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Abortion: The Ignored Genocide of Our Time

Some folks watch the Super Bowl for the game, while others tune in for the commercials. Doritos has a history of clever and entertaining Super Bowl ads, and their spot for Super Bowl 50 did not disappoint (watch it here). That said, not everyone liked it. For instance, the folks at NARAL (National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws) spent their evening commending and condemning Super Bowl ads. Here is a screenshot of their tweet about the Doritos spot:

NARAL - Feb 7 #NotBuyingIt - that @Doritos ad using #antichoice tactic of humanizing fetuses & sexist tropes of dads as clueless & moms as uptight. #SB50

How sad, indeed, how completely inhuman to be angered by someone “humanizing” unborn babies. What is the fetus if it is not human? Merriam-Webster defines the word “fetus” as:

The Mystery of the Anointed Cherub: Insights into its Identity

The Anointed Cherub

“You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God … You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you: you were on the holy mountain of God … You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” These words appear in Ezekiel 28:12, 14, 15. Many think the “anointed cherub” of Ezekiel 28 is Satan, just as the they assume the “Lucifer” of Isaiah 14 is the devil. Is Satan the “anointed cherub”? Let us consider Ezekiel 28.

Unveiling The Fascinating Truth Behind Lucifer

The King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, Lucifer

“How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you whho weakened the nations!” These words appear in Isaiah 14:12. Many people, for many centuries, have equated this Lucufer with Satan, the devil. The primary definition in Webster’s dictionary for Lucifer is “…a name of the devil.” Is Lucifer in fact the devil? Let us consider Isaiah 14.

Wives, Submit To Your Husbands In All Things

wives
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IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?

For years, I’ve heard concern, even defiance from both non-Christian and Christian women to a particular Bible text. Their ages range from early 20s thru mid-70s. Some were single, some married, some divorced. But one thing they all had in common was a skewed idea about what the Bible says on marriage. Perhaps some heard a pontificating man use the text to affirm male dominance. Some may have read the work of a raging feminist spewing hatred about archaic Bible concepts. Or it may be that some simply read it themselves and failed to see the whole picture. Whatever the case, Ephesians 5:22-24 has been sorely mishandled at times. Notice the text:

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Unity – Can Two Walk Together Unless They Agree?

unity
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IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?

The Bible emphasizes the need for unity and peace among God’s people. We can find texts in both the Old (Psalm 133:1; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Chronicles 12:17) and New Testament (John 17:21-23; Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6) that tell us to pursue unity. Several years ago, I taught an eight lesson series on the topic—there is that much material and more in the Bible about unity.

Occasionally in the discussion of unity among God’s people, you will hear folks reference a short, but powerful verse in Amos. It reads:

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)

Salvation By Grace Through Faith in Christ

grace
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IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?

Every serious Bible student understands that grace and faith are essential components in any discussion about salvation. The Bible is emphatic, using the word grace 128 times in the New Testament and words like faith and believe (from the same Greek word) in excess of 300 times.

Hear what Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

…by grace you have been saved … by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:5, 8-9)

Vengeance in the Bible: “Eye for Eye”

Vengeance
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IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?

The scneario plays out every day, potentially millions of times every day. Someone does something nasty to another – what it is doesn’t matter, the same reaction will result whether it is serious or frivolous. The one who was wronged may articulate it clear and concise or may simply reserve the thought in his heart. When verbalized, it often comes out like this” “He’ll get his,” or “He’s gonna get what’s coming to him,” or “Vengeance is sweet,” or a variety of other sayinggs, some wwhich are unfit to repeat. It matters not what we call it; getting even, or payback, or retribution, or tit for tat; the end result is always the same – someone did something nasty to me, so I’m going to do something nasty to them.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Spirit
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IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?

As we have stressed, it is important when we read the Bible to set things into their context. Here are a few guidelines to help to help us set a verse in context:

  • Read at least 7 verses before and after, to give a 15 verse span. That is usually sufficient to set a verse in it’s literary context.
  • Who was the original recipient of the text? Make sure our understanding or application of the verse 1. doesn’t ignore its significance to them. Are we in a similar situation to the original recipient?
  • What are the historical circumstances surrounding the text? Noting this will sometimes help us see the limitation or scope of a verse.

The Bible is Not Open To Our Private Interpretation

interpretation
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IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?

Many potentially enlightening Bible discussions have been avoided by fluffing off differences as merely a matter of opinion. “You believe it your way, I believe it my way” is a sad but all too common Bible conversation closer. I recall one discussion when I had simply read a passage of Scripture, and before I could say anything about it, a hostile accusation was levied, “That’s your interpretation!” The person was not really interested in what the Bible said, let alone what I might have to say about it.

When Two Or Three Agree In Jesus’ Name

Two or Three
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IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?

You’re going on vacation, but there is no faithful congregation of God’s people meeting anywhere near your destination of choice. You believe it is important to meet with Christians each Sunday for worship. So, what do you do?

  • choose a different vacation spot?
  • go to the desired location, but leave a day late or come back a day early so you can assemble with Christians on the Lord’s day?
  • just skip out on worship for the Sunday in question, and trust that God will understand? (NOTE – if this is your choice, know for certain that God understands. He understands that serving Him is NOT the most important thing in your life. Read Matthew 16:24-26, and consider your need to repent before it is too late).
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