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Levi – From Cursed to Chosen
A trip through the book of Genesis reminds us that the Bible is full of way more stories than just Adam & Eve or Noah’s Ark. In reality, some stories aren’t exactly Sunday school friendly, and many will have you questioning why God would have wanted them written at all. Take Jacob for example, the grandson of mighty Abraham, Father of many nations. Jacob wrestled with God and from him came the 12 tribes of Israel. Talk about a life of worthiness. But read about Jacob’s life of deceit, lack of faith, and poor decisions, and then suddenly you start to wonder why God felt he deserved to be a…
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If You Love Me…
Whenever I’m going through something, I always try to find someone in the Bible who went through a similar experience. Job, Paul, Jonah, Ruth – there’s always someone I can relate to and learn from. This time, it’s Peter. We all know Peter. The walking-on-water, Jesus-denying, ear-slicing, ever faithful Peter. Peter was enthusiastic (to say the least) about pleasing Jesus. He wanted to make Jesus proud and offer his fully devoted service. He wanted to show just how much he believed and how faithful he was. Yet, he was always tripping up. Always failing. Always falling. But hiccups and all, he kept pursuing Jesus. One of the last conversations Jesus…
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Jesus Loves You – But Not Your Sin
(A Preface to “When God Brings Judgment – An Isaiah 1 Commentary”) God is many things. Most notably, we know Him as our Creator and Savior, our Healer and Redeemer. God is love. He is just. He is patient and full of grace and mercy. Yes, God is a good God. So much so that we refer to Him as Our Father. He cares for us endlessly and only wants the best for us. But like a Father, God has rules. Laws – commandments, actually. And He expects us to obey them like any parent would desire of their child. But when any parent sees their child is being disruptive…
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When God Brings Judgment – An Isaiah 1 Commentary
The following post is a commentary on Isaiah 1:2-20. Like a parent, there are times that our Father must bring judgment upon His children. But also like a parent, He only ever wants what is best for us. (Read Preface here) Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: God is calling all of creation to be a witness. Has He not give us everything? Have we not acted like rebellious children? Let the world around us bear witness to our behavior and who He is. And this is who He is: “I have nourished and brought up children, He has been a loving, providing…
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Have You Tried…
We’ve all heard it. You don’t even have to have a chronic illness to have been asked this question in regards to all your problems. “Have you tried…” Have you tried losing weight? Have you tried this diet? Have you tried yoga? Have you tried essential oils? It didn’t take me long to realize how tiresome this question can be. For many who do suffer with a chronic illness, this question can almost seem like an insult. Because in truth, they have likely tried everything you can name. Personally, this question has never bothered me because I look at it as a way to research more into both what works…
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Repair the Breach
There once was a rich man, who though interestingly was never named, lived a life of absolute luxury. And at his gate every day, laid a beggar named Lazarus, who only sought for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. While the rich man dressed in the finest attire, Lazarus was dressed in wounds and sores that were licked by dogs. These two men obviously lived completely different lives. But neither was spared from death. When the day came that both Lazarus and the rich man died, angels brought Lazarus up to Abraham’s side. The rich man however, ended up in hell. When the rich man looked up…
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Dreaming of Hell
The First Dream When I was younger, I had a dream that terrifyingly embedded itself into my mind for years to come. The dream began as normal as any dream can, until suddenly, everything turned pitch black. It was such an empty, hollow blackness, a never ending void with nothing able to be seen before you or around you. And from that desolate pit, I heard the whisper, “It’s too late.” It was hell. Without a doubt, I knew I had gone to hell. And while I knew and know that hell is far worse than that, it was enough for me. It’s too late. No second chances. No extra…
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The Vision of the Sealed Book
I saw it all like words in a sealed book. It was delivered by men unto someone with one simple request: “Read this, please.” But the person responded, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” So the men delivered the book to someone who was illiterate with the same request, “Read this, please.” But this person responded, “I can’t. I don’t know how to read.” The prophet Isaiah wrote about this vision centuries before Jesus was even born. Perhaps you don’t understand. Why couldn’t the first person simply have unwrapped the book? Or maybe you’re wondering why the second person never learned to read at all. But what if this story…
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The Scripture of My Salvation
If you are ready to leave your old life behind and become a clean slate, free and whole, there is no better time than this moment. Now is the time to accept Jesus Christ into your life and allow Him to transform you and renew you to a clean creation once again. There are no fancy, religious rituals. There are no set prayers that needs to be said. It is all about trusting and believing that Jesus Christ died for your freedom from sin. Jesus Christ died for your healing and to make you whole. All it takes is faith. Trust in the Lord with all your heart,And lean not…
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Addiction: You Can Overcome
I often wonder what it would have been like these past two years had my brother still been alive. Yes, my family was very supportive during my battle with sickness, but what would he have done? What would he have said to encourage me? So many days I felt like he was the one I needed to comfort me. All I wished was that I could go back to his letters and find the words that would help me through everything. But he’s gone. He was still needed here, but he’s gone. I can no longer help him. But I can help others who are still fighting this battle. If…
