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Category Archives: self-control
mission: display godly behavior
1 Timothy 3. Paul’s reason for giving qualification lists in this chapter is not simply administrative. He wants the churches to display proper conduct. The body of believers is the household (family) of God, the church of the living God, … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, family, holiness, integrity, ministry, self-control, works
Tagged 1 Timothy 3
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mission: pray in public
1 Timothy 2. Paul explains to Timothy those things that should be the hallmark of the church’s mission – things he should promote among the people and leaders of Ephesus. Of first importance is the ministry of public prayer. This … Continue reading
Posted in church, family, humility, ministry, prayer, self-control, worship
Tagged 1 Timothy 2
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when Christ comes: three questions answered
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. Paul had been instructing the Thessalonians about making Christ come into their city by sharing the gospel and thus building the kingdom. He now answers three questions about the hope of Christ coming again physically and setting … Continue reading
Posted in faith, hope, love, self-control, sleep of death, witness
Tagged 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Thessalonians 5
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Christ, our life
Colossians 3:1-17. The words “if then” which begin this section signify that there are logical consequences to being a Christian. We who have been raised with Christ demonstrate it by… … setting our minds on the ascended Christ who is … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, forgiveness, Jesus Christ, love, peace, self-control, witness
Tagged Colossians 3
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the grace walk
Ephesians 5:1-21. The believer imitates God’s grace by walking the grace walk. The grace walk is a life that imitates God’s sacrificial love. Just as Christ gave himself up for us, so we who walk the grace walk are to … Continue reading
Posted in church, faithfulness, grace, holiness, joy, sanctification, self-control, worship
Tagged Ephesians 5
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traditions that dishonor Christ
1 Corinthians 11:2-34. Paul had set up some traditions that the Corinthian churches were following. He commended them for following the head-covering tradition. This was especially important in first-century Corinth, because members of the freedom faction were arguing that their … Continue reading
Posted in divisions, integrity, self-control, submission, witness, worship
Tagged 1 Corinthians 11
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the debts he calls us to pay
Romans 13. Believers have been set free from the debt to sin and are now free to live in the righteousness given to us through the grace and mercy of God. Our change in status before God includes a new … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, genuineness, grace, kingdom of God, love, self-control, submission, the flesh, worship
Tagged Romans 13
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too big for his breeches
2 Chronicles 26. Uzziah was a great man and a good king, because “he was marvelously helped, till he was strong” (15). Then he got too big for his breeches. He usurped the right of the temple priests, and went … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, humility, leadership, ministry, obedience, self-control, submission, witness
Tagged 2 Chronicles 26
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fighting against God
2 Chronicles 13. It took only 18 years for the kingdom to go from one divided to become one engaged in civil war. Abijah’s army was outnumbered two to one, and he, himself was not entirely faithful to the LORD. … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discernment, faithfulness, relationship with God, self-control, wisdom
Tagged 2 Chronicles 13
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one decision
2 Chronicles 10. It was one decision that Rehoboam made that led to division and rebellion and the dissolution of Israel. He decided to listen to the wrong counselors. They encouraged him to make the heavy yoke even heavier. The … Continue reading
Posted in conflict, discernment, divisions, leadership, ministry, peace, self-control, wisdom
Tagged 2 Chronicles 10
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Devotions 