Who Has Known the Mind of God

jesus with arms spread wide

If the majority of believers could be polled regarding whether they know God, 98 -100% would say yes, because salvation is based on knowing Jesus as personal Savior and as the Son of God.  It is interesting that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, He addressed His disciple, Phillip, saying, “Don’t you know…

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The Meeting of Opposites

two post it sheets on bulletin board, one with the word old, the other with the word new

Understanding the complex character of God is one of the believer’s big challenges.  The God of the Old Testament seems harsh and unyielding in contrast to the New Testament God of love and grace.  This has created such dissonance that many people prefer placing their study focus on the New…

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“All” is Hard

Statue of Jesus Christ in Cusco, Peru with arms outstretched

Jesus was a fly in the religious ointment of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law.  As hard as they tried, they could not trap Him or prove Him wrong in anything He said.  So, the week of His crucifixion when Jesus was in the temple being bombarded by these…

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Hedging a Bet

dice in hand

From late spring through early fall, our family farm is a popular place for gatherings, reunions, campouts, and weekend chillouts.  About 65 years ago, my father built a cabin on the creek running through the property that has served as the centerpiece of these events.  There’s just one problem: it…

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Amazing Grace

letterpress letters spelling the word grace

Grace is defined as the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God; a virtue or excellence of divine origin.  Most older people are surprised by the practice of grace because we have been raised to believe we must earn what we receive.  Many of the younger generation are thought…

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Where Is God?

man searching seashore

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” These are the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 16:33 both to warn them of what lay ahead and to encourage them…

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Why a Baby?

image of a toddler's feet

The Israelites understood from prophesy that God intended to send them a Savior.  But the only hint on how the Messiah would come is found in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us).”…

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If He’s Not the Reason, Then…

angry santa

A number of years ago the phrase, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” became popular for Christmas cards, plaques, ornaments and the like.  It has now been around long enough to become trite to some, and to receive only casual nods from others.  Spiritual detractors of Christmas argue that…

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