May 20
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution WHICH IS THE BETTER RENDERING?Well, if you think about it, Mark is the Gospel which says “Kingdon of God”, while Matthew says “Kingdom of Heaven.” Often, a king will have a son to be the next ruler of his kingdom, so if Jesus is God’s Son (1:11) and God is the magnate (kind of like a king only He’s God), then the rendering which includes ‘Son of God’ is correct. This title is echoed again through the lips of the Centurion who carried out his death (15:39). Even legions of demons acknowledged this (5:7). And like most princes… Read more » -
John-Stapleton added a text contribution AdulteryAdultery = When one cheats on their spouse. Adultery is the same as fornication but you’re married. One of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14) ESV. In the New Testament Jesus quoted this passage and then required more of us when he said, “that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful [desire] has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived said, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himsel… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution MoneyMany pastors claim that Jesus was rich. That’s a lie from the pit. Scripture tells us that he “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7) ESV. Rich people are considered a ‘somebody’ or at least have ‘something’. I can picture Jesus like this: A young man with Dark shoulder length hair, brown eyes, tall stature, and a callused body wrapped in tattered sheets. Well someone might ask, “What did Jesus say about the rich and poor?” Jesus says to a multitude, “No one can… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution One Man Against the WorldNot to long ago from when God invented humans, did humans slip into sin. The first sin was when Adam and his wife ate from the forbidden tree. The second recorded sin after that was when Cain killed his brother Abel. “When man began to multiply on the face of the land…the LORD saw that wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:1, 5) ESV. God finally got fed up and said, “My spirit shall not contend with… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution The TrinityHave you ever met somebody that seems to have multiple personalities? Well God is like that a bit. There is something called the God-Head or the Trinity. The God-Head is made up of: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. God and Jesus are partners. Like a Father and son relationship. The bible says in John 1:1-2 that, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” Those verses tell us that Go… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Help the NeedyHELPING THE POOR AND NEEDY IS VERY ESSENTIAL IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK WITH GOD. INFACT, IT EVEN HAS IN GOD DETERMININING WERE OUR ETERNAL HOME WILL BE: HEAVEN OR HELL. "When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. "Then the Kin… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Unrelenting SinnersWell then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Romans 6:1, 2 Oh how relevant this passage is in today’s world! There are a lot of hypocrites in the church that think that all they need to do is believe in God and yet still commit all this sin. Paul continues: Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? Fo… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Jewish People“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you’ ” – (Zechariah 8:23). My love and appreciation for the Jewish people is great. Some of you may ask me, ‘John, how come? They’re only Jesus killers!’ I’ll tell you skeptics why: Because originally, God handpicked them to be “a nation that is holy” (Deut… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution The Transformed ChristianWhen you are a true Christian, you will live differently than most people. Flip in your bibles to Romans Chapter 12:2. In other words this verse is saying, don’t copy the evil wicked behavior of the people who aren’t Christians or people who claim to follow Christ but still live like an unsaved sinner. When you are a Christian you’ll take a stand against: gay people, illicit sex, drugs, peer pressure, etc. When you are a true Christian, you won’t fit in much. Turn in the bible to Luke 6:26.… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Judas IscariotA MESSAGE POINTING OUT THE BIBLICAL ERRORS IN THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve followers, true enough, but the only reason that Jesus handpicked him was to hand him over to his antagonists. The name Judas means “traitor,” and his other name Iscariot means “murderer”. The name Judas is the Greek name for Judah which has a totally different meaning. Judah means ‘The praise of the LORD, or Confession.” Judas was a Jew, so why did he have a Greek name? Easy, his name describ… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution DeathBesides speaking publicly, death is the greatest fear. What does death mean? Basically it’s when your spirit departs from your body. But in the book of Revelation, the Bible speaks of a second death. The second death is when your spirit which being departed from your corpse, is now separated from God’s presence. Since God dwells in heaven, the second death then takes place in Hell. Hell is a place that, “burns with fire and brimstone.” (Revelation 21:8) NKJV. Brimstone is the same as sulfur, whi… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Compromise is Not Always GoodStop it! Stop straddling the fence! What’s the matter with you? You’re much better than that! As a Christian, compromise is one of the worst things you can do, because what it really is, is you’re trading in you’re God-inspired life for something that is watered down, and doesn’t help people to much. Outsider – that is to say, those who aren’t Christians scrutinize our lives, and everytime we trip and do something wrong, they are often standing right there saying, ‘Aha! You’re really not the Chr… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution The Bible is a Book of TruthThe Bible is not just any book. It’s not just a book to swear on (which you shouldn’t do anyway). It’s not just a book to say, ‘Oh, that’s a good book,’ or ‘Oh, that’s a nice story,’ and then shrug your shoulders, and turn the other way. The truth of the matter is that you are to live your life by it. But someone might say, ‘Why should I base my life on this book? Shouldn’t I think what I want to think, instead of this book defining who I am?’ The answer to every question above is ‘no.’ First,… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Focus on the Final WorkIn order to fully appreciate God, you must look at the people you know that live bad lives, (or once lived bad lives) and see how God will change them (or once changed them). It all goes back to what Jesus said about judging others (Matthew 7:1). Do not write someone off now because of what they’ve done or what they’ve experienced. Remember, some sins were forced on people. Yes, do bring a soft correction, but after that, your job is to love that person and keep that person up before God in pr… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Truly Loving Your NeighborWhat does it mean to love your neighbor? Well, maybe if they need a quart of sugar, you’ll lend it to them. But what does it mean? Maybe you love them by being courteous and keeping your music down. All of this actually are ways to show love. But I would say that the ultimate way to show your love for them is to witness to them – that is to tell them about Jesus and his mighty sacrifice on the cross. A great example of loving your neighbor is the story of the Good Samaritan (found in Luke 10:30-… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution GovernmentHere in America, government and church are separated. Why is that?! It was never supposed to be like this. In the Old Testament, when a country would mobilize for battle, the leader would ask God if they should fight, and if God said “yes” then it would be a sign that they would win the battle. “Don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.” Proverbs 24:6. Those advisers need to have the spirit of God and the sense of wisdom in them. “From Artaxerxes, the king… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution PrayerALL OF THIS BIBLE PASSAGE WAS JESUS’ WORDS. THERE ARE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE LORD’S PRAYER. THE FIRST THAT SAYS, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”, IS THE PART OF THE PRAYER THAT YOU HONOR GOD. THE SECOND PART OF THE PRAYER IS THE PART THAT SAYS, “Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins ,as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution Do Animals Go to Heaven? | 1 Corinthians 15:39, 44I have a friend who once had a pet rabbit named Oreo. She was with him a portion of his childhood, but later she died. My friend has been grieved about it ever since. So one day I tried to assure him that he would see her again in heaven. He dared me to prove it, and I did. When Paul talks about the resurrection, he gets very detailed in his point. One thing he said was this: “All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of bird… Read more »
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John-Stapleton added a text contribution “Can That Faith Save Him?” | James 2:14-26Is faith alone saving really people? Many people in the Protestant Church believe that faith alone saves; this because many pastors and teachers have taught this theory. People attempt to support this theory with scriptures about believing in Jesus Christ and they seem to just run with that alone, but it’s wrong. Anytime a “half-truth” is told, it’s really a lie. And unfortunately, many Christians who’ve believed this, along with the pastors and church leaders who’ve taught it will be condemned… Read more »