Why Are You Happy?

By David Sproule

The July 2008 issue of Reader’s Digest had an interesting article on pages 162-169 entitled, “Why We’re Happy.” Before pointing out his five keys to happiness, the author noted that happiness is not based upon the acquisition of things or being accepted by others or any other factors that “we typically hear about. Things like winning the lottery, getting liposuction, and earning a master’s degree don’t make people happy over the long haul. Rather, the key to happiness, and the difference between happy and unhappy Americans, is a life that reflects values…” You may be thinking the same thing I was thinking when I read this—“That’s exactly what God said!” Notice further what this researcher of happiness concluded when he summarized five “happiness predictors,” as he calls them. You’ll find he is not revealing anything new.

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When Moses Saw God

By Dan Jenkins

When some people read those words of Jesus, “No one has seen God at any time” (John 1:18), they often think about Moses seeing God on Mt. Sinai and are perplexed. What they are not aware of is what Moses actually requested. “And he said, Please, show me Your glory” (Exo. 33:18). The reality is that one cannot behold His face and live (Exo. 33:20).

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A Personal Message

By Dan Jenkins

As one reads the Bible or listens to sermons, he learns great truths. He learns the truth about the origin of the created world, and this knowledge becomes the basis of faith. He reads about the lives and struggles of godly men and is filled with awe when he sees their faith and how it sustained them. Yet, sometimes he just wishes that God would give him a personal message.

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WORSHIP- OUR WAY OR GOD’S WAY?

By Matt Griffies

Leviticus 10:1-2 “Now Nadab andAbihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire be/ ore the Lord, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died be/ore the Lord.”

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Hell Together Is No Better

By Robert Lupo

Music is a powerful form of communication. By combining the right melody with the right harmonies and rhythm, a simple poem can be transformed into an unforgettable expression of deep emotional thought. It is no wonder then why God asks us to sing songs to Him in worship.

Songs have become one of the primary ways messages are conveyed in today’s culture. From catchy jingles in lawyer commercials to soaring politically-charged ballads, our minds are being shaped by music. Music helps us pay attention, connect emotionally and remember ideas.

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O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink

By Fenter Northern (Northern Notes)

1. Oh, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!

2. That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chast’ning rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.

3. A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt11)

By Jim Mettenbrink

In his Psalm, David asked, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps 11:13) (upon which this long series has been based). He was acknowledging that this was the foundation of a nation, any nation. Why would it be destroyed? Note, God founds and destroys nations as He decides. So it is vital that we know what His decision is based upon?

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt10)

By Jim Mettenbrink

For nearly a year, we have been considering the “Radical Entrance to Jesus’ Kingdom,” and the Standard (God’s Bible) by which one can have eternal life, as part of restoring the foundation of the USA, once a great nation, so that it can truly be great again. Becoming a Christian and diligently living for Christ might seem farfetched as far as our national well-being is concerned, but only that is so only to the ignorant.

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt9) What about Hate?

By Jim Mettenbrink

In the last article, we considered the SPLC’s declaration that Mothers for Liberty, a parental rights advocacy, as an extremist hate group. However, they did not define what it means to hate, nor just what it is about advocating for parents’ rights regarding their children is hateful and what is meant by extreme.

First parents. God has mandated parents, i.e., a man and woman married to each other should have children – “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth….” (Genesis 1:27-28). Who has the responsibility to rear the children?

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By What Standard Can You Have Eternal Life? (pt8)

By Jim Mettenbrink

In answering the question about what is really important in life, we have been considering a lawyer’s inquiry to Jesus – “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”(Luke 10:25). Jesus’ response was a story about the Good Samaritan, the Jews’ arch enemy. Jesus stated the lesson for the lawyer and every person who wants to inherit eternal life in His well-known sermon on the mount –“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).

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