony of scripture, asserts that God’s will is something to be known, learned, and most of all something to be done. Jesus said he came, not to do his own will, but “the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38, 4:34, 5:30). Continue reading →

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A Time to Retch

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As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.
Proverbs 26:11 NIV

Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
2 Peter 2:22 NIV

In his review of the movie “Hannibal” Roger Ebert wrote, “we must give it credit for the courage of its depravity.” Further along in the review Ebert noted that “many still alive will recall when a movie like this could not be contemplated, let alone filmed and released. So great is our sophistication that we giggle when earlier generations would have retched.” Continue reading →

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In Jesus’ Name

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1 Tim 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. NIV

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it NASU

There is a general principle in Christian prayer that it is usually directed to the Father in the name of Jesus. Continue reading →

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Homosexual love?

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It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thess 4:3-8 NIV

It is difficult to have a reasonable discussion of homosexuality because of all the rhetoric in our times coloring and disguising the issues. To describe homosexual acts as wrong or sinful invites being labeled homophobic or bigoted or worse. Continue reading →

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Church Government

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gov-ern v. gov-erned, gov-ern-ing, gov-erns. –tr. 1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; exercise sovereign authority in. 4. To keep under control; restrain. 5. To exercise a deciding or determining influence on. (The American Heritage Dictionary)

gov-ern-ment n. Abbr. gov., govt. 1. The act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit. 2. The office, function, or authority of one who governs or of a governing body. (The American Heritage Dictionary) Continue reading →

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Egypt and Israel Prophecy and Symbol

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“Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the other nations. I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations. Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.” (Ezek 29:15-16 NIV)

The Arabic people of Egypt today call their land Misr. This ancient name is found all through the Hebrew Bible, starting in the “table of nations” where we read about “the sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan” (Gen 10:6 NIV). Mizraim, the ancient Hebrew and Canaanite name of Egypt, is found throughout the Hebrew text, Continue reading →

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For Example

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How do Christians know what they are supposed to be and do? How do we come to know what God’s will for the Lord’s church is? How can anyone be sure what in the scriptures is meant to be binding and what is merely background material or circumstantial events?

The concept of “speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent” can be somewhat slippery, in terms of consistent application. Continue reading →

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Competence From Heaven

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Mooooo Two cows were grazing in a pasture when they saw a milk truck pass. On the side of the truck were the words, “Pasteurized, homogenized, standardized, vitamin A added.”
One cow sighed and said to the other, “Makes you feel sort of inadequate, doesn’t it?”
From John Maxwell’s book The Winning Attitude: Continue reading →

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