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Posted by David Carroll
Romans 2:12-15 (NKJV)For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves
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Posted by David Carroll
Romans 1:20 (NKJV)For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse A creator of everything must, by definition, exist outside of his creation. But can you know anything about the creator by examining his creation? Perhaps that can be answered by asking if you know anything about the artist by examining a painting? Certainly you could be impressed with his skill and sense of beauty. By studying a number of paintings, you might even be able
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Posted by David Carroll
Romans 1:17 (NIV)For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Many popular techniques for personal evangelism begin with a question like "What do you think is required for a person to get to heaven?" or something to that effect. Many people will reply that you have to be a good person, or that you must keep the Ten Commandments. This implies that there is something in the person that merits favor from God which will earn them
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 28:27 (NKJV)For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them. The first thing Paul does after arriving in Rome is to call a meeting of the leaders of the Jews there. This was always his pattern wherever he went. He would first visit the Jewish synagogue and then branch out to the gentiles in the area. Some believed and some
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 27:22-24 (NIV)But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' Acts 27:30-31 (NIV)In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow.
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 27:1 (NIV)When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. Acts 27:3 (NIV)The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. Paul's voyage to Rome will be a nail-biting tale told in great detail. In reading these verses you get the idea that Paul had made many friends, even with those who were guarding him in prison. Paul had many enemies,
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 26:24-25 (NKJV)Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!" But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. Acts 26:28 (NKJV)Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." Festus, the Roman governor has replaced Felix and it has been two years since Paul was put in prison awaiting his appeal to Caesar. Paul now defends himself before Festus and before King Agrippa who has become interested in this case.
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Posted by David Carroll
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested. The first nine chapters of First Chronicles is chapter after chapter, verse after verse of nothing but genealogies. It would be tempting to skip right over these
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 24:14-15 (NKJV)But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Paul had to defend himself in front of Governor Felix against the trumped up charges made by the Jews. He speaks of the Way, worshiping God, the Law, the Prophets, and the resurrection. That's quite
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 23:11 (NKJV)But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." Have you ever been comforted by the Lord? I have, perhaps not in a vision like Paul, but I have felt the comfort of the Lord in the truth of the promises in His Word. His comfort comes by His presence. If I abide in Him, He abides in me.Paul went to Jerusalem against the advice of his best friends, but he knew the persecution
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 23:2-5 (NIV)At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!" Those who were standing near Paul said, "You dare to insult God's high priest?" Paul replied, "Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'" Paul had got himself into a
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Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. There is an interesting word picture in this verse of what happens to people who digress into various stages
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Posted by David Carroll
2 Kings 18:3 (NKJV)And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.
2 Kings 21:2 (NKJV)And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.
2 Kings 21:20 (NKJV)And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done.
2 Kings 22:2 (NKJV)And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he
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Posted by David Carroll
2 Kings 19:34-35 (NKJV)"For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David's sake." And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses--all dead. God had heard enough of this obstinate King of Assyria who had been boasting how he was going to conquer Jerusalem. Hezekiah, who was a good king of Judah, had prayed earnestly that God would
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 20:7-12 (NKJV)Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, "Do not
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 19:13-16 (NIV)Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house
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Posted by David Carroll
2 Kings 13:20-21 (NKJV)Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet. Elisha and Elijah were two incredible, miracle working prophets of God. A lot of people think the Bible is full of miracles but actually miracles are somewhat rare
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Posted by David Carroll
Proverbs 18:2 (NIV)
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
I hope that I am not seen as a fool. I do find pleasure in understanding God's word and I am not as much concerned with my own opinions (I do have some however.) Of course opinions can be interesting but anything we say should be worthy of another person's hearing.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Posted by David Carroll
Acts 17:11 (NKJV)These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. In the business world, when deals are made, it is considered mandatory to perform what is called due diligence. Across the dinner table where deals are often struck, the excitement can be contagious. But when it comes time to sign on the dotted line, you will find a wise businessman exercising caution. The good news of Jesus Christ should be no different. Regardless of how good something sounds,
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 16:22-25 (NIV)The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. How could these men sing hymns at a time like this? They were beaten, whipped, locked up, and put in
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Posted by David Carroll
2 Kings 6:15-17 (NKJV)And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 15:10-11 (NKJV)Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they. Have you ever wanted to teach someone how to do something and ended up being taught by the very person you were trying to teach? I think it is good for us to be humbled from time to time to prevent us from thinking too highly of ourselves.Acts 15
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Posted by David Carroll
Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)A merry heart does good, like medicine,But a broken spirit dries the bones. Doctors know that a pleasant and good outlook on life full of hope will do as much to help a person get well as any amount of medicine. And it is true too, that people can become physically sick as a result of mental depression. What can make someone merry? Good news, and the best news is that God has made a provision for the forgiveness of sins and for us to be able have eternal life. Not just when we get to heaven but
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Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 139:1-4 (NKJV)O Lord, You have searched me and known me.You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. One of man's most feared dread and yet one of his deepest longings is to be known intimately. To be truly known by another person is both dangerous and fulfilling. Before anyone would allow this, there must be a great deal of trust. Marriage is
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Posted by David Carroll
1 Kings 22:5-8 (NIV)But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the Lord." So the king of Israel brought together the prophets--about four hundred men--and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" "Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand." But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?" The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he
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Posted by David Carroll
I love you Lord...
John 3:16 [NKJV]
For God so loved the world
... because you first loved me.
Posted by David Carroll
1 Kings 19:14 (NKJV)And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." Then the Lord said to him: 1 Kings 19:18 (NKJV)Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him. Elijah was an incredible prophet of God. I love reading about all the things he did. I believe the
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Posted by David Carroll
Acts 11:15-17 (NIV)"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" Peter and the other apostles were all Jews. Jesus was a Jew. The Jews were God's chosen people. The tradition and history of the Jews was, for the
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Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 134 (NKJV)Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord The Lord who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion! Uh Oh, what's that about lifting up hands in the sanctuary. Where I go to church, we don't do that a lot. Oh, there are a handful who do it and Pastor even does it every once in a while. I guess the discomfort many of us feel is the fear of drawing too much attention
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Posted by David Carroll
I love you Lord...
John 3:16 [NKJV]
For God so loved the world
... because you first loved me.
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