God

My Sheep Listen to My Voice

Jesus referred to his disciples as sheep in John 10. Like sheep, we as are easily led astray if we do not recognize the voice of our shepherd. Jesus said in verse 14 that he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep and whose sheep know him. However, it can be confusing when there are so many voices demanding our attention. We most commonly hear the voices of God, our enemy, ourselves and others. Therefore, not every voice is from God. We have to distinguish between truth and error. The only way to know truth, our shepherd’s voice, is […]

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Answering Questions about Homosexuality

Christians need to be prepared to answer the myriad questions we hear in today’s increasingly pro homosexual culture. This is perhaps the most complicated and contentious issue we face in our culture. Most churches are poorly equipped to handle it; parents are even less prepared. In his new book Critical Conversations: A Christian Parents’ Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, author Tom Gilson crafts a well-written apologetic for the morality of Christianity. He cautions, “Let’s not be fooled here: The big question isn’t whether homosexual behavior or same-sex marriage is moral. The big question is whether Christianity is credible. Gay […]

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The Compassionate Judge: Mercy Triumphs

“Sometimes the best way to help a man who has fallen into a hole is not to throw him a rope, but to climb in.” – Scott Pelley, CBS Evening News   I recently heard a heartwarming story on CBS Evening News about a retired army sergeant named Joe Serna, who served 3 tours in Afghanistan as a Green Beret and earned two purple hearts. After surviving a tragic truck accident that killed three other soldiers, he developed PTSD and a fear of small cramped spaces. A few years ago, Joe had been arrested for drunk driving and was sentenced […]

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The Battle Within

(Scroll down to leave a comment on your battle within.) One of Satan’s most destructive schemes is to convince the believer that all is well, and there is nothing to be concerned with. “You’re doing so much better than that person over there,” the serpent slyly hisses. “You don’t need to worry about making any particular changes in your own life.” But this is not for you. The apostle Paul was keenly aware of his own sin, and he knew well that acknowledging that he was the chief of sinners — a title that you and I can also honestly […]

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Engaging Muslims with Wisdom and Love

The Lord calls Christians to relate wisely and virtuously with all people. This includes how followers of Jesus engage Muslims. Acts of terrorism done in the name of Islam, against both Muslims and non-Muslims, can tempt us to respond in ways that are neither wise nor virtuous. If people have never had Muslim friends, their only impressions come from news and social media, which tend to build a distorted picture. Even among Christians, heated debates break out about the very language we use on issues relating to Islam. In politics we debate whether or not terrorists should be called “radical Muslims.” […]

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A Biblical View of our Escalating Culture of Violence

Violence is familiar to me, having grown up in Beirut, Lebanon and spent most of my life traveling to the neediest places on earth. Many times I have experienced the scourge of deadly warfare. Yet recent shootings in Michigan, Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas and recent terror attack in my adopted country of France hit closer to home. While the circumstances are different, the underlying causes that perpetuate a culture of distrust and hysteria, that escalates and threatens to shove society into the oncoming traffic of anger and hate remains the same.   Othering It’s what philosopher Michael Foucault referred to […]

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Can Arts and Entertainment be Your Ministry?

Do you have a love for the arts and a passion for Jesus? Wish you could act, sing, or dance while sharing the gospel? Or maybe you love being a part of the entertainment biz, but prefer to be behind the scenes working the magic. If this calls to you in any way then Revelation Ministries may just be just the ticket for you. Travis Johnson, founder and president of Revelation Ministries, describes it as “a Christian performing arts ministry consisting of volunteers from around South Florida. We are from all walks of life and denominational backgrounds, but we share […]

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New App Translates God’s Word into Emojis

There is a trend today of making things easier, faster and less complicated: fast food you grab on the go, gourmet coffees that keep us running like machines, smart phones, which may eventually be smarter than us, and an obsession with text messaging in place of face-to-face communication. To add flair and personality to these texts, many have even fallen in love with emojis — those tiny little icons that quickly express emotion in a single image. Inventive minds are constantly focusing on making technology more helpful and intuitive. Now you can add to that list Internet emojis replacing God’s […]

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A Reliable Approach to Bible Study

Sometimes Bible Study may seem complicated and a bit overwhelming, but here is a reliable, practical approach to help you dig into God’s word. First, take a deep breath. The Holy Bible is a collection of 66 books written in three different languages over about 1,500 years on three different continents by at least 39 authors. To the glory of God alone, the Bible is cohesive and harmonious. How is this possible? It is inspired completely by God. The Bible is not just a book; it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the […]

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Grace, Grace… Now Get to Work?

Paul wrote Ephesians from prison. Seems fitting when you consider the overarching tone of the letter… Chapters 1-3 read like chains falling off and prison doors swinging wide open by the power of scandalous, justifying grace. Chapters 4-6 read like they are describing how to enjoy your newfound freedom, glorifying the One who freed you by empowering, sanctifying grace. This letter is about how we are rescued, renewed and reformed by the Father’s grace in Christ, by the Spirit. The only way to understand the chapters and verses in this letter, is to read them in light of the gracious […]

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