Tag: faith
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Fear & Hope
Fear is all around us. We watch scary movies. We are afraid because of terrorists, diseases, and natural disasters. We are afraid for our children, our parents, ourselves. So when we read in the Scriptures to not be afraid, it can appear to be a pipe dream. What is this power that God seems to…
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Faith Today, Faith Forever
Sometimes I forget how valuable lived out faith really is. I know that the Bible says our testimony is precious, but I forget why. As I studied what the Bible says faith is this week, I was reminded…
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Why We Need Others
I would imagine there are exceptions, but not many people plan to be heretics. They don’t start out wanting to believe things that undermine the gospel. They didn’t plan to lead others astray. They didn’t start out hoping that they would be an enemy of the gospel of Jesus. Yet, Paul declares that there were…
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Does Doing Good Make You Good?
I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. Galatians 2: 21 This passage always makes me pause. Why? It’s because of how little Peter did to bring it about. I know, as a leader he should have considered the consequences of his choice. However,…
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What Do You See in The Mirror?
This week I have been noticing how often I don’t like reflections. I complain that the camera catches my bad side. I yell that the mirror must be broken. I bark that the blood test must be wrong because my cholesterol can’t be that high. It’s just not fair! I feel good. I feel young. …
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Young People Rock!
Young people rock! This past weekend Winter Jam was held in Des Moines. Yes there were older people there, but it was predominantly a student focused worship and evangelism event. It was an amazing declaration of God’s love. Young people were singing their hearts out for Jesus. Many had brought friends. Many of those friends…
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Faith through Disappointment (the one about bitterness)
Consider the alternative When we feel disappointment sometimes we give ourselves permission to be angry for a while. That’s actually okay. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging how someone has hurt us. In fact, it is healthy to be honest about our feelings. However, there are enough scriptures that warn us about holding onto our hurt to make…
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Faith Through Disappointment (part 2)
Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” (emphasis mine) Hosea 3:1 Remember what we learned a couple of weeks ago: God knows disappointment.…
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Faith, Grace, and Real Life – Forgiveness
“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:35 Words have power. They do not have the power of magic, but the meanings of words can change our lives. We see this any time we talk to someone and they…
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Faith, Hope, And How They’re Connected
This week let’s think about walking in faith. There are times that it is easy and times that it is hard. It is easy to walk in faith in the areas that you don’t really feel threatened. For most of us, the call to come to church isn’t hard because we aren’t threatened. The same…
Pastor John D Jakes 