Category: Uncategorized
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The Seven Churches: Church Seven-Laodicea
Introduction: The church of Laodicea is the last of the 7 churches the Lord was addressing in His revelation to the apostle John. It is also the only church in Revelation 1-3 that didn’t receive praise from the Lord, only a rebuke. This is a sad picture but we should be grateful for this example…
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Anxious for Nothing
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) Anxiety vs. Peace In these verses written to the Philippians, I see two…
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The Seven Churches: Church Six-Philadelphia
Introduction: In Rev 3:7-13, Jesus turns his attention to the Church at Philadelphia. Also referred to as “The Faithful Church,” this group of believers is one of only two out of the seven—the other being the Church at Smyrna—who receive no rebuke, and only commendation, from the Lord. Founded in 189 BC, and situated at…
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My Own Worst Enemy
We never imagine that we would intentionally work against ourselves. If we are not our own cheerleader how will we move forward, do our best, be encouraged, or encourage others? However, I recently found myself in a place completely out of my comfort zone, where I had to trust God’s good plan for me.…
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The Seven Churches: Church Five-Sardis
Introduction: The church of Sardis is the fifth church of the seven the Lord addresses in Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis was a commercial city perched on a plateau located about 30 miles southeast of Thyatira. In its former days, the city had thrived as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. However, their golden era…
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Balaam: The Rest of the Story
How much do you know of the story of Balaam? Balaam Was Rebuked by His Donkey The story of Balaam’s talking donkey is a Bible story that seems perfect for children: Shortly before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, a local king wanted them cursed, and tried to hire Balaam to do the job. Balaam…
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The Seven Churches: Church Four-Thyatira
Introduction: In Revelation 2:18-29, the Lord addresses the church at Thyatira. Known today as Akhisar (about 155 miles southwest of Istanbul), Thyatira was a city that was 40 miles from Pergamum. The city was a melting pot of various cultures and religions, making it a challenging environment for the Christian community. It was known for…
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Busy Seasons and Bible Study
Busy, Busy, Busy It’s one of those seasons of life again: I don’t seem to have any free time. While sometimes my life is busy because I need to say “no” to potential commitments, and sometimes I can leave certain tasks for later, right now I have legitimate responsibilities filling my day from the moment…
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The Seven Churches: Church Three-Pergamos
Revelation 2:12-17 Introduction In the New King James Version of the Bible, the letter concerning the church at Pergamos[1] appears under the heading “The Compromising Church.” The city itself was the northern-most city of the seven, a metropolis with wealth and commerce, beautiful architecture and famous temples, and the second largest library of the Roman…
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The Eternal Feast
Troubled Tables Holidays can be difficult for so many reasons. Seasons meant to be joyful and bright can feel chaotic, dark, and depressing. The thrill of gathering family around the table is often bittersweet and quickly comes to an end. For me, every year and every holiday brings the heartbreaking reminder that greatly beloved people…
Free Grace Women 