November 9, 2019
by Jay Lickey
| Tags: Bible, HUMILITY
Last month I posted a blog about the surprising depth of foolishness there is in being wise in one's own eyes. We saw this in an astonishing way in Proverbs 26. In that chapter, Solomon relentlessly rubs our nose in the foolishness of the fool. Could there be anything worse than being a fool or even being around a fool? Verse 12 was the shocking answer. Yes, there is som...
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October 15, 2019
by Jay Lickey
| Tags: Bible, HUMILITY
Pop quiz: If you could have anything you want right now, what would it be? Don't think about it. Answer immediately with whatever is your most responsive desire. Do you have it mind? Now let's test how worldly you are.
I want to try to lay out some categories of possible answers. First, the materialistic answer. If you are wanting things and stuff then you are shot thro...
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July 14, 2018
by Jay Lickey
| Tags: HUMILITY, SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
Jeremiah tells us that the fallen human heart is deceitful above all else (17:9). This is not so much a statement about deceptions employed to trick someone else, but the deceptions embraced to trick one's own self. If you are going to pursue sin you have to convince yourself it really is a good move. Watching someone try to justify his sin is a painfully sad thing to ...
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June 15, 2018
by Jay Lickey
| Tags: GOSPEL, HUMILITY, CHRISTIAN LIVING
When it comes to relational failures, being disappointed is bad but being a disappointment is even worse. Failing to come through when people are counting on you is one of the deepest kinds of shame a person can feel. Our very worth is brought into question because now people will regard us as having some degree of evil or incompetence. This can result in a lingering...
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January 14, 2017
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
BIBLE
| Tags: HUMILITY
I read something today about revival that struck me as to the actual nature of revival. We say we want revival, but no one living today has actually experienced it. The little that I have read about it communicates that it is the single most impactful experience one could possibly have. So much so, that there is a limit as to what can even be handled.
What I read was ...
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January 30, 2016
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
BIBLE
| Tags: CHURCH, HUMILITY
The Olympics is right around the corner which means we will soon be hearing the oft repeated phrase, "They make it look so easy." There is no mystery why this is. When you do anything 10,000 times, it is going to become second-nature to you. You discover how things work, when to do this, why to do that, which way to adjust at just the right time. Much of this, however, c...
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September 12, 2015
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
CHRISTIAN LIVING
| Tags: HUMILITY
Pride is a disease. It is another name for idolatry. Wherever it is, destruction is not far behind. Humility, on the other hand, is glorious. It is a grace-created attribute that is bold, joyous, and life-giving. Many things can and should be said about both pride and humility. But for the sake of brevity and for punch, here are quick thoughts on the contrasts between pr...
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August 30, 2015
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
CHRISTIAN LIVING
| Tags: Suffering, HUMILITY
It is so counter-intuitive to think that weakness is an asset. Weakness is supposed to be a liability. But that is just one of many reversals that we find in Scripture. The poor become rich. He who loses his life finds it. The first will be last. On and on it goes. At some point each of these reversals have to be explained because, as already mentioned, it just doesn't m...
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February 20, 2015
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
CHRISTIAN LIVING
| Tags: GOSPEL, HUMILITY
In last week's sermon, while we were looking at the reasons behind the reality that new covenant people still sin, I said that I am the worst sinner I know. I just dropped that statement like a landmine and left it sitting there. While no one mentioned it, I can imagine someone pondering what is behind such a statement. Is there a landmine of sin in Pastor Jay's life tha...
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December 22, 2014
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
GOD'S WILL
| Tags: Suffering, HUMILITY
The other day the weather man said we were going to have some snow. For adults, snow usually throws a monkey wrench into plans. For kids however, it is the white powder of joy. Snow covers the world with fun. It lets you slide with speed, and fall anywhere with the promise of a soft cushion. It can be thrown as balls, or built into stick-arm, scarf wearing people. Our ki...
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August 28, 2014
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
CHRISTIAN LIVING
| Tags: HUMILITY
We always like to bash on those silly Israelites and those bone-headed Apostles. Their mistakes and failings are legendary. One of these moments of breathtaking contradiction happened during the last supper. Two verses stand side-by-side, shocking everybody except those involved. Read both of these verses again, and stand amazed that they are next to one another.
Luke ...
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November 15, 2013
by Jay Lickey
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Category:
CHRISTIAN LIVING
| Tags: CULTURE, HUMILITY, LOVE
The right tool for the right job; that's the professional's mode of operation. Even in the area of demolition, If you are going to do it effectively, you need the right tools. So today I am asking, what would be a good tool for dismantling someone's effectiveness for Christ. There are plenty of options, but one less noticed is self-esteem. Your self-esteem is killing you...
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