Tag: God
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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…
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A Fool and a Rebuke
10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.–Proverbs 17 This proverb is almost comical in its absurdity. But it serves to highlight the foolishness of the fool and the sense of the wise. How foolish must that fool be? My goodness! And that’s the point. A rebuke…
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Basic Sovereignty
33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.–Proverbs 16 They cast a lot, or a type of dice, back in the day to secure answers to questions. I grew up hearing things like, “Heads, we do this. Tails, we do that.” Same principle. But this verse is a…
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Intentional Speech
28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.–Proverbs 15 I played a season on my college’s improv team. I was encouraged by friends who were current team players to try out, and I had just enough Chris Farley-esque physical comedy skills to make an…
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The Great Balance
29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.–Proverbs 14 Like many proverbs, here there is one of those playground things I grew up calling a “teeter-totter”. One one side is slowness to anger with his friend understanding. On the other side is a hasty temper and…
Joel M Bradshaw 