Martin Wickens
Speaking the Truth in Love
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Better or Bitter? Genesis 37-46; Psalm 16
Whenever we face hurts and difficulties in life we will face a decision, “Will I become better, or bitter.” Every hurt, every loss, each and every pain has the potential to change us. How these times change us depends on our actions and reactions. In the life of Joseph we see many hurts and betrayals.…
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Genesis 30-32; Psalm 11
And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian… Genesis 31:20 Lies, deceit, and manipulation were a perinnial problem in the life of Jacob. Not only does Jacob show a lack of integrity at times, but so do others around him. I have to wonder how much his lack of honesty encouraged similar behavior in…
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National Repentance – Quotes from Charles Spurgeon
Every now and then I’ll find in my personal library a book which I cannot remember buying, receiving, or borrowing. So, if the book I’m about to mention is borrowed and actually belongs to you, let me know. 😉 The book is titled, “Only a Prayer Meeting – Studies on Prayer Meetings and Prayer Meeting…
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Genesis 15-17; Psalm 6
Genesis 15-17 I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 17:1 Many years previous God had promised to Abram and Sarai that they would have a son. But in their impatience, they tried to force the hand of God and Abram had a son by Sarai’s maid, Hagar. Now, having…
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Genesis 12-14; Psalm 5
Genesis 12 open up to us the life of Abram, who later God would rename Abraham. We don’t have a list of others in Abram’s generation who disobeyed, but we do have a record of Abram’s faith. We see that each time he called on the Lord or obeyed a command from the Lord, blessings…
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Genesis 6-9; Psalm 3
Genesis 6-9 Several words stand out to me in this passage. Words that describe humanity include, wickedness (6:5) evil (6:5) violence (6:10) corrupt (6:12) Yet, Noah found grace in the eyes of God. Words associated with Noah include, Just Perfect (not sinless, but upright) Walked with God Righteous We could add obedient and faithful to…
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Genesis 3-5; Psalm 2
Genesis 3-5 “Yea, hath God said…” Satan’s opening salvo against God began with these words. He followed this initial question with simple, yet effective, tactics to deceive Eve and Adam. But to say Satan deceived them is not to remove any blame from them. Had they embraced the truth, the deception would not have worked.…
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Genesis 1-2; Psalm 1
The consistent themes that run through God’s Word point to a single author. Genesis 1 opens with a clear division between light and darkness. Genesis 1 also describes the natural order of each creature or plant reproducing after its own kind. Genesis 2 speaks specifically of the creation of humanity in God’s image. Genesis 2…
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2010's – ✔ A Time for Reflection
People seem hardwired to reflect on the past. It doesn’t take much for an individual or group to reminisce on the old days. As we approach the 2020’s I feel like we only just began the new millennium! A new year. A new decade. In what feels like what is still a new century and…
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God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
“… at the first sound of ‘God bless you, merry gentlemen! May nothing you dismay!’, Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost.” A Christmas Carol, 1843 The carol that caused such terror in Ebenezer Scrooge dates…