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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
Category Archives: Hot Topics
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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Theological Categories of God’s Justice
The righteousness of God refers to the intrinsic, immutable, moral perfection of God, from which He commands all things, in heaven and earth, and declares as good that which conforms to His righteousness and as evil that which deviates. The righteousness and the justice of God work together. Whatever God’s righteousness requires, His justice executes; either to approve or reject, to bless or condemn. The various theological categories of God’s righteousness include rectoral justice, retributive justice, remunerative justice, redemptive justice, and restorative justice. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics
Tagged Aspects of God's justice, Biblical categories of God's justice, God's Justice, God's justice explained, God's righteousness, God's righteousness defined, God's sovereignty, How should we understand God's justice, rectoral justice, redemptive justice, remunerative justice, restorative justice, retributive justice, Theological aspects of God's justice, Theological categories of God's justice, What does the Bible say about God's justice?, What is God's justice?
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Chasing After Donkeys
God’s providence refers to His wise and personal acts, whereby He creates and controls circumstances in order to direct history according to His predetermined plan, all for His glory and the benefit of His people. As Christians, we live in the flow of history, and are moved by the circumstances He controls, for the Lord “does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Dan 4:35). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Living by Faith
Tagged Chasing after donkeys, Does God direct us through circumstances, election, God's control over his creation, God's influence in the world, God's providence, God's sovereign control, how did Saul become King?, how do we know God's will?, How does God direct our lives?, How God directs our lives, How God directs our lvies, How God leads, King Saul, Knowing God's will, Providence, Providential control, Providential sovereignty, When Saul became king
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Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective
When Israel was a theocratic kingdom, God legislated certain benefits to the poor, widows, orphans and sojourners in order to meet their daily needs, and these were to be given by those whom He’d blessed with abundance. God instructed His leaders to uphold and defend the rights of the vulnerable, knowing there would be wicked persons who would seek to exploit them. Sadly, much of Israel’s history was marked by a breakdown among His people, as the leaders and wealthy in the land exploited the poor they were called to defend. Now, in the Church age, God provides care for the needy in society through human governments, as well as through individual Christians and local churches. Lastly, perfect government will come in the future when Jesus Christ returns and establishes His kingdom on earth and provides righteous reign and care for all. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged A Christian view of social justice, caring for the por, Christians and social justice, helping orphans, Helping the homeless, Helping the poor, helping widows, Scripture for social justice, social justice, social justice and Christians, Social justice and the Bible, Social justice and the church, Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective, The church and social justice, what does God say about social justice, what does the Bible say about helping the poor, What does the Bible say about social justice?, what is social justice
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When God Gives Us a Test
God tests His people. It’s a fact that is repeated throughout Scripture (Exo 16:4; 20:20; Deu 13:3; Jud 3:1-2; Isa 48:10). He tests us with difficult situations in order to humble us, so that we will not look to ourselves for strength, but to Him. In the end, the test reveals that it is God who provides for us. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Each day has enough trouble of its own, Faith for today, Faith for tomorrow, Jehovah Jireh, Learning to trust in God, Seek first His kingdom, Seek the Lord, The Lord will provide, The purpose of testing, the value of suffering, The value of testing, When Abraham offered Isaac, When God gives us a test, Why did God test Abraham?, Why does God test His people?, Why does the Lord test us?, Yahweh Yireh
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How to Deal with Jealousy
Jealousy can be either healthy or unhealthy, depending on the motivation of the heart. God is jealous. He is jealous to protect His glory (Isa 42:8), His name (Eze 39:25; cf. Isa 42:8), and His people (Zec 8:2). When we love what God loves, then we’ll possess a godly jealousy, like Elijah (1 Ki 19:10) and Paul (2 Cor 11:2). But when we care little about God, then sinful jealousy will dominate our hearts, and we’ll seek to destroy rather than protect and edify others, such as when Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him (Gen 37:11-28), or when the Sadducees attacked and imprisoned the apostles (Acts 5:17-18). We overcome sinful jealousy by: 1) placing God’s Word at the center of our lives and letting it direct our thoughts, words and actions (Psa 1:2; 2 Cor 10:5), 2) realizing the Lord owns everything (Psa 24:1; 89:11), and that He is free to leave or take whatever we have, including possessions, family, or health (Job 1:6-21), and, 3) that sinful jealousy cannot exist in a heart saturated with God’s love, for “Love…is not jealous” (1 Cor 13:4). Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Love, Marriage, Righteous Living
Tagged A definition of jealousy, Does God get jealous?, God's jealousy, godly jealousy, How to deal with jealousy, How to deal with sinful jealousy, Is envy and jealousy different?, Is jealousy a sin?, Is jealousy ever right?, Should Christians be jealous?, What does the Bible say about Godly jealousy?, what does the Bible say about jealousy?, what is sinful jealousy?, Why are we jealous?, Why is God jealous?
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When God Uses Evil Actions for His Good
Through Scripture, God gives His people the capacity to see all of life from His vantage point. Having God’s perspective allows us to rise about the daily grind of life and the petty actions of others and realize there is a sovereign God who rules over His creation and directs the activities of mankind—even evil activities—for His own good and the good of His people. For this reason, we can understand Paul’s words and know “that God 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 Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged All Things Work Together for Good, Divine viewpoint, Genesis 50:20, God can use evil actions to bring about good, God meant it for good, God was with Joseph, God's providence, God's sovereignty, How did God use the evil actions of Joseph's brothers for good, human viewpoint, Joseph sold into slavery, Living by faith in adversity, living with the divine perspective, Providence, Romans 8:28, Seeing life from God's perspective, The story of Joseph
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Alexander the Coppersmith
There are times when it’s necessary to specifically name a person as hostile in order to warn others to avoid unnecessary harm. This was true of the apostle Paul, who warned his friend, Timothy, about a man named Alexander. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Alexander the Coppersmith, avoiding people who cause trouble, Avoiding trouble, God will repay, God will repay those who hurt us, Guard yourself from others who want to hurt you, Is it ok to name people and their faults?, Never seek retaliation, Never take your own revenge, Protect yourself from people who want to hurt you, When to avoid trouble, When to guard yourself from others
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Submission to Authority – Part III
Christians will, at times, suffer unjustly at the hands of those whom God has placed in authority over us, like the suffering Hagar experienced at the hand of Sarai. And, the harsh or immoral character of leaders should never dictate our response; rather, we should be governed by God’s Word, as we look to Christ as our example of unjust suffering. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged 1 Peter 2:18, Abram and Sarai and Hagar, Genesis 16, Jesus as our example of submitting to authority, Living by faith under a harsh boss, Should I submit to my boss when he's a jerk?, Should we submit to abusive authority?, Should we submit to harsh leaders?, Submission to authority, Submitting to the boss, The conception of Ishmael, When should we say "no" to authority?, Why did God make Hagar submit to Sarai?
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Submission to Authority – Part II
Rebellion against God’s authority started with Satan, an angelic creature who, at an unspecified time, led an angelic revolt against God and created a kingdom of darkness. Afterward, God created Adam and Eve to serve under His authority, as mediatorial administrators who cared for the earth. However, God permitted Satan to tempt Adam and Eve to rebel against His authority, and when they agreed to follow Satan, his kingdom of darkness was expanded and he became the temporary ruler of this world. According to God’s wise plan and sovereign will, He sent His Son into the world and the Son added humanity to Himself, lived an absolutely righteous life in obedience to His Father and went to the cross and died for sinful humanity. At the cross, Jesus reclaimed this world and pronounced judgment and sentencing for Satan, who will eventually be cast into the Lake of Fire forever. Until that time, Satan continues as a subversive living in God’s world, and he has many followers who are used by him to subvert God’s will on earth. These enemies of God seek to infiltrate governmental systems and command people—both saved and lost—to disobey God. Though Christians are commanded to obey human leaders, we can never obey a command that is contrary to God’s will. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Adam and Eve rebelled against God, Adam and Eve submitted to Satan, Civil disobedience, God intended Adam and Eve to rule over the earth, God is always sovereign, God permits Satan to act, God permits Satan to tempt His people, God's sovereignty, Good end evil coexist, Is Satan the god of this age?, Is Satan the god of this world?, Is Satan the ruler of this world?, Is there a time when Christians disobey authority?, Jesus reclaimed the world, Satan convinced Adam and Eve to rebel against God's authority, Satan has planted subversives in the world, Satan is the god of this age, Satan is the god of this world, Satan led an angelic revolt in heaven, Satan rebelled against God's authority, Satan's world system, Submission to authority, the fall of Satan, The parable of the wheat and the tares, When did Satan fall?, When should the Christian refuse to obey authority?, Why does good and evil coexist?
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Submission to Authority – Part I
God is the supreme Ruler of His creation, and He has established human governmental authorities to promote law and order. This means He has delegated authority to persons and groups who serve as administrative overseers to others. As Christians, we are commanded to submit to those in authority over us, whether it is the president, state governors, local city officials, police officers, employers, parents, teachers, etc. Failure to submit to human authority is regarded as failure to submit to God, Who has placed those persons over us. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged 1 Peter 2:13-14, Biblical examples of submission to authority, Christian citizenship, God delegates authority, God is the supreme ruler over creation, hupotasso, Pray of those in authority, Romans 13:1, Should believers submit to human authority?, Submission to authority, Submit to authority, what does it mean to submit to authority?, What does the Bible say about submission to authority?, when can the believer say no to authority?
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The Wrath of God
God’s wrath refers to His intense hatred of sin. God’s hatred of sin is primarily born out of His attributes of righteousness and love. Righteousness and love are eternal attributes, but wrath is not. God’s wrath is the natural response to that which is contrary to His righteousness and love. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged A definition of God's wrath, Be angry but do not sin, Be angy, Be slow to anger, Believers should be slow to anger, Does God get angry?, Examples of God's wrath, God's patience delays His wrath, God's wrath, God's wrath at the cross, Is anger a sin?, Reasons why God gets angry, Should believers get angry?, The reasons for God's wrath, The Wrath of God, What does the Bible say about God's anger?, What does the Bible say about God's wrath?, why does God get angry?, why God gets angry, Wrath at the cross
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Babylonianism
Babylonianism is a philosophy of human autonomy. It is a system of values that start and end with man, and is embraced by the vast majority of people who assign no serious thought of God to their discussions, plans, or projects, and who seek to use His resources independently of His wishes. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged Babylon is the birthplace of organized religion, Babylonian values, Babylonianism, Babylonianism is a philosophy of human autonomy, Living in Babylon, Satan's world system, The great harlot, The land of Shinar, The tower of Babel, What is Babylonianism?
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Faith or Regeneration – Which Comes First?
The ordo salutis refers to the order of salvation. Some believe regeneration precedes faith in Christ, and others that faith in Christ precedes regeneration. This article seeks to present a fair presentation of the subject. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Salvation
Tagged does faith precede regeneration?, Does regeneration precede faith?, faith precedes regeneration, John 3:3-8, Love, ordo salutis, regeneration precedes faith, spirituality, the meaning of regeneration, the order of salvation, the ordo salutis, to be born again, what does it mean to be born again?, what must I do to be saved
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What is the Church?
The church refers to the body of Christ which began on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. It is comprised of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Jesus as Savior. The church exists universally as an organism, the global presence of Christians who form the body of Christ. The church also exists locally as an organization, a nearby assembly of believers who gather together for Bible study, worship, fellowship, and the practice of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Christian church is a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament and is separate from Israel, having a different identity and purpose. Continue reading
Posted in Church, Dispensationalism, Hermeneutics, Hot Topics, Israel
Tagged dispensational distinctions, Dispensationalism, dispensationalism and the church, Does the church replace Israel?, Ecclesiology, Gentile Christians, Israel and the church, Jewish Christians, Jews and Gentiles, The body of Christ, the church and Israel, the church as an organism, the church as an organizatio, The church as the body of Christ, The church in the New Testament, the early church, the first century church, the house church, the living church, the local church, the meaning of ecclesia, The meaning of ekklesia, The purpose of the church, the study of the Church, The universal church, What is dispe... dispe... dispensationalism?, what is the church, what is the ekklesia
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Not of Works
Christians are saved by what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross and not by any good works we produce. Good works should follow salvation, but they are never the condition of it. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hot Topics, Salvation
Tagged Are good works necessary for salvation?, do good works save?, Does God accept our good works?, God's riches at Christ's expense, good works do not save, How we are saved, Jesus paid it all, Must we do good works to be saved?, Not of works, we are not saved by good works, we are not saved by human works, We are saved by faith in Christ, We are saved by God's grace, We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, works do not save
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A Commitment of the Heart
Good and evil reflect a commitment of the heart, and this commitment determines our values and actions, either good or bad. Who are you? Are you one who has set your heart to turn away from God and live as you please? Is your will more important than His? Or, are you one who has an honest and good heart that welcomes God and His Word and who submits yourself to doing His will? I hope it’s the latter. Your words and actions will show it. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged a commitment of the heart, agapao, Good and evil, Hebrew ra, Is there a good heart?, is your heart bad?, is your heart evil, is your heart good?, Love for God, love of evil, love of good, the evil heart, the heart of man, the orientation of the heart, the reason for evil, the source of evil, the source of good, what comes out of the heart, who are you?, why do we disobey God?, why do we do evil?, why do we do good?, why do we sin, why is the heart bad?, why is the heart evil?, why we disobey God, why we love the approval of men and not God, why we love the darkness, why we obey God
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When God Said “Do Not Pray”
Three times God told Jeremiah, “do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you” (Jer. 7:16; cf. 11:14; 14:11). The reason behind God’s command was that He had decided to judge and punish His people (Jer. 7:20) because they’d repeatedly broken their covenant with Him by disobeying His commands and pursuing other gods, which He had forbidden (Ex. 20:2-4; cf. Ezek. 20:4-24). Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Prayer
Tagged be devoted to prayer, Do not pray, Does God ever say no to prayer?, Does God not hear our prayers?, Examples of divine discipline, Jeremiah 7:16, pray always, Pray without ceasing, The prayer of Moses, the sin of idolatry, The sin unto death, When God does not hear prayer, When God said do not pray, Why did God tell Jeremiah not to pray?
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