Weekly Word

Religion

** Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

The song Battle Hymn of the Republic was written by Julia Ward Howe during the Civil War as a pro-Union, anti-slavery anthem. Its lyrics, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord . . . His truth is marching on” provided troops with a marching cadance. In Mark 13:26 Jesus declared upon His return, “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” The Hymn continues with, “As He died to make men holy; let us live to make men free,” a reference to freeing the slaves. Since so many are slaves to sin, I’ll close with John 8:32, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

Written and Submitted By: Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (paraphrase) Let those of us who live in the light wear faith and love, and a helmet of hope. I read about a couple who discovered in an attic trunk, the torn, dirt and blood stained jersey of pro football running back Gayle Sayers of the Chicago Bears. The wife remembered that her dad has season tickets during that time, but didn’t know how he got the jersey. It was valued at $30,000; the appraiser explained the battering this jersey took made it more valuable. Battered believers are valued by God for we have been hit multiple times, but get up to run another play.

The Weekly Word

Religion

Written And Submitted By: Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Proverbs 3:34 “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humility is not thinking less of yourself; its thinking of yourself less. Jesus told his disciples that the greatest one among them was a servant; and He came to serve, not to be served. Paul wrote of his desire to decrease, so Christ could increase. Following the Sugar Bowl, University of Georgia quarterback Jack Fromm, in an interview, credited his team mates with the win. 1 Peter 5:6 “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:”

Weekly Word

Religion

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc

 

Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”  D.L.Moody wrote, “Whatever you love more than God is your idol.”  I was invited to be the guest speaker at a Christian men’s dinner.  After reciting Exodus 20:3, I advised the men we carry an idol in our pockets; pulling out a $1.00 bill and waiving it in the air. Show-and-tell time. After sharing stories of fortune seekers suffering from depression, I shared this scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil . . .” Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

In November 2019, FOX News released a study by Nick Lane, a London college professor, suggesting life began in deep sea heated pockets; in opposition to Darwin’s unproven theory that  life originated in a warm little pond. The debate goes on as researchers ignore the greater body-of-evidence that supports a Creator. Ken Ham’s Creation Museum in Kentucky proves life began with God. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  We know what educated scientists cannot comprehend.

The Weekly Word

Religion

John 8:32, Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Psychologist James Hillman wrote a paper: The Force of Character and the Lasting Life. He stated, “Every one of us is our own diety.” This belief is identified as humanism. Satan, the garden snake, continues the same lie. Self-worship is dominate in our culture; individualism is destroying our country. Former British Prime Minister David Lloyd George wrote, “Statesmanship and diplomacy have failed. The only remedy is Jesus Christ. It is either Christ or Chaos.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

The movie OVERCOMER deals with forgiveness and endurance. A high-school girl training for a long-distance run, learns the identify of her father who was a champion runner. Her father had become addicted to drugs and abandoned his little girl. Her father comes to Christ and ask his daughter for forgiveness; she forgives him and he helps her win the race. Hebrews 10:36,”For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”  I love the song, VICTORY IN JESUS.

The Weekly Word

Religion

2 Timothy 3:15 tells us that Holy Scriptures make us wise for salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. There is a car wash in my hometown named A WASH TO THE WISE. Growing up my mom would often say, “a word to the wise”, then share her words of wisdom. Sure wish I had paid more attention. James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all literally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

2 Timothy 3:15 tells us that Holy Scriptures make us wise for salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. There is a car wash in my hometown named A WASH TO THE WISE. Growing up my mom would often say, “a word to the wise”, then share her words of wisdom. Sure wish I had paid more attention. James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all literally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

The television series LONG ISLAND MEDIUM draws an audience attracted to the spirit world. Theresa Caputo claims to connect with the dead on behalf of the living. Old Testament King Saul abandoned God, consulting with a witch. Saul’s decision to forsake the Lord, cost him his life. In 1 Samuel 15:23, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft . . . Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”  The prophet Isaiah asked this question in 8:19, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter, should not a people seek their God?”

Weekly Word

Religion

Atlanta declared Sunday, October 13, 2019,  Pride-on-Peach. A parade on Peachtree Street celebrating the gay lifestyle. CBS covered the perverted parade. Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction.” Dr. Billy Graham’s wife Ruth once stated that if God does not destroy America, He will have to apologize and restore Sodom and Gomorrah. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. The U. S. Supreme Court confirmed gay/lesbian marriage, and that night our White House was lighted with the colors of the rainbow. God hates sin, but loves sinners. How long will He allow this depravity?

The Weekly Word

Religion

Proverbs 14:16 states that a fool is self-confident. I was in a book store and noticed the SELF HELP section. I took a few minutes to survey the titles. One book caught my attention: Wake Up & Live (Formula For Success That Really Works). Book promotes self strength to live a successful life. This is opposite to what the Bible teaches. Ephesians 6:10, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Remember the children’s song, “we are weak, but He is strong.” Isaiah 40:29. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

Proverbs 14:16 states that a fool is self-confident. I was in a book store and noticed the SELF HELP section. I took a few minutes to survey the titles. One book caught my attention: Wake Up & Live (Formula For Success That Really Works). Book promotes self strength to live a successful life. This is opposite to what the Bible teaches. Ephesians 6:10, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Remember the children’s song, “we are weak, but He is strong.” Isaiah 40:29. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

Judges 16 is the account of Samson & Delilah.Three times she ask him the source of his strength; three times he lied. Each time she called her lords to seize him, he broke the bonds. Now, you would think he would  not trust her, but he told her the truth which resulted in his being blinded, chained and forced into slave labor. Stupid Samson; from strong servant to captured convict. His parents urged him to seek a sweetheart among his people, but he would not listen. His disobedience cost him his freedom. In the same way, too many believers fail to follow the Father’s instruction regarding sexual sin, and fall on their face. Jesus is standing-by with his hand extended.

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

I read a story about a little girl who was frightened during a thunderstorm at night. She ran to her parents and jumped into their bed. Her father said, “Don’t worry Honey, the Lord will protect you.” She responded, “I know Daddy, but right now, I need someone with skin on.” Because Jesus is God with skin on, we can run to Him when sudden storms hit hard. One day we will see Him with skin on, including scars; until then His Holy Spirit lives within us to protect and comfort us. Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”

The Weekly Word

Religion

The religion of Islam was founded by the prophet Mohammad. He is quoted, “I know the way.” Jesus said, “I am the way . . .” John 14:6. It cannot get any easier to understand than that. Acts 2:28, “You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.” Time will prove that God’s Word is true.

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