Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 2, 2009
Now the picture Jesus paints is of an enemy sowing some weeds. The plant most think is commonly called darnel or cockle earning the name “false wheat” as it looks so much like wheat especially in the early stages. It is common in Syria and Israel. The problem is that by the time it is developed
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jun 2, 2009
WITHSTANDING THE WINDS
When a house is well-constructed it weathers the storm. A friend of mine owns a house on the northern beaches that simply became run down with age. Its on a headland, exposed to all the elements, especially salt spray and strong winds. When Jim rebuilt the house a couple of
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Presbyterian/Reformed
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 8, 2009
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In communist Romania there was a very young man named Matchevici who had been put into prison because of his faith at the age of 18. Because of the tortures, he was very sick with tuberculosis. Somehow his family found out that he was sick and sent him a hundred bottle so streptomycin, which could
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 8, 2009
Does God calls everybody to sacrifice greatly to follow Jesus? I believe that God does and that we often rationalize in order to justify our choices. You might not see it that way. But I can share with you our experience and I do this not to boast because if I boast it is in the Lord and what Jesus
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 8, 2009
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Roy Whetstine was a rock collector whose two sons each had given him five dollars to buy a rock for them at a rock show. One table had a Tupperware container with a large potato-sized rock surrounded by a lot of agates. The sign read: “Any stone $15.” Roy picked up the big rock and asked, “You want
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jun 10, 2009
SUFFERING=SERVICE
Roger Staubach is an American football player. He was once asked when injured, "How do you keep on keeping on if you’re playing professional football"? Roger said something important, "If you’re not playing hurt, you’re not playing football."
Paul expresses a similar
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Presbyterian/Reformed
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 16, 2009
I want to conclude with a clip. This movie is the story of a POW camp that was forced to build an important and strategic bridge. In this scene, one man unexpectedly decides to intervene on behalf of another. He does it out of his convictions and the love of God in him.
[Show clip: To End All Wars
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 16, 2009
The amazing thing is that when we are broken before God, Jesus takes the broken pieces of our lives and unexpectedly transforms what many people in the world might cast out as trash and creates a thing of beauty that allows his light to shine through. This is called a
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 23, 2009
Note the contrast between fleeing and pursuing. It is not enough to just stop doing things or at least stop the frequency of those things that do not honor God. Sometimes it is easy to think, “I just do it once in while. What’s the harm?” The problem is that people really do see what you’re saying.
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jun 29, 2009
PAY FOR THE EGGS
Charles Spurgeon and his wife, according to a story in the Chaplain magazine, would sell, but refused to give away, the eggs their chickens laid. Even close relatives were told, "You may have them if you pay for them." As a result, some people labeled the Spurgeons greedy and
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Methodist
Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jun 29, 2009
THE MASTER OF RELIGIOSITY
He made free use of Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian confessions which would become the pillars of the new government. He assumed the earnestness of a man weighed down by historic responsibility. He handed out pious
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Methodist
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 30, 2009
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However, it the image of the “enraged king” who sends an army to destroy the city and kill those who have committed but then rejected the summons that bothers us. Is God really that way? I don’t know about you but I have this image of someone who completely flies off the handle in a rage and temper
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 30, 2009
GOD STILL SURPRISES US
Often God surprises us to our shame. I remember a couple that shared how they tried to witness and help their neighbor who was a raging alcoholic. They prayed for her and took her under their wing but she seemed hopeless. She might get clean for a little while, but then she
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 30, 2009
KFC CHICKEN JOY
A few weeks ago, KFC through Oprah made it possible for every person to get a free meal of KFC’s grilled chicken. People were exuberant. The computer server was overwhelmed with requests. We were able to get the coupons and went the next day. The restaurants were overwhelmed by the
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 6, 2009
I am free in Christ to drink any coffee that I want. But if I know that certain brands of coffee or tea have not be grown and bought in a responsible fashion then in my opinion I am abusing my freedom and am hindering my witness to those who have suffered from the injustice. I had a Starbuck’s
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 6, 2009
HIGHER STANDARD OF GOD
Paul very much emphasized that we are responsible to others. Not responsible for them but to them. We are held to a high standard (at least we should be) by our own conscience, by others, and by God.
Too often we make excuses such as not knowing that something was
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 13, 2009
Now here are some cultural issues that may help us gain a clearer picture. The crumbs that fell underneath the table were pieces of bread used to wipe one’s hands. They did not fall there accidently. They were thrown under the table indicating both excesses of the rich man and his utter lack of
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 13, 2009
The rich man had no excuse as Lazarus sat right outside his gate. He can’t claim that he didn’t know or didn’t see the poor. Sound familiar? “I don’t know any poor.” We live in the suburbs so we don’t have to see the poor. We applaud laws that keep the homeless from sleeping where we can see them
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 13, 2009
How far do we take this? Jesus doesn’t say. I can’t tell you but I can make suggestions that push you to a greater dependence on God and a greater obedience.
Albert Schweitzer left his status as a professor, gave up his organ playing and went to Africa as a missionary doctor. He believed this
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Church Of God
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