discern (25)

Ian

Connectional Motivation

Mark 8:27–33, Luke 4:1–13 Giving up others to God’s hands can be very hard. It’s interesting that Jesus explained (in basic terms) what was going to happen. It wasn’t could happen; it was would happen. Peter, emotional Peter, didn’t want to lose his friend. There…

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Ian

Asking Questions

John 6:53–69, Colossians 2:6–10 (read online ⧉) We are all subject to the latest fads or the latest rumors or the latest news. Then there is the latest science news or latest health fad. It can overwhelm a person pretty quickly. The truth of the…

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Ian

Forgiven and Sent

2 Samuel 12:5–14, John 7:53–8:11 (read online ⧉) David’s behavior was wrong. Sadly, in the wider (non-Israelite) culture, it wasn’t all that unexpected. In fact, many of the pieces within the story show a progression that would have not surprised anyone hearing it, that is…

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Ian

Kingly Control

1 Samuel 8:4–9, Psalm 24, Jeremiah 23:1–6, Matthew 21:1–9, 1 Timothy 6:12–16 (read online ⧉) One of Jesus’ titles is King of Kings. In our day and age kings are more of a symbolic position, so it has become difficult for us to understand the…

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Ian

Magic Targets

2 Peter 1:16–21, 2 Timothy 4:1–8 Yesterday, we read about mediums, sorcerers, et al., and that they were bad mostly because of the human tendency toward the self. The problem with the way this is portrayed is what seems to be an apparent conflict between…

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