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Showing posts from July, 2012

THE GIVER OF GOOD IN ALL SITUATIONS

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James 1:17-18 GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD AND THERE IS NO CHANGING HOW GOOD HE IS! despite what you see and hear on the news. Despite current events and the present struggle you are in ......GOD IS STILL GOOD. CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT YOUR LIFE TODAY? Maybe this will help you answer that question.  LISTEN TO HOW GOOD GOD IS…….. In the barracks where Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were kept in the Nazi concentration camp Ravensbruck were terribly overcrowded and flea-infested. They miraculously had been able to smuggle a Bible into the camp, and in that Bible they read that in all things they were to give thanks, and that God can use anything for good. Corrie's sister Betsy decided this meant thanking God for the fleas. This was too much for Corrie, who said she could do no such thing. Betsy insisted, so Corrie gave in and prayed to God, thanking Him even for the fleas. During the next several months, a wonderful, but curious, thing happened. They found that the guards never e

IT’S MY FAULT

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James 1:13-15 THE WORLD IS FULL OF SIN AND SIN WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO REVEAL ITS UGLY HEAD IN OUR LIVES.  This is where we need to put a caution sign around our lives, around our heart.  We should never test the waters of sin and think that we won’t sink.  AS THE STORY OF THE KING WHO WAS LOOKING FOR A DRIVER TO TAKE HIS SON!  One of them would be chosen to carry the King’s children up and down a narrow, winding road leading up to the King’s mountain top castle.  With dozens of steep drop- offs and guardrails, it was a daunting assignment. He king’s chief liveryman asked each candidate this question “How close can you get to the edge without going over?”  The applicants offered various responses indicating their confidence and skill. One man boasted he could drive the horses at nearly full speed for entire length of the road, always keeping within six inches from the edge.  The interviewer was unimpressed! Finally, one driver stepped forward and responded, “Sir, if it

Matt Papa "Open Hands"

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Persecution: A Price to Pay for Being a Christian?

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God is good in all situations! SDG

WHAT DETERMINES MY WORTH?

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James 1:9-12 God is so awesome…… we should be amazed every day and thankful for a new day such as this! A new day to be with our spouses! A new day to be with our children! A new day to be with the people we consider close friends! A new day to shine the light of the gospel message in our homes and workplaces! A new day to forgive and move on! A new day to make things right in our relationship with the LORD! A new day learn and grow from His word. A new day to bring God glory despite what the day may bring! A new day to breath the free air that only God can provide A new day to be completely satisfied and fulfilled in the gospel that saves to the uttermost! See! God is worthy [the center] of all our adoration and praise as the Psalmist said  “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF GOD

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James 1:5-8 I came across a story by a well know preacher who said he had a gifted secretary who was going through some great trials……. She recently had a stroke, her husband had gone blind, and then he had to be taken to the hospital where [they] thought for sure he would die.  This well-known pastor saw here in church one Sunday and said with assurance “I’m praying for you”  Which seems normal coming from a shepherd of the church right? But what she said to the preacher stopped me to ponder what James is trying to tell us here in his letter.  She said to the pastor “what are you asking God to do?  Here question startled the pastor…so he said “I’m asking God to help you and strengthen you.”  She responded with “but pray one more thing. Pray that I’ll have wisdom not to waste all of this! ”  This lady knew what James meant when He said “if those of you lack wisdom ask God” [paraphrasing].  There are a lot of people out there who are very knowledgeable but

The Divine Institution of Marriage

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JESUS' DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTURE

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On Sunday I finished an eight week sermon series on the doctrine of Scripture. In this last sermon I encouraged the church to have the same doctrine of Scripture that Jesus did. If he his our Lord and our Master—even if he were only a great teacher—surely we want his view of the Bible to be our view of the Bible. After working through four main texts ( John 10:35 , Matthew 5:17-19 ; 12:38-42 ; 19:4-5 ) I provided a summary of Jesus’ doctrine of Scripture. Jesus held Scripture in the highest possible esteem. He knew his Bible intimately and loved it deeply. He often spoke with language of Scripture. He easily alluded to Scripture. And in his moments of greatest trial and weakness—like being tempted by the devil or being killed on a cross—he quoted Scripture. His mission was to fulfill Scripture, and his teaching always upheld Scripture. He never disrespected, never disregarded, never disagreed with a single text of Scripture. He affirmed every bit of law, prophecy,