Articles - By God's Design

Talking Ourselves into Sin

9/16/2017

It is not pleasant to endure temptations and trials, but they do serve a purpose. The various temptations and trials that we go through in this life prepare us for the life to come. Of course, that is if we remain faithful while going through them. Unfortunately, we can fail to endure during these temptations and trials. If we are not careful, we can talk ourselves into sin. So, for just a little while, we would like to consider some things that we say to ourselves that prevent us from being successful when we face temptations and trials.

talking_ourselves_into_sin.pdf
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Let No Corrupt Communication come from Your Computer or Your Cell Phone

9/9/2017

The use of these devices brings new challenges to living a life that is pleasing to God. The moral issues themselves are not new. They are the same moral issues that have been with man since the creation. We just have to learn to apply the scriptures to our use of this new technology. We must do as the scriptures teach, and let no corrupt communication come from our computer or our cellphone.

let_no_corrupt_communication_come_from_your_computer_or_your_cell_phone.pdf
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Things that Hinder Prayer

9/9/2017

The Bible teaches that prayer is a great blessing that God gives his people, but there are some things that the Bible teaches can hinder our ability to pray unto God. As we study the scriptures we will find that there are some things that will cause God not to hear, and answer our prayers. If we allow these things in our life, they could place us in a position of being unable to pray for someone or ourselves in a time of need. It is very important, therefore, that we understand those things that can hinder our prayers.

things_that_hinder_prayer.pdf
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When Wicked Men Turn Good

8/1/2015

The idea of forgiveness can be very perplexing to us at times. The very fact that regardless of what a person has done he can be forgiven when he seeks God, is taught throughout the Bible. The problem is that some people fail to believe this truth. There are some individuals who find it hard to believe that they can be forgiven because they can't forgive themselves. They see their sins as being too numerous and too great for God to forgive. Well, there is a man whom we are going to read about in the Bible who had committed great sins, yet he found forgiveness from God when he sought it.

when_wicked_men_turn_good.pdf
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When Good Men Turn Wicked

8/1/2015

No matter how many times we read passages in the Bible that speak of people becoming unfaithful to God, the tragic reality never really sinks in until we see it happen to someone close to us. The sad reality is that good men can turn wicked. Any man or woman who at one time was a great example of faithfulness for others can lose his or her way and become an example of what we shouldn't be. As we examine this topic, however, I believe that there are some warning signs that can be found in the lives of the men and women we read about in the Bible.

when_good_men_turn_wicked.pdf
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Pleasant or Bitter

8/1/2015

Life can be full of many great challenges. We can face many difficulties that can almost seem impossible to overcome. Our response to these challenges will determine whether or not we become bitter. Naomi faced many difficulties in her life. She allowed these things to take hold of her and dominate her life for a time. She told her countrymen to no longer call her Naomi (pleasant). Now, she wanted them to call her Mara (bitter) because of all that she had been through.

pleasant_or_bitter.pdf
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Learning from the Sins of the Past

8/1/2015

Due to man's tendency to allow important facts and events slip from his mind, God has given us His word whereby we can have a true account of certain events. The lives of those whom we read about within the word of God serve a very important purpose. They serve as an example for us today. An example by which we can learn and benefit from so that we may serve God more effectively.

learning_from_the_sins_of_the_past.pdf
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Let there be no Strive between Me and Thee

7/31/2015

It is a blessing when there is peace and harmony in the relationships that we have in our life. However, no matter how close the relationship may be, conflicts will arise. Conflicts often occur between husbands and wives; parents and children; and members of the body of Christ. The important question for us as followers of Christ is how we handle conflicts when they disrupt our relationships. Thankfully, God has left us a pattern within His word on how to deal with conflict in our relationships and it is our goal to discuss it at this time.

let_there_be_no_strife_between_me_and_thee.pdf
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Nothing Shall be Restrained from Them

7/30/2015

Mankind has made many technological advances over the past century and continues to make new ones every day. Some of these advances have been for the better, others for the worse, and then there are those that have the potential for both good and bad. With all of this knowledge it seems almost scary what man is able to accomplish. Through all of our advances it seems obvious that we are making it easier to sin. Through mediums such as television, movies, and the internet immorality is constantly displayed before our eyes. My main concern is our young people today. They are truly growing up in a world where nothing will be restrained from them.

nothing_shall_be_restrained_from_them.pdf
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The Origin and Mission of Satan

7/30/2015

The Devil is a real being. He is not the creation of some movie director in Hollywood nor was he thought up by an author of some fiction book. He is real and he is evil. Jesus states that the Devil was a murderer from the beginning and that the truth does not exist in him. Yet, as we read these words questions arise in our minds. Who is this villain? Where did he come from? How long has he existed? Has he always been evil? What is his purpose and how does he accomplish it?

the_origin_and_mission_of_satan.pdf
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