Category Archives: Encouragement

Covenant: What It Is, How It Works

Posted on October 15, 2025 by salooper57

The God who would become a man – a descendant of Abraham – represented both parties on the perilous walk. God called the curse down on himself should the covenant be broken. And the One who sees the end from the beginning knew exactly where that would lead. Continue reading →

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Now You See Me

Posted on October 5, 2025 by salooper57

You see, it is not that Jesus emptied himself even though he was in very nature God. He emptied himself because he was in very nature God. This is what God is like. This is what he has always been like. Continue reading →

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Is the Church Even Necessary?

Posted on October 4, 2025 by salooper57

A church that is united in love will dislodge the devil, conduct itself with assurance, convince doubters, know Christ by experience, and change the world. Continue reading →

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Can Erika Kirk Really Forgive Charlie’s Killer?

Posted on September 27, 2025 by salooper57

Forgiveness never happens by accident. It is always a choice—usually a choice that goes against the grain of our feelings. If we put off forgiveness until we feel like it, we will never forgive. We must make a choice to forgive, and we must act on it. Continue reading →

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The Family Business: A Sermon from John 5

Posted on September 18, 2025 by salooper57

When bad things happen in our lives, we might think about God the way my parents thought about the police: Why isn’t he doing something? Someday, we’ll discover that he was. But, unlike the police, he wanted us to join him in his work. Continue reading →

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Going Out of Business: St. Paul and “the Body of Sin”

Posted on September 13, 2025 by salooper57

The new owner has given each of us the responsibility of closing down the business of sin that has been operating in our bodies. Continue reading →

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Pulling Out: Separationist Movements and the Bible

Posted on September 6, 2025 by salooper57

Wearing unfashionable clothing (without a smartphone in any pocket) might readily distinguish us in other people’s eyes, but maybe the point is not to distinguish ourselves in others people’s eyes. Continue reading →

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Baptism: Is it Really Necessary?

Posted on August 23, 2025 by salooper57

Both the emu and the kangaroo can only move forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving backwards by its large tail.
People who are baptized have chosen the emu and the kangaroo for their coat of arms. Continue reading →

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Following the Call

Posted on August 16, 2025 by salooper57

The Divine game of Marco Polo goes on. If we are not hearing his voice, it is not because he has stopped calling but because we have gone in the wrong direction. In that case, it is best for us to call to him and then become silent, waiting for his answering call. Continue reading →

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Party at My House! – God

Posted on August 14, 2025 by salooper57

Jesus is telling us something about God in this story, and he is definitely not the cosmic killjoy that people (and the devil) make him out to be. If anyone ever loved a good party, it is the God and Father of Jesus Christ. Continue reading →

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