#rick laing

God Sent His Servant To Bless You

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When Peter preached to a crowd in Jerusalem, he ended with this statement. “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning everyone of you from your wicked ways” (Acts 3:25).

Jesus came down to bless. Part of that blessing was to turn sinners away from their wicked ways. We don’t always appreciate it when a friend or brother rebukes us for sin,…

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When Jesus answered a trick question regarding the Sabbath, He answered, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?” (Matt 12:11) The word “hold” here comes from “krateo”—to be strong; to keep or retain; also metaphorically of holding a tradition and even of apprehending Christ as the…

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I knew a man in Africa who was a farmer during the Bush War in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Terrorists often attacked farmers in those days and as he looked out the window one day, he saw a group of armed communist terrorists approaching the farmhouse. He quickly told his pregnant wife to run out the back door and hide while he began defending his home. Their numbers prevailed and he was…

Make Straight Paths for Your Feet

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While driving to the office, I noticed a slightly battered pickup in front of me. What caught my attention was the rear wheels were not aligned with the front. It traveled slightly sideways down the road. The chassis, or rear axle, needed to be straightened or realigned. This problem is more easily seen by an observer who follows behind.

The Hebrew writer penned, “And make…

This Man Receives Sinners

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“Now the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them'” (Lk 15:1-2).

A.T. Robertson comments that there was a yawning chasm between these two groups. The Pharisees were grumbling, and the expression, “this man,” is a contemptuous sneer, followed…

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While driving to work while the traffic was really slow, I noticed a garden umbrella behind a fence that carried the name of a beer company. One could assume that the owner really liked that brand of beer; or maybe it was a free gift which he took advantage of. The point is, it sent a signal to all who passed that way.

After a very short conversation with a Samaritan woman…

How to Handle a Tricky Situation

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When Paul wrote to Philemon, he was addressing a difficult situation. Philemon’s slave had run away, found Paul, and was obviously baptized into Christ (Philemon 1:10-16). Paul sent the slave (Onesimus) back to Philemon with the letter. How did Paul handle this tricky situation?

1. He recalls all the good things they have in common in Christ. He mentions comfort and commends…

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The number 666 is ominous. It strikes fear and trepidation into many. People do not want to be associated with it, like the high school cross-country runner in Lexington, Kentucky. Codie Thacker refused to wear the number tag in the regionals and forfeited her chance to qualify for the state meet. She said, “I didn’t want to risk my relationship with God.”

While I admire her…