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Praise and Prayer
Stunningly beautiful, so carefully constructed - a psalm of glorious praise. Verses 1-6 are an anthem of praise for creation - 'all heaven declares....'. You can almost hear the joyous laughter of the…
Created 2 days ago
Psalm 19:1 (NIV), Psalm 19:2 (NIV), Psalm 19:3 (NIV), Psalm 19:4 (NIV), Psalm 19:5 (NIV), Psalm 19:6 (NIV), Psalm 19:7 (NIV), Psalm 19:8 (NIV), Psalm 19:9 (NIV), Psalm 19:10 (NIV), Psalm 19:11 (NIV), Psalm 19:12 (NIV), Psalm 19:13 (NIV), Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
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Son and Spirit
Luke's record of the acts of the apostles begins with the act of God, in pouring His Holy Spirit out on the disciples at Pentecost. He quotes Peter's impassioned words to the crowd, proclaiming that…
Created 4 days ago
Luke 3:21 (NIV), Luke 3:22 (NIV), Luke 4:1 (NIV), Luke 4:14 (NIV), John 16:13 (NIV), Acts 1:8 (NIV), Acts 2:33 (NIV), Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
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Pentecost - new law, new harvest
Pentecost - the Jewish 'festival of weeks' commemorates two great events. First, the time God gave the people of Israel the law through Moses on Mount Sinai. And second, the culmination of the seven weeks…
Created 6 days ago
Joel 2:28 (NIV), Acts 2:1 (NIV), Acts 2:2 (NIV), Acts 2:3 (NIV), Acts 2:4 (NIV)
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How to choose a leader
In the selection of the apostle to replace Judas iscariot, Peter models the servant leadership he learnt from Jesus. He could have exercised autocratic leadership, and simply appointed the person he…
Created 7 days ago
Acts 1:15 (NIV), Acts 1:16 (NIV), Acts 1:17 (NIV), Acts 1:18 (NIV), Acts 1:19 (NIV), Acts 1:20 (NIV), Acts 1:21 (NIV), Acts 1:22 (NIV), Acts 1:23 (NIV), Acts 1:24 (NIV), Acts 1:25 (NIV), Acts 1:26 (NIV)
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Don't go home
Why did Jesus command His disciples to stay in Jerusalem? Not because there was any danger of them running ahead with their mission of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth! No, exactly the opposite!…
Created 8 days ago
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Radical Perspectives
In the days following His ressurrection, Jesus prepares His disciples for three radical shifts in perspective. 1. From the kingdom of Israel to the kingdom of God. They still expect the restoration…
Created 8 days ago
Acts 1:1 (NIV), Acts 1:2 (NIV), Acts 1:3 (NIV), Acts 1:4 (NIV), Acts 1:5 (NIV), Acts 1:6 (NIV), Acts 1:7 (NIV), Acts 1:8 (NIV), Acts 1:9 (NIV)
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Book of Jashar
The book of Jasher (or Jashar, or Book of the Just) was probably a national sacred song book, of poetry recording great events. It's mentioned twice in the Old Testament - when Joshua battles with the…
Created 10 days ago
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Public renewal
Several pivotal occasions in the history of God's people are linked to the public reading of the Law, with a reminder of the inevitable consequences of obedience and disobedience. For example, 1. The…
Created 11 days ago
Exodus 24:3 (NIV), Deuteronomy 27:1 (NIV), Joshua 8:34 (NIV), 2 Kings 23:1 (NIV), 2 Kings 23:2 (NIV), 2 Kings 23:3 (NIV), Nehemiah 8:1 (NIV), Nehemiah 8:2 (NIV), Nehemiah 8:3 (NIV)
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Sober story of sin
A sober and hideous story of the serious consequences of sin. Several lessons for us 1. Sin spoils - sin spreads Achan (and his family - they must have known about it) has sinned. God says "Israel…
Created 14 days ago
Joshua 6:18 (NIV), Joshua 7:11 (NIV), Joshua 7:12 (NIV), Joshua 7:13 (NIV), Joshua 7:19 (NIV), Joshua 7:20 (NIV), Joshua 7:24 (NIV), Joshua 7:25 (NIV), Joshua 7:26 (NIV), Luke 19:8 (NIV)
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Dynamic Discipleship
These two simple verses illustrate clearly the dynamic dual forces of discipleship. Christ calls us, and we are drawn to him - centripetally. Yet He calls us in order to send us out - centrifugally.…
Created 16 days ago
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Triumph and despair
A psalm of triumph, written by David when God rescued him "from the hand of Saul", as the introduction to 2 Samuel 22 describes it. Interestingly, these last few chapters of Samuel provide a collection…
Created 16 days ago
2 Samuel 22:1 (NIV), Psalm 18:37 (NIV), Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
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Worry, Wealth & Want
Four scenarios. In two, the seeds of faith die, or never even had a chance to germinate. Dead from the start, or soon to turn to dust, when faced with opposition of any kind. But also consider the latter…
Created 19 days ago
Mark 4:13 (NIV), Mark 4:14 (NIV), Mark 4:15 (NIV), Mark 4:16 (NIV), Mark 4:17 (NIV), Mark 4:18 (NIV), Mark 4:19 (NIV), Mark 4:20 (NIV)
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Power of Parable
Let me take you a steep terraced hillside in the mountains of west Nepal. It's March, and a pair of tiny black bullocks pull a roughly hewn plough, its metal tip biting into the rocky light brown earth,…
Created 20 days ago
Mark 4:1 (NIV), Mark 4:2 (NIV), Mark 4:3 (NIV), Mark 4:4 (NIV), Mark 4:5 (NIV), Mark 4:6 (NIV), Mark 4:7 (NIV), Mark 4:8 (NIV), Mark 4:9 (NIV)
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Passive & Active; Patient & Agent
Four words - just four syllables - with two remarkable and powerful meanings. First, with the emphasis on 'Your Will' - the willingness to submit, to put our wishes and desires in submission to God's…
Created 22 days ago
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Timeless promises
God's promises are truly timeless. Take Abraham as an example. Over a period of 25 years, God's initial promise to Abraham subsequently becomes a contract and finally is renewed with the sign of circumcision.…
Created 23 days ago
Genesis 12:1 (NIV), Genesis 12:2 (NIV), Genesis 12:3 (NIV), Genesis 15:7 (NIV), Genesis 15:18 (NIV), Genesis 17:8 (NIV), Hebrews 6:15 (NIV)
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Perseverance in doing good
Romans 2:7 (NIV)
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance
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Perseverance and testing
James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance
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Perseverance and conviction
Hebrews 3:14 (NIV)
We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance
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Perseverance and self control
2 Peter 1:6 (NIV)
and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance
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Perseverance and suffering
Romans 5:3 (NIV)
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance suffering
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Perseverance and doctrine
1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance
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Testing and perseverance
James 1:3 (NIV)
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance
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Perseverance and love
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Created 23 days ago
Labels: perseverance
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Rock and Rescue
Such beautiful imagery of God's powerful protection. My place of safety - my rock, refuge and stronghold; my saviour and rescuer. But as I read it, also some disquiet in my soul. Is this a caricature…
Created 23 days ago
Psalm 18:1 (NIV), Psalm 18:2 (NIV), Psalm 18:3 (NIV), Psalm 18:4 (NIV), Psalm 18:5 (NIV), Psalm 18:6 (NIV), Psalm 18:7 (NIV), Psalm 18:8 (NIV), Psalm 18:9 (NIV), Psalm 18:10 (NIV), Psalm 18:11 (NIV), Psalm 18:12 (NIV), Psalm 18:13 (NIV), Psalm 18:14 (NIV), Psalm 18:15 (NIV), Psalm 18:16 (NIV), Psalm 18:17 (NIV), Psalm 18:18 (NIV), Psalm 18:19 (NIV), Psalm 18:20 (NIV), Psalm 18:21 (NIV), Psalm 18:22 (NIV), Psalm 18:23 (NIV), Psalm 18:24 (NIV), Psalm 18:25 (NIV), Psalm 18:26 (NIV), Psalm 18:27 (NIV), Psalm 18:28 (NIV), Psalm 18:29 (NIV), Psalm 51:1 (NIV)
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Old, changed and new!
The new covenant is not all new! Some aspects are unchanging from old to new. As permanent and consistent as God Himself. "I will be their God, and they will be my people". Some aspects are modified.…
Created about 1 month ago
Jeremiah 31:31 (NIV), Hebrews 8:7 (NIV), Hebrews 8:8 (NIV), Hebrews 8:9 (NIV), Hebrews 8:10 (NIV), Hebrews 8:11 (NIV), Hebrews 8:12 (NIV), Hebrews 8:13 (NIV)
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Righteousness and Peace (3)
Hebrews 7:2 (NIV)
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."Created about 1 month ago
Labels: peace righteousness
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Righteousness and Peace (2)
Psalm 85:10 (NIV)
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.Created about 1 month ago
Labels: peace righteousness
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Earned a Badge — Created Your First Bookmark
2012-05-02
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Righteousness and Peace (1)
Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.Created about 1 month ago
Labels: peace righteousness
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King of RaP? Melchizedek
Melchizedek - King of Righteousness first, King of Peace second. Righteousness and Peace. Always in that order. For a very good reason. Why? Because righteousness is a prerequisite for peace. Real…
Created about 1 month ago
Psalm 85:10 (NIV), Isaiah 32:17 (NIV), Hebrews 7:2 (NIV), James 3:18 (NIV)
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Once. For. All
"Once and for all" - there is a wonderful all encompassing finality and universality in these words! Conclusively, permanently, absolutely, incontrovertibly, certainly, undeniably, convincingly, indisputably;…
Created about 1 month ago
Hebrews 7:27 (NIV), Hebrews 9:12 (NIV), Hebrews 9:26 (NIV), Hebrews 10:10 (NIV)
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A binding contract
The contract God made with Abram (Genesis 15 7-16) was sealed in a truly extraordinary way. Contracts in these times were sealed by the two parties walking together between the two halves of an animal.…
Created about 1 month ago
Genesis 15:7 (NIV), Genesis 15:10 (NIV), Genesis 15:17 (NIV), Hebrews 6:16 (NIV)
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Blameless body parts!
What does it take to live in God's presence? Power, influence and wealth carry no weight. Mountain top real estate can't be bought. Tickets for the inner circle are not on sale. No, proximity to God…
Created about 1 month ago
Psalm 15:1 (NIV), Psalm 15:2 (NIV), Psalm 15:3 (NIV), Psalm 15:4 (NIV), Psalm 15:5 (NIV), Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
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Reluctant repentance!
If a new testament parable, this would surely be headed 'reluctant repentance'! A warning concerning habitual sin. Lot - and his family - demonstrate 3 classic responses of those who, when challenged…
Created about 1 month ago
Genesis 19:15 (NIV), Genesis 19:16 (NIV), Genesis 19:17 (NIV), Genesis 19:18 (NIV), Genesis 19:19 (NIV), Genesis 19:20 (NIV), Genesis 19:21 (NIV), Genesis 19:22 (NIV), Genesis 19:23 (NIV), Genesis 19:24 (NIV), Genesis 19:25 (NIV), Genesis 19:26 (NIV)
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'Do Justice'
I love that simple phrase, 'do justice'! The modern world exhorts us to adopt the 'habits of highly effective people', our pastors encourage us with sermons on the 'daily walk of prayer', we read books…
Created about 1 month ago
Micah 6:8 (NIV), Luke 6:27 (NIV), Luke 6:28 (NIV), Luke 6:29 (NIV), Luke 6:30 (NIV), Luke 6:31 (NIV)
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How big was Sodom?
How big was Sodom? How large was Gomorrah? In my childish imagination Sodom and Gomorrah are large bustling cities of the Dead Sea Valley. I see busy markets filled with market traders, travellers and…
Created about 1 month ago
Genesis 18:16 (NIV), Genesis 18:17 (NIV), Genesis 18:18 (NIV), Genesis 18:19 (NIV), Genesis 18:20 (NIV), Genesis 18:21 (NIV), Genesis 18:22 (NIV), Genesis 18:23 (NIV), Genesis 18:24 (NIV), Genesis 18:25 (NIV), Genesis 18:26 (NIV), Genesis 18:27 (NIV), Genesis 18:28 (NIV), Genesis 18:29 (NIV), Genesis 18:30 (NIV), Genesis 18:31 (NIV), Genesis 18:32 (NIV), Genesis 18:33 (NIV)
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Who was...Joseph of Arimathea?
Several people of the first Easter are mentioned but once in scripture. Sometimes anonymous and otherwise unknown, they step into history for a brief moment, yet are remembered for millennia. Consider…
Created about 1 month ago
Matthew 27:57 (NIV), Mark 15:43 (NIV), Luke 23:50 (NIV), John 19:38 (NIV)
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Earned a Badge — Created 10 Highlights
2012-04-06
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Earned a Badge — Subscribed to First Reading Plan
2011-02-22
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Earned a Badge — Created 10 [Public] Notes
2011-02-20
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Earned a Badge — Created First [Public] Note
2011-01-22
Ian Smith
- ranisheba
- Cessy
- simply-shabda.blogspot.fr/
- Reflections of an English, son, husband, father, doctor, U2 loving, Nepali speaking, missionary, Jesus following, ever so grateful, Christian.
