Sin
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The Problem with “Just Follow Your Heart”
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?Jeremiah 17:9 Have you ever stood at a crossroads in life, feeling a strong pull in your heart to go one way, certain that it was the right choice? Maybe it was a decision about a job, a relationship, or perhaps even… Continue reading
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A Nation Deteriorates Without God. That Includes Us, Too.
In those days Israel had no king… – Judges 19:1 The opening verse in Judges 19 sets an ominous tone: “Israel had no king.” Of course that was true in a monarchial sense. But the nation as a whole had become a godless cesspool. Morality had collapsed. As society crumbled, the family structure disintegrated. No… Continue reading
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Tread Carefully
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.… Continue reading
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A Call to Holiness
“You must destroy all the peoples the Lord your God gives over to you. Do not look on them with pity and do not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. – Deuteronomy 7:16 This verse can be difficult to understand, especially when viewed through modern sensibilities. Why would a loving… Continue reading
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A Good (But Dangerous) Prayer
Search me, God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.– Psalm 139:23-24 David was a man after God’s own heart, yet he knew his own heart was not always pure. He was committed to following God’s ways, but… Continue reading
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Purify My Heart, Lord
For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And anyone, whether foreigner or native-born, who eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel. Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread.” – Exodus 12:19-20 God commanded the Israelites to… Continue reading
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“Did God Really Say…?”
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what… Continue reading
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A Complaint about Complainers
Have you ever noticed how complainers have a way of finding each other, like pigeons flocking to a park bench covered in breadcrumbs? One minute you’re stuck in line behind someone griping about the weather, and before you know it, someone else chimes in with, “Oh, you think that’s bad? Let me tell you about… Continue reading
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Sin Is Never Casual
Imagine you have a friend who was struggling with an unhealthy habit, and after many months of hard work – maybe even years – they were able to break free from it. But one day, they toyed with the idea of going back just once because they thought they had the strength to walk away… Continue reading
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The Parable of Two Politicians
In Luke 18:9-17, Jesus tells a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee, confident in his righteousness, compared himself to the tax collector and began to thank God that he wasn’t like him or other sinners. But Jesus says it was the tax collector, humble… 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!