Tag Archives: encouragement

Recovering the Meaning — Clearing Up Misunderstandings About New Birth

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Don Merritt

Born Again, Part 5: Recovering the Meaning — Clearing Up Misunderstandings About New Birth Few phrases in Christian vocabulary have been used more often and understood less deeply than “born again.” In modern usage, it can mean anything from a … Continue reading →

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Blog Update, Announcement and Plans

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Don Merritt

Happy Monday to Everyone! Today I am releasing a newly updated collection of my series on 1, 2, and 3 John. This new edition has been improved, strengthened cleaned up and re-formatted in a way I think you will find … Continue reading →

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God’s Protection in Deep Waters

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Don Merritt

When you pass through the waters,    I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,    they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire,    you will not be burned;    the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 When the … Continue reading →

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Plans, Hope and a Future

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Don Merritt

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 God spoke this promise to people who felt displaced and forgotten, reminding … Continue reading →

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Persevering in the Trials of Life

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Don Merritt

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1 There’s a … Continue reading →

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How to Live as Someone “Born Again”: The Daily Life of New Birth

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Don Merritt

Born Again, Part 4: Living as Those Who Are “Born from Above” We have traced the language of “born again” in Scripture, explored the Greek behind Jesus’ words, and listened to the Early Church Fathers. Now we come to the … Continue reading →

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Unharmed in the Lions’ Den

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Don Merritt

“The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”  Daniel 6:23 Morning light had … Continue reading →

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Born Again and the Early Church Fathers: How They Understood the New Birth

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Don Merritt

Born Again, Part 3 When Jesus spoke of being “born from above” in John 3, He was not introducing a passing religious slogan. The earliest Christian teachers—the Church Fathers—treated the new birth as central to the Christian life. For them, … Continue reading →

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The Nearness of God’s Love

Posted on June 22, 2026 by Don Merritt

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”   Psalm 34:18 There are moments in life when the heart feels too heavy to carry. Disappointment settles in quietly; grief lingers longer than expected. Dreams … Continue reading →

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When Faith Meets Forgiveness

Posted on June 21, 2026 by Don Merritt

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 There is something striking about this moment in Mark’s Gospel. A paralyzed man is lowered through a roof by desperate, determined friends. The … Continue reading →

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