Living and Powerful

"Passover is the most prominent type of Christ in the Old Testament. Jesus is our Passover Lamb, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
This is why there had to be a tenth plague. This is the ultimate purpose of it all, and no one’s free will was going to get in the way of that."

Pharaoh and free will: Who hardened his heart? — Living and Powerful When Christians debate who hardened Pharaoh’s heart and whether we have free will, we could miss the amazing, wonderful, ultimate purpose of that story: It points to Jesus Christ.

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When Christians debate who hardened Pharaoh’s heart and whether we have free will, we could miss the amazing, wonderful, ultimate purpose of that story: It points to Jesus Christ.

Pharaoh and free will: Who hardened his heart? — Living and Powerful When Christians debate who hardened Pharaoh’s heart and whether we have free will, we could miss the amazing, wonderful, ultimate purpose of that story: It points to Jesus Christ.

"The devil has no idea what to do with humility."

That's how we beat him:

How to resist the devil: What works every time — Living and Powerful Christians have all kinds of ideas about how to resist the devil. But in the Bible we see a simple solution that beats him every time – humility.

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Christians have all kinds of ideas about how to resist the devil. But in the Bible we see a simple solution that beats him every time – humility.

How to resist the devil: What works every time — Living and Powerful Christians have all kinds of ideas about how to resist the devil. But in the Bible we see a simple solution that beats him every time – humility.

"Many Christians would agree we don’t earn our salvation or forgiveness, but they still think we need to jump through hoops to receive blessings in this life. It’s as if God’s grace stopped after the cross."
Here's why that thinking is wrong:

God's blessings and healings are absolutely free — Living and Powerful What do you need to do to receive blessings from God, such as healing or a financial breakthrough? Nothing! Everything God does for us in this life is just as free as salvation. See where the Bible teaches that.

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What do you need to do to receive blessings from God, such as healing or a financial breakthrough? Nothing! Everything God does for us in this life is just as free as salvation. See where the Bible teaches that.

God's blessings and healings are absolutely free — Living and Powerful What do you need to do to receive blessings from God, such as healing or a financial breakthrough? Nothing! Everything God does for us in this life is just as free as salvation. See where the Bible teaches that.

"No matter how much anyone claims the contrary, unregenerate man has no relationship with God but hostility.
There is no middle ground with Him; either we worship God or we hate Him. We’re either His children or His enemies."

From the latest on the blog:

Who hated Jesus? It wasn't just the Pharisees — Living and Powerful Ever hear people say things like we need to be more like Jesus so that more people will like us, because only the Pharisees hated Him? That’s not what we see in Scripture, including the words of Jesus Himself.

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Ever hear people say things like we need to be more like Jesus so that more people will like us, because only the Pharisees hated Him? That’s not what we see in Scripture, including the words of Jesus Himself.

Who hated Jesus? It wasn't just the Pharisees — Living and Powerful Ever hear people say things like we need to be more like Jesus so that more people will like us, because only the Pharisees hated Him? That’s not what we see in Scripture, including the words of Jesus Himself.

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Imagine your most hated enemies slaughtering your countrymen. Would you want to fight? That happened in Jesus’ time, and His reaction was, you’re no better.

How Jesus reacted to an oppressive, godless regime — Living and Powerful Imagine your most hated enemies slaughtering your countrymen. Would you want to fight? That happened in Jesus’ time, and His reaction was, you’re no better.

It’s been a year since Living and Powerful published what is by far our most-read content – a five-part review of “The Physics of Heaven,” in which authors from Bethel Church urge Christians to relate to God the way New Agers do. Here are links to all five parts, plus some more resources.

Bethel's New Age book: 'The Physics of Heaven' — Living and Powerful It’s been a year since Living and Powerful published its five-part review of “The Physics of Heaven,” in which authors from Bethel Church urge Christians to relate to God the way New Agers do. Here are links to all five parts, plus some more resources.

No new content this week, but here are some examples from last week's compilation of Scriptures where God controls the lives, wills, and actions of whomever He wants.

God caused the Babylonians to return to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:22).

God brought the king of Assyria on King Ahaz and his people (Isaiah 7:17).

God awakened the Medes against Babylon (Isaiah 13:17).

God aroused an assembly of great nations to bring up against Babylon (Jeremiah 50:9).

God set the swords of the Midianites against each other (Judges 7:22).

God bought Shishak king of Egypt against Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 12:2).

God determined Samson’s marriage to a Philistine woman (Judges 14:4).

God determined King Rehoboam not listening to the people (1 Kings 12:15).

God’s hand and purpose predestined Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and Israel against Jesus (Acts 4:27-28).

God will give it in the hearts of the ten kings to do His purpose by giving their kingdom to the beast (Revelation 17:17).

God determines that all He has given Jesus will come to Him (John 6:37).

God works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).

See hundreds more:

God is sovereign over man's will: The Biblical case — Living and Powerful Here are hundreds of examples in Scripture of God exercising control or influence of men’s will and/or actions. It’s an overwhelming case for God’s sovereign power over whatever, and whomever, He pleases.

Is God in control, or is He just in charge?
Here are HUNDREDS of cases in Scripture where it's pretty clear that God controls the lives, wills, and actions of whomever He wants, whenever He wants.

God is sovereign over man's will: The Biblical case — Living and Powerful Here are hundreds of examples in Scripture of God exercising control or influence of men’s will and/or actions. It’s an overwhelming case for God’s sovereign power over whatever, and whomever, He pleases.

NEW on the blog:
Here are hundreds of examples in Scripture of God exercising control or influence of men’s will and/or actions. It’s an overwhelming case for God’s sovereign power over whatever, and whomever, He pleases.

God is sovereign over man's will: The Biblical case — Living and Powerful Here are hundreds of examples in Scripture of God exercising control or influence of men’s will and/or actions. It’s an overwhelming case for God’s sovereign power over whatever, and whomever, He pleases.

There is nothing wrong with loving our country, particularly our neighbors, and thanking God for the many ways He's blessed us.
But it is wrong to misuse Scripture to elevate America to a blessing He has not granted, and have it take the place of the holy nation He's created in all nations.

'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord': Not America — Living and Powerful “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” is a Bible verse frequently applied to America, but you only need to look at the second half of Psalm 33:12 to see that it can’t be about that.

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“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” is a Bible verse frequently applied to America, but you only need to look at the second half of Psalm 33:12 to see that it can’t be about that.

'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord': Not America — Living and Powerful “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” is a Bible verse frequently applied to America, but you only need to look at the second half of Psalm 33:12 to see that it can’t be about that.

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2 Chronicles 7:14, with its conditional promise for “My people” to “heal their land,” is often applied to Christians and America. But its context puts that into question, and raises another one: Do we even have a land?

Bible verses not about America: 'Heal their land' — Living and Powerful 2 Chronicles 7:14, with its conditional promise for “My people who are called by My name” to “heal their land,” is often applied to Christians and America. But its context puts that into question, and raises another one: Do we even have a land?

This week's article won't get much traffic because it's not a hot-button issue. But this is one I (Keith) really hope people read, because it's about the unfathomable, mind-blowing grace and mercy of Jesus. I think it will be encouraging.

"As Peter said, I’m not with Him, Jesus said, I’m with you. As Peter said, I don’t know Him, Jesus said, you are Mine."

Peter's denial and Jesus' grace: Greater than we imagine — Living and Powerful Do we really get the magnitude of Peter's denial? Do we grasp how amazing the Lord’s grace and mercy toward him was? This may make you see Peter’s story like you haven't before.

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Do we really get the magnitude of Peter's denial? Do we grasp how amazing the Lord’s grace and mercy toward him was? This may make you see Peter’s story like you haven't before.

Peter's denial and Jesus' grace: Greater than we imagine — Living and Powerful Do we really get the magnitude of Peter's denial? Do we grasp how amazing the Lord’s grace and mercy toward him was? This may make you see Peter’s story like you haven't before.

This week on the blog:
Whether it’s in politics, celebrities or family, do we realize how much partiality shapes what we believe?
Link in the comments.

NEW on the blog:
Whether it’s related to politics, celebrities or family, many Christians show partiality even though it’s widely condemned in the Bible. See how.

Christians’ most pervasive sin: Partiality — Living and Powerful Whether it’s related to politics, celebrities or family, many Christians show partiality even though it’s widely condemned in the Bible. See how.

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Should Christians follow their hearts? A look at what the Bible has to say about our hearts, even as believers, should keep us from following that advice.

Why Christians should not follow their hearts — Living and Powerful Should Christians follow their hearts? A look at what the Bible has to say about our hearts, even as believers, should keep us from following that advice.

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Is it OK to question and doubt God, as some skeptics and progressives claim? Two consecutive Bible stories show us the difference between a question and doubt, and what God thinks of them.

Questioning and doubting God: What He can 'handle' — Living and Powerful Is it OK to question and doubt God, as some skeptics and progressives claim? Two consecutive Bible stories show us the difference between a question and doubt, and what God thinks of them.

How would you answer these questions about what the NAR believes?

Prophets, apostles, demons, revival: Take an NAR survey — Living and Powerful Modern apostles and prophets? The church taking over the world? Demons controlling territories? Take a survey about the beliefs of the New Apostolic Reformation.

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Are there modern apostles and prophets? Is the church supposed to take over the world? Do demons control territories? Take a survey about the beliefs of the New Apostolic Reformation.

Prophets, apostles, demons, revival: Take an NAR survey — Living and Powerful Modern apostles and prophets? The church taking over the world? Demons controlling territories? Take a survey about the beliefs of the New Apostolic Reformation.

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For many people, including some Christians, unity is the highest virtue, and division is the worst offense. But that’s not what we see in the Bible, especially in the words of Jesus.

How Jesus brings division and breaks the unity of humanity — Living and Powerful For many people, including some Christians, unity is the highest virtue, and division is the worst offense. But that’s not what we see in the Bible, especially in the words of Jesus.

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Two questions Christians have wrestled with over the years: Does Hebrews 6 teach we can lose our salvation? Can we commit the unforgivable sin? Here's how one may help answer the other:

Can Christians lose their salvation? On Hebrews 6 and the unforgivable sin — Living and Powerful Two questions Christians have wrestled with over the years are, does Hebrews 6 teach we can lose our salvation, and can we commit the unforgivable sin? The answers are related.

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Big words like propitiation and atonement are theological book words that aren’t relevant to the struggles of real life. Ever think that? On the contrary, here’s how those doctrines make a huge difference in your life.

Theology for real life: The comfort and peace of Biblical doctine — Living and Powerful Big words like propititation and atonement are theological book words that aren’t relevant to the struggles of real life. Ever think that? Here’s how those doctrines make a huge difference in your life.

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An amazing story of someone who tumbled down a steep, rocky cliff, and walked away. There’s no other way to explain it but an act of God.

God still does miracles: An incredible story of survival — Living and Powerful She fell down a steep, rocky cliff and walked away. There’s no other way to explain it but an act of God.

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The axiom "power corrupts" has been fulfilled throughout Scripture and history, even in God’s people. Why, then, do Christians still crave the world's power, when we have an infinitely and eternally superior power working through us?

Power always corrupts, and Christians are no exception — Living and Powerful The axiom "power corrupts" has been fulfilled throughout Scripture and history, even in God’s people. Why, then, do Christians still crave the world's power, when we have an infinitely and eternally superior power working through us?

“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Does that mean we should all be healed on earth because there is no sickness in heaven?
Makes sense ... until we see what the rest of God's word says.

‘On earth as it is in heaven’ does not mean healing now — Living and Powerful Some, like Bethel, believe that “on earth as it is in heaven” means we should be healed now. What the Bible says about when heaven will invade earth obliterates that idea.