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We Believe in the Resurrection of Both the Saved and the Lost
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:2–3 (NIV) We believe in the resurrection…
Read MoreWe Believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 (CSB) We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by…
Read MoreWe Believe in Regeneration by the Holy Spirit
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) We believe that for the salvation of the lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. When someone gives their heart to the Lord, by…
Read MoreWe Believe in the Deity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (CSB) We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death…
Read MoreWe Believe in the Eternal Triune God
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV) We believe in the Eternal Triune God. In this short statement, we have two concepts that present challenges to understand, and even more so, to explain. Everything within…
Read MoreWe Believe God’s Word
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.…
Read MoreDo We Believe What We Believe?
Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23 (CSB) Perhaps this article should have been titled “Do We Know What We Believe?” In part, because surveys show that biblical literacy is at historically low levels. Engagement…
Read MoreThe Whole Plan of God
Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. Acts 20:26–27 (CSB) Everybody has favorites. It may be favorite foods, or favorite activities. We certainly have favorite people. It is only natural to…
Read MorePatient Urgency
Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:7–8 (CSB) Patient urgency…
Read MoreHaste and Waste
Haste and Waste Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. Proverbs 19:2 (NLT) In Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit lamented, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” This is a sentiment that I’m sure that we can all relate to at one time or another in our busy lives. At times,…
Read MoreWhen Ignorance Meets Arrogance
What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. Isaiah 5:21 (NLT) Never before in the history of the world has humanity had access to so much information. But information alone is not enough. While access to information has proliferated, the wisdom to interpret and understand is tragically…
Read MoreRighteousness Exalts a Nation
Righteousness Exalts a Nation Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34 (NLT) Saturday will mark the 250th birthday of the United States of America. (The 200th birthday does not seem like it was so long ago.) It is apparent that patriotism provokes more controversy today than it…
Read MoreAlways On Time
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT) I do not like to be late for anything. Additionally, it aggravates me when other people are…
Read MoreDisqualified?
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT) We look forward to the day when Christ will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant…” Conversely, I can’t imagine that anyone…
Read MoreSpeak Up, Or Shut Up?
I know precisely the extent of your violations, the enormity of your sins. Appalling! You bully right-living people, taking bribes right and left and kicking the poor when they’re down. Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic. Decent people throw up their hands. Protest and rebuke are useless, a waste of breath. Amos 5:12–13…
Read MoreA Servant’s Heart: A Warning
Who among you fears the Lord and listens to his servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord; let him lean on his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with torches; walk in the light of your fire…
Read MoreA Servant’s Heart: Vindicated
The one who vindicates me is near; who will contend with me? Let us confront each other. Who has a case against me? Let him come near me! In truth, the Lord God will help me; who will condemn me? Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment; a moth will devour them.…
Read MoreA Servant’s Heart: Determination
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 (NLT) The servant songs found in Isaiah paint pictures for us that describe not only the life…
Read MoreA Servant’s Heart: Suffering
I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 (NLT) In continuing our examination of the third of four Servant Songs in Isaiah 50, we find a portrait of a servant who willingly…
Read MoreA Servants Heart: Listening
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. Isaiah 50:4–5 (NLT) The book…
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