Tag: christian
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Shame and Joy
7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.–Proverbs 28 It almost seems impossible that Jesus didn’t have this proverb on his mind when he gave his famous parable about the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Let’s use that passage to illustrate. A father had…
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Three Sharpeners
17Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.–Proverbs 27 I am no blacksmith, nor am I a chemist, so I will not pretend to be able to dispense key metallurgical wisdom about this process. I do however want to apply the metaphor to some key wisdom for your life. 1. Have a 3AM friend. Nothing…
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Always You
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.–1 Thessalonians 5 Sometimes life is confusing and you wish your relationships came with an instruction manual. I can sometimes be a bonehead and a jerk and need to ask my wife to forgive my selfishness.…
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Rapture Thoughts
13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you…
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Heart Test
4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.–1 Thessalonians 2 Paul’s basic argument was this. God approved of him and the ministry he did. That was enough for Paul. All of his life…
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The Best Knowledge
4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.–1 Thessalonians 1 The Apostle John once made it blessedly clear: I write these things to you who believe in the name of…
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Naomi’s Redemption
13So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15He shall be to you a…
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Naomi’s Plan
1Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?2Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.3Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down…
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Naomi’s Realization
17So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. 19And…
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Naomi’s Pain
19So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21I went away full, and…
Joel M Bradshaw 