Aug 21
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samuels added a text contribution Be on alert!Just reading in Mark at the end of Jesus' life, my focus was drawn to Peter. A man with a good heart, with an undeniable devotion to Jesus. But he fell asleep when Jesus asked him to "keep watch" (Mark 14:38-42). And even before that as Jesus sat with the twelve at the last supper, Peter said he would never betray Jesus. Even after Jesus said Peter would deny Him 3x before the rooster crows, Peter said "even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you." (Mark 14:29… Read more »
May 3
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Interesting how Paul's ministry speaks on suffering (2 Cor. 6:4, 11:23-27) for Christ and it seems that this is the introduction from God. Read more »
Apr 30
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samuels added a text contribution Stephan the StrongReading this chapter makes you wonder if Stephan knew he was going to die and just put it all out on the table? He preached a cutting and convicting word, so much so that it cut quick to their heart and infuriated them. But what a picture of a man being controlled by the spirit of God when he says in vs. 60 "Lord do not hold this sin against them". Very similar to Jesus in Luke 23:34 when He says "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing". Wow, here is a… Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Deal quickly with evil deeds!I find it interesting that evil deeds should be dealt with quickly because if not it could effect the hearts of those around the person doing the deed to do evil themselves. Just an interesting thought on leadership and dealing with people. Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Wisdom gives you a different look!" A man's wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam". The word "wisdom" in the original Hebrew means "to have skillful knowledge of, exceeding, teach wisdom". So a man who is able to skillfully teach the knowledge of wisdom changes his appearance to that of one who's face beams. The knowledge of God's word changes how you look! That is inspiring! Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Every Man!EVERY man was to give as he is able, according to the blessing the Lord had given him. In vs. 16 is states that no man shall appear empty handed. This was during the Feast of Booths, Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Weeks. A feast is a gathering of people, so the men where to bring their gifts to the body and give according to what God had blessed them with. Interesting thought if you put that into perspective of the local church. What if every man gave to the body according to what God has gi… Read more »
Apr 29
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samuels added a text contribution Obey God rather than man!They were ordered not to teach in Jesus' name! Like they would be able to do that... teach about Jesus without referring to him. I love Peter's response. " I would rather obey God, than to obey man". I believe they are referring to the Great Commission that Jesus gave them. Jesus told them to Go, Make Disciples, Teaching them.... So how can they directly disobey what Jesus told them to do, just because of a little persecusion? Read more »
Apr 28
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samuels added a text contribution You're fascninatingHere are Peter and John being accused of healing someone. They are so full of zeal and confident in what they are saying and their passion is so evident. Because of that, the Pharisees couldn't take their eyes off them and the were fascinated that these men knew so much and were only laymen! Just goes to show you... as you get the word of God in you and the passion comes out of you, you will fascinate people. Read more »
Apr 27
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samuels added a text contribution Committed ThemselvesI love this, after they changed their lives, repented and were baptized. They committed themselves to the teaching of the Apostles, prayer and fellowship with their brothers. "Committed" This turns into a character trait. One you don't see a whole lot of these days. Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Buck Naked!Just another reminder of how God does not care about what we have. Whether it's money, clothes, what kind of house or care we drive, He doesn't care! I know that it's easier said than done, but why should we care? I am in the middle of some issues with a house we own and we my loose it. Just the thought of loosing my home was keeping me up at night. I found myself worrying about a house... a house! God convicted me about that. We come into this world naked and we leave naked. We c… Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Listen and learnI like what the Message says here. "Watch your step when you enter God’s house. Enter to learn. That’s far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice,Doing more harm than good." Enter to learn! How many times does this happen? Do people actually enter church to learn? We walk into church Sunday after Sunday and Wednesday after Wednesday, but what mindless sacrifice are we offering to God? Let's go in to listen and learn! Read more »
Apr 25
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samuels added a text contribution Bless You!After Thomas touched Jesus and believed it was Him, Jesus said you have seen me and been with me. But blessed be the ones who believe that have never seen me. So bless you! Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Let's go home?After 3 days of Jesus being dead, they hear the tomb is empty, they run to see that it is so and then they return to their own homes? Even though it says in the verse before that they did not know scripture, wouldn't you think they would at least searched? This just goes to show you, the disciples were human, making human decisions. Read more »
Apr 24
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samuels added a text contribution Man PleaserPilate saw no wrong in Jesus and actually wanted to let Him go. But instead, pilate was afraid of what people would do to him. Serving to please man will get you nowhere quick. Read more »
Apr 23
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samuels added a text contribution True DisciplesVerse 1-5 is a powerful prayer of Him saying His work here is done and He also knew that by the reflection of Jesus in His disciples. He gave the words to the disciples as God gave them to Him and the disciples received ti. Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution What Profit?You can labor and labor, but what does that truly profit? I can't make myself happy! There is nothing I can do, or attain that will satisfy me, truly. Read more »
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Fear God, follow His commands and don't stray from it. That would be good for you and your children. Read more »
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Before the law was laid down God reminded them that who He was and what He had done for them. I would venture to say that while the Israelites were in Egypt, they went through the motions of a relationship with God without the relationship. And even through everything God did, He still had to remind them of who He was. Read more »
Apr 21
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samuels added a text contribution Please take a bath!People who are pure in their own eyes, but desperately need to take a bath and get cleansed from their pride. Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Missed outI read the story of the Israel being delivered from Egypt and led through the Red Sea, taking their direction from a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night, the shoes on their feet and the clothes on their back never wore out and the list can go on, and in the end missed out. After God proved himself again and again, their hearts were not turned toward Him. After going through all of that, God doesn't give you what He promised you and you miss out because of the nature of your… Read more »
Apr 18
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Thank God this isn't my wife, but I just found this amusing especially vs. 16. Read more »
Apr 17
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samuels added a text contribution City of RefugeI find it interesting that the Israelites had cities of refuge that people could flee to when they "accidentally" killed someone. And they list out what is an accident compared to the opposite. Nothing profound, just historically fascinating. Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Mmmmm... Vomit!I hate throwing up with a passion! The aftertaste is what get me. I know it's gross, but so is this analogy. It shows us how gross it is by repeating our folly. Why would you eat you own vomit? You would never look at it and want to partake. We need to look at our sin in the same light. Why would we partake in something over and over? Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Help me abideIf I abide (wait, endure, bear patiently, to accept without rejection, to remain stable, to continue in one place) in His word I am His disciple and I will know (intimately) the truth and that truth that I know intimately that I abided in will set me free. God help me abide! Read more »
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samuels added a text contribution Light of the WorldWhat a great promise of a practical command. If you follow Jesus, you won't walk in darkness. Oh how my definition of "follow" has come into focus. Read more »