Martin Wickens
Speaking the Truth in Love
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Homo Proponit, sed Deus Disponit
If your Latin is a little rusty, here’s the translation: Man proposes, but God disposes. The phrase originated with Thomas a Kempis’ classic, The Imitation of Christ, which he wrote in the early 1400’s: Just men depend on the grace of God rather than on their own wisdom in keeping their resolutions. In Him, they…
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The Grace to Give
God’s Word makes it clear that any gift we have and use we do so by the grace of God. Our gifts are a manifestation of God’s grace. When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he covered a lot of topics. When we reach chapter 8 he begins with a commendation for one particular…
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God Our Refuge
The book of Deuteronomy records Moses’ final words to Israel before they entered the land God had promised to them. 40 years before, the Law had been given and a previous generation had the opportunity to enter Canaan. Through their lack of faith, they turned back and an entire generation died in the wilderness. Now,…
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What Good Works Can We Do? And Why?
We serve a great and glorious God. While we may not always understand His ways or sense His goodness, He will always lead us in His perfect way and He will always do that which is right. Yesterday I announced the postponement of all services here at Bedford Bible Church until April 5th. I shared…
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My Position as a Pastor on COVID-19
Psalm 47:7 – “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.” 1 Peter 5:2-3 – “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. Philippians 4:7 – And the peace…
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Our Good Shepherd – Exodus 12-14; Psalm 23
For nearly 400-years the children of Israel had lived in Egypt. Initially, I can see that God allowed them to move there to survive the drought occurring throughout the region. God had placed Joseph there many years before for just such a reason. Perhaps God allowed them to remain there after the drought had ended…
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How to Pray for One Another – Spiritual Strength (4/4)
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ephesians 3:16 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Colossians 1:11 For the context we need to consider to “For this cause…”…
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Raising Ebenezers
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up… He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 God knows we too-quickly forget the good He has done for us. So, He has always provided ways to remind us of Who He is and what He has done. Feasts and…
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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…