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THE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING PART 1: WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL — UNDERSTANDING THE CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM

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THE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING PART 1: WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL — UNDERSTANDING THE CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM Ephesians 4:1 (NLT) “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” Imagine a student gaining admission into a school. On the first day, the student receives a prospectus. The prospectus explains the courses, the rules, the expectations, and the standard of conduct required of every student. Admission is important, but admission alone does not make the student successful. The student must learn. The student must attend classes, complete assignments, sit for examinations, receive correction, and demonstrate what has been taught. The Christian life works in much the same way. When we receive Christ, we enter the School of Christian Living. Our classroom is not limited to the church building. There is a classroom at home. There is a classroom at school. There is a classroom at the office. There is a classroom ...
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ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 9: WHEN WORSHIP MUST GIVE WAY TO THE WORD

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ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 9: WHEN WORSHIP MUST GIVE WAY TO THE WORD Acts 10:27–29 (NLT) “Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. Peter told them, ‘You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.’” In Part 8, we discovered that God can prepare the room before He sends the messenger. Peter finally arrived at Cornelius' house. But he did not find an empty room. Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. They were waiting. They were ready. They were expecting something from God. Peter also discovered something important: His obedience had brought him into a prepared environment. God had prepared Cornelius. God had prepared Peter. And God had prepared the people. But when Peter entered the house, something happen...
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ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 8: WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PLACE GOD SENT YOU

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ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 8: WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PLACE GOD SENT YOU Acts 10:24–26 (NLT) “They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter made him get up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am a man just like you!’” In Part 7, we discovered that obedience sometimes takes us where we never planned to go. Peter had been instructed by the Holy Spirit to go with the men sent by Cornelius. It was an unfamiliar assignment. It crossed cultural and religious boundaries. Peter had to leave what was familiar and move toward people he would not naturally have approached. But Peter went. And we learned an important lesson: Your unfamiliar territory may be someone else's answered prayer. Peter did not know what awaited him in Caesarea. But God did. Now Peter has arrived. And what he discovers teaches us something powerful about divine pre...
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ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 7: WHEN GOD MAKES YOU GO WHERE YOU NEVER PLANNED TO GO

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ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 7: WHEN GOD MAKES YOU GO WHERE YOU NEVER PLANNED TO GO Acts 10:21–23 (NLT) “Peter went down and said, ‘I'm the man you're looking for. Why have you come?’ They said, ‘We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, as are all his household. The Jews speak highly of him. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so he can hear your message.’ So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.” In Part 6, we discovered what happens when the answer comes knocking. Peter was still trying to understand the vision when Cornelius' messengers arrived at the house. The Holy Spirit told him: “ Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. I have sent them.” Peter did not have the entire picture. He simply had the next instruction. And that taught us something important: You do not always need the complete map to take the next ...
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WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING PART 7: WHAT IS YOUR “ONE THING”?

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WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING PART 7: WHAT IS YOUR “ONE THING”? Luke 18:22 (NIV) When Jesus Christ heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing…” In Part 6, we encountered the rich young ruler—a man who was disciplined, moral, and sincere, yet walked away from Jesus Christ because of one thing he could not surrender. He was close to Jesus—but not surrendered to Him. Opening Thought 🌅 Sometimes, the greatest barrier between you and your next level in God is not many things—it is just one thing. Not obvious. Not loud. But deeply rooted. Key Phrase “ You still lack one thing …” Insight 🔍 This statement is both simple and profound. It means: You can be doing many things right… and still miss one thing. You can be progressing… and still be held back. You can be committed… and still be divided. The rich young ruler didn’t lack discipline. He lacked surrender in one area. And that one thing became everything. Deeper Application 🔥 Your “ one thing ” may not be money—but ...
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THE GREAT WALL: WHEN WALLS FAIL PART 2 — THE ENEMY AT THE GATE: STRONG WALLS, WEAK WATCHMEN

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THE GREAT WALL: WHEN WALLS FAIL PART 2 — THE ENEMY AT THE GATE: STRONG WALLS, WEAK WATCHMEN In Part 1, we saw that walls do not fail because they are weak; they fail when the gates are compromised. Even the mighty Great Wall of China, built with stones, sweat, and sacrifice, could not stop an enemy when its gatekeepers failed. True strength lies not in the wall itself, but in the vigilance and integrity of those who guard it. Now in Part 2, we explore how weak watchmen at the gate can undo even the strongest defenses. Every wall has two sides: the builders who raise it and the watchmen who guard it. A wall can be tall, thick, ancient, and mighty…but if the hearts of its watchmen grow tired, distracted, or compromised, the enemy does not need strength — just an opportunity. The Great Wall teaches us this: Strength is useless without vigilance. Protection is fragile without attention. A boundary is only as safe as the person standing at the gate. Let’s journey deeper. THE STORY — Part 2 ...
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THE POOL OF MERCY: WHEN JESUS STEPS INTO BROKEN SYSTEMS PART 6: THE LAME – WHEN DESTINY CANNOT MOVE

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THE POOL OF MERCY: WHEN JESUS STEPS INTO BROKEN SYSTEMS PART 6: THE LAME – WHEN DESTINY CANNOT MOVE John 5:3 "In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water." — John 5:3 (KJV) In Part 5, we saw that the greatest tragedy is not merely physical blindness but spiritual blindness. We discovered that when people lose spiritual vision, they struggle to recognize God's voice, His purpose, and the opportunities He places before them. Jesus, the Light of the world, alone can restore our spiritual sight and lead us into His divine purpose. Today, we move from those who could not see to those who could see but could not move— the lame . Among those gathered at Bethesda were the lame—people whose feet could no longer carry them where they desired to go. They could see others walking. They could dream of getting into the pool. They could desire healing. But they lacked the strength to move. Their condition...
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