Why are trials and tribulations part of the Christian life?

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One of the most difficult parts of the Christian faith is the testing we face as believers. Why does God allow us to face trials, tribulations, and temptations? James 1:2-4 offers an insightful look: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” We are to consider trials with joy because they ultimately lead to our spiritual maturity. Jesus mentioned this concept in John 15:2: “Every branch that does …

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“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”— Matthew 6:9

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  This prayer begins where all true prayer must commence, with the spirit of adoption, “Our Father.” There is no acceptable prayer until we can say, “I will arise, and go unto my Father.” This child-like spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father “in heaven,” and ascends to devout adoration, “Hallowed be thy name.” The child lisping, “Abba, Father,” grows into the cherub crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” There is but a step from rapturous worship to the glowing missionary spirit, which is a sure outgrowth of filial love and reverent adoration–“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth …

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A Field For The Harvest

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Dr. Mike Murphy “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” How many times during each of our lives have we heard these words? Despite how often you have heard these words, how many of you know where these words come from? We all know these as words of encouragement, words that tell us the benefit of diligence and hard work. Most who know a little about these words, will attribute them to Benjamin Franklin, and his publication of Poor Richard’s Almanac. In the 1735 version of the almanac, most Americans first saw these words …

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Characteristics of a Generous Spirit

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2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Encouragement to Give Generously 8 We want you to know, brothers about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave …

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But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.” Luke 24:16

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The disciples ought to have known Jesus, they had heard his voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is a wonder they did not discover him. Yet is it not so with you also? You have not seen Jesus lately. You have been to his table, and you have not met him there. You are in a dark trouble this evening, and though he plainly says, “It is I, be not afraid,” yet you cannot discern him. Alas! our eyes are holden. We know his voice; we have looked into his face; we have …

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Faith Without Works is Dead — Not Lost 

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Jack Kinsella “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18) The second chapter of James, often called the “works” chapter, seems to contradict other places in Scripture that salvation is by faith and stands independent of works. Paul writes to the Galatians; “I do not frustrate the grace of God, for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21) …

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Psalm 121 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. …

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How can I accept Jesus as my personal savior?

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Accepting Jesus as your personal Savior involves an understanding of who Jesus is, what a Savior is, and what it means to accept Jesus as Savior. Jesus Christ is often noted as a good person, yet the Bible declares He is much more. He is God in human form who came to live on earth (John 1:1). He lived, taught, performed miracles, suffered, died, and resurrected from the dead to prove He is Lord. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 the apostle Paul shared, “I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in …

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Our Generous Provider

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Psalm 65 For the choir director: A song. A psalm of David. 1 What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion. We will fulfill our vows to you, 2 for you answer our prayers. All of us must come to you. 3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. 4 What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple. 5 You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on …

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Hold Fast Until Our Lord’s Return

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By Tucker Whitaker & Andy Coticchio Excerpted from Life on the Highest Plane – Ruth Paxson (1928): Revelation 2:25,“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” “Hold Fast.” In these days of growing apostasy the Christian is meeting with very severe test to his faith, love, zeal and fidelity. The man who rejects the foundation truths of God’s Word considers the man who holds them fast an intellectual outcast and consigns him to the slums of scholarship. This is a day in which men are suffering persecution for their faith. As the shadows deepen and the darkness …

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