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Faith

Salt of the earth and Light of the World

Salt of the earth
via Conger Design | Pixabay.com

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

A Contrast Between Two Men

Contrast
via Roman Grac | Pixabay

Guest Writer – Sunday Ayandare
The Book of Proverbs presents to us a contrast between two women. On one hand is an immoral, seductress type who “flatters with her words; … of a crafty heart, who is loud and rebellious…” (Proverbs 7:5, 10-11). On the other hand is the virtuous type whose worth “is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10-29).

Nehemiah’s Example: Contending for the Faith in a Compromised World

via Manuel Alejandro Leon | Pixabay

Nehemiah was vital to the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity had ended. He gained permission from Artaxerxes to go to Judah (Nehemiah 2:5-6) to lead the people. Through several challenges Nehemiah led the people as they repaired the wall of Jerusalem and completed the project in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15).

Nehemiah gathered the people together to register them by their genealogies (Nehemiah 7:5-73), and served as their governor (Nehemiah 10:1). He, along with Ezra sought to lead the people in the ways of God as given in the law of Moses (Nehemiah 8:1-8).

After things were settled in Jerusalem, Nehemiah went back to Artaxerxes in Babylon for a time (Nehemiah 13:6). Upon his return, there were some problems that required his attention.

I See Four Men in the Fire: Finding God’s Presence

fire
via ChatGPT

Nebuchadnezzar, king of  Babylon, had a huge gold statue of himself.  Throughout the land, a proclamation was made, that all people should fall down and worship the image when they heard the symphony of music – under threat of being cast into a furnace of fire. The warning was given,

…whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:6)

And so it was, when the horn, flute, harp and lyre sounded, the people would bow down and worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, all but a few of the Jews who had been set in authority by the king. Three men were accused of not giving the king honour, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3:12). They would not bow to the golden image, nor would they serve the Babylonian gods.

Health and Wealth Gospel: Faith or Finances?

health and wealth
via JoelOsteen.com

Joel Osteen, health and wealth gospel advocate, assures his followers that

God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us.

Osteen is perhaps the most popular prosperity preacher in North America today. He preaches a “name it and claim it” gospel; turning Christianity into a religion about temporal happiness rather than devoted service to the God of heaven in hope of eternal life. He tells us that

God wants to increase you financially, by giving you promotions, fresh ideas and creativity.  

Finding the Lost Word: Josiah’s Example of Faith & Obedience

obedience
via Franz Bachinger | Pixabay.com

During the reign of Josiah, king of Judah, Shaphan the scribe was sent to the house of the LORD, where he was to inquire about the money available for repairs to the temple. It appears that the temple was not the only thing in Judah that was run down – their faith and obedience to the will of God was also depleted. At the temple, Hilkiah the high priest handed a book to Shaphan, saying,

I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 22:8)

It cannot be determined with certainty what “book of the Law of the LORD” Hilkiah found. Was it the original document or was it a copy?

Your Life Is Hidden with Christ in God

Hidden with Christ
via Karina Culbillo | Pixabay.com

What a wonderful thought the apostle Paul presents. Those who are raised with Christ are said to have died, and now have a life hidden with Christ in God! In the rest of Colossians 3, the apostle goes on to tell us what that means in the life of the Christian.

Before we look at the life changes which must take place, Paul alludes to our entrance into Christ. His mention of a death and a resurrection is an allusion to the penitent believer’s baptism. Only those who have been baptized into Christ can be raised to life with Him (Romans 6:3-5). Until we are buried in the likeness of His death, we cannot be in the likeness of His resurrection.

Sharing Your Faith – A Personal Testimony in Jesus Christ

testimony
via CongerDesign | Pixabay.com

It was a regular occurrence at the little denominational group I assembled with as a teenager for folks to get up and give their personal testimony. You’d hear a number of different things, from how the person came to faith to what God had done for them in the past week. As I recall, it was simply called “sharing time.”

Testimony is defined as:

an open acknowledgement; a public profession of religious experience. (M-W.com)

Lest We Forget Those Who Have Made Sacrifice

After officiating the funeral of friend and fellow soldier, Lt. Alexis Helmer, Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields.” This past week, this poem was read at memorial services across the country, as folks paused from the hustle and bustle of life to remember those who have given their lives in battle. We should not take for granted freedoms we enjoy, nor forget those who made such a huge sacrifice, even their own lives to preserve such freedoms.

A lot of attention is given to fallen heroes on November 11, Remembrance Day. But should we not be mindful of those who served our nation throughout the year? The benefits we have from their sacrifice are not exclusive to November 11. We’re a free nation – a freedom that cost some their lives.

It is a sad fact that many are prone to forgetfulness. As Moses gave the law of God to the generation that would take possession of the promised land, he was concerned they’d forget all that God did for them. he warned them:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Will You Obey the Gospel? An Important Life Decision

gospel, vineyard
via Jill Wellington | Pixabay.com

As the apostle John closes his gospel account, he states of the ministry of Christ,

 …there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.(John 21:25)

Quite simply, we do not have all the details of Jesus’ work and teaching while upon the earth. But what is given is sufficient

…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.(John 20:31)

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