Tag: Priorities
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Why the Buck Doesn’t Stop Here
(Luke 12:13-21) Most people would look at this title and wonder what the heck is going on. It is a common saying that “The Buck Stops Here” which was popularised by President Harry Truman who meant it to mean that ultimately he took responsibility for most things. Some have “bent” its meaning over the years…
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Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid!
(Luke 12:4-7) Well as the title says, there is something we need to “Be afraid, be very afraid” of. The Lord talks about it here in this section of scripture. Its more a “who” to be afraid of rather than “what” we should fear. And Jesus goes to some length to explain why people need…
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Our Home is in Heaven
(Luke 9:57-62) Jesus gave several teachings in this short section of scripture which discuss the fact that our home is in heaven and warns us to get our priorities in order. Our Home is in Heaven A man said to the Lord that he would follow him wherever he would go. Buit Jesus says to…
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Warnings and Woes
(Luke 6:24-26) Do you have young kids? Have you ever had to watch kids in the kitchen or on the beach or around the barbecue? They run around without a fear in the world and if you don’t watch them it often ends in tears. Even when you do watch them, they are so darned…
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The Christian Value Proposition
(Mark 8:34-38) Yesterday I wrote about what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his life. Overnight I felt there was more that needed to be said, especially in relation to the second question Jesus posed. He said, “What can a man give in return for his life?” (Verse…
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What Does It Profit to Gain the World and Forfeit Your Life?
(Mark 8:34-38) What does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your life? This question was posed by Jesus to his disciples and the people along with another. What can a man give in return for his life? Too often today we see people make the wrong decisions and forfeit their life for…
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Cleanse the Inside of the Cup First
(Matthew 23:25-26) The Pharisees were very concerned about position. They wanted to look good to men. They wanted the praise of men rather than the praise of God. But Jesus taught that it is not what is on the outside that matters but what is on the inside. That is the essence of this teaching…
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Woe to You Blind Guides
(Matthew 23:16-22) Jesus condemns the priests, Pharisees and scribes for being blind guides saying, “Woe to you blind guides.” He calls them this because their focus is wrong. The things they consider important are not what God considers important. Jesus said elsewhere, “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads…
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Parable of the Marriage Feast – The Great Invitation
(Matthew 22:1-10) The parable of the marriage feast is interesting for several reasons. It was given to the chief priests and Pharisees and showed how they and those who acted similarly to them were unworthy of the kingdom of heaven. It also shows how the great invitation to all mankind was given so that every…
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Not Peace but a Sword
(Matthew 10:34-39) Here is a fascinating scripture, especially at this time of the year when people have been celebrating Christmas. At Christmas we see people saying, “Peace on earth and goodwill to men.” One of the challenges we find in the Bible is that every now and then there are scriptures that seem to contradict…
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Seek First the Kingdom of God and other teachings
(Matthew Chapter 6, Verses 16-34) Jesus continues his teachings about not doing things to be seen by men in verses 16-17 saying when you fast you should not look dismal, but rather go about your business as if all were normal. Let us look for a moment at the scriptural significance of fasting as it…