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Recent Posts
- When Christians Die
- A Divided World Until Christ Returns
- Where Satan is Attacking in America
- A Brief Look at Slavery in the Bible
- The Gospel Explained
- Faith Strengthening Techniques
- Commitment Love
- Satan’s Strategies to Defeat God’s People
- Standing Against the Forces of Darkness
- Biblical Self-Talk
- The Sovereignty and Providence of God
- The Person and Attributes of God
- The Call of Matthew
- The Human Conscience
- The Bible as Divine Revelation
- Something Wrong with America
- Yahweh’s Holy War
- Proverbs 31 – Snapshot of an Excellent Woman
- The Seven Year Tribulation
- Future Christian Rewards
- The Rapture of the Church
- A Christian View of Death
- The Life of Faith
- God Used Jonah to Change a Culture
- The Gospel We Share
- Improving Culture – A NT Example
- Improving Culture – An OT Example
- Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 3
- Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 2
- Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 1
- The Effects of Sin Upon Our World
- Demons and How They Influence Mankind
- Satan’s Evil World-System
- Satan as the Ruler of this World
- Holy Angels and How They Influence Mankind
- The Biblical Teaching on Tithes
- The Old and New Priesthood
- Authorial Intent
- King David – the Good and the Bad
- David – A Better King
- Saul – The King who Failed
- When Life Gets Tough
- Guard Your Heart
- Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks
- A Song of Ascent – Psalm 126
- God’s Imputed Righteousness
- A Song of Ascents – Psalm 123
- They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness
- Seek Your Servant – Psalm 119:169-176
- Biblical Meditation
Author Archives: Dr. Steven R. Cook
When Christians Die
When Christians die, they go straight to heaven, and there they will live forever. God must let them in. He does not have a choice in the matter. The Lord has integrity, and He promised that whoever believes in Jesus as Savior will be forgiven all their sins (Eph 1:7) and have eternal life (John 3:16; 10:28). He made the provision for salvation, and He will honor His Word. In fact, God is bound to His Word, for “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb 6:18; cf. Tit 1:2). By faith, we trust Him when He promises to do something (Heb 11:6). We believe He speaks truthfully and will keep His Word. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Counseling, Death, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Salvation, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged A Christian view of death, Absent from the body and at home with the Lord, Christ is our hope for eternal life, Comfort for the Christian who has lost a loved one, do believes go straight to heaven?, God promises eternal life, what can we say to comfort those who have lost a loved one?, What does the Bible say about death?, what does the Bible say about resurrection?, what happens when Christians die?, when Christians die
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A Divided World Until Christ Returns
For the present time, Satan is the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19), and we are all born under “the dominion of Satan” (Act 26:18), into his “domain of darkness” (Col 1:13). Our spiritual state changes at the time we turn to Christ and trust Him as Savior (1 Cor 15:3-4). At the moment of faith in Christ, we become “children of God” (John 1:12), are transferred to the kingdom of His Son (Col 1:13), forgiven all our sins (Eph 1:7), given eternal life (John 10:28), the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9), and the power to live holy (Rom 6:11-14). And, it is God’s will that we advance to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1; Eph 4:11-13; 1 Pet 2:2), and serve as His ambassadors to others (2 Cor 5:20). Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology, Church, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, worldview
Tagged a divided world, A Divided World Until Christ Returns, can we fix the world?, can we make the world better?, do good works save?, God's sovereignty, How should we live in the devil's world?, Is there lasting hope for good and peace?, parable of the wheat and tares, Satan as ruler of this world, Satan's world system, should Christians do good?, should Christians engage in social reform?, suffering, The blessed hope, The Rapture of the Church, the return of Christ, the suffering of the righteous, Who rules the kingdoms of this world?, why do the righteous suffer
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Where Satan is Attacking in America
Satan’s tactics are employed globally, with all the nations of the world. His globalist mindset and tactics are intended to weaken nations in order to keep them under his control. America is an exception to most nations because it was founded—for the most part—on biblical values. As a result, God has blessed our country greatly. We know more freedom and prosperity than any other nation on the planet at this time. However, America is under attack, and if Satan can undermine the nation’s values, convincing the majority to turn from God and live selfishly and sinfully, then we’ll forfeit our freedoms and blessings. Much of this article will focus on those areas where Satan is attacking to undermine those biblical values that make for stability in a nation. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged A future hope for America?, A hope for America, America is in moral decline, America is in spiritual decline, Biblical values which American strong, Can we save America?, Christians in America, Christians living in America, God controls human history, God is sovereign over the world, Hope for America, How is Satan attacking America, How is Satan undermining America?, is Satan attacking America?, Nationalism or globalism?, Satan's attacks on America, Undermining America, Where Satan is Attacking in America, Why is Satan attacking?, Will America be destroyed?, Will America fall?
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A Brief Look at Slavery in the Bible
Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…[and] if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36). The apostle Paul wrote, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery…[and] you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal 5:1, 13). The offer of freedom assumes slavery, bondage, servitude. Everyone is born in sin and enslaved to Satan’s kingdom of darkness. Satan’s slave-market of sin is both positional and experiential. Jesus paid our sin debt and offers us freedom, but we must accept His offer. Jesus’ atoning death is sufficient for all, but effective only for those who trust in Him as Savior (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 16:30-31; Eph 2:8-9). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Righteous Living, Salvation
Tagged Free to pursue righteousness, Freedom in Christ, Satan's slave market of sin, Satan's domain of darkness, slave to Satan, Slavery, Slavery in Israel, slavery in the Bible, slavery in the NT, slavery in the OT, slaves to sin, the kingdom of darkness, what does the Bible say about slavery?
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Faith Strengthening Techniques
When facing opposition to doing God’s will, the believer must stand on truth. When fear rises among believers, there are faith-strengthening techniques we can apply to our situation that will fortify our walk with God. These techniques are all learned from Scripture and applied by faith. Continue reading
Posted in Counseling, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged faith strengthening techniques, faith that overcomes fear, faith-strengthening techniques, Grow your faith, how to have strong faith, How to strengthen your faith, Live in God's Word, Look to God, Look up to God, remember the Lord's past faithfulness, strengthen your faith, Strong faith, When fear rises
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Commitment Love
Biblical love for others is not primarily an emotion; rather, it’s a choice to commit ourselves to them and to seek God’s best in their lives. Love is manifest by prayer, sharing the Gospel with the lost, sharing biblical truth to edify believers, open handed giving to the needy, and supporting Christian ministries that do God’s work Continue reading
Posted in Counseling, Inspirational Writings, Love, Marriage, Righteous Living
Tagged agape love, biblical love, Chesed love, Commitment love, emotion follows thought, God's love in us, higher form of love, how do we love our enemies, Is love an emotion, Love your enemies, loving others, Loving the unworthy, what does it mean to love your enemies
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Satan’s Strategies to Defeat God’s People
In this article, we will consider six major strategies Satan employs to attack God’s people and hinder spiritual growth and ministry. The purpose of this study is that we might learn how Satan attacks, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor 2:11). Knowing Satan’s strategies of war enables us to identify an attack and to defend ourselves by taking up the armor of God. Learning God’s Word and living by faith is the key to victory. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged How does Satan attack Christians, major strategies Satan employs to attack God’s peoplem, Satan accuses us before God, Satan as a messenger of light, Satan empowers his false prophets, Satan is a liar who twists God’s Word, Satan masquerades as a messenger of light, Satan promotes sinful pride, Satan uses suffering to pressure us to turn from God, Satan's attacks, Satan's deceptive practices, Satan's methods of attack, Satan's strategies, Satan’s Strategies to Defeat God’s People, What are Satan's strategies, What strategies does the devil use to defeat us?
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Standing Against the Forces of Darkness
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul set forth the Christian armor which, in many ways, is a picture of the healthy Christian life. It is something we intentionally put on and use to defend ourselves when we come under attack. The assaults ultimately come from Satan who has well developed strategies of warfare and demonic soldiers to command. Satan and his fallen angels knowingly and intentionally attack. They are behind every act of terror the world has ever known, they do not relent of their activities, and they are not reformable. In addition to these fallen angels, Satan also has useful idiots—unbelievers and carnal Christians—who assist him in his efforts. These people help make up Satan’s world-system that seeks to envelop and enslave everyone it can. Satan’s system is philosophical, social, political, economic, religious, and cultural. These are all things external to us, but which are intended to penetrate our thoughts and impact our values, speech and practices. Furthermore, Satan has an inside agent within every person, which is the sinful nature which naturally resonates with all that is sinful and prideful. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Biblical Exegesis, Christian Theology, Church, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Spirituality
Tagged Attacks by Satan, Christian armor, Demons and How They Influence Mankind, Ephesians 6:10-18, How do we fight against demons?, How do we fight against Satan and demons?, How do we fight against Satan?, Living in the devil's world, Living successfully in the devil's world, Our Christian struggle, Our spiritual armor, Paul's description of Christian amror, Roman soldier's armor, Satan as the ruler of this world, Satan's world system, spiritual warfare, Standing against demonic forces, Standing Against the Forces of Darkness, Standing aganst spiritual forces, steps to spiritual growth, The Christian enemy, The Christian's armor, the flesh, The world, what is our spiritual armor?
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Biblical Self-Talk
Self-talk is a mechanism of our reasoning that includes mental dialogues that can be quite complex. The dialogue can originate solely within our mind, or be influenced by external experiences or discussions. Sometimes these dialogues are pleasant, and sometimes not. And they can approximate reality, or be pure fantasy. The Bible presents a number of passages that address what today would be called self-talk (Gen 17:17; Deut 7:17; 8:17; 9:4; 18:21; 1 Sam 27:1; Psa 14:1; Isa 49:21; Jer 3:17-25; Luke 7:39; 16:3; 18:4). On several occasions, David faced pressure in life that disrupted his mental state and he took control of His thoughts and directed them to God (Psa 13:1-6; 42:1-11; 131:1-2). In these instances, David was his own biblical counselor as he applied God’s Word to his own situation and effected stability in his soul. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Counseling, Hot Topics, Spirituality
Tagged Arguing with self, Biblical counseling, Biblical self talk, Changing our thoughts, Controlling our thoughts, Counseling oneself, Mental dialogues, Mental drama, Mental productions, self counseling, Self talk, Why we think the way we do
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The Sovereignty and Providence of God
Scripture reveals God’s sovereignty and how He governs His universe, creating and controlling circumstances, and directing the lives of His people, allowing them to partner with Him to accomplish His good in the world. By learning about God’s sovereignty and studying His past providential acts, believers can create a rational filter through which circumstances can be interpreted and classified within a mental framework. The growing believer takes great delight in knowing God is good, loving, wise, and in control of His creation and is directing all things according to His sovereign plan. Those who are positive to God and operate from the divine perspective know that He “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, God, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged God's directive will, God's overruling will, God's permissive will, God's providence, God's providential care, God's sovereignty, How does God govern His creation, How does God govern His world, Is God controlling the world, Is God in control, Jesus as an example of God's providence, Joseph as an example of God's providence, The plan of God, the Sovereignty of God, The will of God, What does the Bible say about God's providence, what does the Bible say about God's sovereignty, What is God's providence, What is God's Sovereignty, What is the plan of God
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The Call of Matthew
Jesus called Matthew to be His disciple, and the tax collector left everything to begin a new life with Jesus. Matthew celebrated his new life as a disciple by hosting a dinner party for Jesus and inviting other tax collectors and irreligious sinners to come and meet his new Master. The Pharisees arrived and filtered the event through their hate filled heart, and then tried to trap Jesus with a question concerning His company, which question implied His guilt. But Jesus corrected the Pharisees by pointing out He’d come to heal the sick and therefore needed to be among them. Jesus then instructed the Pharisees to learn a lesson from the book of Hosea, that God desires compassion and not sacrifice. How Jesus treated the tax collectors and sinners demonstrated His compassion, and how the Pharisees treated them demonstrated their self-righteous pride and hatred. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Exegesis, Christian Theology, Hermeneutics, Righteous Living
Tagged God desires compassion and not sacrifice, How did Matthew become a disciple?, I desire compassion and not sacrifice, Jesus sat with sinners, Matthew Jesus' disciple, Matthew the disciple, Matthew the tax collector, The call of Matthew, The Pharisees hatred of Jesus, The religious Pharisees
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The Human Conscience
The word conscience translates the Greek word συνείδησις suneidesis, which refers to “the inward faculty of distinguishing right and wrong.”[2] Conscience does not instruct us concerning what is good or evil, for that is determined by God; rather, conscience is that inner voice that urges us to do right. However, because of sin’s corrupting influence, the human conscience it is not always a reliable gauge of right and wrong. It would seem that conscience functions cognitively in a judicial role, evaluating thoughts and actions and determining guilt or innocence based on moral laws. This would make sense, as Paul describes the conscience as “bearing witness” with regard to some behavior, and the mind serving as the courtroom, “accusing or defending” the action. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Spirituality
Tagged a clean conscience, a health conscience, an evil conscience, and weak conscience, How does human conscience work?, How to restore the human conscience, Human conscience, The conscience as a moral compass, what is the conscience?, where do we get our conscience from ?
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The Bible as Divine Revelation
The Bible is God’s special written revelation to mankind, it is true in all it affirms, provides absolute standards for ethics, is authoritative to command, is dynamic in its effect, and beneficial to those who accept and live in its light Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Exegesis, Christian Theology, Hermeneutics, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged Biblical Inerrancy, Ethics and the Bible, God's word gives light, God's word illumines our path, God's word is sufficient, God's word is truth, God's word provides absolutes, Is the Bible the word of God or the word of man?, Is the Bible the word of God?, The authority of Scripture, The Bible as divine revelation, The Bible as special revelation, The Bible as the standard for ethics, The Bible is God's written word, The Bible is infallible, The impact of God's word, the sufficiency of Scripture, Thy word is truth, Verbal plenary inspiration
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Something Wrong with America
We all recognize there is something wrong with the world and mankind. Our news channels never fail to keep us up to date on all that is destructive, harmful, or corrupt in society. If they are not telling us about some political scandal, they are surely informing us about the atrocities of war, crime, racism, murder, pollution, dangerous viruses, poverty, social inequality, or some other crisis that never seems to go away. And, it seems, where a crisis cannot be found, one can be artificially manufactured and perpetuated, all for the purpose of advancing some narrative that keeps ratings high. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Biblical Worldview, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged American revival, Christian worldview, false Bible teachers, False teachers in the church, Hope for America, if God's people will humble themselves, Is the church to blame for America's decline?, Prayer for revival, revival in America, Something wrong with America, Spiritual darkness, spiritual darkness over America, the church that fails, The spiritual decline in America, what does it take to turn America around, what's wrong with America
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Yahweh’s Holy War
The phrase Holy War is used by many to describe Israel’s conquest on the land of Canaan. I prefer the phrase Yahweh’s Holy War, since the Lord is the One who directed and empowered His people to military action. In Scripture, God is described as “a warrior” (Ex 15:3), and “the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Deut 20:4), who is “mighty in battle” (Psa 24:8). He is, without question, “the God of the armies of Israel” (1 Sam 17:45). Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Israel, Righteous Living
Tagged Child sacrifice to molech, Did Israel practice child sacrifice?, haram in the OT, holy war, Idolatry in Canaan, Is holy war biblical?, Israel and holy war, Israel's conquest of Canaan, Should the church practice holy war?, The conquest of Canaan, the evil of Canaan, the evil practiced by the Canaanites, The worship of Molech, Was Israel justified in killing the Canaanites?, what does the Bible say about holy war?, Why did God tell the Israelites to kill all the Canaanites?, Yahweh's holy war
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Proverbs 31 – Snapshot of an Excellent Woman
Proverbs 31 describes the woman of excellence. The phrase an excellent wife (Pro 31:10; Heb. אֵשֶׁת־חַיִלesheth chayil) was first used of Ruth, who was described as a woman of excellence (Ruth 3:11, NASB) or a woman of noble character (CSB). Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David, who married Bathsheba, who is perhaps the one who shared her wisdom with her son, King Solomon (Pro 31:1). If this is correct, then it’s possible Bathsheba saw in Ruth a template for the woman of noble character. A study of the book of Ruth reveals she was committed to God and His people (Ruth 1:16-17; 2:11), possessed a strong work ethic (Ruth 2:7, 17), listened to good advice (Ruth 2:8-9; 3:1-6), showed respect to others (Ruth 2:10), cared for the needy (Ruth 2:17-18), sought to marry a noble man (Ruth 3:7-10; 4:13), and was praised for her excellence and love for others (Ruth 3:11; 4:15). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Marriage, Righteous Living
Tagged An excellent wife, an excellent woman, characteristics of godly women, godly women, Proverbs 31 describes the woman of excellence, proverbs 31 woman, Ruth as a model for the excellent wife, snapshot of the woman of excellence, the woman of noble character, what does the Bible say about the role of women in marriage?, what does the Bible say about women?, who is the excellent wife?, Who is the excellent woman?
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The Seven Year Tribulation
There is coming a future time of tribulation upon the earth. Its severity is without historical precedent. Concerning this time, the angel, Gabriel, told Daniel, that it “will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time” (Dan 12:1a). This time of tribulation is in keeping with unfulfilled prophecy given to Daniel that pertains to Israel (Dan 9:24-27). It is during this time that God’s wrath will be poured out upon the world—specifically those who are hostile to Him and His people. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Israel, Prophecy
Tagged a future time of tribulation, Daniel 9:24-27, Daniel's seventieth week, Daniel's seventy weeks, The day of the Lord, The future tribulation, the great tribulation, the seven year tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble, The tribulation, unfulfilled prophecy given to Daniel, what is the Tribulation?, when the tribulation occur?, Where does the Bible teach the seven year tribulation?
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Future Christian Rewards
Christ has secured our salvation through the substitutionary atoning death of Christ who shed His blood at the cross and propitiated every righteous demand the Father has toward us (Rom 3:25). Having trusted Christ as Savior (John 3:16), we now have peace with God (Rom 5:1). However, after salvation, God expects us to learn His Word, live righteously (Tit 2:11-14), and encourage others to do the same (Heb 11:24-25). After the Rapture of the church (1 Thess 4:13-18), all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be evaluated for how we lived our lives (2 Cor 5:9-10). This evaluation is not a judgment concerning the Christian’s right to enter heaven as the place of eternal residence, for Christ has secured our salvation and there is no fear of condemnation before God (John 3:18). Rather, it is a judgment concerning eternal rewards for the life we’ve lived in service to Christ (1 Cor 3:10-15). Apparently, we must stay the course in faithfulness, otherwise we run the risk of losing part of our reward (2 John 1:8). Those who learned God’s Word, lived His will, and taught others to do the same, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. But those believers who disobeyed God’s Word and taught others to disobey as well will be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:19). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged Christian rewards, does the Bible teach rewards for good works, future Christian rewards, Future rewards, Rewards, the bema seat of Christ, the doctrine of future rewards, the judgment seat of Christ, what does the Bible say about Christian rewrads, what does the bible say about future rewards, Why we work for rewards, will God reward us for our good works?, Will we be rewarded for our deeds?
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The Rapture of the Church
The Bible reveals Jesus will return to earth; however, a distinction must be drawn between Jesus coming for His saints at the Rapture, and Jesus coming with His saints at His Second Coming to reign for a thousand years. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Prophecy
Tagged Caught up to meet the Lord in the air, Does the Bible teach the church will be raptured?, Five views on the Rapture of the church, Harpazo, Jesus is coming back for His church, Latin Rapturo, Rapture, Rapture is immanent, The doctrine of the Rapture, The Rapture of the Church, We shall be changed, What is the Rapture of the church?
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A Christian View of Death
Once, when I was working in jail ministry, I met a Christian man who told me about his older brother’s death. The incident, he said, had occurred several years earlier. He and his brother were drinking and arguing … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Death, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged A Christian view of death, Born in sin, Born to die, death, Death and the Bible, Death in the Bible, Death or rapture, Do Christians go to heaven?, eternal death, hamartiology, Heaven, Inspirational Writings and tagged Adam's sin, lake of fire, original sin, Physical death, raising the dead, resurrection, resurrection from the dead, resurrection life, separation from God, spiritual death, the resurrection, What does Scripture say about death, what happens at death?, what happens when the Christian dies?, What happens when we leave this world?, What the Bible teaches about death
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The Life of Faith
Living by faith is the Christian way. God expects us to trust Him at His word, which is plainly understood, believed, and applied. Studying the Bible and applying it to life are comparable to breathing in and breathing out, as both are necessary for living. Much of our mental and social stability depends on how well we know the Word of God and apply it to life. The Lord states, “My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him” (Heb 10:38). And we know that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Are people faithful, Believe in God, Believe in Jesus, Believe in the Bible, can I trust money, can I trust the government, Claiming God's promises, Faith during trials, faith in stressful times, faith that sustains, Pisteuo, The faithful believer, The life of faith, trust in God, What does it mean to live by faith, What the Bible says about believing, when money fails, when people fail, when the government fails
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God Used Jonah to Change a Culture
God used the preaching of Jonah to change the corrupt culture of Nineveh. Around 760 BC, God sent His prophet, Jonah, to preach a message of judgment to Nineveh, a major city in Assyria. The reason for the message was, as God declared, “their wickedness has come up before Me” (Jon 1:2). As “the Judge of all the earth” (Gen 18:25), God had paid attention to the wickedness of the Ninevites, and the time was near for Him to pour out His wrath. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Righteous Living
Tagged Changing culture, Christian influence on culture, God spared Nineveh because they humbled themselves, God spared Nineveh because they repented, God used the preaching of Jonah to change the corrupt culture of Nineveh, God will judge America, How America's preachers have failed, improving a corrupt culture, improving culture, Jonah's preaching to Nineveh, Righteous living in America, When God judges nations, Will God judge America?
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Improving Culture – A NT Example
Culture represents the values, traditions and behaviors of a society, and though culture is improvable, it is not perfectible. And even where positive change occurs, it’s difficult to perpetuate, largely because the people needed to sustain the change are few, flawed and temporary. A society’s culture is no better or worse than its leaders and the citizenry who support them; and at the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Apart from regeneration and a transformed mind and will, people will default to selfishness and sin, and so social problems continue. Furthermore, if we did make great improvements, we cannot guarantee succeeding generations will follow the good pattern set for them. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Acts 19 and Paul preaching in Ephesus, Acts 19:8-41, Are there any biblical examples where society was made better, Biblical examples of improving culture, Biblical examples of making society better, Biblical teaching on how to improve society, Does the Bible give ways we can make society better, Finding the lost scroll in the temple, How can Christians improve culture, How can Christians improve society, How can Christians make American better, How to improve culture, Paul preaching in Ephesus, Paul teaching at the school of Tyrannus, Sharing the gospel to make society better, The riot that occurred in Ephesus, Ways Christians can improve American society, Ways to improve culture, What does the Bible say about improving culture
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Improving Culture – An OT Example
Culture represents the values, traditions and behaviors of a society, and though culture is improvable, it is not perfectible. And even where positive change occurs, it’s difficult to perpetuate, largely because the people needed to sustain the change are few, flawed and temporary. A society’s culture is no better or worse than its leaders and the citizenry who support them; and at the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Apart from regeneration and a transformed mind and will, people will default to selfishness and sin, and so social problems continue. Furthermore, if we did make great improvements, we cannot guarantee succeeding generations will follow the good pattern set for them. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged Are there any biblical examples where society was made better, Biblical examples of improving culture, Biblical examples of making society better, Biblical teaching on how to improve society, Does the Bible give ways we can make society better, Finding the lost scroll in the temple, How can Christians improve culture, How can Christians improve society, How can Christians make American better, How King Josiah improved culture, How King Josiah made Judah better, How to improve culture, Paul preaching in Ephesus, Paul teaching at the school of Tyrannus, Sharing the gospel to make society better, The riot that occurred in Ephesus, Ways Christians can improve American society, Ways to improve culture, What does the Bible say about improving culture
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Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 3
A riot is a form of civil unrest in which a group causes a public disturbance by destroying property and/or harming innocent people. Often, there are corrupt individuals or groups who instigate a riot, either as a means of retaliation for some perceived injustice (real or imagined), or simply to cause disruption as a means of leveraging power within the community (i.e. a power grab). Many within the mob are willing pawns who are manipulated to act violently. The Bible teaches, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness” (Jam 1:19-20). However, because rioters are often more emotional than rational, it becomes very difficult to restrain a mob except by physical force. This is why a well-trained and supported police force is necessary for civil peace. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Biblical examples of mobs, Biblical examples of riots, How should Christians respond to a riot?, How should Christians respond to riots, How were riots handled in the Bible, Mobs in the Bible, Paul experienced a riot in Ephesus, Paul experienced a riot in Jerusalem, Paul in Ephesus, Paul in Jerusalem, riots in the Bible, The Bible and riots, what does the Bible say about riots
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Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 2
A riot is a form of civil unrest in which a group causes a public disturbance by destroying property and/or harming innocent people. Often, there are corrupt individuals or groups who instigate a riot, either as a means of retaliation for some perceived injustice (real or imagined), or simply to cause disruption as a means of leveraging power within the community (i.e. a power grab). Many within the mob are willing pawns who are manipulated to act violently. The Bible teaches, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness” (Jam 1:19-20). However, because rioters are often more emotional than rational, it becomes very difficult to restrain a mob except by physical force. This is why a well-trained and supported police force is necessary for civil peace. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Biblical examples of riots, Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled, How should Christians handle riots?, How should Christians repsond to riots?, Paul and Silas before the Mob, Paul and Silas in Philippi, riots in the Bible, The stoning of Stephen, what does the Bible say about riots
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Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 1
A riot is a form of civil unrest in which a group causes a public disturbance by the destruction of property and/or the harm of innocent people. Often, there are corrupt individuals or groups who instigate a riot, either as a means of retaliation for some perceived injustice (real or imagined), or simply to cause disruption as a means of leveraging power within the community (i.e. a power grab). Many within the mob are merely pawns who are manipulated toward aggression or violence. The Bible teaches, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness” (Jam 1:19-20).[1] However, because rioters are often more emotional than rational, it becomes very difficult to restrain a mob except by physical force. This is why a well-trained and supported police force is necessary for civil peace. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Righteous Living
Tagged are there examples of riots in the Bible?, Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled, How should Christians handle riots?, How should Christians respond to riots?, How to handle a riot, How to handle yourself in a riot, riots and the Bible, riots in the Bible, What does the Bible say about handling riots?
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The Effects of Sin Upon Our World
This article is intended is to show how the historic fall of Adam and Eve fundamentally changed the human race and the world, resulting in disease, decay and death among all living things, and that the tendency of humanity is to behave in a spiritually and morally corrupt manner, suppressing God’s truth and rejecting His solutions to life’s problems. Understanding this helps us make sense of the world in which we live and why people behave the way they do. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged hamartiology, How in impacts the family, How sin impacts our lives, how sin impacts society, How sin impacts the world, how we overcome sin, Sin causes problems in the world, sin is lawlessness, sin means to miss the mark, sinners by choice, sinners by nature, sinners in Adam, slaves to sin, The Effects of Sin Upon Our World, the heart is sinful, the heart is wicked, The Meaning of Sin, The noetic effects of sin, The origin of sin, The Sin Nature Within the Christian, why do we sin?, why is society acting corruptly, Why we sin, why we sin?
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Demons and How They Influence Mankind
Angels are basically classified as either righteous or evil. The former retain their holy state and service to God and are called elect angels (1 Tim 5:21), whereas the latter have defected from their original state and continue in constant rebellion against God. Satan is the leader of all fallen angels (Matt 25:41; cf. Rev 12:7, 9), which Scripture designates as evil spirits (1 Sam 16:14; Luke 7:21), demons (Matt 8:31), and unclean spirits (Mark 5:1-4). These have been operating for millennia trying to frustrate the purposes of God. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Biblical demonology, demons, Demons and How They Influence Mankind, Demons are active in the world today, Demons in the world today, Demons influence spiritual matters, demons influencing mankind, Do demons influence political matters, evil spirits, Evils spirits influencing world rulers, fighting spiritual battles, how do we fight spiritually?, how to fight evil spirits, how to we fight demons, spiritual battles, spiritual warfare, uncelan spirits, What are demons, what are the weapons we use for spiritual warfare, What the Bible says about demons, What the Bible says about evil spirits, where do demons come from?
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Satan’s Evil World-System
The Bible recognizes Satan’s world-system and warns us not to love it (1 John 2:15-16). When John writes and tells the Christian “do not love the world”, he’s not talking about the physical planet. The Greek word κόσμος kosmos as it is used by the apostle John and others most often refers to “that which is hostile to God…lost in sin, wholly at odds with anything divine, ruined and depraved.” (BDAG) Satan’s world-system consists of those philosophies and values that perpetually influence humanity to think and behave contrary to God and His Word. This operating apart from God is first and foremost a way of thinking that is antithetical to God and His Word, a way of thinking motivated by a desire to be free from God and the authority of Scripture, a freedom most will accept, even though it is accompanied by all sorts of inconsistencies and absurdities. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Christians are commanded not to love the world, do not love the world, How Satan rules the world, Rescued from the domain of darkness, Satan's domain of darkness, Satan's world system, the kingdom of darkness
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Satan as the Ruler of this World
Three times Jesus referred to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Other passages of Scripture call Satan “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), informing us “that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Satan rules as a tyrant who has “weakened the nations” (Isa 14:12), and currently “deceives the whole world” (Rev 12:9). Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology
Tagged Satan, Satan as an angel of light, Satan as the ruler of this world, Satan deceives the whole world, Satan has weakened the nations, Satan's domain of darkness, Satan's world system, the accuser of the brethren, the devil, the domain of darkness, The fall of Lucifer, the god of this world, the great red dragon, the prince of the power of the air, the ruler of this age, the serpent of old, the tempter, The vil one, the whole world lies in the power of the evil one
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Holy Angels and How They Influence Mankind
Thirty-four books of the Bible teach the existence of angels. The word angel occurs approximately 275 times throughout Scripture. The word angel translates the Hebrew word מַלְאָךְ malak and the Greek word ἄγγελος aggelos, and both words mean messenger. Angels are created beings (Psa 148:2-5; Col 1:16), were present at the creation of the world (Job 38:4-7), have volition (Matt 8:28-32), emotion (Mark 1:23-26), and intelligence (1 Pet 1:12). Angels are spirit beings who help advance the gospel (Heb 1:14), are distinct from humans (Luke 8:27), have great power (Psa 103:20-21; 2 Pet 2:11), are innumerable (Heb 12:22; Rev 5:11), cannot die (Luke 20:36), and do not reproduce after their kind (Mark 12:25), which means there are no baby angels. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology
Tagged Angels, angels as defenders, Angels as messengers, Angels as spirit beings, do we have guardian angels?, Does God use angels to protect us?, good angels, guardian angels, holy angels, the existence of angels, What does the Bible say about angels?
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The Biblical Teaching on Tithes
The word tithe means “to give a tenth.” The tithe consisted of produce and livestock (Lev 27:30-32), and was given to the Levites for their support for ministry (Num 18:21-24). The Levites, in turn, gave a tithe of the tithe to the Priests for their service (Num 18:25-28). Additionally, the worshipper could eat a portion of the sacrifice with his family and the Levites (Deut 12:17-19; 14:22-27). Lastly, a tithe was taken every third year to help the poor, the alien, the orphans and the widows. This tithe was comparable to a social welfare system for the most unfortunate in society. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Israel, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged biblical giving, biblical tithing, Christian giving, does the Christian have to tithe?, giving, giving or tithing, is tithing biblical?, Law of Christ, mosaic law, Should Christians tithe?, ten percent, The Biblical Teaching on Tithes, tithing, what did people in the OT tithe
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The Old and New Priesthood
Presently, in the church age, every Christian, at the moment of salvation, becomes a priest to God. Peter writes of Christians, saying, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5), and “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9). This is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (Rev 1:6), and “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth” (Rev 5:10; cf. 20:6). Furthermore, we do not worship at a temple; rather, “we are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor 6:16; cf. 1 Cor 3:16-17). And we do not bring animal sacrifices, but “offer up spiritual sacrifices” to God (1 Pet 2:5). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Righteous Living
Tagged A chosen race, A kingdom of priests, A living and holy sacrifice, a royal priesthood, Christ our High Priests, Every Christian is a priest, Offering spiritual sacrifices, Spiritual sacrifices, Spiritual service of worship, The Christian Priesthood, the Levitical priesthood, the old and new priesthood, The priesthood of every believer, The sacrifice of praise, What did Jewish priests do?, Who is a priest?
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Authorial Intent
Authorial intent and context always determines meaning. This is true when listening to a supervisor’s instruction, reading the words on a medicine bottle, following the speed limit on the freeway, paying one’s taxes, or reading the Bible. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Exegesis, Hermeneutics
Tagged Are we free to interpret as we please?, authorial intent, context determines meaning, meaing is found with the author, meaning always originates with the author, meaning in the text, meaning is found with the reader, reader response, the meaning of the text
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King David – the Good and the Bad
The Bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22). This is a huge compliment, but what does it mean? God certainly knew David’s heart and what kind of king he would be, for He informed His prophet, Samuel, saying, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). However, we should not conclude that David was perfectly obedient and kept the Lord’s will in all matters in his life. He did not. No believer ever does, for there are none who are sinless, except the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Jo 3:5). But David obeyed the Lord in important matters, and apart from a few major offences, he did not generally commit egregious sins. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Leadership
Tagged 1 Samuel 13:14, A man after God's own heart, David and Bathsheba, David confessed his sins, David has Uriah killed, David practiced polygamy, David practiced the sin of polygamy, David takes a census, David the good king, David was a man after God's own heart, David's affair with Bathsheba, David's humility, David's sins, God's grace, grace is a chief characteristic of God, He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Humility is a lowliness of mind, King David, Why could God call David a man after His own heart?
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David – A Better King
David was a good king who reigned in Israel from roughly 1010 to 970 B.C. David’s life was intermingled with Saul, Israel’s first king, who failed to walk with God and do His will. David was better than Saul. He was better because he was a man of faith, and faith always pleases the Lord (Heb 11:6). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Leadership, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged A man after God's own heart, David, David and Goliath, David cared for his father's flock, David fled from Saul for fifteen years, David kills a lion and a bear, David was a better king than Saul, David was better than Saul, David would not kill Saul, David's rise to kingship, King David, Saul tried to kill David, Sin and mental decline, The Lord's anointed
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Saul – The King who Failed
Saul had the outward appearance of what most people look for in a leader, for he was “a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people” (1 Sam 9:2). Often when we search for a leader, we want someone who looks and talks a certain way, has the right credentials and preferably a good work history. We shouldn’t diminish those things, but simply put them in their place, as being below the things God desires, “for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Leadership, Righteous Living
Tagged but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7), David, David the son of Jesse, foolishness, for man looks at the outward appearance, God does not see as man sees, God looks upon the heart, God sees not as man sees, Israel selects Saul as king, Israel's first king, King Saul's anointing, Samuel anoints Saul, Samuel anoints Saul as king, Saul - The King who Failed, Saul and David, Saul as king of Israel, Saul did not obey the Lord, Saul the handsome king, Saul tries to kill David, Saul was a king after the people's hearts, Saul's rejection as king, The good qualities of king Saul, The life of king Saul, Why Saul was rejected as King
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When Life Gets Tough
When life gets tough, sometimes God reassures and comforts us (Psa 23:4; 2 Cor 1:3-5; 2 Th 2:16-17), sometimes we comfort each other (Eph 6:22; 1 Th 4:18), and sometimes we comfort ourselves with His Word (Psa 119:50, 52; Lam 3:21-23). But there are times in Scripture when God does not give comfort—at least not in the way we might expect—but informs His people that things will get worse, and that they need to prepare themselves for the challenges and suffering ahead (Matt 10:16, 23; John 15:20; 16:1-2; Acts 9:15-16; 20:22-23). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Faith in trials, how can you compete with horses?, How to handle difficulties, If you have run with footmen, Jeremiah 12, Jeremiah 12:1-6, Jeremiah 12:5, Jeremiah walked with God, Jeremiah was a prophet to Judah, Living by faith, looking to God, running the Christian race, spiritual sensitivities, The problem of evil, Troubles are a part of life, When life gets tough, When we have nowhere to look but God
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Guard Your Heart
Our life is a reflection of what fills our heart. Good in is good out, and garbage in is garbage out. We determine what fills the heart. Solomon said, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Pro 4:23). The Hebrew concept of the heart (לֵב leb) is the total inner person; it includes the mind, the will, and emotions. It is the base of operations which determines the course of life. Continue reading
God’s Imputed Righteousness
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hot Topics, Righteous Living, Salvation
Tagged Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, Are good works necessary for salvation?, Are we credited with God's righteousness?, do good works save?, Genesis 15:6, God's gift of righteousness, God's imputed righteousness, How are we made right with God?, how can a holy God justify unworthy sinners?, How does God justify sinners?, Imputed righteousness, On what basis are we made right with God?, Righteousness as a gift from God, Romans 4:1-5, Salvation is by grace alone, the gift of righteousness, three biblical imputations, What did Jesus accomplish at the cross?, what does the Bible say about imputed righteousness?, Why odes God justify sinners?
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A Song of Ascents – Psalm 123
Psalm 123 is one of fifteen songs of ascent (Psa 120 to 134), of which four are attributed to David (Psa 122, 124, 131, 133) and one to Solomon (Psa 127). The Mishmash states these psalms were sung on the fifteen steps that led up to the temple; however, it is more likely they were sung by pilgrims as they traveled up to Jerusalem, as stated in Psalm 122:1-2 and 125:1-2. Whether Jerusalem or the temple, these psalms were intended to prepare the worshiper’s mind to look to the Lord in faith. Spurgeon states, “Yet we must use our eyes with resolution, for they will not go upward to the Lord of themselves, but they incline to look downward, or inward, or anywhere but to the Lord.” Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, God's Grace, Psalms
Tagged A Song of Ascents, Charles H. Spurgeon, James Montgomery Boice, Look to God, Prayer for the afflicted, Psalm 123, Psalm 123 is one of fifteen songs of ascent, Psalm 123:1-4, Songs of ascent, When the afflicted pray, Why do they need God’s grace?
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They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness
Numbers chapters 13 & 14 reveal the biblical concept of blessing and cursing by association. In this section of Scripture, God disciplined the Israelites in the wilderness because of their disobedience, and that discipline had direct impact on their children. The key verse in this article in Numbers 14:33, which reads, “But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness.” Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith
Tagged blessing and cursing by association, blessing and cursing by association is biblical, Choices have consequences, Choosing faith over fear, Choosing fear over faith, growing spiritually, how we live impacts the lives of others, Israel in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb, Live by faith, Living by faith, My Godly grandmother, The spies in the land, They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness, Trust in the Lord, When bad choices impact others, Why children suffer for because of bad parents, Why Israel was denied entrance into the Promised Land
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