“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 July 24, 2023 People persecuted are to be envied. Does that not sound strange? But that is what Jesus is saying in this beatitude. It challenges contemporary errors in the church: that Christianity delivers from suffering, that […]
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 July 21, 2023 In the conflict with evil and those who are our enemies we must be on our guard as kingdom citizens. The danger is one of sliding into an unholy hatred of those who are against
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44 July 20, 2023 The Old Testament does not say to hate your enemies, but supposed religious scholars had found a way to
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“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 July 19, 2023 First, the story. Jesus told a parable, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, which reveals how humility shows up in life situations (Luke 14:7-11). Invitations were sent to attend a wedding feast. There
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“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 July 18, 2023 A standing bit of humor was an imagined book entitled, My humility and how I attained it with life size pictures. Of course, such a thought reeks with vanity and is the opposite of humility. We
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 July 17, 2023 Does it cost anything to receive eternal life? No! There is no charge for the salvation that
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“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5.6 July 14, 2023 Sleep can be a wonderful experience. It refreshes the body, gives the brain some time off, and makes it possible to be alert during waking hours. However, sleep can be a dangerous
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2 July 13, 2023 Our nation is in a time of great moral, social, and political turmoil. So much so that many are asking are we nearing the end of the world. Though
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“Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.” Leviticus 26:4“The Lord will make the rain of your land powder. From heaven dust shall come down on you until you are destroyed.” Deuteronomy 28:24 July 12, 2023
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“Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew?” Job 38:28 July 11, 2023 When Job wanted a hearing with God about the “why” of his suffering, He got an answer. God confronted Job with questions he could not answer. One of them was the weather, namely, who is in control
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