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May 19

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  justindean added a text contribution Grace makes us equal

  "who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:" That is an amazing statement. So many of today's religions require years of hard work and discipline in order to become of "equal standing" with the religious leaders. Following Christ is much different. Our right standing comes from Christ's right doing, not our own. That is Grace, and it is a beautiful thing! We are now the righteousness of God in… Read more »

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Oct 6

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  justindean added a text contribution oops, I killed God

  There are some things in these verses that are absolutely amazing! One, after Jesus died, there was an earthquake. Two, the curtain in the temple that separated the holy of holies was ripped in two. Third, Dead Christians were actually resurrected! Fourth, the guys guarding Jesus, believed that He was the Son of God. Four absolutely amazing things in just four verses. Read more »

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Sep 20

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  justindean added a text contribution Leader vs Manager

  I believe this is a huge difference between a leader and a manager. Pilate was a manager. He let the people determine his decision. He knew what was right but chose to go along with the people so that a "riot" would not break out. He chose comfort over the truth. If you want to be a leader you have got to be able to make the tough calls and have people hate you. If you can't, your not fit to lead! Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Just Shut UP!!!!!

  This is got to be one of the hardest principles to live out! When you are unfairly persecuted, lied about, and accused... Just Shut Up! What, No, Im gonna defend myself. I'm gonna fight for my rights! I'm gonna tell them where they can stick it! There is a time for that. But many times we should just SHUT UP and let God work things out. Why don't you shut up and let God work it out in your life. Let His will be done instead of fighting for yours. Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution The Death Penalty

  I am challenging some long held beliefs in my life. Beliefs that have been based on my culture and not the word of God. The Death Penalty is one of them. I have heard it said many times, "The Death Penalty saves lives." Meaning that it scares people so much that they won't do things that could put them on Death Row. I am challenging that belief. Jesus was an innocent man on Death Row. Nowhere in the New Testament is there anything that could back up the use of the Death Pena… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Church People2

  Very few people are as vitriolic as religious people who no longer have a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ. They are law givers and law followers. They spit in Jesus face and punched Him in the mouth for blasphemy and they will do the same to anyone else. You see this today in church leaders badmouthing other church leaders in order to make themselves look better. You see it in church members judging new people that come into their church like they need to step up to their standard be… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Church People

  Very few people are as vitriolic as religious people who no longer have a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ. They are law givers and law followers. They spit in Jesus face and punched Him in the mouth for blasphemy and they will do the same to anyone else. You see this today in church leaders badmouthing other church leaders in order to make themselves look better. You see it in church members judging new people that come into their church like they need to step up to their standard be… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Church People

  I find it interesting that the people who orchestrated the arrest and "trial" of Jesus were the religious leaders of the day. They were so busy wanting to disprove His authenticity that they were more than willing to completely overlook the obvious truth of His message. Not just overlook but seek out liars in order to get the outcome that they desire. This really goes to show us the depth that people will go to in order to keep their life comfortable. I have found that we love chan… Read more »

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Sep 17

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  justindean added a text contribution Cocked and Ready!

  I think that we can usually find ourself or a version of ourself in any story. In this story, I think that I probably would have been Peter. Using my earthly power to try to accomplish God's heavenly will. Peter does consult Jesus, he just whips out his sword and slashed a dude's ear off, assuming that Jesus needs his help. Yeah, I do that. Pull out my earthly weapons, walk around cocked and ready, and try to take care of God's business by myself. Doing stuff is good. Being… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Sleep Praying

  I hope you can hear the spiritual alarm clock ringing! Jesus wants us to stop sleeping and start praying, listening, believing, and doing! Yes, we are justified by faith and through faith but faith is action! What have you been "sleep praying" about? A friend, a ministry, an idea? Why don't you put some passion with that prayer and actually do something to see if it is from God! Take the friend to lunch and bring up some spiritual stuff. Talk to some people about your joini… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Betrayed with a kiss..

  The Judas Kiss. Jesus was betrayed by one of His closest friends and followers, with a kiss. Not a punch to the throat, or a kick to the balls, but a kiss. That's usually how it goes, isn't it? A person close to us usually hurts us the worse. Wolves are scary, but we can see them, and stay away. Wolves in sheep's clothing are the most dangerous. They can act like a friend, get in close, and then give the kiss of death. People will betray us. Loved ones will hurt us. But… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Betrayed with a kiss..

  The Judas Kiss. Jesus was betrayed by one of His closest friends and followers, with a kiss. Not a punch to the throat, or a kick to the balls, but a kiss. That's usually how it goes, isn't it? A person close to us usually hurts us the worse. Wolves are scary, but we can see them, and stay away. Wolves in sheep's clothing are the most dangerous. They can act like a friend, get in close, and then give the kiss of death. People will betray us. Loved ones will hurt us. But… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution I don't really want to....

  Even Jesus had a moment of fear. He knew what He was supposed to do, but had a moment where He cried out to God to "let this cup pass from me" in other words, Father if there is any other way than this, please lets do it that way!" But then of course, Jesus finished with, "Not my will but your will be done!" God will ask us to do things that are HARD! He will ask us to do things that we don't want to do! It is okay to tell God that we don't want to do the… Read more »

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May 27

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  justindean added a text contribution Two parts of you.

  Have you ever noticed that their are at least two parts to you? One part that is eager for God and loves to serve Him and another part that is lazy, prideful, jealous, and desires to do what you shouldn't do. Jesus is showing us here that everyone has those two sides to them and we can overcome the negative side by staying alert and being in prayer. Are you alert today? Are you spending time in prayer? Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Are you Ballsy enough?

  I think one of the worst things that has happened to Christianity in the last 2000 years has been to degrade it down to being a safe, nice person. In this story, Jesus blasts the dude who just played it safe. Doesn't that shake you a little bit? Jesus wants you to take risks. He wants you to use the gifts and talents that He has given you and multiply them for maximum kingdom impact. That doesn't happen by accident. It takes intentional, Ballsy, risk taking to go out on a limb an… Read more »

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May 20

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  justindean added a text contribution The bottom up leader

  So many people want to sit at the top of an organization. They want to be the star player, the boss, the leader. Jesus has taught all of us a very important principle here. If we want to be the top, we must serve from the bottom. If you want to be important, then you need to serve more people. In God's kingdom He doesn't reward based on talent or prestige, he rewards based on service. Are you serving others? What is stopping you? Serve someone for no reason today and see how yo… Read more »

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May 15

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  justindean added a text contribution Special Agent Man

  Paul described himself as a special agent of Jesus. What are you? Hopefully your not an "undercover" agent. I think that I might be a demolition expert for Jesus because I sometimes think its my Job to blow up all of the pre-conceived ideas of Jesus and the lameness of Church. I also kind of enjoy watching the explosions and the Shock and Awe that come afterwards. So I ask you again, Who are you? What role do you play in Gods kingdom? Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Context, doubt, and unbelief

  Context is so important. The words of Jesus here are awesome but we need to read them in their proper context. The religious leaders had one goal in mind with their questions. They wanted to bust Him out. They were coming from the stance of unbelief, not just doubt. Doubt is an intellectual issue that is looking for an answer. Unbelief is a moral issue that no answer will solve. After the onslaught of religious questions Jesus gives the perfect example of the simple life of Christ. If yo… Read more »

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May 13

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  justindean added a text contribution Crooks and Whores

  Whoa Jesus! He just told the priests and religious people that crooks and whores would get to heaven before they did. Think about that. What does that say about Jesus? Who did he care about most? Does he care about outward appearances? Does He care about social status or popularity? Does He care about religious rituals? Jesus is more worried about your heart that your outward appearance. So is your heart religious or broken and available for Him? Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution The kingdom Life

  Jesus said, If we embrace the Kingdom Life and don't doubt God we will do miracles on this earth. Faith in Jesus Christ is a powerful thing. How is your faith? Is it powerful or is it struggling? It's okay to struggle, Thomas struggled with his faith after Jesus was killed. But seasons of doubt shouldn't cloud our life of faith. Let the sun coming bursting in. Let your faith in Christ step up! Believe His word and watch Him answer your prayers and bless you beyond your wil… Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Flippin' tables

  Jesus was passionate! He was not a stoic religious person. He flipped his lid and flipped tables in the temple. I would have loved to be there to see this. I wonder what His disciples thought when they watched Him do this. What do you think was going through His mind while this was happening? Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution A thin line between love and hate

  On this day in history, Jesus rides a humble donkey through the streets of Jerusalem. The crowds chant His praises. "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" They believe that the chosen one is among them. The scary thing is, less than a week later these same people are chanting a different mantra. This time they are screaming "Crucify him, Crucify him!" to the highest heavens. The same people who praised him, killed him. This is another reason why we should put all of our trus… Read more »

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May 8

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  justindean added a text contribution size matters

  god is huge! But sometimes we can miss him if we are only looking for something big. in this story Elijah found god in a still small voice. So, god is huge, but he is also small, personal, and wants to speak to you personally. Are you looking for god in stillness and smallness as well as the big stuff? Read more »

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  justindean added a text contribution Kick pride in the teeth

  One of the greatest things about Jesus was that He was Authentic. He was always the same. He didn't act one way in front of others then another when he was alone. He knew who He was and what He was called to do. He didn't let His power and authority get to His head. Are you living an authentic life? Are you serving others? One of the best ways to kick your pride in the teeth is to serve in an area where you wont be rewarded. Try it! Give some of you life away today. Go pick… Read more »

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May 7

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  justindean added a text contribution How to get to heaven.

  We are made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus was teaching here that "no good thing" could cleanse us from our sins. We can never earn God's approval. Are you following the rules trying to earn Gods approval? Give it up, lean on Jesus christ, and with Him all things are possible. Knowing that Jesus is the way to eternal life should cause you to love him more and more everyday. Read more »

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