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Showing posts from October, 2017

Why Did You Leave Your First Love?

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Revelation 2:2-4 (KJV) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. In the book of the Revelation is a letter from the Apostle John to the church at Ephesus. He warned the members that they were headed down the wrong path. "Thy first love" to John is the gospel message that is contained in the Bible. Sometimes members and even whole congregations get so involved with programs, ministries, services and outings (that are all good things), that they lose sight of the most important role of the church, to educate the members on the Word, and share the saving knowledge of Christ. So, what are churches for? And why should we attend one? The church

The Hired Hand

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John 10:11-13 (KJV)   I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. Our new pastor, Mike Truman, has been preaching a series on the Good Shepherd. Yesterday, he mentioned the "hireling." This term refers to an employee, or in this case, someone hired to tend the sheep. In this Bible passage, the hired hand runs away and leaves the sheep unguarded during a wolf attack. Not every employee is disloyal, but this one folded like origami. Just like first responders race towards the scene of an emergency, so does the Good Shepherd. He is as ferocious as a protective mama bear when it comes to His sheep. We belong to Him, and He loves us as His own. *** Female in Motion Health Up

Bold

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Romans 15:15 (KJV) Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God. The book of Romans was written by Paul to the church in Rome. Although he had never visited this church, Paul wrote seriously and passionately about the faith. The apostle also taught that the free gift of grace is a product of the love of God toward humans. Paul was an effective speaker and writer, because of his all-consuming faith. He spoke and wrote without fear. We must speak boldly, write boldly, go boldly. In order to please God and fulfill our mission here on Earth, we must be bold as lions. *** Notable Quotes: "Put a grain of boldness into everything you do."--Baltasar Gracian, Spanish philosopher "Freedom lies in being bold."--Robert Frost, American poet "Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold."--Edmund Spenser

Strange Fire

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Leviticus 10:1-2 (KJV) And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.  Nadab and Abihu were sons of the high priest, Aaron. Their job was to assist their father in the temple. God gave strict and exacting instructions on how to carry out the ordinances of offerings. One day, Nadab and Abihu decided to get "creative" with the incense. The consequences were lethal. I made a big mistake years ago, and it still bothers me now and then. I told myself I was doing this wrong thing for the right reasons. But it was still a sin. Same thing with strange fire. There are consequences for sin. Good motivation aside, the wrong thing is always the wrong thing. *** Notable Quote: "Honesty is never seen sitting astride the fence."--Lemuel K

Troubling Times

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Judges 21:25 (KJV) In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Our church has spent the last year searching for a new pastor. It's been a difficult season. There has been discord, discouragement and plain, old exhaustion. Discouragement is inevitable when there is a lack of leadership--vision--planning. You are more likely to stay on a straight path when you have superior direction. Remember these things: God is above our circumstances. Trust God to take charge of our situation, and our lives. Be completely willing to allow God to change us, as He sees fit. On Sunday, we received word that our church has a new pastor. Now comes the hard part. We're not in this alone--the battle is God's. We must persevere. *** Notable Quote: "Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is the antidote for our discouragement."--Alistair Begg