Category Archives: Discipleship

Heavenly Regrets

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…And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. – Revelation 7:17 (VW) By the end of the movie Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler had saved many Jews from the Nazis. He had risked his life and spent most of what he had to save the lives of 1100 Jews. But when he received a gold ring from those he saved in appreciation of his efforts, he realized to his sorrow he had it in his power to save a few more. He could have spent his money more wisely, he could have sold his car, he could have sold his Nazi lapel to save more Jews. In a time of great joy, he was sorrowful. I see this as … Continue reading →

How To Gain Victory Over Sin – Second Edition

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It’s been two and a half years since I published my book How To Gain Victory Over Sin. Since that time, I’ve been working on updating and expanding it. The second edition is now virtually complete and I’ve received my proof copies from Amazon to look over. Aside from tweaking the cover and correcting any last-minute typos, the book should be available within a month. While the first book hasn’t been a best seller (I don’t have a big company doing advertising for me), it has done well. Google Play currently shows a 4.7 star rating, and GoodReads.com a 4.6 star rating. The e-book is free through Google Play and Smashwords. Kindle charges 99 cents over which I have no … Continue reading →

Identifying True Christians

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Once upon a time there was a great, big wolf, and he hadn’t eaten in days. His last meal was only a couple of small mice… not even enough for an appetizer. You can be sure he was on the lookout for some serious grub! Suddenly, a flock of sheep caught his eye. As he looked at them grazing peacefully in the distance, immediately his mouth started watering uncontrollably, and his stomach growled expectantly at the thought of fresh mutton. But he was so famished and weak from hunger, he didn’t have the strength to chase down even one small lamb. What was he to do? Then it came to him. “I know how I can get a plump, juicy … Continue reading →

Holistic Bible Study

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For I have not shrunk back from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. – Acts 20:27 (VW) Biblical illiteracy is epidemic in the church today. Unlike any other time in history, we swim in an ocean of Bibles, but we don’t make an effort to study them for ourselves. We prefer to trust others to tell us what the Bible says and means. As a result, we’re ignorant of even the basics, and we let every wind of strange and corrupt doctrine sway us. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the rudimentary principles of the Words of God; and you have come to need milk and not … Continue reading →

Zombie Ants and the Flesh

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For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I do not wish to do, that I do; moreover, what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I doing it, but sin that dwells in me. – Romans 7:15-17 (VW) Paul struggled with sin, even after he was saved. He wanted to do good by obeying the Law, but he found he was not able to. No matter how hard he tried, he kept doing what he didn’t want to do. It was like he had two natures: one that rejoiced in God’s law, … Continue reading →

Living For God’s Glory

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George was not happy with the way some churches in his area were supporting themselves. Some were renting pews to the wealthy and asking non-believers for money. George thought this was wrong. He felt the church should trust in God to supply its needs without having to ask the world for help, because he believed his heavenly Father could be trusted to support His people and His work. So in 1830, for the benefit of believers and unbelievers, George started an experiment in faith. He gave up his pastoral salary, sold all he possessed, and trusted in God alone for his support. He made it a point never to tell anyone else of his needs, because he believed that God … Continue reading →

How To Gain Victory Over Sin – Additional Notes

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Here are some additional notes that didn’t make it into the book, but may appear in a second edition. How To Gain Victory Over Sin was intended to draw attention to the most neglected, yet essential part of resisting temptation, but it isn’t the only important part. You should also spend time with other like-minded believers where you can share each other’s struggles and burdens, pray for, and encourage one another. Each member of the Body of Christ needs the others to grow. Book location Notes Page 4“He begins with our need for salvation…” Our need can be seen in Romans 2:1-6, our inability to save ourselves in Romans 3:9-20, and God’s solution to our problem in Romans 3:21-26. Page … Continue reading →

The Blessing of Leaving All

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And Jesus again answering says to them, “Children, how difficult it is that those who trust in riches should enter into the kingdom of God! … Verily I say to you, There is no one who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, that shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time: houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the coming age life eternal. But many first shall be last, and the last first.” – Mark 10:24,29-31 JND How rich is too rich to enter the kingdom of God? It’s easy … Continue reading →

Beware Of Leaven

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… When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” … Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. – Matthew 16:1-12 (ESV) The Pharisees and Sadducees are no longer with us, but their leaven is. You can’t see it, but you can see its effect. Most bread today is leavened with plain yeast. But yeast in packets or jars was not available until relatively recently. Leavening in Bible times was accomplished by using a bit of dough from the previous batch to … Continue reading →

Be Holy

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Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance; But as He who called you is holy, you also become holy in all conduct, because it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 The command to be holy is one God always gives to His people. In the Old Testament it was given to Israel. In the New Testament it is given to us believers. We are a “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), God’s people, and we are to be like … Continue reading →