Category: Sin

We are praying for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The power of nature has been amply demonstrated. It is alarming how impotent man is when the elements unleash with fury.

The response to this tragedy is appropriate. Men have been talking about God. Prayers are solicited and offered, and the expressions of love that should be the default practice of all men has come to the forefront. For this we are thankful.

We have a Savior who showed power to still the wind and waves, “Peace, be still!” (Mark 4:39). This power is not surprising, as He is the Creator of all things! “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3).

While we thank God for all the petitions made in His Son’s name, for protection and healing in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, we are mindful of a multitude of souls floundering in the morass of sin. Let us never forget the tragedy that is greater than a loss of property or life — the loss of the soul. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

You are praying for your fellow man, and offering help in time of need. Have you considered the urgent need of spiritual healing for those same souls? Are you as willing to share the gospel of our Lord? Something to think about!

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 1 Peter 2:11, Peter states that fleshly lusts war against the soul. Sin is destructive to our souls, and our standing with God.

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A saint is one who God has separated from the world. He is to be holy in his conduct. The opposite of such holiness is a profane life. It is not possible for a child of God to persist in sin!

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The Jews of Jeremiah’s day had no shame, they had forgotten how to blush (cf. Jeremiah 6:11-15; 8:8-12). God’s people need to know how to blush. A sense of shame will help to protect and correct in areas such as conduct, speech and appearance.

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The book of Ezra records a remnant of Judah returning to the homeland after 70 years spent in Babylonian captivity. The reason they had been conquered by the Babylonians was their rejection of God. As Jeremiah put it, “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32).

However, after 70 years (prophesied in Jeremiah 29:10), God stirred up the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to their homeland (cf. Ezra 1:1). Not all were interested in leaving the place where they had lived for two generations. But, a remnant was moved by God (1:5), and returned to the land. Here the Jews reestablished their worship to God, and ultimately rebuilt the temple.

Continue reading “Lessons Learned from the Remnant” →

Social Media in our day and time is ubiquitous. In December of last year, Facebook boasted an average of over 1.23 Billion daily users. That is about 4 times the entire population of the United States, every day! Other popular Social Media sites include Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
With such ubiquity comes the danger of abuse and sin. Christians need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of using these sites, lest we “fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:7).

Continue reading “Social Media Guidelines” →

The text of Joshua 7 reveals Achan’s sin, and teaches us the fallacies many hold toward sin against God. Some claim one little sin won’t hurt. Others that it is their business what they do, and no one else’s. Others think their sin can remain hidden. All are untrue.

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“An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, when he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. He devises wickedness on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not abhor evil.” (Psalm 36:1-4)

The Psalmist refers to the sins of the wicked, that they speak to him. It may be that the transgressions harmed him personally. He expresses an intimate knowledge of the evil done.

How can a man do wickedness, and flatter himself? How can he think highly of himself when he hates others? When he deceives? When he rebels against his Creator?

While it seems incredible, the debased mind is commonly found in every nation and in every age. Paul knew why, because men “did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Romans 1:28). It is foolish, but does explain the current state of our society. In contrast, the righteous fear the Lord! (cf. Proverbs 3:7).

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Even in the face of Jerusalem’s ruin, some in Judea persisted in their belief they would be delivered from the Chaldeans. They said, “Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession” (Ezekiel 33:24).

They were wrong. Why? Because their confident assertion was given despite a lack of repentance on their part. God’s judgment was visited upon Judea wholly as a result of her sin. The prophet reminded them of this. “Thus says the Lord God: ‘You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then posses the land?” (vs. 25). He further noted their reliance upon the sword, their abominations and infidelities.

Finally, God proclaimed, “For I will make the land most desolate, her arrogant strength shall cease, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that no one will pass through” (vs. 28).

Today, many show the same “arrogant strength” in their unwillingness to place their trust in the Almighty God. God rules in the affairs of men. He determines the rise and fall of nations (cf. Acts 17:26). Any people who persist in “arrogant strength,” opposing the will of God, will not stand. We pray our nation will learn this truth sooner rather than later.

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1 Samuel 13:8-15 records a difficult time in the reign of King Saul, that he handled poorly. He sinned against God, and the excuses he offered to Samuel have beneficial applications to each of us.

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In Psalm 119:18, the writer prays to God for discernment regarding the wonderful things contained in His law. Such discernment (the opening of our eyes) is needed, and worthy of our petitions to God.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Through God’s redemptive work, we are able to escape the bondage of sin, and inherit eternal life.

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The United Church of Canada has been in the news of late, as the institution is trying to figure out what to do with one of its pastors. Gretta Vosper was ordained by that church in 1993. She has been, for a number of years, an avowed atheist! She has declared that it is time for the Christian church to give up on “the idolatry of a theistic god.” While some in the denomination wish for her to remain a pastor, others are not so sure. I wonder if anyone ever thought to consult the Bible to find out what God thinks?

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good” (Psalm 14:1).

Continue reading “Have You Ever Asked, “What Does God Think?”” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

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

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