Taking Hold of Eternal Life
“Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:15) We often think of faith as a source of peace and comfort (and it is). But faith ...
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We All Need a Little Mercy
“The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15 NRSVUE) There is a misconception that Christians are “good people.” As attractive as that idea is, it is a bit misleading. Christians are people who trust that their relationship ...
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Working out our salvation
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling,for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his ...
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Witnessing with curiosity
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols… Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely spiritual you are in every way…” (Acts 17) We often wonder how to witness to the ...
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Witnessing, even when it’s tough
When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” (Acts 16:27-28) If you are like ...
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“God can use anybody”
Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man (Saul), how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for Saul is an instrument whom ...
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Understanding the Bible for Mainline Christians
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31) There is ...
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To Meet the Risen Christ
Jesus said to (Mary Magdalene), “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned ...
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Jesus Says “No” to Power’s Temptation
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:“Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” (John 12:14-15) In a world enamored with power, Jesus comes on a donkey. And not even a big donkey – a donkey’s ...
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The power of invitation
Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46) When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed ...
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Building Relationships with Our Neighbors
Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. (Acts 8:26-27a)
It seems to be human nature to stay where we are comfortable unless we have to move. Even though Jesus talked about the church’s witness being to the ends of the earth, at this point in the book of Acts they have pretty much stayed in the Jerusalem area. So, a combination of persecution hitting the church and an angel giving Philip a kick in the backside sends them out. God doesn’t want us to stay in one place – God wants us to go out!
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Abundance: Seeing the World Like Jesus
When the crowd was satisfied, Jesus told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. (John 6:12-13) Is the world God made ...
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