• One for the Road – “We are the Clay”

    Posted by ACPT on April 24, 2017

    When the clay forms the Potter.  That’s when man forms God into his own image.   This is idolatry at its worst.   Here are some examples.   The God of accommodation…when people imagine a God who adjusts his requirements to fit their desires.   The God of convenience…when people give God the time and service that fits their schedule.   The God of good feelings…when people imagine God…


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  • One for the Road – “Stain Resistors”

    Posted by ACPT on April 17, 2017

    Stain resistors.  They’re used to prevent soiling.   How about your soul?   Remember Lot?  “…that righteous man…was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard…”  So it was in Sodom and Gomorrah.   And…so it is with you.   The mockery of righteousness.  The ridicule of divine authority. And…the blasphemy of what is holy.  It’s what you face day by day.   So…you need…


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  • One for the Road – “Downward Spiral”

    Posted by ACPT on April 9, 2017

    Sometimes…things spin out of control.   What starts as an insignificant difference of opinion…escalates into an all-out battle.   And people get hurt.   This downward spiral is illustrated in Samson’s statement: “I merely did to them what they did to me.”   Back and forth…each argument more heated than the former.   What is needed is for someone to halt the downward spiral — someone to speak of…


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  • One for the Road – “Nominalist”

    Posted by admin on February 19, 2017

    Nominalist.  A person who claims a name…but doesn’t live up to it.   An example would be people who identify themselves as Christians…but have little passion for righteousness.   Their devotion is nominal…at best.   Here’s a challenge.  Use a graph to indicate the highs and lows of your devotion to Christ – from your conversion to now.   How does it look?   Sadly…some people have little desire…


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  • One for the Road – “As Things Wax Worse and Worse”

    Posted by ACPT on August 1, 2016

    As things wax worse and worse.  And…the Bible says they will.   How then should the people of God respond?  Fight we must.   But…how?  Paul tells us: “…we do not wage war as the world does.”   And further…“the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.”   Yes…fight we must.  But…with weaponry that is mighty in the Spirit.  With these we demolish…


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  • One for the Road – “Spiritual Deafness”

    Posted by ACPT on July 25, 2016

    Spiritual deafness.  It’s a persistent problem – people refusing to hear the word of the Lord.   Jeremiah speaks for mankind…in all times:  “…though he has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid attention.”   So it is in our day.  Many people refuse to listen…or pay attention.   Political correctness blocks their hearing.  The…


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  • One for the Road – “Power and Wisdom”

    Posted by ACPT on July 18, 2016

    God’s power…and God’s wisdom.  It takes both.   Here’s an example of one…without the other.   Jephthah…a mighty warrior…experienced God’s power on the battlefield – but he made a foolish vow to the Lord.   “…whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as…


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  • One for the Road – “Disneyland or Battlefield”

    Posted by admin on June 28, 2016

    Disneyland or battlefield.  Which metaphor best describes the Christian life?   Well…the Bible does declare that the joy of the Lord is our strength – and that happiness is a byproduct of living a righteous life.   But…the Bible also makes it clear that the righteous are involved in a battle – light against darkness…truth against deceit…and life against death.   Some Christians miss this…


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  • One for the Road – “Fuzzies and Pricklies”

    Posted by admin on April 22, 2016

    Fuzzies and pricklies.  One is about affirmation…the other about correction.   The challenge is to find a balance.   All fuzzies is flattery.  All pricklies is cruelty.  But…it’s the right balance that matters.   For example.  If you have never communicated approval…and suddenly you speak correctively – you’ve probable made an enemy.   If all you do is compliment…you’ll miss opportunities to help people grow.  The key…


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  • One for the Road – “Keeping Power”

    Posted by ACPT on March 7, 2016

    Keeping power.  That’s one of the benefits of the gospel.   Dramatic conversions later in life…are to be celebrated.  But…so is a life faithfully lived for Jesus from childhood.   The Apostle Paul speaks to this:  “…I…am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”   Every verse of Scripture…every act of worship…every occasion of Christian…


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