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What is the Purpose of Affliction & Dross Burning? Sometimes our afflictions are due to wrong decisions of others or ourselves. Sometimes God allows these experiences to teach us, test us, and strengthen us. Dross burning is when God uses various situations to purify our Christian character. Some of these unpleasant situations are for…
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If mocking is defined as teasing, then there is no problem. The problem with teasing is that it never ends, which can cause severe emotional distress. If mocking is defined as words designed to destroy, hurt, damage, abuse, etc., then it is evil. Example of teasing type: A pastor comes to a gathering at…
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What Does the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) Mean? Luke 18:1 (MEV) He told them a parable to illustrate that it is necessary always to pray and not lose heart. The Greek word for “lose heart” is ἐκκακέω ekkakeō and means “To turn out to be a coward, to lose one’s courage.…
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Why Are Those Who “Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness” Blessed? The consequences of sin are God’s judgments. The consequences of thinking and living God’s way are blessings. The consequences of seeking pleasure are God’s judgments (Romans 1:18-32 and Galatians 5:19-21). The consequences of seeking God’s ways are blessings (Galatians 5:22-26 and Ephesians 5:8-14). Matthew…
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Mark 14:32-42 (NKJV) The Prayer in the Garden (Matt. 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46) 32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34…
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(Mark 12:41-44 NKJV) (41) Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many [who were] rich put in much. (42) Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. (43) So He called His disciples to [Himself] and said to…
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The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar? (Matt. 22:15–22; Luke 20:20–26 ) Mark 12:13-17 NKJV – “Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care…
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Forgiveness and Prayer (Matt. 6:14, 15 ) (Mark 11:25-26 NKJV) “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” V25 “And whenever you stand…
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Marriage and Divorce (Matt. 19:1–9 ) (Mark 10:1-12 NKJV) (1) Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. (2) The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for…
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Mark 9:38-41 Jesus Forbids Sectarianism (Matt. 10:40–42; Luke 9:49, 50 ) Mark 9:38-41 NKJV – Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one…