The Power of Prepositions
The use of prepositions in Scripture profoundly shapes our understanding of the Gospel, stripping away any grounds for boasting in our salvation. Salvation is not earned by us, for it is by grace alone that God acts, and through faith alone that we receive it as a gift. This distinction underscores that our assurance rests not on the strength of our faith but on the object of our faith, Jesus Christ. Recognizing our position "in Christ" carries immense comfort and assurance for the believer.
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The Power of Personal Pronouns
God's use of pronouns in Scripture reveals a deeply personal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing His covenant with us and with our children. From Genesis to Revelation, God consistently employs personal pronouns to underscore His intimate involvement with His people, promising His presence and return. Reflecting on these pronouns invites a shift from viewing God as solely transcendent to recognizing Him as a personal God who intimately engages with us and promises eternal fellowship.
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The Power of Punctuation
Punctuation can dramatically alter the meaning of a sentence, as seen in the interpretation of Ephesians 4:12 based on the placement of its commas. In this instance, the punctuation affects whether the focus of ministry in the church is corporate in nature or whether it is to be left to pastors and elders. A correct interpretation emphasizes the role of every believer in gospel ministry and challenges a consumeristic approach to church life.
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He’s Not Heavy, He’s My Brother
While we tend to view God’s commandments as burdensome and weighty, Scripture teaches that they are actually given to us as blessings from the Lord. By reframing our understanding of the directives He gives us, we can embrace them with a sense of gratitude and joy, recognizing their inherent value and sweetness in guiding towards a life of abundance.
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Wisdom for Life
Are you sometimes at a loss for how to respond to circumstances in your life, yearning for wisdom to navigate various roles and challenges? The Bible presents wisdom as not only a virtue of supreme value but as a promised gift to those who ask the Lord for it. A deeper consideration of the Scriptures’ teachings helps us understand that praying for wisdom is not a shortcut to answers but a plea to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, the embodiment of wisdom.
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What’s in It for Me?
Do you struggle to find personal relevance in sermons that seem to have little to do with your current circumstances? Romans 12 offers helpful instruction, reminding us that we are connected with one another as the body of Christ. This approach ought to encourage us to interpret and apply Scripture with a communal perspective rather than merely a personal one as we journey together in the family of God.
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Got Love?
Beyond the imperfect nature of human love, a deeper hunger persists in each of us for perfect, unending love. The ultimate source of satisfaction for this longing is found in God Himself, who invites us to partake freely in His boundless love demonstrated through Christ Jesus. In Him we will find the ultimate satisfaction that all of our hearts are longing for.
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Teach Us to Pray
Prayer is essential to our spiritual health. While practical strategies for structuring our prayer lives are beneficial, the essence of prayer lies in the posture of our hearts. One key element of our heart posture ought to be thanksgiving, which transforms prayer from a routine to a profound communion with the Lord. So, as you approach prayer today, consider not just the words you speak, but the gratitude that fills your heart.
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A Child for Life
Growing up can be challenging, but the Lord offers us helpful insights in Proverbs that guide both parents and children. Here we learn the responsibility of parents in the instruction and discipline of their children, as well as the admonition to children of all ages to heed their parents’ teaching. The wisdom they gain in so doing will prove to be of great value to them throughout their lives.
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It’s All Uphill from Here
While the world’s perspective often casts aging in a negative light, Scripture teaches us to view it as an opportunity for growth in godly wisdom. As the inevitable process of aging unfolds, believers have the joy of reflecting on the Lord’s covenant faithfulness throughout the years and expressing gratitude for a lifetime of walking with Him. Let us be encouraged by Psalm 90 to recount God’s goodness to us and look to Him for wisdom.
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Who He Is and What He Does
The psalms provide a lens through which we discern God's nature and actions. Psalm 86:5, for instance, reveals God's inherent goodness and forgiveness, offering comfort to sinners. His steadfast love isn't just a promise but an overflowing reality for those who seek Him, guaranteeing that nothing that can separate us from Him.
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Take My Life and Let It Be
Deuteronomy 6:8-9 teaches us that every aspect of life, from actions to worldview, should align with God's commandments. As we engage in family worship throughout the new year, let’s seek to instill in the next generation a commitment to wholeheartedly love and serve the Lord with our whole being, that our entire lives would be lived for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.
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Reading for the Right Reasons
The author of Ecclesiastes warns us against a relentless chase for knowledge devoid of our created purpose to glorify and enjoy God. As we consider our reading plans for 2024, let's ponder whether our endeavors are rooted in a genuine desire to know and fear God or merely in the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.
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I Might Be Overdressed for This Party
In addition to the lowly shepherds, the Magi from the East were guests at the Messiah’s birth celebration. These dignified pilgrims were most certainly surprised to discover that the King of the Jews was born in the humble town of Bethlehem. Their journey over such a far distance and their gifts of immense value ought to cause us to consider Jesus’ worthiness to receive our best worship.
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I Might Be Underdressed for This Party
In the extraordinary story of the Messiah's birth, a remarkable and unexpected detail emerges: the deliberate inclusion of humble shepherds in the celebration. Often marginalized in society, these men were purposefully selected to witness the arrival of the Son of God. Their presence, set against the backdrop of a modest setting and their societal status, serves as a powerful testament to Christ's mission: to save the lowly, the ordinary, and those who recognize their need for grace.
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Anticipating Advent
Reflecting on the seemingly endless wait for Christmas during childhood, we imagine the anticipation felt by those Old Testament saints awaiting Christ’s first advent. Their expectation was fueled by God’s promises throughout the years, as they waited for their fulfillment in the coming Messiah. This Christmas, let’s not only celebrate Christ’s first advent, but allow the anticipation of His return and our eternal future with Him to be the greater joy of our hearts.
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You’re from Where?
The unexpected birthplace of the Messiah challenged the conventional expectations of the Jews, who were anticipating a majestic king to rescue them from their political enemies. Instead, God sent forth His Son in humility from an obscure, unremarkable town, in order to bring salvation to a world in need. We would be wise not to judge Him by His humble origins but to thank Him for coming to live among us so that we might live eternally in His heavenly city.
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What’s in a Name?
As we begin the season of Advent, we consider today one of the names of Jesus: Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' This name embodies the essence of Christmas: God’s presence with mankind. It represents the restoration of a lost intimate connection with God since Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden, extending its promise beyond Christ's birth to encompass the ongoing presence of God among His people.
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Sing Praise to the Lord - Part X
As we revel in the abundance of Thanksgiving, let’s take time to not only acknowledge the provision we see but to embrace the promise of His eternal care. Our Hymn of Praise this Thanksgiving Sunday, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," expresses a deeper gratitude for God's promise of a final harvest, a gathering where we'll be forever in His presence, free from sorrow and sin. It’s a hymn of anticipation for the ultimate gathering of God's saints in His heavenly embrace.
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Sing Praise to the Lord - Part IX
This week’s Hymn of Praise, "O Worship the King," adorns our Lord with the splendor He deserves. It eloquently highlights God's abundant benevolence toward us, while also humbling us in our frailty and reinforcing our dependence on God's mercy. As we reflect on this hymn, may it inspire gratitude for His care, even in the seemingly mundane aspects of life.
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