Christ is returning today!
Ask fifty people to finish the statement "Live As If" and you are likely to get fifty different answers. For Christians it will mean something different than for non-Christians. Incorporated into the top graphic are the answers given by friends of mine. It is our desire that your answer will be different each time you visit.
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Bible and Quote - April 20-24
'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns
.how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1 We can dispense with uniformity if we possess unity. Charles H. Spurgeon, 1834-92
God remembered us in our low estate, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, Psalm 136:23 Our Saviour kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and says, 'I can clean that if you want.' And from the basin of his grace, he scoops a palm full of mercy and washes our sin. Max Lucado, Upwords
Psalm of David. I will
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Attitude
'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester
Did anyone ever tell you that you had an ‘attitude’? I have. By this, I mean I have sometimes had what people consider a bad frame of mind. When I have less than a pleasant outlook, I look at things as being very dark—a lot like the glass is half-empty.
As a child of God, I do him dishonor when I complain and grumble about things, especially those I cannot change. While I read in our newspapers about many events that could cause me to become disheartened, God has taught me to look at those issues with His eyes.
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Train Up a Child
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley
One day, while in WalMart, I watched as a little boy not more than four accidently knocked a box of Pop Tarts from an aisle display. Before I could even wonder what would happen, the little fellow stooped over, grabbed the box of Pop Tarts and replaced it in the display being careful to make sure that it was sitting just right. I was amazed.
I have seen similar scenes in stores before. They always seem to play out the same way. The child knocks something over, the parent says for them to pick it up and the child doesn't while the parent just walks away. Later, the parent knocks
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Ephesians 5: On Divorce
''Winging It' from Stan Smith
Ephesians 5 is famous for what it says to married couples (Ephesians 5:17-33). Or should I say "infamous"? Truth be told, a lot of people, even Christians, don't much like it. All that "wives submit" stuff and all. Gotta do something different, right? Well, in fact, we don't get that option if we're going to be true to the Word of God. We need to stick with what He says. My point here, however, is not to repeat the very clear commands of God that wives submit to their husbands and husbands love their wives as themselves. I mean, it's abundantly clear, even if
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Charaktocracy, Part 1
'The Way' from Kevin Pauley
An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy – one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity…Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap. – 1 Timothy 3:2-4,7 HCSB
The church is not a monarchy. The pastor is not the supreme ruler. The church is not a republic.
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Justification XXIV (3-28-11)
'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington
“Your Sin Remains”
“But now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.” (John 9.41). These are the closing sad words in the case of Jesus and the blind man. It was not the blind man who couldn't see; it was privileged Pharisees whose sins could not be remedied. There was remedy, but they refused to admit their need!
Dialogue in the Dark is a world exhibit now in the Atlanta area that is designed to raise the awareness level regarding the site impaired. I went there recently with my wife and through that exhibit, I learned things that I could never
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Leadership in the Light of God
'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw
Daniel Chapter 4 is a remarkable document. It is a state document, and we have very few of these from the ancient world. This is a decree – a royal letter - to all the people - from a powerful Emperor. It is a declaration of peace. It is also a testimony.
He found God and he wanted
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Picking Scabs
'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro
As a boy, I had several cuts, scratches and bruises just like most boys do. I remember one particular incident when I had a good sized scrape on my knee from a bike accident. After few weeks I had a full scab and was on my way to complete healing. Unfortunately for me, we had a friend of the family visit us. Somehow this “friend” convinced my parents to pour peroxide on my scab. In a panic I tried to talk my way out of the forced treatment but it was to no avail. As my parents held me down, I cried through the torture. I’m not sure what it was to accomplish. The
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What Is Love?
'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess
I love spinach. Yes, I truly do. Well, the more accurate truth is that I like spinach very much. I don’t actually love spinach.
Adages saturate our lives: “You can’t help whom you love,” and “Love blossoms in strange places.”
But I rarely hear the truth about love. Satan has built a huge cult about infatuation and lust calling it true love. Things like “You don’t have a choice about whom you love,” and “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” One word describes those lies. Poppycock!
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A Good Man
''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs
Today we hear much about those servants of God who seem to conjure up fame and notoriety. Some become well known...almost a household word, due to their familiarity and popularity in our society. At times we hear certain ones referred to as "a good man". But being considered a "good man" in a society that treasures accolades of mass media personalities seems to be not enough. It is easy to call almost any man who is a father a father, but is otherwise unappreciated. But what about Joseph? This writer has often wondered about Joseph...your know...the one who
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Do you have a Lucky Star?
'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell
Months ago, I was listening to an interview with then Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump who was discussing his business, lifestyle, and overall viewpoints on how he came to be who he was. His father had been a big time influence on him, and his mother, and those of past generations of his family. When asked about why some in his field of expertise do so poorly in comparison to his success, his answer was simple: “You can have the most creative, gifted mind in the world, but luck definitely plays a role in your overall success.” He admitted he’s one who’s
Destinations. We all have, at some time, set out for a specific detination. If you belong to AAA you probably obtained a "Trip Tick" from them to help you get to your destination. Nowadays there are all sorts of computer programs and websites that can help us plot our way to even the most remote and insignificant of destinations. However, there are those who leave the destination determination to someone else.In 2003 David Facey of "The Sun", a tabloid in
Daily Refractions
Daily WisdomProverbs 15:28 - The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Words to Ponder
Let nothing stand before your resolution of seeking the kingdom of God. Whatever it be that you used to look on as a convenience, or comfort, or ease, or thing desirable on any account, if it stands in the way of this great concern, let it be dismissed without hesitation; and if it be of that nature that it is likely always to be a hindrance, then wholly have done with it, and never entertain any expectation from it more ... Whatever is be that stands in the way of your most advantageously seeking salvation - whether it be some dear sinful pleasure, or strong carnal appetite, or credit and honour, or the goodwill of some persons whose friendship you desire, and whose esteem and liking you have highly valued - and though there be danger, if you do as you ought, that you shall be looked upon by them as odd and ridiculous, and become contemptible in their eyes - or if it be your ease and indolence, and aversion to continual labour; or your outward convenience in any respect, whereby you might avoid difficulties of one kind or another - let all go; offer up all such things together, as it were, in one sacrifice, to the interest of your soul. Let nothing stand in competition with this, but make every thing to fall before it. If the flesh must be crossed, then cross it, spare it not, crucify it, and do not be afraid of being too cruel to it. - Jonathan Edwards (1703-58)
'Daily Reading Plan'
from StudyLight.org
Bible-in-a-Year NAS
1 Samuel 8; Psalms 54; Romans 1:1-15:
The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the