Tag Archives: Kingdom of God

Faith From The Beginning 4/20/2024

What Did Abram Believe? NOW what did God ask Abram to believe? He asked him to believe what He had said concerning a promised son. But more than that, God asked him to believe in a long-promised son, a long-delayed … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 6

Forward to the New Creation A great boost toward that end and a greater sense of purpose in enduring evil and suffering will be ours when we turn our focus away from the paradise lost and toward the new creation … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/19/2024

Defibrillators for Sardis We cover up the dead places in ourselves with all sorts of regalia. We fill the emptiness with fine clothing, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, or relationships in which the other is set up as god. Underneath the trappings, though, … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 5

Analogy of the Exodus – Continued From last lesson: To avoid new forms of evil and suffering, they could have returned to the familiar hardships of Egypt. But the strength they gained from their new trials and troubles prepared them … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/18/2024

It Will Eat You Alive Idolatry eats at our souls. And God puts up with it for only so long. “And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face to the mountains of Israel … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 4

Analogy of the Exodus An important depiction of the human tendency to prefer the familiar may be seen in the biblical account of the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt. Throughout the books of Exodus and Numbers we read of repeated confrontations … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/17/2024

When Love Is Lost, Labor Is in Vain When zeal lacks love, faith is rendered useless. Love is the crux of faith. We can study the Bible like a scholar, pray like a warrior, evangelize like the world is ending … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 3

Too Much Evil – Continued We humans are different from all other species. Both anthropology and theology attest to our uniqueness as spiritual creatures. Our spirit component gives us a powerful capacity both for expressing goodness and for expressing evil. … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/16/2024

The Real Reality John and Ezekiel open their prophetic books in a similar fashion—to prepare us for an unexpected view: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his slaves the things which must take place … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 2

Too Much Evil Though the words sound shocking, we can reasonably say that the quantity of evil expressed on earth exceeds by far what atheistic evolutionary explanations can account for. Only the real existence of God and of His adversary, … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/15/2024

Key Players and Main Narratives The book of Acts ends on a somewhat unsatisfying note. After all that Paul has been through—imprisonment, trial, shipwreck—we expect a showdown with Caesar or mass conversions of the Jews. Instead, the plot seems to … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 1

If a non-Christian were to ask us about any of the controversial topics that face many non-believers today, we probably would be ready to converse. Many, if not most of us, would be thrilled at the chance to discuss our … Continue reading

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Essential Insights on Faith 4/14/2024

The oppressed will not always be forgotten; the hope of the afflicted will not perish forever. PSALM 9:18 Billy Graham I don’t think we will have permanent PEACE in the world as long as man’s heart stays as it is—as … Continue reading

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Called to Be Holy – 6

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 The New Birth – Continued Because they are partakers of the divine life, Peter states some practicalities that Christians should put away once for all, namely the following unloving acts: Malice—the harboring of evil thoughts … Continue reading

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Faith From The Beginning 4/13/2024

Abraham’s Desire LET us return to the narrative of Abraham: After God has promised to protect Abram and reward him, Abram begins to question God emphatically. He reminds the Lord that he is not primarily interested at all in the … Continue reading

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Called to Be Holy – 5

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 The New Birth Once again Peter takes his readers back to their new birth, and this time he expounds on the source of our new birth, the seed being the Word of God. The exhortations … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/12/2024

Rebuilding Is Not Always Wise Who can rebuild what Yahweh tears down? The prophets articulate this message again and again. Yahweh tears down evil things; evil people rebuild them; the prophets insist that He will just tear them down again. … Continue reading

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Called to Be Holy – 4

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 Love One Another Now the Apostle Peter urges his readers to have a mind suited for loving others (1 Peter 1:22-2:3). First, he describes the new birth and points out that one of the changes … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/11/2024

Turning the Tables When Paul presents the gospel before King Agrippa, we expect him to be defensive. But Paul is ready to shift the spotlight. He offers a surprisingly simple explanation of recent events and a testimony of his faith, … Continue reading

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Called to Be Holy – 3

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 Breaking With the World – Continued Christ’s work for us was no afterthought on God’s part. “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you … Continue reading

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