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Patience and Kindness
Showing patience to others takes a significant amount of wisdom. There comes a point when even God ceases to be patient with us, and there are times when we will need to stop being patient with someone for that person ...Read More
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Paul’s Love for the Philippians
In many ways, it is easier to pray or to give to various churches and ministries instead of doing both. How often do we pray for other believers and gospel defenders without responding to their need for financial support? How ...Read More
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Persevering in Gospel Hope
Even true Christians may wonder at times if they are truly among God’s children, and one of the many ways to find assurance of one’s salvation is to look for evidence of perseverance in one’s life. Do ...Read More
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Playing for Keeps
Part of the discipline needed for spiritual growth is regular participation in the local church. Worship on Sunday wherein we hear the Word preached and see it made visible in the sacraments is vital to our long-term spiritual health. But ...Read More
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Power to Minister
If you are a Christian, you have already received the Holy Spirit, and you have the mind and ability to serve God and His church. We all may not be ordained to specific church offices, but all of us who ...Read More
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Proving Our Faith
Our good works do not get us into the kingdom of God, but they do evidence the authenticity of our faith. We cannot rely in any way whatsoever on these works if we want to see God, but if we ...Read More
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Proving Our Salvation
Scripture often warns the people of God about those who cause dissension for dissension’s sake — people who cause problems not because they stand firm for the truth but because they are factional and generally disagreeable (Titus 3:10–11 ...Read More
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Real Joy and True Peace
If you are a Christian, the Spirit has been poured into your heart, which means joy and peace have been poured into you. If you don’t feel much joy in Christ or peace with others right now, stop and ...Read More
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Reflecting God’s Glory
Today’s passage is being fulfilled even as it is also yet to be fulfilled. The Gentiles are coming to serve Israel’s God, and many of us are proof of that. However, we are still waiting for the day ...Read More
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Revealing the Heart
Dr. John MacArthur teaches that “no infraction against God’s holiness is a trifling thing, and each person will ultimately give account of such indiscretion” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,146). The Lord hears and remembers every word we ...Read More
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Sacrifice from the Heart
Read Matthew 12:1–13. What was the major concern of the Pharisees? What was Jesus’ concern? What does Jesus mean by “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (see Hosea 6:6)? Examine your life and your practice of worship ...Read More
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Self-Control
Is the fruit of self-control manifesting itself in your life? Do you lose your temper often, or are you able to control your emotions? Take some time to look at the relationships in your life to see whether you are ...Read More
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Selfless Love
Do you struggle with a short temper? Are you quick to exaggerate things and make the worst out of any and all circumstances? The antidote to these things is remembering the patience of our Creator. He did not wipe us ...Read More
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Suffering and Patience
James 5:11 concludes by reminding us that the Lord is compassionate and merciful. We can see this now but it will be even more evident to us at the last day. The vindication that we will experience and the ...Read More
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The Carnal Christian
Being conformed to the image of Christ does not happen quickly. There is no secret formula for victory over the flesh or a second blessing that creates instant maturity. One of the most important means for growing to maturity is ...Read More
