Do We Still Believe in Backsliding?

If a Christian fails to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and if he fails to attach himself to the Lord Jesus Christ gaining an intimate relationship with Him, He opens the door for what we use to call “Backsliding.” Without their thinking about it and sometimes even realizing it, the door…

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The Significance of the Olive Tree in the Bible:

Lessons for Spiritual Growth The Bible is replete with symbols and metaphors that convey profound spiritual truths, a few of which are various kinds of trees.1 One of these is the olive tree. The olive tree stands as a significant symbol in the Old Testament (mentioned over fifty times) and is first seen when the…

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Ten Things to Pray for this Year, and Every Year

In the last few years, our conversations were full of talk about maintaining or regaining physical health, about COVID-19, about government intrusion and many political scandals. With our eyes on the news, our hearts can grow spiritually cold, full of fears and anxious doubts. We must realize that our spiritual health is more important than…

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Battling Distractions

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). God created us for specific purposes. Have you ever considered what life would be like in your home, church, or community if you had not been born? Our lives are precious for many reasons but one of them is that they are so temporal. So…

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The Significance of the Myrtle

Zechariah was a prophet to the remnant who returned to their land after the seventy year captivity. Through Zechariah’s eight visions of the night God discloses how Israel’s foes will be destroyed, her idols removed, her city and Temple restored, and her Messiah revealed. Haggai and Zechariah labored together as prophets in the rebuilding of…

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Growth: Potential vs. Actual

Two years ago, we harvested two small shoots from a mature fig tree. We planted them in pots and kept them side by side in the sun. The following spring, they both budded and put out leaves, but neither grew much at all. This spring, we had room to plant one fig tree in the…

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Three Keys to Self-Control from Proverbs

In a world out of control, we need self-control! In consideration of this subject, let’s first look at two key texts to guide our thinking regarding self-control. Proverbs 16:32; He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The one who…

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Immaturity in American Evangelical Churches

Has it struck you in recent years that there seems to be a growing trend of spiritual immaturity in churches today? I know that is a rather broad-brush stroke, but I just want to pose this idea for consideration from a few angles. Immature Beliefs Consider the various views about God:  God is the “big…

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Immaturity in American Evangelical Churches

Has it struck you in recent years that there seems to be a growing trend of spiritual immaturity in churches today? I know that is a rather broad-brush stroke, but I just want to pose this idea for consideration from a few angles. Immature Beliefs Consider the various views about God: God is the “big…

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The Misuse of Biblical Knowledge

Some years ago, I read this humorous but real account from a Presbyterian layman whose article lamented that too often the churches in his denomination preoccupied themselves with peripheral issues.  What he described could be any denomination or church that takes theology and learning seriously: I remember my first visit to a Reformed church all…

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