Dear Roger, I was just reading Romans 12:1-2, where Paul says that total devotion to Jesus Christ is our spiritual worship. I sensed that Paul was talking about a level …
Tag:
Sanctification
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Dear Roger, Please help me understand God’s purpose for my life. It seems that all of us at one time or another ask the question, “Why am I here?” …
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God’s truth must quicken your heart, be obeyed and take root in every part of your life. www.tonyevans.org.
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Believers, once in dire straits, but now sharing Christ’s exaltation, demonstrate to the universe God’s mercy, love, grace, and kindness as they undertake good works. Ephesians 2:1-10 Prior to regeneration, …
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Introduction Certain things hopefully come with age as we grow and mature: more understanding, more wisdom, more responsibility and more expectations. Parents recognize this as they approach their children in …
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We need to live lives that demand an explanation. Paul lived this life that didn’t make any sense. In Philippians 4, he is talking about joy and contentment while chained …
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Four great discoveries are revealed in Romans 6. We have evil natures and have committed sins against a Holy God. While we desire to do well, we always struggle with …
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Dear Roger, When I read the Bible, I see Jesus placing so much emphasis upon a full-blown commitment to him. His demands remind me of what Dietrich Bonhoeffer said: “When Jesus …
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Dear Roger, I’m puzzled. When Jesus said that we are to take up our cross and follow Him, what did He mean? What is the cross, and what does it …
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Brokenness is a surprising road to happiness and fulfillment! Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3)—i.e., the “broken ones,” those who recognize that they are spiritually bankrupt …
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I was asked a few days ago three questions related to our finances and needed perspective during these challenging times with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. Honestly, our needs as Christ …
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Dear Roger, I’ve always wondered what Jesus meant in the Gospel of Luke about taking up our cross and following him. Just what is this cross and how do we …
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Dear Roger, I really need to know what God says about swearing and cursing. It’s hard not to do, especially when you are around people who swear and curse all …
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Dear Roger, My pastor told me that I never have to sin again. How can that be true? Sincerely, Katie Dear Katie, The problem is a misunderstanding of what really …
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Dear Roger, I have an inoperable brain tumor. The pain is increasing. I am on heavy pain medicines. It still hurts. I’ve read several articles on dealing with pain, done …
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What are the idols of your heart? What are the ways in which you have allowed your heart that is intended to worship God, to worship the golden calves that …
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Suffering is only a temporary condition for the Christian, suffering is used by God to bring good, suffering will one day be eliminated.
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Dear Roger, My six year old son, William, had a question tonight to ask you: “If you have Jesus in your heart can you still get on Santa’s Naughty …
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I believe there is a Satan precisely because I believe in Jesus. If Satan is our mythological holdover from a pre-scientific age, then the life-long struggle of our Lord Jesus …
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Dear Roger, “I was reading Hebrews 10:19-26. Does verse 26 refer to repeated sins I commit? Do I keep following 1John 1:9 to take care of my sins? Sincerely, Steve …
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Dear Roger, Christians said that if you believe Jesus died for your sins, is the son of God and if you believe in him, your sins are forgiven. However, Jesus …
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What makes you happy? Can you imagine that true happiness comes only from loving God completely? The Bible describes this delight in experiential terms — an existential reality that is …
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God wants us to be addicted to Him. We can fall in love with doing good things, with resisting sin, with caring for the poor, with memorizing Scripture, but it’s …
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Dear Roger, How do we know which Old Testament Laws should be acknowledged and which ones can be ignored? My pastor says that some laws were cultural (like eating …
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The moment of our greatest success and achievement, when we are riding the crest of the wave, is also the moment we are most likely to be subjected to the …
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Was Queen Vashti, King Xerxes’ ex-wife, as shallow and stubborn as we assume? I want you to ponder and puzzle with me. Queen Vashti’s gripping story is told in twelve …
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Hi Roger, Here’s one I thought of after your series on the Book of Daniel and the End Times: You said that ‘discerning Christians’ will recognize the signs that the end …
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Dear Roger, I have a question to ask. I have been a Christian for my whole adult life and I know that god will never leave me. after 23 years …
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I am surprised by, and sometimes frustrated at, some people’s submission to emotions. Emotions dominate their lives. Rational thought is ignored and facts are resisted. Like the lady with the …
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It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine… That’s a line from the chorus of a hit song by the band R.E.M. And I think, …
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Battles come every day. In whatever form they come, they come. They come with relentless pressure, incessantly assailing the battlements of our lives and our culture. Battles come in our …
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Dear Roger, My life is not turning out at all like I thought it would. I dreamed of marrying the right man, having a good job and a happy family. …
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Dear Roger, I was wondering about those bodies of holy people who were raised to life after the resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 27:50-53. Who were these people? I was …
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Raising money. Challenging, but doable. According to social policy expert Dr. John McKnight, “you don’t know what you need until you know what you have.” Needs are easy to spot …
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Paul teaches that we are God’s poema-His “masterpiece” designed to reflect His character on the earth. Grace is God’s means for our transformation. Preached at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. YouTube link …
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Have you ever heard someone say that they are against organized religion? Or perhaps they regard organized religion as having brought harm to society? After all, hasn’t religion been a …
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Is she a collection of body parts? Is she made of plastic? Or is she a whole person with a soul, full of all the things that make a person …
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The stern warning to Ephesus is followed by an encouragement that is notoriously difficult to understand. It is this encouragement that provides us with a considerable amount of clarity about …
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Anticipate and reflect! Experiences aren’t truly yours until you think about them, analyze them, examine them, question them, reflect on them, and finally understand them. — Warren Bennis My favorite …
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Time is a precious commodity. If traded on the commodities market, its value would be incalculable. But alas, time cannot be bought or sold. And while the length of our …
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How should Christians relate to a secular society that does not know Jesus? Paul’s letter to Titus sheds light on this scenario, showing us how God’s grace should motivate Christians …
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Dad, did you know that your relationship with your daughter is the most important relationship in her life? It is. Enjoy it. Encourage her. She is seeking your approval. A …
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Galatians is different than other letters written by Paul. In every other epistle, he finds something for which to praise the young churches before giving them advice. However, he’s so …
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To my fellow humans who are entering that most precarious stage of human development. Let me begin by congratulating you on making it through the embryonic stage. Too many of …
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Need a little help with contaminants that quietly compromise our well-being? How can we learn to recognize and remove the hidden dangers in our lives? Identify, reject and replace are …
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Co-authored with Lisa Loden. The Story of Naaman is one of the most beloved and memorable stories in all of the Hebrew Bible. Believers easily identify with Naaman – commander …
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There are a lot of books, articles, and stage talks on how to get things done. In some ways, the topic has become so romanticized in Western culture that some …
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God never adjusts His commands to fit the customs of nations, no matter how deeply ingrained they are. Furthermore, His immutable standards prove right every time—and for each party involved. …
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The problem with a living sacrifice is the tendency to crawl off the altar. When we fail to allow God to be magnified by complete surrender to Him, we lose …
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From one perspective, there was a routine about the events of the crucifixion that was normal. The soldiers fulfilled their function with the kind of objectivity which marks the seasoned …
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Four great discoveries are revealed in Romans 6. We have evil natures and have committed sins against a Holy God. While we desire to do well, we always struggle with …
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When we allow God to do His work in us we mature in our faith. As we grow from being spiritual infants to spiritual parents we submit to God’s process …
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It all happened in one day. One day he could choose his tee time at the nicest golf course in the country; the next he couldn’t even be the caddie. …
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A wounded person definitely needs his/her space. For the sake of simplicity I will use “his” for the moment, though the victim may also be a woman or child. “Down” …
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Dear Roger, Could space be a part of heaven? Sincerely, Simbi Dear Simbi, If Heaven is in just the right place in space, it might begin to explain how God …
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We cannot afford to be lukewarm Christians. Paul teaches in Romans 12:11 that serving the Lord means 1) seeing the Lord as worth more than what the appetites offer; and …
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After sharing a brief but engaging history of God and His people, Francis Chan relates the central message of Haggai. We must put Him first or our lives become unsuccessful …
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Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.ROMANS 14:1 MSG Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise …
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My wife had a bad experience with Chick-Fil-A. But here’s the truth: sometimes we have a single bad experience and never go back. We eat at Chick-Fil-A at least two …
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Who can you trust? Who will help you lead your church? In my estimation, people usually have one of these attitudes concerning leadership. #1 – “Can Do” This is the …
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What are young adults looking for when they go to church? 1. “The need to believe that life is meaningful and has a purpose. During a time when sociologists observe …
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Genesis 4 is a study in contrast between the worship of Cain and Abel. Why should we call upon the sacred name of God (YAHWEH)? Because He is inviting us …
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Have you heard about this church that’s building itself on a military metaphor? It’s led by a general, not a bishop. Their clergy are not referred to as pastors, priests …
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Paul teaches us that we can know that we are buried with Christ, and raised to new life with Him. We can count ourselves dead to sin and alive to …
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Is temptation the work of God, Satan or self? God’s free gift of salvation frees us to live pure lives in intimacy with God.
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Is change, spiritual growth, a natural part of becoming a Christian? Yes. Living in the status of disciple has, as a natural part and progression, spiritual formation in Christlikeness. Progression …
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What is the difference between the baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit? How do you interpret the momentous events of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2? Pastor Chan gives his …
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There are essentially two ways of responding to life’s hurts and unfair experiences. Every time we get hurt, we choose to respond in one of these two ways. The first, …
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Open doors, chance meetings, fleeting moments with treasured family and friends may soon pass us by. Carpe Diem (seize the moment) is a Biblical principle. Solomon said it best: “There …
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Advertisements bombard us today. A simple drive down the road is filled with an array of quips, quotes, empty promises, and invitations to spend your money. QVC infomercials and internet …
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Paul the apostle teaches that if we know who we are and believe who we are, then we must live who we are-walking worthy of Jesus Christ. We reflect His …
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Humanism, Paganism and Relativism have all impacted today’s churches in one way or another. High on man, soft on sin, grey on truth, apathy and consumerism can foster the fatal …
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Dear Roger, Some believe the Bible is the absolute word of God. Others believes that the Bible is God inspired. I believe in the latter. What is your feelings about …
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If I am really going to become more like Christ, it means that we would change the way we do marriage and become less self-oriented and more other-focused. It means …
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Pandemonium means bedlam, chaos or confusion. Does that sound like Sunday morning at your house? If you know your Greek, pandemonium means daemonium (demons) and pan (all around). No matter …
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Pandemonium means bedlam, chaos or confusion. Does that sound like Sunday morning at your house? If you know your Greek, pandemonium means daemonium (demons) and pan (all around). No matter …
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Just like the hedonistic culture that the Corinthian believers faced, Paul teaches that what we do on this earth has consequences in the next life. This life is not all …
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John 1 says that Jesus “was full of grace and truth.” Grace means, “I’m going to love you no matter what.” Truth means “I’m going to be honest with your …
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Spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting and meditation lead to great freedom. They exist for our sake, not God’s. They enable us to do what we cannot do through direct …
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As we mature, we take on the character of Jesus Christ and are different than worldly people. Spiritual adults draw others to Jesus. Preached at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. Used …
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Sometimes we don’t realize how “far down” Jesus had to go to save sinful man. I guess it’s because we really can’t get a handle on the holiness of God. …
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Paul teaches us that Jesus is the content of our message. Jesus is the messenger, and Jesus is the context in which we learn and hear. Preached at Bent Tree …
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Peter teaches three reasons why we suffer. It can be because of our own mistakes or it can be undeserved. Suffering can also be mysterious, we don’t know why. Regardless, …
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The athiest says “there is no God.” The agnostic says “I can’t know there is a God.” Christianity claims that Jesus became a man embodying God’s love for humanity and …
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Dear Roger, Abraham was known in the Bible as a man of great faith. By faith He left Ur, following the call of a God he had never known …
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Paul teaches us to be as focused as athletes with our eyes on the prize. What is our goal as believers? To greet, extend friendship, serve and share our story …
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Dear Roger, What does the Bible say about plastic surgery? Anonymous Dear Anonymous, What does the Bible say about plastic surgery? Absolutely Nothing! Plastic surgery is never mentioned …
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In the last two blog posts I talked about dysfunctional families: first in Palestine, and then in America. Let’s get to the good news. Let’s talk a bit about the …
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A great start in our Christian walk matters little if we finish poorly. If we refuse to listen to the voice of God, ignore spiritual values and base our conduct …
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Mary Magdalene is lifted from the clutches of Satan and transformed into a disciple of Christ. Satan is real, but we can find freedom from spiritual harassment through worship, prayer …
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How do we know something unknowable or measure something immeasurable? There is only one way to lose self and that is to love another and be lost in Him. Preached …
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Each of us has a race to run and everyone of us can finish well. Great racers strip down and develop endurance.
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Jesus not only proclaimed Himself to be our shepherd, king, the Way, Truth and Life. He also chose to call us friends. A friend is someone who knows all about …
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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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Three categories of tests from God are described in Scripture. Temptations come to all believers from Satan. Trials are used by God to refine our faith and make us look …
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Dear Roger, A friend asked me a question I could not answer as I have never seen the play called “Jesus Christ Superstar.” How does it relate to the Bible? …
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I am sure we have all been asked, or pondered the question on our own, “What would you do differently, if you knew you only had 6 months to live?” …
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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 first part of the Hebrews seminar covers Christ’s role as king and priest after the order of Melchizedek. We are encouraged to grow up in the faith and encourage …
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Dr. Toussaint teaches on the meaning of the filling of the Holy Spirit, the actual filling of the Holy Spirit and the manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
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A life script is an ongoing program for our lives that we act out automatically. The script can be constructive, destructive, non-productive or a combination of all three. Family, culture …
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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 …