Month: November 2025

I Won, Right?

And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. 1 Kings 21:16 I have a painful memory of stealing a sucker as a young kid. I was at the neighbor’s house and there, on the counter, was…
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My Manipulation

And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king.” Then take him out and stone him to death. 1 Kings 21:10 Occasionally, a patient will plop down a bottle of pain pills – my drug of choice – asking me what…
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There Are Two Kinds of People

And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” 1 Kings 21:7 Today’s passage tells a story that prompts two very different visions of a king. In the story, Ahab, the king…
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Thanksgiving Every Day

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Every morning, when I wake up, I begin my prayers by first thanking God for new life, salvation, joy, peace, and recovery. Giving thanks to God for what he’s done in my life puts my…
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The Big-Boy Pout

And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food. 1 Kings 21:4 I was…
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Right Back to Jail

And he said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people.’” 1 Kings 20:42 I commonly meet those in jail who’re begging to go to treatment.…
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Life is a Battle

And they went out at noon, while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the thirty-two kings who helped him. 1 Kings 20:16 Years ago, we had a pastor who often said, The Christian life is a battle. He didn’t make the Christian life out to be some fairy tale, promising the…
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Active Participation

Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” 1 Kings 20:14 Often, when I’ve gone to God, asking that he do something for me, I’ve had this expectation that I should just be able to sit back and watch him do the thing I asked. In the case of my drug addiction,…
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NLS Eagle Brook Viewing Group

Just a reminder. We’re still meeting at the Spicer Cinema every Sunday morning. If you don’t have a church and need one, come and check us out. If you’re not familiar with Eagle Brook, they are a mega-church out of the twin cities with multiple viewing groups around the world, who watch their service online.…
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Overconfident

And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’” 1 Kings 10:11 I think I can confidently say that I have been overconfident. Years ago, I went through a self-inflicted disaster and desperately turned to God. My need for God…
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