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Human Being or Human Doing?
I am a driven, motivated sort of guy. At times I have been called a “human doing” rather than a human being. That’s why passages like this one are a challenge to me. What’s the verb, the “action word,”…
Created over 2 years ago
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How Fruitful is Your Life?
California is known as the land of fruits and nuts. Where we lived in the Central Valley for 15 years, we experienced the agricultural variety. Every town is the capital of some form of produce and holds…
Created over 2 years ago
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Stay on the Line
How do we know if our desires line up with what pleases God? God’s Word is a great place to start. God will never direct you to do anything that contradicts any part of His Word. The more we know and…
Created over 2 years ago
2 Timothy 3:15 (NIV84), 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV84), 2 Timothy 3:17 (NIV84)
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God's Work Out
Christians debate whether God’s initiative or a person’s initiative causes them to be saved. It’s really two sides of the same coin. Philippians points out that we work (2:12) and God works (2:13). If…
Created over 2 years ago
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You Are Not In Charge
I am terrified of snow skiing. Terrified. I grew up in Kansas. There are no mountains in Kansas. So, it must be my parents’ fault, right? Here’s why I’m afraid of skiing: when I try to ski, I have to…
Created over 2 years ago
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What Race Are You Running?
As runners in a race, the author of Hebrews challenges us to look at the stories of other great runners (Hebrews 11). Their stories of hardship and sacrifice that ultimately led to victory are our inspiration.…
Created over 2 years ago
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Are You Refined?
A ladies Bible study was discussing Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” After much discussion, one lady proposed visiting a silversmith. She went and asked about the process…
Created over 2 years ago
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Jesus Faced What We Face
Three areas of temptation are common to everybody: pleasure, possessions, and prestige (1 John 2:16). The Bible refers to these as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1…
Created over 2 years ago
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Irony: Jesus' Parents Lost the Savior
Jesus’ earthly parents lost Him for three days (Luke 2:42-46). You wonder if the fact that Jesus is the Son of God was a comfort for them or an element of distress. I panic when I’ve lost one of my children…
Created over 2 years ago
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Power, Position and Privilege
The thought of God becoming a human being is really quite mindboggling. How does the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present and unchanging Creator of the Universe even fit into a human frame? It’s certainly…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 2:5 (NIV84), Philippians 2:6 (NIV84), Philippians 2:7 (NIV84)
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God and Status
In Ephesians 5, Paul directs us to submit to one another, then he offers some practical examples: marriage, family and work. Wives are told to submit to their husbands. Husbands are told to love their…
Created over 2 years ago
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Opposite World
Jesus taught many opposite principles. When His disciples quarreled over position in the Kingdom, Jesus would remind them: "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all"…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 2:8 (MSG), Philippians 2:9 (MSG), Philippians 2:10 (MSG), Philippians 2:11 (MSG)
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How Crabby Are You?
How do you keep crabs in a basket? You don’t need a lid. You just need two crabs. One will make sure the other doesn’t get out of the basket. Sometimes you and I act like crabs. Our human nature is prone…
Created over 2 years ago
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The Opposite of Pride
The admonitions here might give the impression that human beings, even believers, tend to be selfish, proud and self-absorbed. Left to my own devices, that’s exactly what I am. So, what’s the alternative?…
Created over 2 years ago
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Who Needs Encouragement?
“Every person you see is a person in need of encouragement.” Charles Swindoll Every single one of us has faults. There is no exception. And, every one of us who attempts to obey God and do some good…
Created over 2 years ago
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What Is God Up To?
There is nothing that has happened to you that God doesn’t know about. Now, before you start wondering why God doesn’t start doing something, let’s look at the story of Joseph. Jealous brothers faked…
Created over 2 years ago
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Heaven Is Not a Place on Earth
Do you catch Paul’s drift here? Pleasure and rest are in Heaven. Working for the benefit of others is a believer’s job on earth. Both are life-giving and good. Heaven is certainly not a place on earth.…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 1:20 (MSG), Philippians 1:21 (MSG), Philippians 1:22 (MSG), Philippians 1:23 (MSG), Philippians 1:24 (MSG)
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God Loves TV Preachers
Have you ever visited a church and wanted to walk right out as soon as you walked in? Or, have you ever started to listen to a TV preacher, then quickly grabbed the remote and moved on? It just wasn’t…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 1:15 (MSG), Philippians 1:16 (MSG), Philippians 1:17 (MSG), Philippians 1:18 (MSG), Philippians 1:19 (MSG)
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Will It Ever Settle Down?
What would you feel like if you were in Paul’s situation? You’ve completely given your life to Christ. You have left behind your former way of life. You have supported yourself and traveled from place…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 1:12 (MSG), Philippians 1:13 (MSG), Philippians 1:14 (MSG)
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Give Your Stuff Away
The idea of sacrifice is somewhat foreign to American culture in many ways. In the Bible, sacrifices were given to atone for sin or to offer praise to God. The sacrifice was usually an animal. It was…
Created over 2 years ago
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Integrity
Some might look at these proverbs and get the impression that people with integrity think they are better than everyone else. The reality is, people with integrity are better than those who lack it, but…
Created over 2 years ago
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Integrity
“The path of least resistance makes both men and rivers crooked.” I don’t remember who said that, but I do know its truth. Some might look at these proverbs and get the impression that people with integrity…
Created over 2 years ago
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Courage is Rare
Courage seems to be a rare, but much needed quality these days. We celebrate the courage of a pilot who carefully landed his ailing craft on the Hudson River. We honor the captain who willingly followed…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 2:28 (MSG), Philippians 2:29 (MSG), Philippians 2:30 (MSG)
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Competition
Men are competitive by nature. And, there is nothing wrong with goodhearted competition. Competition becomes a problem; however, when our wins determine our worth. If we are only as good as our last accomplishment,…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 2:25 (MSG), Philippians 2:26 (MSG), Philippians 2:27 (MSG)
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The Real Deal
How can you tell who is the “real deal”? It’s certainly easier to tell who’s not. Ever had a call from a long lost friend who has a tremendous business opportunity for you? It might seem that your potential…
Created over 2 years ago
Philippians 2:19 (ASV), Philippians 2:20 (ASV), Philippians 2:21 (ASV), Philippians 2:22 (ASV), Philippians 2:23 (ASV), Philippians 2:24 (ASV)
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