Tag Archives: Dividing the Word

The Servant’s Seeming Contradictions – 2

Scripture Reference: Mark 10 Two Shall Be One – Continued Please read Mark 10:1-12 for background to this section. From last lesson: He [Jesus] put sufficient regulations around divorce so that the wives would not become victims of their husbands’ … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/28/2023

Operating Standards Sometimes I operate on the premise that if I’m honoring God and following Him, I don’t have to be concerned with what other people think. But carrying this too far is just as faulty as basing my identity … Continue reading

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The Servant’s Seeming Contradictions – 1

Scripture Reference: Mark 10 As a master Teacher, our Lord used many different approaches in sharing God’s Word: symbols, miracles, types, parables, proverbs, and paradoxes. A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself and yet expresses a valid … Continue reading

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Faith From The Beginning 8/26/2023

The Next Test HOW long Abram dwelt here in peace and quietness we do not know. The Lord gave him a little season of rest and refreshing, and then puts His servant to the next great trial and test. There … Continue reading

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Majoring on Minors – 4

Scripture References: Philippians 1:1-11 Our Great Privileges in Christ – Continued We Are the Recipients of a Divine Fellowship In verses 3–8, Paul speaks of the blessed fellowship that he and the Philippians enjoyed in Christ: “I thank my God … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/25/2023

It’s Actually Quite Simple “May my teaching trickle like the dew, my words like rain showers on tender grass . . . For I will proclaim the name of Yahweh; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is … Continue reading

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Majoring on Minors – 3

Scripture References: Philippians 1:1-11 Our Great Privileges in Christ – Continued We Are the Recipients of Divine Peace Continuing on, this is a second great privilege that is ours: “And peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/24/2023

Bold Requests Psalm chapter 44 is bold. Who asks the Lord to “wake up”? Who asks Him why He is sleeping? The psalmist doesn’t stop with these questions. He makes claims regarding God that seem like accusations: “you have rejected … Continue reading

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Majoring on Minors – 2

Scripture References: Philippians 1:1-11 Our Great Position in Christ – Continued We Are Saints in Christ Jesus Paul addressed the quarreling Philippians as “saints in Christ Jesus,” in verse 1. Every believer is a saint but all are not saintly! … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/23/2023

I’ll Take the Arrow “Better is an arrow from a friend than a kiss from an enemy.” When I first heard this saying, I was struck by what a truism it is. It wasn’t until years later, though, that I … Continue reading

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Majoring on Minors – 1

Scripture References: Philippians 1:1-11 Some years ago I came across one of the saddest statements I think I have ever read. The biographer of Horace Walpole, an eighteenth-century English author, wrote about Walpole: “All his tastes were minor.” Apparently the … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/22/2023

Tearing Down to Build Up It’s difficult to take rebuke, especially when it’s unsolicited. We feel exposed and embarrassed when our sin is brought to light. And if we don’t have the humility to accept rebuke, the experience can leave … Continue reading

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Worship God In Truth – 12

Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 12-13; 18:9-22 6. Honoring God’s Word – Continued Please read Deuteronomy 18:9-22 for the background to this section. The identification of true prophets (verses 20–22). Moses promised that there would be prophets sent by God to Israel to … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/21/2023

The Curious Thing About God’s Work Doing God’s work is a curious thing. It requires both mad rushes and patiently waiting. Christ followers are meant to think like the psalmist did: “I waited patiently for Yahweh, And he inclined to … Continue reading

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Worship God In Truth – 11

Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 12-13; 18:9-22 6. Honoring God’s Word – Continued Please read Deuteronomy 18:9-22 for the background to this section. The revelation of the true God (verses 14–19). Israel didn’t need to experiment with new religions because the Lord had … Continue reading

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Faith From The Beginning 8/19/2023

New Joys For Obedience THE Lord comes now to strengthen Abram. He renews His covenant, He encourages His servant. God knows there are severe tests ahead. He knows how weak His children are; so He comes to strengthen His servant … Continue reading

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Worship God In Truth – 10

Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 12-13; 18:9-22 6. Honoring God’s Word Please read Deuteronomy 18:9-22 for the background to this section. If people don’t know the true and living God and don’t have His Word to guide them, they have to find substitutes … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/18/2023

Costly Grace When we say something hurtful to a friend or a family member, we know we can’t just ignore the harm we have caused (we should know, anyway). In order to repair the relationship and earn back trust, we … Continue reading

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Worship God In Truth – 9

Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 12-13; 18:9-22 5. Avoiding Contamination – Continued Please read Deuteronomy 12:29-13:18; 18:9-22 for the background to this section. Temptation from a multitude (verses 12–18). “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil” (Exodus 23:2). If a person … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 8/17/2023

Curses, the Old Testament, and Freedom “And if a man commits a sin punishable by death, and so he is put to and you hang him on a tree, his dead body shall not hang on the tree, but certainly … Continue reading

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