Category: Uncategorized
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Is It Time to Jump?
I think of myself, even to this day, frozen on that diving board. I was taking swimming lessons, and it was my turn to jump. I had seen others jump. I had heard how to jump. I had even practiced on the side of the pool. Yet, there was something about going from theory to…
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Which Came First, Discipleship or Evangelism?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Have you heard that question before? Usually, we hear that as a funny saying that seeks to illustrate that sometimes it is difficult to figure out what the true cause is of a particular problem or event. Today, I want us to think about which came first…
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Troubleshooting with God
When I was a kid, I did a lot of troubleshooting. No, I didn’t call it that back then, but I did it. When I was faced with a problem like a ball stuck on a roof, I would think through possible solutions until one presented itself. Sometimes, I would do foolish things to solve…
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In Good – Be Excellent
I find getting lost to be easy for me. I am very good at it. It isn’t being lost that I have trouble with. I have trouble with finding my way. If someone wants directions, I will use Google or have them talk with my wife. I will have to find them directions from another…
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The Mystery of the Resurrection
As we think this week about the resurrection of Jesus, consider that the resurrection is God’s declaration of approval of the cross. It is the declaration that the cross is not a failure. It is not a loss. It is victory. First, it is a victory of mystery. What is that mystery? It is the…
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Loving for Real
In Romans 12 Paul challenges the church in Rome to love. He calls us to love without hypocrisy. He calls us to commit to loving in a profound way. Love is different from being nice. Love is real. Love is committed. Love rejoices with those who rejoice. Love weeps with those who weep. Love seeks…
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Reminders from Christmas – God Loves Us!
How do we know people love us? Sometimes we know because they tell us. However, most often we know that people love us because of what they do. These actions are pictures of love. One of the great surprises we experience in life is the love of others. We are surprised that others value us. …
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We Need the Mercy of God
I am thinking about mercy this week. Mercy is unique. Mercy given must be received by the one who needs it. If we don’t receive it, we stay under condemnation. We stay in our guilt. And yet, many who need mercy refuse to admit that they do. Why do we need mercy? We need mercy…
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Loving the Lost
We say often in my house, “If wishes were fishes we would all be in the sea.” We wish a lot of things. As a Christian, I wish often that the people around me all knew Jesus. Sometimes, I even think so highly of them that I avoid thinking about their lostness. I avoid seeing…
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I Beg You, Pray
Superman is invulnerable. Pastors are not. God’s people are not. Pastors have flaws, temptations, and struggles. Pastors have insecurities. Pastors do not always know exactly what should be done next. Pastors yell or want to yell at their kids. Christians are all clay called to shine the light of Christ. What is the answer? Pastors need…
Pastor John D Jakes 