All the Why's Behind Philippians 4:8-9

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking- 2nd Peter 3:1 NIV It’s way above my paygrade. Nevertheless, sometimes I wonder about the “why” of some of God’s commands. Most of the “why’s” are easy. Thou shalt not murder is self-explanatory (Exodus 20).  But what about our thoughts?  God takes a clear…

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Becoming Contented with Spiritual Mediocrity and other Problems with Christian"Scoffers"-

In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit- Jude 18-19 NASB My bestie calls the late 1980’s to the early 2000’s the “this present weirdness” phase of contemporary Christianity.  It’s more than just a snarky jab at a set of books that were hugely popular for decades. The late 1980’s…

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Will the Real Jesus Please Stand up?

Even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! Galatians 1:8-9 NASB  I wasn’t raised in church but I was raised in America, so, growing-up I saw a lot of paintings of Jesus. In…

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What do the End Times have to do our Culture's Tendency to "Get Offended"?

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle- Proverbs 18:19 The term “easter egg” is an expression that refers to a clue, detail or reference hidden in a movie, video game or other media. Easter eggs are designed to enrich the viewing experience and give viewers hints concerning future projects the studio is working on.  The term was…

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The Top Five Life-Giving, Soul-Impacting Yeses-

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ- 2nd Corinthians 1:20 There is a teeny-tiny little word that does not get nearly enough credit for all the good it can do.  Yes.  I still remember the expectancy and joy I felt as a little kid anytime an adult would say “yes” to an appeal I made or give the A-Okay to one of my little kid plans. Most people, even those of us…

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How to Excel at one of God's Favorite Things-

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing-1st Thessalonians 5:11 NASB  God loves encouraging words.    God considers encouragement to be so vitally important He straight-up commands Christians to encourage one another whenever and however they are able (Hebrews 3:13, 1st Thessalonians 4:18, 1st Thessalonians 5:10, 2nd Corinthians 13:11).  The simple…

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What Exactly is a "Religious Spirit"?

When he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was untrue to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense- 2nd Chronicles 26:16 NASB I did not grow up in church. As a result, there were a bunch of churchy phrases tossed around that I simply did not understand. Some I figured out pretty quickly. Others have taken…

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Shining Light on a Bible Story Everyone Loves to Hate-

“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?”  “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”- Job 38:4 and Job 40:2 NASB Okay, so.  There is an incident in Scripture people (both Christian and non-Christian) love to question. Frequently, the questioning leads to accusing God of some pretty horrific things, including being a…

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How Normal People Hear From God-

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears- Psalm 37:17 NASB  Hearing from God. It’s a bit of a controversial subject.  Even amongst Christians.  Most non-Christians and some Christians believe only really weird people actually hear from God. Others (both Christian and non-Christian) believe they hear from God all the time concerning every imaginable subject. However, it could be argued some of…

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How we Avoid What the Bible Calls "Dead Works" and Make our Life Count-

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God- Hebrews 6:1 NASB  Humans are made in the image of God and God wrote eternity on the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11-13, Genesis 1:28). Consequently, all humans want make their life count by leaving some sort of…

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How the Average Heathen (and Everyone Else) Lives out Their Theology-

As he thinks in his heart, so is he- Proverbs 23:7a NKJV One practical definition of theology would be:  Theology is the framework people use for understanding God and how God relates to all areas of life. Here’s the thing: All people, (atheist, Christian, agnostic, heathen, pagan, Buddhist, whatever) have a theology. Literally. All people. Theology isn’t just for monotheistic Jews, Muslims…

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The Five Mindsets that Make Sanctification (Spiritual Growth) Possible-

If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ- 2nd Peter 1:10b-11 NIV One of the fundamental spiritual misunderstandings of our time is centered around salvation. Many believe salvation is a one and done, an event where a person crosses a threshold and goes from hell-bound-heathen to…

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What are we to do with a "Dog' or an "Evil Worker"?

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light-1st Corinthians 11:13-14 NIV Every once in a while, I will bump up against a key difference between the first century and the twenty-first century and it will take me by surprise. Such was the case this past week as I was reading through…

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Love, Knowledge and Spiritual Power-

 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge- Colossians 2:2-3 NLT There has been a debate raging in the Church for two thousand years. It centers around the question: which is more important for…

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What Happens when we Choose to do Life God's way?

 If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation- Exodus 19:5-6a NIV  Obedience is generally associated with things normal people despise. Icky, gross things like restrictions, correction and disapproval. Because people tend to view the whole concept…

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Seven Habits and Practices that are a Spiritual Game changer-

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness. And rivers in the desert- Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV  The book of Ecclesiastes teaches God has written eternity on every human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This is just a fancy-pants way of saying that all humans…

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How to Avoid Spiritual Trouble and get a Joy Filled Life-

Thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness- Romans 6:17-18 NASB I have observed there are a whole slew of words that irritate the decency out of most people. Just having one of those words aimed our way is like the sound of nails on…

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