Salvation

God is Our Advantage

David and Goliath“David, you simply cannot challenge Goliath!  You’re only a youth, while he is an experienced warrior,” 1 Samuel 17:33.  King Saul was conscious only of David’s disadvantages.  The Israeli king and his army only though in terms of personal disadvantage.  The entire army believed that no one in his right mind would accept Goliath’s challenge to a duel.  Consequently, their awareness of disadvantage froze God’s people into inactivity. …

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Choosing Courage

For two weeks the raging wind ceaselessly roared across the Mediterranean Sea, transforming the ocean waves into mountainous waves. The wind and waves violently beat against the ship which carried 270 crew and passengers. Every effort to save the ship from certain destruction failed and the weakened craft sank lower and lower into the water.  “We finally gave up all hope of being saved,” Acts 27:20.

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Being Patient with Others

As Jesus approached the end of his earthly life, he lovingly looked at the apostles.  To his closest earthly companions he said, “I have…more to say to you, more than you can now bear,” John 16:12.  Jesus desired to share much more truth with his followers but realized their immaturity would not allow them to comprehend the meaning of his words. …

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Using What You Have

Jesus commanded the apostles to feed the huge multitude of 5,000 men plus women and children.  “We can’t,” the apostles insisted. Jesus asked, “What do you have?” The twelve responded, “A few fish and some bread.” “Bring them to me,” Jesus demanded.  Our Lord multiplied the meager provisions the apostles possessed and  provided more than enough food for everyone present. …

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Can there be Faith without Risk?

All Christians desire faith.  We often quote Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.Entire books are written about faith. True faith in God always entails the element of risk.  People who insist upon logically understanding the results of all their actions never enjoy the fruits of faith.  Faith always involves risks. …

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Not Careless But Carefree

God announced that “Whosoever listens to me shall live without a care, undisturbed by fear of misfortune,” Proverbs 1:33 NEB. Please read this verse again and notice that God wants you living without a care!  In other words, Christians can be carefree.  The dictionary defines carefree as “without care or worry; without painful apprehension.”

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Go on with Life!

Have you ever met anyone who constantly dwelt upon past mistakes?  Those people never move on with life because they continue reliving past events. …

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What’s All this Overcoming Getting Me?

Overcoming life’s difficulties is fun. Everyone enjoys winning.

But the act of overcoming sometimes wears us out. Fighting one battler after another horribly fatigues us. After awhile, we begin wondering about the purpose of all this overcoming bit.

Overcoming is fun, if it isn’t too hard. …

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Benefiting From Your Mind Time

“Think about such things,” Philippians 4:8.

What things?

Things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

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Submitting Our Thoughts to the Lord of Pleasantness

There is plenty of unpleasantness in our world.  Well, there is also plenty of pleasantness.

On a cloudy Monday morning, Delores and I sat down to breakfast in a bayside hotel restaurant.  While sipping coffee and waiting for our meals to arrive, we excitedly chattered about the beautiful morning.  Although a blanket of clouds hid the blue sky, small gaps in the cloud cover permitted shafts of brilliant sunlight to shine upon the bay’s rough surface.  Seagulls soared overhead, fishing pelicans crashed into the water and shrimp boats puttered about.  What marvelous displays of Father’s splendor! …

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