PHall | October 24, 2016
Jesus does more than keep the Sabbath. He honors its meaning more than those who simply see it as a rule or law. The Son of Man shows it to be a blessing, and not a burden. Therefore when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He wasn’t “breaking” the Sabbath; neither was He showing an exception […]
Category: Mark |
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PHall | October 22, 2016
There is “The World’s Culture” and then there is “Your Family Culture.” Two examples of this are found in our children. When our daughters were young, many of their friend’s parents were divorcing. It was getting so bad Janet and I sat them down and comforted them saying, “We will never divorce.” Our youngest daughter, […]
Category: Ephesians |
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Tags: Children, Family, Parenting
PHall | October 22, 2016
The easy way became impossible. The unthinkable way became the only way. If this doesn’t make sense, it will become clear. As clear as faith. Some come through the proverbial frontdoor when making a point. Some come through the backdoor. It has been said of me I come through the side window! What hasn’t […]
Category: Mark |
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PHall | October 22, 2016
“Going to church” is dangerous, but the alternative is worse. I have had various back issues since I was two years old. I have been hospitalized three times, recently for surgery, and at age 4 when I awoke and could not walk. Due to the recent situation I have needed to take pain medicine. What […]
Category: Luke |
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PHall | October 22, 2016
Saturday’s Sustenance – Jesus’ First Miracle in Mark (Mark 1: 22-28) Jesus starts teaching in the Synagogue in Caperneaum (Mark 1:21). What amazes these listeners is how Jesus teaches – which is with authority (1:22). Apparently the scribes were always quoting uninspired rabbis; while Jesus sets Himself up as someone who would become quoted! […]
Category: Mark |
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PHall | October 22, 2016
Faith in James: Is tested (1:3); prays without doubting (1:6); poor chosen to be rich in (2:5); can claim it but not have a one that saves (2:14); must have works to be alive (2:17); is seen by works (2:18); without works is useless (2:20); perfected by works (2:22); is credited to us as righteousness […]
Category: James |
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PHall | October 15, 2016
Communion Talk – “You are what you eat” is a phrase most of have heard of. And you are, in that when you eat something you take on the characteristics of that food. Eat something with a lot of carbohydrates and you get energy which is why athletes “carbo load”. Coffee has caffeine and unless […]
Category: I Corinthians |
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Tags: Communion
PHall | October 13, 2016
Being buried alive, pardon the pun, scares people to death. In former times, without our medical advances, people were accidentally buried alive; then literally “saved by the bell” that was placed with the supposed corpse for such emergencies. While being mutilated was a horrible way to die, its benefit was a death that was verifiable […]
Category: John |
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PHall | October 13, 2016
Wowed at the Main Event (Luke 7:18-23) I am embarrassed. I don’t inherently get wowed at what’s impressive to God. The blind receive their sight. Wow! The lame walk. Wow again! Lepers are healed. The deaf can hear. The dead are raised? Yes, wondrously the dead are raised! Wow! Wow! and Wow! I would have […]
Category: Luke |
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Tags: Grace
PHall | October 13, 2016
“The obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5; 16:26) is an intriguing phrase because of its paradoxical nature. Because of this there is an overemphasis by one side, and almost total neglect by another. That “faith” obeys is a conundrum to some because they look at faith as just a mental concept – I believe or trust […]
Category: Romans |
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Tags: Denominationalism, Grace