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Showing posts with the label Obedience

The Wedding Banquet: A Divine Invitation You Can't Ignore

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In a world drowning in distractions and fleeting pleasures, the timeless words of Jesus Christ cut through the noise like a clarion call. Today, I want to dive deep into the Parable of the Wedding Banquet from Matthew 22:1-14 —a story that's not just ancient history but a living, breathing warning and promise for every soul. As fundamentalist Christians , we hold fast to the inerrant Word of God, and this parable demands our undivided attention. It's a vivid portrait of God's sovereign grace , human rebellion, and the eternal consequences of our response. Let's unpack it together, expanding on its profound truths to stir our hearts toward deeper faith and obedience. Imagine the scene : A mighty king—our Heavenly Father—prepares a lavish wedding feast for his beloved son, Jesus Christ. Invitations are sent to the elite, the chosen ones—symbolizing God's covenant people, Israel. But shockingly, they snub the invite. Some ignore it, too busy with farms and businesses...

Beyond Words: True Faith and the Will of God

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In a world where words are cheap and actions often speak louder, Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount challenge us to examine the depth of our faith. As fundamentalist Christians, we hold dear the unchanging truths of Scripture—the virgin birth of Christ, His deity, atoning sacrifice, bodily resurrection, and the Bible's inerrant authority. Yet, even with these foundations, we must heed the stark warning in Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV): "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" This passage isn't just a distant echo from ancient times; it's a mirror for our souls today. It reminds us that proclaiming "Lord, Lord" or eve...

Rediscovering Obedience: The Forgotten Key to Loving God

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 Hey there, fellow seekers of faith! In a world where "grace" is often thrown around like a get-out-of-jail-free card, it's easy to skim over one of the Bible's most straightforward teachings: obedience. I recently came across a powerful homily that hit me right between the eyes on this topic, and I felt compelled to turn it into a blog post. Titled Obedience: Often Ignored and Seldom Preached or Taught, it reminds us that true love for Jesus isn't just about warm feelings—it's about action. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Let's dive in and let God's Word do the talking. The Misunderstood Side of Grace We've all heard it: "We're saved by grace, not by works!" And that's absolutely true—Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that crystal clear. But somewhere along the way, many Christians (myself included at times) have twisted grace into something loose and permissive. It's like treating ...

Trusting God in Times of Scarcity: Lessons from the Widow of Zarephath

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 " The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah ." – 1 Kings 17:16 (ESV) In a world that often feels uncertain and filled with scarcity, the story of the Widow of Zarephath stands as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, provision, and care for His people. Found in 1 Kings 17:8-16, this account is more than just a historical event—it is a timeless lesson on faith, obedience, and the sovereignty of God. For those of us who hold to the literal truth of Scripture, this story speaks directly to our hearts, challenging us to trust God even when circumstances seem impossible. A Test of Faith in Desperate Times During a severe drought in Israel—a judgment from God for the nation’s idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel—the prophet Elijah was sent by God to Zarephath, a town outside Israel. There, at the town gate, he met a widow who was gathering sticks to prepare a final meal for herself ...