Power
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Everybody Wants to Rule Their World
Because man is born a rebel, he is unaware that he is one. His constant assertion of self, as far as he thinks of it at all, appears to him a perfectly normal thing. He is willing to share himself, sometimes even to sacrifice himself for a desired end, but never to dethrone himself. No… Continue reading
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How Often Do You Think About It?
If the resurrection of Christ were to rest on reason, then only the highly reasonable people could be converted. If the resurrection of Christ were to rest on man’s ability to gather and weigh evidence, then the man trained in the gathering and evaluating of evidence might believe, but the simple-hearted man could never believe.… Continue reading
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God’s Spiritual Conditioning Program
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. – Luke 4:13 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 As we come to Luke 4:13, we find a sobering moment in the life of… Continue reading
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Everyone Wants The Crown
Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him.1 Kings 1:5 In 1st Kings 1, King David is old, nearing the end of his life, and the question of who will succeed him as… Continue reading
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A Personal Savior
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” – Luke 8:49-50 As I read this passage this evening, the thought occurred… Continue reading
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Stepping Out of the Boat
Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out… Continue reading
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The Poison of Unbelief
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.– Mark 6:4-5 Jesus, the Son… Continue reading
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A Warning About Pride
[Nebuchadnezzar] said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” – Daniel 4:30 According to Herodotus (a fourth-century Greek historian), Babylon was by far the most impressive city of the ancient world. The outer walls of the city alone… Continue reading
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Have You Been With Jesus?
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13 When we make time to be in the presence of Jesus, it leaves a mark. Not just on our hearts, but… Continue reading
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Haman’s Hatred
“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.” –… Continue reading
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Keeping the Cross on Our Minds
“For he gave himself for us, that he might set us free from all our evil ways, and make for himself a people of his own, clean and pure, with our hearts set upon living a life that is good.” – Titus 2:14 (J.B. Phillips NT Bible) Satan is a master deceiver. When he tempts… Continue reading
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The Hope You Have
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”1 Peter 3:15 When asked to be a guest speaker at a recovery meeting, the speaker is usually given… Continue reading
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In His Own Good Time
As I was reading the account of Jesus bringing his friend Lazarus back to life in John 11, I was reminded once again that Jesus waited two full days to make the journey back to Bethany after hearing the news that Lazarus was gravely ill. Of course, Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead by… Continue reading
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So there was this pool…
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else… Continue reading
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Half the Size, but Twice the Man
“Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord… Continue reading
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Prayers Overcome Prisons
“Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!” – Acts 12:11 (NLT) King Herod had arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. (v.1) He had… Continue reading
About Me
Welcome! I’m Scott (aka Former Blackout Artist), and I’m so happy you decided to drop in! I hope you find the content here spiritually enlightening and uplifting. Most of all, I hope that my love of Christ is revealed through my writing and that it encourages you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!