Tag: Life

Bible, Christian Living

The LIFE Offered by the Resurrection (Audio)

Chris

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His resurrection is proof that His word and promise are true, and a seal and guarantee of our eternal life if we believe in Him. Yet Jesus also offered a different way of life for the days we walk on this Earth. He offered us abundant life (John 10:10).

2013-03 Easter t

Jesus offers us this LIFE and makes it possible in the power of God that raised Him from the dead. There are four elements of this LIFE. When one or any combination of these elements is weak or failing, our remains less than abundant.

  • Liberty
  • Intimacy
  • Fellowship
  • Empowerment
[audio http://gatewaycampbellton.com/audio/2013-0331.mp3]

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Bible, Christian Living

Understanding the Biblical Blessing (part 2)

Chris

Every good parent wants to see their children do well. They want to see them thrive in their lives, not having to struggle, finding success and being rewarded for every effort. When parents know Christ they want their children to walk in God’s favor and receive God’s blessing.

In an earlier post we talked about when God began blessing those He had chosen to be His people. God blessed Abraham and continued to bless the following generations. A practice that has caught a lot of attention over the years is that of parents giving blessings to their children, asking God to bless that child’s life. Parents are encouraged to bless their children, regardless of their age or stage of life.

But if we take a look at the biblical record for bestowing the blessing of God, we find a different pattern. The timing of the blessing is crucial. It could be that parents are bringing harm on themselves while they are giving blessings to their children.

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Bible, Christian Living

Understanding the Biblical Blessing (part 1)

Chris

Do you know what it means to be blessed? We understand being blessed as having favor with someone greater than ourselves. In Christian circles we seek to be blessed by God. And who would not want to be blessed by God?

Being blessed by God means being in His favor. I am considered a notch above the rest. He takes special interest in me. He gives me things He does not give others.

For a number of years the idea of blessing has grown into a widely discussed topic. Not only is it possible to be blessed by God, but we have the ability to speak God’s blessing into the lives of others. Scripture gives evidence of the power of a parent to bless a child.

Yet for all I have seen about such a blessing, there is always one key component that is left out. It is obvious in the Scriptural appearances of the blessing. So why do we ignore it? Missing it leaves us in danger of forfeiting something God intends for us to live in.

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Book Reviews, Christian Living

Living Second: Vain

Chris

Imagine what it would be like to have access to any and everything you want. No fee is too great. No location too remote. Don’t know how to do it? You have the time and the tutors to learn it. Wonder if it is legal or moral? All restrictions are out the window and the red tape is put through the shredder.

LivingSecond_vain

What would you do? Where would you go? This is much larger than your “bucket list.” It isn’t what to do before your final moments, but what to fill your living days with. Projects, travels, people, acquisitions. You have your pick of the world. What will you choose? What will you leave behind?

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Book Reviews

Book Review: “I Am Second” (Thomas Nelson)

Chris

ias-bookThe Bible is more than a bunch of stories gathered over time. It is a historical record of people from the beginning of time to the end of the first century or so. It talks about how people related with God and how He intervened in their lives. There are success stories and there are failures.

At times we pick up the Scriptures and wonder if the stories of lives that are thousands of years removed from our own will be able to speak to us. If only we could see how God relates to us in our time, with our problems. Maybe we can finally believe that He is real and that He wants to be part of our lives.

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Bible

Devotion: Hebrews 11:13-16

Chris
Each month I have the opportunity to speak and share music a couple of times at the chapel of our local nursing home.
This is the devotion I shared on a recent visit there.

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as “The Hall of Fame of Faith.” We are taking some time to look at the individuals and other teachings about faith in this chapter of Scripture.

So far we have defined faith (v.1), and spoken of several individuals who lived by faith. Abel offered a better sacrifice than his brother. Enoch walked with God and was taken into Heaven without having to die. Noah heard God’s warnings and built the Ark to save his family from the Flood. Abraham obeyed God, leaving his home when God said “Go,” he waited for the land that God promised him, and he trusted in God to do what he promised.

Then we run into verse 13 that tells us something that seems out of place about these people of faith.

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