With advances in the past twenty years, geneticists have greatly increased our understanding of how DNA effects our human development. Neuroscientists, bolstered by incredible imaging techniques that show activity on the molecular level of the brain, report about phenomenal electromagnetic, neurochemical, and physiological workings of our brain. Psychologists in the past thirty years have been…
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Forgive
Dear Ones, David’s beloved son Absalom premeditated a coup that caused a revolution in Israel that in the end cost the lives of over 22,000 Israelites. Absalom enticed many of the influential men in David’s kingdom to join him in the revolt such as the man Amasa. He was the first cousin of Absalom because…
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Conquering Conflict Part 2 Matthew 5 in Practice
Every time I look at an antique music box that is prominently displayed in my home, I have conflict within myself. I love the music box because it belonged to my paternal grandmother’s family. It is a very beautiful one and works perfectly. The problem is it does not have a lid because around 25…
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Examining Ourselves
Examine yourselves: are you in the faith? Check yourselves out. Or do you not think of yourselves as having Jesus Christ in your midst? Because if not, you have failed. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Unvarnished NT) But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of…
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Godly Contentment
As is recorded in the earliest chapters of Genesis, we see that mankind became discontented. Adam and Eve lived in paradise and communed with Yahweh, yet wanted something more. Adam’s son, Cain, wanted what his brother Abel had. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of his relationship with their father, so they planned to dispose of Joseph.…
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Righteousness
Heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, marijuana ‒ which is the most dangerous drug of all? In my experience after decades of counseling hundreds of drug users and addicts, without doubt marijuana is the most dangerous. The detrimental effects with all the others are far more immediate and devastating with the addicts experiencing jail, institutions, or death.…
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Sadness, Anxiety, and Depression
For many reasons as we are living in the world, we are assaulted with sadness, depression, and anxiety. Therefore the direct scriptural imperative to rejoice is needed but also challenging. Philippians 4:4-9 provides insight into the subject. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4) Focus on the world around us or…
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Synchronized Life
Jesus always had his heart aligned with the will of God and his actions with his heart. He lived a perfectly synchronized life and thereby provided an excellent example for his disciples. Confronting the hypocritical Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus quoted from Isaiah – “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far…
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God’s Design, Your Righteous Body
To become Christ-like, a process of change transforms us from the domain of the old man inner nature to the realm of a whole new inner man of Christ’s character. This becomes what we as Christians so desire to be – like Christ in our heart, soul, mind, and strength – so that it becomes…
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Unconditional Love vs. Always Nice
Recently, a pastor posted an article about how he would treat his kids if they turned out to be gay. His four promises to them were: he won’t keep his kids’ sexuality a secret, he’ll pray for them (but not for God to change them), he’ll love them, and he accepts that if they turn…
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Overflowing With Joy
A common theme in many people’s lives is trying to figure out how to “let things go.” Those being let go generally are such things as past rejection, dysfunctional relationships, depressive thoughts, anger, fear, and un-forgiveness. It is very well understood that God does not want us holding onto negativity. Instead of negativity we are…
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