christianity
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But Now, Says the Lord
Isaiah 43:1–4 Have you ever noticed how easily we identify people by something other than their names? We do it without thinking. Someone becomes the woman with cancer, the man who lost his job, the neighbor going through a divorce, or the friend struggling with depression. Sometimes we identify people by their accomplishments, professions, or… Continue reading
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The Way Down Is The Way Up
An excerpt from Chapter 20. Matthew 20 opens exactly where chapter 19 leaves off. Jesus has just said something that must have left the disciples scratching their heads: “Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” What does that even mean? Fortunately, Jesus doesn’t leave them guessing. He… Continue reading
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Closer Than You Think
“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’”—Acts 17:27–28 The people of Athens were searching. They searched through religion and philosophy. They debated ideas… Continue reading
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God Has Spoken
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”—Hebrews 1:1–2 Sometimes the first few words tell you almost everything you need to know. Hebrews begins with two: “God spoke.” No lengthy argument for His existence. No… Continue reading
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We Interrupt These Big Buts…
I interrupt your regularly scheduled Big Buts for a brief announcement about another project that is especially important to me. Although, come to think of it, it really isn’t much of an interruption at all. Around here, I like to say that but may be the most hopeful word in the Bible. Again and again, we find… Continue reading
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But What Do You See?
James doesn’t waste words. In just a few verses, he packs in a bucket-full-o’-buts. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says… Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at… Continue reading
