a thought on repentance, obedience, & the Law

I've wrestled with this question a lot. Though I was saved at an early age, I didn't fully understand the gospel (especially the eternal security of believers) until I was in college. As a kid, I truly wanted to live a Christ-like life, I knew I was a sinner, and I believed that Christ died …

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Christ and the Law | Matthew 5:17-20

SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until …

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a thought on eternal security & saltless salt

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He boldly proclaims that His followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. These are tremendous claims, but I want to focus for the moment upon Jesus’ warning about salt losing its taste. Christ warns that if salt is no longer salty then it …

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Salt of the Earth // Light of the World | Matthew 5:13-16

SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (Matthew 5:13) You are the light of the world. A city set …

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Wrestling with God

What Jacob Taught Me

About a month ago, I finished preaching through the third of four planned sermon series through the book of Genesis. The series covered Genesis 25-36, which is primarily the life of Jacob, Abraham’s grandson. Last summer, as I finished preaching through Abraham’s life, I wrote a post about what Abraham’s life taught me. I planned …

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The Beatitudes | Matthew 5:1-12

SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are …

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The Kingdom of Heaven | Matthew 4:17

SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:1-2) When your days are fulfilled and …

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Wrestling with God

Jacob & Esau: Two Roads | Genesis 35-36

SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” (Genesis 35:1) God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to …

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Wrestling with God

Dinah & Shechem | Genesis 34

SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and …

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Wrestling with God

Jacob & Esau Reunite | Genesis 33

SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION  Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. (Genesis 33:11) And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his …

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