Active Faith

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Vickie Estler
7 Dec 2015
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Christmas is coming, and we see “Wise men still seek Him” on bumper stickers, magnets and tree ornaments. Wisdom gets lost in the hustle of December. Fatigue, over-scheduling and unrealistic goals cause us to throw optimism out the door. Let us inquire, probe and investigate (Deuteronomy 13:14) with hearts keeping Christ in Christmas! Seeking ways to be wise with our time takes concentrated effort for families, couples and singles alike. The psalmist tells us the Lord makes the simple wise. (Psalm 19:7) May we have the desire making a concentrated effort celebrating Christmas the right way and seek Him for […]

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A Visit From the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, & Future

The Good News
1 Dec 2015
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Marley was dead. That’s an odd way to begin a Christmas story, but it’s how Charles Dickens opens “A Christmas Carol.” Written to pay off a debt, the story of Scrooge being haunted by three ghosts is one of the world’s most enduring Christmas tales – perhaps second only to the original story of Christmas (the one with the wise men and shepherds). The story is universally known, having been played out in dozens of movies and TV specials. (Some insist that the 1938 film with Reginald Owen is the definitive version, while purists like myself prefer the 1962 version […]

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Being God-Clingy

Julie Woodley
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I am filled with funny stories of my humanity. Sometimes it’s so difficult to be a human – truly human and truly alive. The great thing is God is strong in our weakness. Isaiah 40:29 says: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless” (NLT). Two years ago, I spent some time in Chicago with my granddaughter who had a bad case of the flu. I knew I might catch it, but I just couldn’t stay away from kissing her. She loves to be kissed, and I love to kiss her. The next day I caught a […]

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Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

Dr. Tommy Boland
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(Scroll down to leave a comment on how you adore Baby Jesus) Truly it is the most wonderful time of the year when we fix our focus on celebrating Christmas and the coming of our Savior as a baby born in a manger. The season leading up to Christmas Day is called Advent. The Latin word adventus means “coming” or “visit,” and that is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ did. He came into this world on a voluntary visit to conquer both sin and death so that we might have eternal life. This baby was born to die. Now […]

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Urban League to Host 10th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast

Shelly Pond
25 Nov 2015
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urban league

People from all walks of life, cultures and faiths will gather for the Urban League’s 10th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, December 5, at the First Church of the Open Bible in Lauderdale Lakes. Focusing on the theme of thanksgiving, the Urban League of Broward County invites community, business, educational, religious and political leaders, including state legislators, mayors and other public officials, to convene in the spirit of prayer, peace and unity as they close out their 40th Anniversary year. Urban League Talk Rev. Henry “Trae” Green, III, pastor of Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, West Palm Beach, […]

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New Prayer App Invites God into the Action

Steve Davis
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This may shock you, so hang on. According to many theologians, Biblical research reveals that prayer does NOT change things. Now, please catch your spiritual breath and allow for a short explanation. Praying goes beyond a presentation of problems and troubles. Praying does something else. Biblical prayer asks for God to come on the scene and activate His goodness. The first request of The Lord’s Prayer is “Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Without asking for His will to be done, God is shut out of the game and kept on the […]

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Principles to Consider Before You Vote

Penni Bulten
3 Nov 2015
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As candidates for president campaign across the country, participating in the debates and presenting their agendas with hopes of winning your vote, there are many questions that arise. The Scriptures are the standard for Christian behavior, to be certain, and should be considered when deciding how to vote on either an issue or a candidate. Once a decision is made, there is a matter of follow-up. Whether a new amendment to a state law is on the ballot or a candidate is running for office, the Scripture has some general principles that direct a Christian’s vote.   Consider biblical values […]

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Pray for the Persecuted Church

Bob Woods
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Sunday, November 1 was designated the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church by the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) and other groups dedicated to bringing awareness of worldwide persecution of Christians, providing resources for involvement in structured activities to come to their aid and focusing on intercessory prayer and support for these modern day martyrs. Anti-Christian persecution is on the rise, according to two reports released this month. The U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom (IRF) report stated that “Non-state actors, including rebel and terrorist organizations … committed by far some of the most egregious human rights abuses […]

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The Christian and Civil Disobedience

Jerry Newcombe
6 Oct 2015
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  Recent events have called into question the issue of obeying the government in all ways — even in all circumstances. In the 13th chapter of Romans, Paul says that God has given us the government as a minister of righteousness. It is our duty to obey it. But we also see in Scripture that on occasion, when the government calls for one to disobey God, then civil disobedience is in order.   A historical example There’s a great lesson to learn from one aspect of World War II related to distortions of Romans 13. I’m not calling anybody a […]

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Under Control, Stand Strong

Dr. Tommy Boland
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  When you read the title of this month’s message of encouragement, what came to mind? Did you think this would be a message about you having the circumstances of your life “under control” so you could “stand strong”? If so, you’re right, but perhaps not in the way you might think I have intended.   Whose control? What I want you to consider today is this: whose control are you under in order to stand strong in the face of the challenges of daily living? “Do not let sin control your mortal body so that you obey its evil […]

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