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Showing posts from October, 2021

More Than a Ghost Story III (2021 Edition)

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  Introduction        People throughout the ages were and are fascinated with speaking to a loved one from beyond the grave. Many will pay a hefty sum of money to have a Medium conduct a séance to contact people from the “other side.” Magician Harry Houdini spent the latter half of his career debunking the spiritualists who prey on innocent people. And, according to scripture, speaking to the dead is impossible.   In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31), the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to his brothers to speak to him of their fate. Abraham refused saying that if they won’t hear Moses and the Prophets; they surely won’t listen to a ghost.   Even Mediums in the Old Testament were frauds. However, in the scenario to follow, God makes one of the Mediums the real thing for a short time.   Burning Bridges        There’s an old saying, “Don’t burn your bridges behind you.” This is especially noted in the workforce. Meaning always leave yourself a p

More Than a Ghost Story II (2021 Edition)

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    Introduction        As we get further into the month of October, thoughts of stories told around the campfire come to mind. One of the favorite types of ghost stories are those that take place out at sea. Phantom ships that appear unexpectedly with ghost crews that are condemned to sail the sea eternally. The bible tells a tale somewhat like this but as stated in the title, it’s more than a ghost story…   Walking on Water       Imagine yourself in a boat with a group of friends in the middle of a lake. As you look toward the shore, you see a ghostly figure standing there. Suddenly the figure walks towards you right on top of the water! It’s enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. The disciples felt the same way in Matt. 14:24-26, But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were t

More than a Ghost Story I (2021 Edition)

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  Introduction The month of October turns our thoughts to cooler weather, Autumn colors, and the remaining holidays yet to come. Others will think about Halloween and the fun that comes with it; Jack-O-Lanterns, witches, ghosts, and things that go bump in the night. Children will put on costumes and go into the streets "scaring" up candy through trick-or-treat. Some of the denominational churches will promote haunted houses and Halloween parties for safer celebration of this pagan holiday. Their thoughts are, “As long as you are with other church members on church property, it’s okay”. The scriptures make no mention of haunted houses or parties within the assembly and these scriptures show that they have the wrong mindset: Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:34; 2 John 9; Gal. 1:6-7. In the following article, there was an event that took place in scripture which could be considered a, kind of, ghost story.   The Living Dead? In the book of Matthew, there is a scene which seems

Jesus had Siblings

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  That’s in the Bible? Part 3   Introduction To grow up as an only child can be rough as the child has no one to relate to for brothers and sisters. Sometimes parents will over-compensate this singleness by showering the child with more material gifts than is necessary. Children grow up with friends and extended family; but to have siblings, who live in the same house as you, are a priceless treasure. Jesus had brothers and sisters that he grew up with in his household contrary to what certain religious beliefs say on the subject.   Born of a Virgin It’s no secret that Jesus was born of a virgin woman. Both OT and NT confirm this. In Isaiah 7:14, Then he said, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Some, incorrectly, interpret ‘virgin’ as ‘young girl’. There is no proof that Mary was a young girl so we have to conclude that it means, ‘she didn’t know a man’; know in the carnal