Author: Stan Cox

To give thanks, you must first know you have been blessed and know the source of those blessings. Thanksgiving is appropriate before, during and after the blessing occurs.

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Where is self denial? Where is “giving all diligence”? Where is “striving”? Too few are willing to sacrifice for their faith and their God.

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Our lives consist of a series of choices. The choices we make determine the path that our life will take. Wrong turns can have tragic consequences, but good choices can make for a joyous and fulfilling tenure here on earth. Of course, our choices can also impact our eternal standing with God. The mansion prepared for us by the Lord (cf. John 14:1-2) hangs in the balance, dependent upon the decisions we make.

The life of Moses serves as a wonderful example in this regard. His life was first influenced by the decision made by his mother. “So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months” (Exodus 2:2). When she could hide him no longer, her desperate act to save her son resulted in Moses being raised by the daughter of Pharaoh.

Continue reading “Making Good Choices” →

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).

This text from David’s psalm shows his truly penitent spirit following his adultery with Bathsheba. Though it took a direct admonition from Nathan to bring him to his senses, there is no doubt that David felt remorse for his sin.

He said, “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (3). This confession, accompanied with his godly sorrow provoked God’s tender mercies.

The Christian too, if he is truly sorrowful for the sins he commits, can receive forgiveness from God. He must acknowledge his sins, repent, and pray God’s forgiveness.

May each of us remember, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
a broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise” (17).

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Obedience to God’s commands does not constitute earning your salvation. It is also not “self-defined”, as it is God who determines what must be done. Finally, it is a necessary thing!

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The lesson discusses the Biblical view of the sanctity of life, making applications with regard to the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, and what constitutes murder.

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The most potent weapon Christians have in combating life’s difficulties and the despair that accompanies them is the realization that our ultimate victory has already been secured through the work of our Lord. Paul acknowledged this reality in 1 Corinthians 15 as he wrote of the significance of Christ’s resurrection.

If Christ has not been raised from the dead after dying for our sins, Paul noted, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (17-18). But, because Christ has gained victory over death, the reality is far different! “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (19). Our confidence lies in the fact of Christ’s accomplishment. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the faithful will be as well, as He promised! Paul wrote, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (57).

Continue reading “Superconquerors!” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The disobedient, no matter their might, will be judged by the Almighty God.

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Which kind of fool do you wish to be? The fool who is only called a fool in the eyes of men? Or the fool who is really a fool in the eyes of God?

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The lesson discusses the existence of spiritual bullies, much like the Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus. Such exist today, and there are ways to effectively respond to their evil.

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It is a bit disconcerting how far our world has strayed from the paths of righteousness. The wise man once wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). These words are true wisdom, and the sinfulness of our society certainly is a reproach to our nation.

It is hard for the Christian to understand how the world has reached the state it is presently in. We are truly living in a time similar to that which existed during Isaiah’s tenure on earth, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21). How did we get here? Consider the following anecdote.

Continue reading ““We are … the thought leaders”” →

Abraham is a wonderful example of a man who had a total commitment of faith toward God. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:8-10).

The obstacles he encountered during his pilgrimage were formidable. His response of faith necessitated his remaining life be spent as a nomad in a land that was not his own. He suffered through famine, and danger because He believed the threefold promise God had made to him. God had promised that land where he dwelt in tents would be given to his descendants. He had promised that those descendants, (from Isaac, the son of promise), would become a great nation (Israel). Finally, God promised that through Abraham’s seed a Savior of all nations would come (cf. Genesis 12:1-3).

Continue reading “Abraham – A Committed Faith” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Paul exhorts the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:9 to love one another, increasing more and more.

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In the 29th Psalm, we have a beautiful description of the power of the voice of the Lord. Consider the following sentiments:

The Voice of the Lord

• “is over the waters” (3)
• “is powerful” (4)
• “is full of majesty” (4)
• “breaks the cedars” (5)
• “splinters the cedars of Lebanon” (5)
• “divides the flames of fire” (7)
• “shakes the wilderness” (8)
• “makes the deer give birth” (9)
• “strips the forests bare” (9)

This description is given within the context of a call to worship Him. “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (2). Because of who God is, because of His character, wisdom, power and position, He is due (or worthy) honor.

He requires His worshippers to be holy. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). May each “purify your hearts” (James 4:8), and “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

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In the midst of all the rhetoric heard concerning immigration, protest and racial tension that is troubling our country, the voice of scripture is seldom heard. Consider these words from the pen of the apostle Peter:

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13-14).

Obviously, the worldly disregard scripture. They could care less what God has to say regarding citizenship. However, the true Christian is constrained by the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us that we are to obey the laws of the land, “for the Lord’s sake.” Those who disregard the rule of law do so to their soul’s detriment.

Yes, there is a limit to the obedience we proffer to our government (cf. Acts 5:29). But that threshold is far above the lawlessness that has gained the acceptance and even approval of a large segment of our nation. Both the laws of God and of man must be respected. God said so!

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