Hell Together Is No Better

By Robert Lupo

Music is a powerful form of communication. By combining the right melody with the right harmonies and rhythm, a simple poem can be transformed into an unforgettable expression of deep emotional thought. It is no wonder then why God asks us to sing songs to Him in worship.

Songs have become one of the primary ways messages are conveyed in today’s culture. From catchy jingles in lawyer commercials to soaring politically-charged ballads, our minds are being shaped by music. Music helps us pay attention, connect emotionally and remember ideas.

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O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink

By Fenter Northern (Northern Notes)

1. Oh, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!

2. That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chast’ning rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.

3. A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt11)

By Jim Mettenbrink

In his Psalm, David asked, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps 11:13) (upon which this long series has been based). He was acknowledging that this was the foundation of a nation, any nation. Why would it be destroyed? Note, God founds and destroys nations as He decides. So it is vital that we know what His decision is based upon?

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt10)

By Jim Mettenbrink

For nearly a year, we have been considering the “Radical Entrance to Jesus’ Kingdom,” and the Standard (God’s Bible) by which one can have eternal life, as part of restoring the foundation of the USA, once a great nation, so that it can truly be great again. Becoming a Christian and diligently living for Christ might seem farfetched as far as our national well-being is concerned, but only that is so only to the ignorant.

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt9) What about Hate?

By Jim Mettenbrink

In the last article, we considered the SPLC’s declaration that Mothers for Liberty, a parental rights advocacy, as an extremist hate group. However, they did not define what it means to hate, nor just what it is about advocating for parents’ rights regarding their children is hateful and what is meant by extreme.

First parents. God has mandated parents, i.e., a man and woman married to each other should have children – “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth….” (Genesis 1:27-28). Who has the responsibility to rear the children?

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt8)

By Jim Mettenbrink

In answering the question about what is really important in life, we have been considering a lawyer’s inquiry to Jesus – “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”(Luke 10:25). Jesus’ response was a story about the Good Samaritan, the Jews’ arch enemy. Jesus stated the lesson for the lawyer and every person who wants to inherit eternal life in His well-known sermon on the mount –“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt7)

By Jim Mettenbrink

In answering the question about what is really important in life, we have been considering a lawyer’s inquiry to Jesus – “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”(Luke 10:25). Jesus’ response was a story about the Good Samaritan, the Jews’ arch enemy. We have been considering the background of this 500 years of hostility. The accounts of the Gospel, reveal that this hatred was perpetually simmering beneath the surface at the time Jesus walked the earth.

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Freed to Serve?

By David Phillips

How do you reconcile the seemingly conflicting ideas of spiritual freedom and service? In Gal. 5:1 Paul says, for freedom Christ has set us free. Then in the same chapter, verse 13, He reminds us we were called to freedom… But he immediately gives two conditions to be met, one a negative, the other a positive:

  • Don’t misuse your freedom. Liberty can be thrilling but make sure you don’t run wild with it, using it to be able to do things you shouldn’t. Specifically, he says, Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.
  • Use your freedom to promote service. In that verse, he commands this alternative to the misuse of freedom: but through love serve one another.

Liberty in Christ sets us free from the guilt and bondage of sin and self, freeing us to turn our energies toward serving God and one another.

Are We Easy to Mislead?

By David Phillips

Just how gullible are we? I’d say the answer to that is, “pretty gullible.” In fact, these days political schemes, sales plans and even religious doctrines seem to depend on the likelihood that the majority of people in general will tend to fall for almost anything, especially if the pitch is convincingly presented with important-sounding terms.

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Those Who Find It Are Few

By David Phillips

Some seem almost offended by the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14 regarding the fact that few will find the narrow gate to eternal life.

Jesus is not talking about ineptitude, or the idea that most are ‘too dumb’ to be saved. He is speaking of the poor decision-making process that will characterize the spiritual choices of the majority of humanity. Satan is all too aware of our tendency toward taking the path of least resistance, and he carefully crafts temptations that are designed to entice us to take the easy way out. And the sad, sad truth is that the majority of people fall for it. Don’t sell him short, and don’t be one of the many.