Category: Faith

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Pluck & Plant

pluck&plantHave you ever felt like God was asking you to go against the grain?

Several years ago, someone decided to “help” the fiery evangelist Billy Sunday with his delivery. “Billy,” they said, “you’re rubbing the cat the wrong way.” I’m sure that their intent was pure. In their minds, if Reverend Sunday would simply stop offending people, and make them feel more comfortable, he could be more effective and successful. Unperturbed, Sunday replied, “If the cat would turn around, I would be rubbing him the right way.”

The Prophet Jeremiah never knew Billy Sunday, but I’m sure he could empathize with the sentiment. Jeremiah was called by God to speak a message that was almost completely opposite of the one being spoken by nearly every other prophet in the land.

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Biblical Keys to Hearing from God Part 4

BiblicalKeysPt4In Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 we discussed the first nine Biblical Keys of hearing God’s voice. You can review those articles here:

Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 1

Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 2

Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 3

Today, we are going to discuss the final three keys to seeking and hearing God’s voice in our lives.

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Biblical Keys to Hearing from God Part 3

BiblicalKeysPt3In Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 1 and Part 2 we discussed the first six Biblical Keys of hearing God’s voice. You can review those articles here:

Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 1

Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 2

Today, we are going to discuss the next three keys to seeking and hearing God’s voice in our lives.

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Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 2

BiblicalKeysPt2In “Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 1” we discussed the first three Biblical Keys of hearing God’s voice. You can review the article here:

Biblical Keys to Hearing From God Part 1

Today, we are going to discuss three more keys to seeking and hearing God’s voice in our lives.

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Biblical Keys to Hearing from God Part 1

BiblicalKeysPt1Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” John 10:27 (NASB).

This being true, why do so many people have trouble hearing from God? The answer is a lot simpler than you may believe.

In the very first chapter of the very first book of the Bible, God spoke. The transforming power of those first few syllables have not since failed to impact every aspect of the universe. Despite Adam’s sin and exile from the Garden, God continued His plan for mankind through the promise and fulfillment of His Son. John 1 clearly identifies Jesus as God’s Word made flesh. He has always provided a way for us to hear Him.

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Stressed Out! Part 4

stressoutpt4In the first three parts of this series we discussed signs that you may be stressed out and began providing ways in which you can manage stress and lower the stress hormone Cortisol. You can read or review the earlier articles here:

Stressed Out! Part 1

Stressed Out! Part 2

Stressed Out! Part 3

Today we complete this series with four more proven techniques – and a bonus method – to manage stress, lower dangerous Cortisol levels and live a happier life:

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Portending Apocalypse

apocalypseAs I read through various news articles related to the current anti-prayer culture war, my mind raced to memories of words I learned from the Biblical book of Revelation many years ago. The Apostle John relayed his vision of the future as given to him by God. He told of a day when the world would be in turmoil and people would stubbornly resist the call of God.

The refusal to repent is nothing new. We see it with Cain who failed to master his sinful thoughts before following through and murdering his brother Abel. The builders of the tower of Babel thought they could reach God without His help, and were scattered because of it. Noah preached the whole time he was building the ark. God didn’t want to bring the flood, but people continued in their anarchy and destruction. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah resisted the visitation of Angels and sought to harm them instead of receiving the grace that was available.

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Will This Be A Happy New Year?

happynewyear1We are now fully engaged in 2016. As I have prayed and contemplated all that is happening in the earth, I believe that God would have us be prepared for a year of contrasts and apparent contradictions.

Up front, and for the record, I am NOT offering a “Thus saith the Lord”. That kind of thing got people killed in the Old Testament and I would prefer to avoid a rock concert given in my honor.

At the same time, however, God has been faithful over the years to reveal many things to me – and others I have known – ahead of time. Have I ever missed it? Yes I have. Have I learned and grown from my mistakes? I hope so. The Apostle Paul illustrated our current understanding of God’s truth by the word picture of a dark mirror:

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Finding Happiness- Part 1

happiness1As we discussed in “Diagnosing Unhappiness,” people are more unhappy and unfulfilled than ever, despite all of the supposed reasons why that should not be the case. For students of the Word of God, this is not at all surprising.

Over and over again in the Bible we see what I like to call, the law of opposite actions. For example, Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) He also said, “…whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) Jesus also tells us to, bless those who curse us and to pray for those who spitefully use us. (Matthew 5:44)

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The Non Sequitur Logic of Cheap Grace

cheapgraceIs modern religious teaching correct? Should we simply give up on the idea of holiness and pursue happiness without concern for consequences?

There is a message coming out of churches today that God’s Grace is all that matters. There are a lot of reasons for this message, but none are scriptural. In fact, for all the buzz about new revelation and understanding of the Bible, the truth is, it is not even new. Paul confronted this idea in his letters. He warned them that claiming salvation was not enough. They needed to live right. (Gal 5:18-21, Eph 4:17-19, 1 Co 9:27, 2 Co 12:21)

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