Who are "the people" referred to here that "He loves"? Who are "Your holy ones" identified as being "in Your hand"? Well, the answer lies in two clues about their behavior that sets them apart: "they followed in Your steps" and "receives of Your words". They are the ones who listen and obey. (more…)

Well, the odds are that if you subscribe to this journal or read it regularly that you are "in the choir" as far as what I would "preach" concerning this passage. People who regularly visit web sites focused on the topic of "Bible study" are probably not the most fertile ground for a sermon on "Why I need to study the Bible." So here's the deal: We need to get the word out about the Word.
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With absolutely no apologies, I will categorically state that I believe one of the most debilitating diseases to hit the church—at least in North America, anyways—is political correctness. It's "offensive" to discuss Christianity, faith, or Christ according to this standard, but showing "tolerance" to discuss all other religions, beliefs, and deities. It's a very clever spiritual campaign to induce silence and suppress the Gospel which, in the past, could only be accomplished by war and outright physical persecution. Satan has found an effective way to keep Christians from even preparing for battle much less actually engaging in it.
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There are false religions that have as a part of their beliefs the need to make a journey to find what is being sought, whether a pilgrimmage to a specific place or just for the purpose of the journey itself. Their belief is that the truth is nowhere to be found except on those journeys or to those places. Not so with the kingdom of God, for His Word has come to us and been made plainly and easily accessible.
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On the one hand, God has not revealed everything to us; on the other hand, He has revealed all that we need to know.
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Until the events of the End Times take place, these people will have witnessed the most spectacular signs and wonders performed by God Himself in the course of bringing them out of Egypt. And yet they were largely deaf, blind, and hardened of heart when it came to being spiritually changed because of them. That they could witness and live in the shadow of these signs and wonders is a greater "miracle", if you will—a testimony to the condition of their hardened heart and lack of faith. And yet there was a whole second set of signs and wonders they experienced each and every day for 40 years that failed to make an impresion as well: God's feeding and clothing of them, His taking care of all their physical needs with practically no effort required on their part. They didn't just fail to see the "big" picture, but the smaller, everyday testimonies as well.
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What is supposed to be the defining characteristic of the church? Whether someone's a Believer or not, how can they recognize for sure that an individual, group, or entire movement is truly "a people for the Lord"? I believe the Bible teaches that it's evidenced by behavior, the degree to which obedience to God's Word has been allowed to change them according to His will and ways, completely forsaking their own.
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