Lord, Teach Us to Pray, Part Two

Three parts of the Lord’s Prayer are discussed: daily bread (God’s provision through Christ), forgiveness out of grace, and resisting temptation. We learn that prayer requires humility and persistence. Prayer…

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Why Should I Pray?

Believers pray understanding there is one True God who is personal, living and hears their prayers, who is caring and involved in their lives, and who wants to have the…

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What About Physical Healing?

Dear Roger, Regarding physical healings—Does God gift people with the ability to heal physical ailments today? Thoughts on “healing”? Revivals? Thanks! Question from Casas’ “What’s Next Class” Dear Ms. WNC,…

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Eve’s DNA

Dear Roger, I heard that it has been determined that all mankind is descended from one human mother. Is this the Eve of the Bible and does this prove that…

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Near-Sighted Spirituality

As believers, we are on the “winning side.” God sent His prophetic messengers to prepare our hearts to receive His grace. Don’t live with a short-term view of God’s plan.

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Why Paul Was So Cool

The apostle Paul is so precious to us because he was Christ-centered, a steward of God’s grace, a messenger of the mystery, a champion of the church, and a recipient…

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Father, Son and Who?

A Barna research report this week revealed that 58% of American Christians don’t believe the Holy Spirit exists. “Fifty-eight percent strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that the Holy…

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Partners in Life

Paul challenges us to live as good citizens of heaven while we are still on earth. We are to stand in one spirit with unflinching courage for the cause of…

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What Love Asks

God loves us unconditionally and simply asks us to love Him intimately, humbly serve Him, and to walk with Him in submission and obedience.

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This Crazy Economy

Christian financial analyst Bob Henry gives a clear overview of what is happening in the American economic climate today and how the story of Joseph lends insight into our response.

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Where Did Cain Get His Wife?

Dear Roger, If Adam and Eve had only boys, how did their children reproduce to create the world’s people? Incest? Sincerely, Questioner in Casas’ “What’s Next Class” Dear Q, According…

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The Beauty of Brokenness

The Messiah was broken and battered for the souls of mankind. Mary of Bethany’s broken bottle of perfume symbolized her unconditional love for Jesus and her unconditional acceptance of His…

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Making Jesus Real

Jesus calls us to a lifestyle of serving, making disciples, evangelizing the world and reflecting the right view of the real God to those around us.

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Having Childlike Faith

Unless we become like children-humble, teachable and trusting-we will never grow into the spiritual people God intends for us to be. The intellegencia in Athens were too proud to receive…

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Profiting From Criticism

In previous discussions about admonishing others, we’ve talked about two important issues.  If we’re going to love someone thoroughly, we must be willing to admonish if necessary.  On the other…

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Long Years in Genesis?

Dear Roger, How were years determined in Noah’s days? Sincerely, Member of Casas’ Discovering Christianity Class Dear Member, You are obviously referring to the genealogies in the early part of…

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Journey to Repentance

Genesis 42 chronicles the expedition of Joseph’s brothers to Egypt, the interrogation of the brothers by Joseph, the introspection of the brothers before Joseph, and the report of the brothers…

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From Prison to the Palace

Genesis 41 describes Pharoah’s problem and Joseph’s promotion. Pharoah’s dream has religious overtones because the Nile and cattle are worshipped as gods. We are challenged to emulate Joseph’s mature character…

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Friends

Paul expressed his thanks to God for his brothers and sisters in Christ. He prays for grace-the underserved favor of Christ to be upon them. He prays for the peace…

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Losing Your Cool

You’ve had a bad day, and you’re exhausted. You worked as hard as you could at your job, but your boss still wants more. The traffic on the way home…

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Joseph in Prison

“The Lord was with Joseph” is a repeated phrase throughout his story. Chapter 40 discusses the detention of the King’s cupbearer and baker, their dreams and the decrees of the…

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Rescue 911

The man at the pool of Siloam needed rescuing. Helpless, desperate people find the healing power of Christ in this gospel story. The allure of grace is in stark contrast to…

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By Grace Through Faith

I was thumbing through Brennan Manning’s book The Ragamuffin Gospel earlier this evening, finding myself completely enveloped in an oversized Barnes & Noble reading chair: the kind that never get…

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A Sympathetic Ear

Children have an incredible knack at comforting. One mother tells of her little Tina coming home late from school. “Where have you been, Tina?” her mom asked.“Lisa dropped her best…

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The Green-Eyed Monster

Jacob’s dysfunctional family is jealous and angry with Joseph, the favored son. Genesis 37 relates details of the conspiracy against Joseph and his consignment to slavery in Egypt. 

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Where Is Buddhism’s Mercy?

  I recently read an interesting quote about Buddhism’s impact on real world problems. Check this out. “Christmas Humpreys, an influential Western Buddhist, admits…’It may be asked, what contribution Buddhism…

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Where Is Buddhism's Mercy?

  I recently read an interesting quote about Buddhism’s impact on real world problems. Check this out. “Christmas Humpreys, an influential Western Buddhist, admits…’It may be asked, what contribution Buddhism…

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The Little Boy Who Grew Up to Change the World (Russian)

В течении этого интервью, вы услышите свидетельство пастора Арзи о том, как он пришёл к Христу из мусульманской культуры и как он чувствовал призыв Бога к служению.  Он расскажет о…

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Dear Teacher

Teacher Jane W. shares Christ in the classroom in Tanzania. She soon travels to one of the war zones where poverty and chaos reign. Where does she get her courage!…

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Flying Frozen

John and Valerie spend their days in northern Alaska flying across the Bering Sea into Siberia to provide humanitarian aid and a heaping portion of the Gospel. Children’s ministries, discipleship…

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Healing a Hurting World

In this troubled world, we don’t have to look far to see hurting souls suffering from frustration, fear, loneliness, embarrassment, deception, grief, humiliation, disappointment or betrayal. Jesus even warned us…

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This Old House

What happens to us when we die? Paul teaches we have an earthly, temporal tent that will be transformed into an eternal, durable building from God. Paul is confident that…

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Take a Break

Christ saw the Sabbath (and by extension, all of life) as being a time of restoration and connectedness with God. The Pharisees viewed the Sabbath as a day to prove…

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Legalism Kills Love

Paul warns young Christians to be wary of legalistic pretending instead of grace-filled discipleship. Being obedient to the Holy Spirit means serving with a loving heart. We can do so…

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Nehemiah: Man of Prayer

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king in the Persian winter palace in Susa.  The king of Persia had previously stopped the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, possibly perceiving…

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The Noticed Love

Our purpose is to live for Christ, a life of noticing others so we can minister the encouragement, compassion and comfort Jesus first showed us. As our love shines in…

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Without Sin

How well do you know God? Has it ever occurred to you why we are able to know the depths of God’s character? We all have people we know better…

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Why is God Silent?

There’s an important page in your Bible that, if you are like most people, goes completely unread. Chances are, you are like most Christians who rip past this page without…

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Live On Purpose

Paul, in Philippians one, didn’t just make the best of a bad situation, he actually saw the positive results of his imprisonment. We must recognize God is working in and…

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One Thing

Many of us live our lives by flipping a coin to discover our next move. Paul writes that the one thing we should seek is to know Christ intimately and…

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The Transforming Glory

Paul teaches the Corinthian believers about the transforming glory of the new covenant with the all-encompassing Savior, the unveiled glimpse of God’s glory, the transforming power of God’s glory and…

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Believing the Best

Believing the best is a challenge. It is so easy to focus on what’s wrong with someone rather than on what’s right about them. It’s the natural human response. But…

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Profiles in Character

Paul’s companions, Timothy and Epaphroditus, epitomized godly character: compassion, loyalty and integrity. When people see authentic faith in God’s people, they are drawn to the Savior.

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Look to Jesus

The men and women of Hebrews 11 demonstrate dynamic faith which encourages and motivates us to follow their lead. In Hebrews 12, Christ inspires us to live out the Christian…

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R U Pretending?

Living a life of integrity and honesty brings freedom to our lives and to our relationships with God and others. God accepts us just as we are, and those who…

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R U Forgiving?

Forgiveness is possible when we mourn the hurt we have received, understand the truth of what is happening and forgive the offender. We heal the hurts we have inflicted on…

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Inspire-Heroes

Hebrews 11 is the “Hall of Heroes”-portraits of faithful men and women like Moses, Noah, Abraham and Sarah. Their lives inspire us to emulate their obedience and trust in God.

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Crushed for Comfort

Only by having a proper view of God can we comprehend the reason for suffering. Suffering allows us to comfort others, to learn our own insufficiencies and God’s sufficiency. When…

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Agreed

Paul enjoins two arguing Christian women to agree in the Lord. We must live harmoniously, responding to our opponents with grace and patience, even as Christ demonstrated humility and condescension…

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The Sin Exchange

Lately I’ve become increasingly more aware of the enemy’s subtle tricks and deceptions in my life. As someone who works in ministry as a vocation, it is easy to get…

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The Season of Giving

It’s December. Perhaps you are scurrying around searching to find just the right Christmas gifts for loved ones. Do you find yourself so consumed with holiday preparations that you don’t…

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Grace to the Humble

God calls us to be clothed in humility just as Christ demonstrates when He washes the disciple’s feet at the Last Supper. The humble recognize that their abilities are not…

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Healing Wounds

Life sometimes hurts. We heal hurt with comfort, anger with forgiveness, guilt with confession, fear with perfect love and condemnation with God’s unconditional love and acceptance.

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The Temptations

“The Temptations” lesson includes a discussion of sin and human nature, the temptation of Adam and Eve and the temptation of Christ. Satanic temptations include doubt, vulnerable times of fatigue…

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Our Spiritual Armor

The armor of God consists of the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece…

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Know Your Enemy

The personality, position, power, purpose and destiny of Satan is carefully studied. His demonic forces are described, and the victorious power of God over the Adversary is taught.

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Heroic Faith

Wycliffe missionaries Larry and Nancy Hagberg relate a remarkable story of faith in the midst of cancer, a near-fatal car crash and floods. God’s Word is the powerful, sustaining force…

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Mourn and Comfort

We all have up and down days. God wants us to rejoice together and comfort each other when we are hurting. Comforters come uninvited, openly express the depths of their…

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Effective Management

Nationally-known church and business consultant discusses the role of a manager: to supervise people and to obtain and allocate resources. The supervising manager knows how to recruit, organize, utilize, develop,…

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Thy Kingdom Come

In his discussion of the Lord’s Prayer, Dr. Toussaint defines prayer and its primary goal. Christ commands us to pray for His kingdom-plan to be realized on earth, and our…

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Pride and Prejudice

God forces Peter to face his prejudices and surrender them to the Lord. Mankind has a history of prejudging others based on superficial characteristics. Instead God asks us to look…

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Time and Eternity

When we’ve been there then thousand years,Bright shining as the sun,We’ve no less days to sing Gods praise,Than when we’ve first begun. This last verse, from John Newton’s familiar hymn,…

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Angel Face

No matter what kind of pressure we are under, the Lord understands and comforts us. Even while being stoned, Stephen sees the glory of God and testifies of his Savior.…

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Unsung Heroes

Stephen is one of God’s overlooked, unsung heroes. But the New Testament is born because Stephen lives and dies for the glory of God. Being persecuted for our faith is…

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Conviction

How is it that I can believe something to be true, yet behave in a way that is contrary to that belief.  For example, I may believe that exercise is…

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Church Splits

Anytime two Christians are mad at each other, the church splits. The Body of Christ was supposed to be beautifully and perfectly one (according to Jesus in John 17), but…

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Life Change

What is authentic life change? What I say I believe will not change me. What I think I believe will not alter my lifestyle. What I reveal I believe, my…

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Love That Lasts

God’s love for us is completely unselfish. Christ modeled such sacrificial love while He was on earth. The apostle Paul paints a picture of agape love in 1 Corinthians 13…

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Olympic Pride

The Olympics are the perfect time to talk about humility.  People around the world rally in support of their country and each individual swells with pride at the accomplishments of…

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A New Humanity

Paul gives us three pictures of the church in this passage. As members of the family of God we have the privileges of belonging, companionship, provision and protection. We also…

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Pentecostal Power

To walk by the spirit is to live with a moment-by-moment dependency on, and sensitivity to, the initial promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit intends to produce in…

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Precious Treasure

We are stewards of all the earthly possessions God has given us — our mates, children, homes, cars, education, skills and more. Because of His great gifts, we must be…

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Greater Than My Disappointments

Disappointment is part of the cycle of life. Sometimes disappointment comes from our own faulty thinking, foolish choices or from vulnerable moments following great mountaintop experiences. Asaph pens words of pathos…

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Divine Design

King David experienced rejection, heartache, disappointment, and difficulty. How did He survive? When we study his prayers, we know he was deeply connected to God. Psalm 139 is a love…

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Failing Forward

Psalm 32 and 51 are twin poems that describe David’s prayer of brokenness and repentance. Psalm 32 paints a portrait of his emotional pain and how he became healed in…

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Finding Faith

King David began to doubt God when his life was falling apart. Asaph began to doubt God when his world fell apart. Some of our doubts are rational. Many are…

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Your Work Matters

The ability to work is a gift from God. We should do our work as unto Him, reverently, diligently, loyally and with excellence. God will reward our labors. For more…

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Abundant Living

The key to abundant living is to abide in Christ, to drink of His “living water.” Many see life filled with scarcity, stagnation and misery instead of a life with…

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Greater Than Our Failures

King David’s prayer of repentance and restoration models what we can do to overcome failure and sin in our lives. Honest confession, brokenness and an assurance of God’s grace can…

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Journey Into Worship

The Psalms of Ascents are fourteen poems that depict the pilgrimage of faith for abeliever. As the spiritual child grows to maturity, his worship of God will change dramatically. He…

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Driving Lessons

We often cruise through life without asking for directions. Often we rush to make decisions without the GPS of God’s Word and will. Instead, we strike out on our own. We haven’t…

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The Changing Role of Women

Women were not honored in the known world during the time of King Solomon’s reign. Unfortunately, women were considered property or second-class citizens. Israel’s idolatrous neighbors based their value of…

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Let Me Ask My Owner

I heard an interesting story recently about a Mongolian businessman—a Christian—who was finalizing a business deal. After meeting with the another Mongolian gentleman over the details of their arrangement he…

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Who’s the Prototype?

Leaders must have a place to lead their followers.  Such direction is usually called a pastor’s vision or mission. Whatever the name, church leaders must have a goal, a destination to…

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Who's the Prototype?

Leaders must have a place to lead their followers.  Such direction is usually called a pastor’s vision or mission. Whatever the name, church leaders must have a goal, a destination to…

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Battle Cry!

Christians have victory over every assault and scheme of the devil, but we must arm ourselves with the proper armor that is described in Ephesians 6:10-18. In spiritual warfare as in…

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Be Ready

We have an opportunity to make every day count before Christ’s return. Living in the light of the urgency of our call and the hope of His rewards changes everything.…

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Bethlehem Star

What was the Star of Bethlehem and what did it signify? Nine points of the star’s meaning are revealed in Matthew 2. The light of God’s glory not only appeared…

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Nothing Beats Hand-Picked

We’re starting Capital Stewardship Campaign soon.  In process of starting the campaign up, I pulled together a Stewardship team.  I intentionally tried to bring an eclectic group together: some with…

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How to Handle Anger Day 4

King David, Solomon’s father, gave us a powerful model for handling anger. Because the shepherd-king was called the “man after God’s own heart,” he had profound insight into God’s character.…

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Discipline Day 5

When God makes you responsible for disciplining others, you are accountable to Him. Such discipline and discipling will require tremendous thought, time, and energy on your part as you invest…

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Discipline Day 4

We learn that God provides a place for His children, gives His laws, explains the benefits of obeying His laws, explains the punishment of disobedience, explains the process of restoration,…

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Discipline Day 2

God’s discipline of His children takes a paradigm shift in our thinking to understand that discipline is good, and the results are holiness, righteousness, and peace. It takes years of…

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Discipline Day 3

God knows what is best for us. He created us (Psalm 139:13). He is omniscient and eternal (Isaiah 46:10; Revelation 21:6a). God is love (1 John 4:8); therefore, all He…

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Discipline Day 1

Before Adam and Eve sinned, they existed in perfect harmony with each other and with God. But when sin entered the picture, their purity was replaced with the bent for…

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Learning from Criticism

People have different priorities and expectations; so evaluate criticism in light of your purposes and calling in life. Recognize that your critics can often see your blind spots objectively, and…

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Words of Blessing

Even though words can hurt, the tongue can bring us and others great blessing and delight. According to Proverbs 25:11, well-spoken words reflect beauty and value: “A word aptly spoken…

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Wounding Words

Broken bones heal more quickly than wounds inflicted by a malicious tongue. Lying words, hypocritical words, and thoughtless words can destroy lives. Conversely, timely words aptly spoken can contribute to…

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Train Up a Child Day 4

Paul gives a startling insight into the dynamic of the parent-child relationship. He states that there are certain barriers to child-rearing that must be considered. If a child is provoked…

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Doubts Out

I thought about this today…I hate doubt, don’t you? It hits us at different times, but especially in the midst of taking the next big step in our life. We…

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How to Study Wisdom

Motivation-a passion to get wisdom, acquisition-a careful study of God’s Word, application-a pragmatic integration of truth into daily life, and persistence-a continuous pursuit of truth will bring depth and grace…

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Leading From Behind

After five years of leading a fast-paced and growing ministry in Mongolia I’m just beginning to learn what may be my most important lesson in leadership;how to take a back…

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Choosing Faith

Fear is the antithesis of faith. Examples like the terrified Hebrews spying out the Promised Land, David facing the giant Goliath, the disciples panicking on a stormy boat, illustrate the fact…

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The Return Encounter

The ten lepers are healed because God’s love extends beyond explanation and expectation. But one grateful leper who reaches back to God is twice blessed. He is also saved from…

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Your Two Cents

Are you a penny picker, passer or partner? Christ’s story of the widow’s mite teaches us that God can use our gifts and talents to bless Him. God will use…

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Extreme Living

Faith triumphs over fear when Peter walks on the stormy water to meet Jesus. Like Peter, God has extreme adventures planned or us if only we will get out of…

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Go Fish

Jesus teaches His disciples to take their eyes off themselves and fish for men. God still uses ordinary believers to spread the message of His love and reconciliation. If we…

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The Wisdom of Jesus

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Divine wisdom. Through the person of Christ, we live in power, seated in the heavenlies, protected by His armor. To choose truth is to…

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Recently, my Bible study group came face-to-face with the age-old problem: “Why do the righteous suffer?” After almost an hour of discussion, a member of our group said, “I’ve recently…

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Hagar’s Story

Today, we will speak about one of the most overlooked chapters in the book of Genesis – Chapter 16. This is the chapter when Sarah’s Egyptian slave Hagar became pregnant…

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