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How Christians May Be Bound in Mental ‘Strongholds’
In Second Corinthians 10 the Apostle Paul speaks of “strongholds” to describe mindsets in people which are like a fortress locking in falsehoods and keeping out the truth of God. These strongholds are thoughts, ideas, feelings, and the like which help give the person his/her identity, form a worldview of life, or the church, or God, Christ, the Christian life, etc. They may have come from your own reading of the Bible, or someone you trusted to tell you what the Bible says, or anywhere else. Thoughts that form a false picture of things pertaining to God make a person truth-resistant and not even know it. Indeed, they stand to…
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God’s will for people and His church
This started as a study of Colossians 2 but became more an exposition of key concepts branching off of the first nine verses of that chapter. Colossians, like Ephesians gives a picture of what God wants of His people, and what we may hope for from Him. In this study which follows one on Colossians 1, we go to other Scriptures to comment on how they are part of the whole message of the gospel. Other random comments pertaining to all people add to this. God is reaching out to all who will hear Him. He wants to draw them to know Him, take on His nature, and shine as…
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The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God
1 Corinthians 2:14 – But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. God is love, He loves us, and He sent Jesus Christ to save us from ourselves and the sinful system of the world. We as natural-born people are made in His image, but the Word of God says sin has subtly corrupted humans who apart from Christ are spiritually cut off from Him. Until a person truly comes to Jesus and receives His life, His indwelling Holy Spirit, they are functioning from the basis of who…
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God does not contradict Himself!
God never contradicts Himself yet today so many Christians “bear witness” to varying pictures of “the truth.” Such variances may be minor and may also include life-and-death differences such as what it means to be saved, who goes to heaven, what God wants of His people, and what we may believe from God. Depending on how you count them, there are upward of 30,000 denominations in the world, and, 1) that violates the biblical command for unity (1 Cor. 1:10) and against sectarianism (1 Cor. 3:3), and 2) it is categorically impossible for everyone to be right! Humans are so fallible, but this article is not meant to harp on…
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That Christ May Have the Preeminence – Colossians 1 Studied
This study is a walk-through of Colossians 1, with commentary and other supporting scriptures interspersed throughout. The epistle is both deep and transcendent, and ends on a practical note, assuming instructions are to those born anew, bought with the Blood of Christ, and in-dwelt and under the control of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. This study is very applicable to anyone today wanting authentic Christianity – a life of fellowship and service to God in His Spirit. Lord bless you!
