Pastor Brad’s Notebook

26 Sep

Posted at 11:49h in Devotionals
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"For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens." Hebrews 7:26 I don't think that the writer of Hebrews intends that we understand these three words - holy, harmless, undefiled - to simply be different ways of saying the same thing. I believe that what we have here are the three different stages in the development of personal purity in the life of the Christian.

21 Sep

Posted at 12:17h in Devotionals
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"Esau...found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears." Heb.12:16-17 The writer of Hebrews isn't saying what you might think at first glance. He's not saying that Esau found no repentance. He says that Esau found no place of repentance. His repentance was evident, and as a result so was his forgiveness. What this verse teaches us is that his repentance did not restore the position he lost in his community.

19 Sep

Posted at 12:10h in Devotionals
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"However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Matt. 17:21 There are temptations in the heart of man that are not easily removed, those that are only able to be extinguished through a very painful process. Now, to be sure, there are some sins which disappear in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye. Think of Saul of Tarsus. One minute he's walking in darkness, the next he's prostrate in the blinding glory of the Lord and when he rises to his feet the old life is left in the dust of that Damascus Road. Instantly he is a brand new man.

16 Sep

Posted at 11:52h in Fridays Are For Family
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Fall is in the air. At least it is today here in the Upstate of South Carolina. Who knows what tomorrow - or next week - will bring? It may warm back up a bit or even turn off hot again, but today my senses tell me that Fall is not too far away. I don't know if you're like me, but I think that there is something really fantastic about Fall.  Maybe it is the cooler temperatures after a long, hot summer. Maybe it's the beautiful color of the leaves as they begin to turn from green to red to orange to yellow. Maybe it's Saturday in front of the TV, or at the stadium, watching your favorite football team battle it out on the gridiron. Maybe it's all of the great opportunities to spend time outdoors with the family. Whatever the reason, I have to admit that I love this season.