Various Articles
As those who have undergone the new birth in Christ, we have been given divine power for all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). This is a phenomenal promise, but effort must be made to put this great divine power to work in our lives. His power has been given to us, but it is imperative that we actively cooperate in order for it to be productive…
"To those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" 2 Peter 2:1-2 HCSB.
Those who have come to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ enjoy equal privilege, according to these verses.
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"Set up for yourself roadmarks, Place for yourself guideposts; Direct your mind to the highway, The way by which you went" Jeremiah 31:21.
In a book I’m currently reading, the author recounts a time he was hiking over fresh snow. He observed the various animal footprints, but then noticed human footprints. It soon became apparent that these were his footprints; he had been traveling in circles. Without a map or compass, he became disoriented.
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"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise" Galatians 3:26-29.
Few passages have more significance and application than these verses, so let’s unpack them.
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"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8.
It’s an answer in the form of a question, much like a popular television game show. God reminds His people of what He previously stated as to what is good, and they are three succinct requirements.
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"Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Yahweh God of hosts" Jeremiah 15:16.
This verse seems especially appropriate to consider this Thanksgiving weekend. Most of us have indulged, and probably overindulged, in a sumptuous feast. We likely found great pleasure in all that we consumed.
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Many have viewed these verses largely from a doctrinal and theological perspective. The previous verse qualifies how we should view them: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5. As He was in the form of God, so are we. As He did not count equality with God something to be grasped, neither should we. As He emptied Himself to take on the form of a servant, so should we. We too, in our human form, are called to radical obedience.
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The Psalmist offers us specific reasons for gratitude. Yahweh, our Father, pardons, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies. Our great need for redemption and restoration is that which He richly supplies. Not only that, He goes so far as to "crown" us with lovingkindness and compassion, and satisfy us with good things all our years. In essence …
"And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak’" Matthew 26:40-41.
The true test of character is in the critical times. Moments of crisis and challenge are when we are most tempted to compromise values and beliefs.
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There is an expression you may have heard that goes something like "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree", which is usually used to mean that a son is quite like their father in one or many ways. Sometimes it is used to praise someone who has shown virtue, other times it is used to lament how vices are handed down like heirlooms no one wants. John, similarly, calls those who have virtue from living in the love of God, children of God.
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