Life and Faith

Tag: Scripture

  • Conduct Reflects The Gospel

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    Jon
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    We know when people work together in unity much can be achieved. There is a bond together, there is a goal to achieve, there is progress made, sometimes quite rapidly, when people are united. We may have experienced this before ourselves when working with others on a particular task, on a particular project, or toward…

  • The Gospel Impacts Conduct

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    Jon
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    According to several scientific studies conducted about first impressions, it takes seven seconds for the human brain to create an impression about someone upon first meeting them. And in that initial meet every second is important in creating a good impression. Unfortunately, first impressions can only be made once and it is over in a…

  • The Advance of the Gospel: In Joy

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    Jon
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    The book of Job in the Old Testament presents the story of a man who, despite his righteousness, is subjected to immense suffering. Job’s friends, in their misguided attempts to provide comfort, suggest that his misfortune must be due to some hidden sin. Job, in defiance, is confident that God will ultimately vindicate him, that…

  • The Advance of the Gospel: Selfish Motives vs. True Intentions

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    Jon
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    In Philippians 1:15-18, Paul provides insight into how the message of Christ is being proclaimed and how the gospel is advancing, despite his imprisonment. Intriguingly, there seem to be two groups of people within close proximity to Paul, possibly in the city where he is imprisoned, each preaching Christ but with divergent intentions. One group…

  • The Advance of the Gospel: In Suffering

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    Jon
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    When baking, it’s often wise to follow a recipe, as it guides us to create the delicacy we envision. It instructs us on the ingredients to add, how to mix them together, and even specifies the right oven temperature to bake that perfect cake you’re dreaming of right now. In the grand scheme of Christian…

  • Gospel Partnership Is Prayerful Partnership

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    Jon
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    Saying you are going to pray for someone is a common occurrence in the Christian faith. We hear the needs of others and strive to support them. Prayer is our go-to action when we cannot provide tangible help, and it’s far from being the ‘least’ we can do. This is not to diminish the reality…

  • Gospel Partnership Is Joyful Partnership

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    Jon
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    After Paul gives his initial greetings to the church in Philippi (Philippians 1:1-2), we immediately sense just how much joy and affection he has for them. In v3-8, we read of how their partnership in the gospel is a joyful partnership. Prayers For The People In v3, Paul gives thanks to God for this church.…

  • Bible Reading – The Nehemiah Reminder

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    Jon
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    In my mind, one of the most moving parts of the Bible is all about reading the scriptures.  Tucked away in the Old Testament, there in Nehemiah 8, is the story of Ezra reading the ‘book of the Law of God’ (8:8) to Israel. While God’s people had been released from captivity and returned to…

  • Psalm 103: Praise The Lord

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    Jon
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    It is certainly difficult to go through this Psalm without recognising the call to praise. The beginning and the ending couch this Psalm in words to encourage praise. Note how personal the writer King David is as he expresses himself. “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the…

  • Psalm 103: Remember The Lord

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    Jon
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    In Psalm 103 we come to a psalm of thanksgiving, perhaps better described as a hymn of gratitude, as the writer, King David, moves from heartfelt personal praise to inviting all of Israel and all of God’s people to remember the Lord, dwell on what he has done, and give him praise.  In v2 we…