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When I hold a Bible, I am holding the most powerful force that God ever allowed mortal man to handle. The eternal, inerrant, unchanging, all mighty word of the living God.
This is not a good book; The Purpose-Driven Life is a good book. This is the power of God unto salvation. I do not judge the contents of this Bible by other books; I judge other books by the content of this Bible. Those who have a Bible that’s falling apart have a life that’s not. Don’t give me your opinion, give me the word. Truth is what the word of God declares. Oprah doesn’t have the answer. Dr. Phil doesn’t have the answer. Jesus Christ has the answer.
This is the only book in print that will change your life. When you read the Bible, it will make the sinner forsake his way and break the fetters of sin. You will not be a remodeled you. The old you will die and there will be a new you created by the power of the word of God. The Bible is a two-edged sword that divides the marrow from the bone, truth from error, and light from darkness. Truth is not what I say it is. Truth is not what you think it is. Truth is what God’s word says it is.
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am not ashamed of the gospel that denounces homosexuality as an abomination and only recognizes the marriage between a man and a woman. I am not ashamed of the gospel that defends the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are not ten recommendations. They are God’s blueprint for a great society. If America abandons those Ten Commandments, this nation will fall.
I am not ashamed of the gospel that portrays abortion as murder. Proverb 6:17 says, “There are six things that God hates, and chief among them is hands that shed innocent blood,” and if there is innocent blood in the world it is a baby in the womb. Oh, you say, “Well the Supreme Court said ... .” There is a court beyond the Supreme Court — it is the court of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. From there comes the final word.
I am not ashamed of the gospel that says there is one God. The first of the Ten Commandments says, “Thou shall have no other Gods beside me.” His name is not Allah, it is not Buddha, it is not the Dalai Lama, it is not your God of self-intellect. It is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is God and there is none other.
This is the book that has the answer to every problem facing America. This is the book that has the answer to every problem in your home, in your marriage, with your children, with your health, in your future, and for your eternal soul.
There is a weakness with this Bible however; it will not help if you don’t read it. The problem is that the Church of America wants sensation without substance, to be rich without righteousness, to have success without struggle, happiness without holiness. Don’t tell me about sin in my life or hell, just make me feel good. America is dying with what I call a Christ-less Christianity. A decaffeinated Christianity. It won’t wake you up, it won’t stir you up, it won’t keep you up and it certainly won’t take you up. Many pastors and major television ministries are abandoning the gospel of the cross of Jesus Christ for what I call a feel-good theology that says, “We really don’t confront people with sin in their life.” Really? You’re telling them how to feel good without being good. You must understand that good thoughts do not make a good person. You can go to hell thinking good thoughts. Sin is never confronted, sin is never confessed. Hence, you are preaching a Christ-less Christianity.
The Bible is the power over the world, the flesh and Satan. Read it, live it, love it, obey it. Never ever be ashamed of it. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ... .”
Pastor Cherrie Andres, a former church pastor and associate pastor, is a pulpit supply minister.
Religion
I am not ashamed of the gospel; after all, truth is what God says it is
From the Pulpit
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We are part way there, but don’t allow destination to eclipse journey
Today is Day 42 if you are counting. It is 42 days since we left Egypt. We have seven more days to go. Seven more days until we will camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and prepare ourselves to receive the Ten Commandments on the 50th day.
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Churches eyeing exit
A total of 17 churches in the Shenango Presbytery have withdrawn from the Presbyterian Church (USA) or are considering doing so, all over ongoing issues including the denomination’s decision to ordain gay and lesbian pastors. Two have already voted to leave.
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St. Paul’s UCC to mark 150 years
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 159 Todd Ave., will celebrate its 150th year of ministry on May 20 with a special worship service and banquet.
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Prayer is power, but is it your steering wheel or spare tire?
Dutch Christian and Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom once asked this searching question: Is God your steering wheel or your spare tire? We might well substitute “prayer” for “God” in the inquiry.
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Apostle Paul would not be considered a success today
You know, I think we have what it means to be a success a little confused. I think we equate it to one of those models on the front of a glamor magazine – just the right weight, no blemishes anywhere, a smile whiter than snow.
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Cross walk covers 2 cities
A group of local men are going a long way to be involved in the 3rd Annual Men’s Rally in the Valley on May 5 at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown.
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For 50 days ... for eternity: Why don’t we pick up when God calls?
Most Christians attended church Easter Sunday. It’s what we do. We celebrate that exquisite moment in salvation history when Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, rose from the dead, conquering sin, evil and death itself. Glory to God!
We also welcome visitors and others who rarely attend other than Christmas and Easter. And we wonder, what happens the rest of the year?
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In words and pictures
A minister and his son combined words and pictures to create 26 portraits of Christ, and now those portraits are available in their new book.
“Portraits of the Christ” is the first collaborative printed project for Rev. Sperry Hogue, the semi-retired associate minister of Hermitage Church of Christ, and his son Nathan Hogue, a mental health therapist at George Junior Republic in Grove City. -
Whole lotta shaking goin’ on: Based on Bible, God’s at work
Does trouble lie ahead for us? I would suggest some possible happenings. You be the judge.
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St. Patrick must have wondered what lesson God was teaching
Have you ever wondered what God is up to in your life? Maybe you have felt frustrated that things weren’t going the way you would want. Or you wonder if God is hearing your prayers or even notices your problems. At times like these we can learn a thing or two from St. Patrick.
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We are part way there, but don’t allow destination to eclipse journey
