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
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 28, 2009
ACTIVE DISCIPLESHIP
Relation to Christ activates and empowers the whole of life when humans choose to act. Without action, nothing happens. It is kind of like getting into a car and just sitting there without turning the ignition and putting the car into gear and pushing on the accelerator and
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 28, 2009
DECISION WITHOUT DETERMINATION
Some choose and pray a prayer. This is the great heresy of the last hundred years. I made a choice when I was ten. But there is no determination. I have been convinced by the Lord that a decision without determination and effort is absolutely meaningless.
In
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 3, 2009
Simply put the person asking for bread in the middle of the night is not admirable but is rude. He does not know or does not care about shame.
By the way does everyone know what BFF is? It is part of the new lingo of texting, which is kind of like shorthand. BFF is “Best Friends Forever.” And now
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 3, 2009
Jesus confronts all those misconceptions and says you can pray, this is how you do it (“Our Father”), and God does hear you. God is not out to punish you or play tricks on you by giving you poison when you need and ask for food. You don’t have to jump through all these man-made hoops. Ask, seek,
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 3, 2009
The setting is the front of a small church. The pastor says from the pulpit, ‘I’ve misplaced my sermon notes, so I’m just going to read from this devotional—if I can find it here. While I look, maybe the choir can lead us in a hymn’. He glances at the choir which has one person.
The choir
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Presbyterian/Reformed
Christian guitarist Phil Keaggy, in his song "A Time and a Place," said, "Said the robin to the sparrow,
I would really like to know Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so. Said the sparrow to the robin,
Friend, I think
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Methodist
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