tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16437339851163284852024-02-06T21:42:33.759-05:00Awake and AriseTO LIVE CORAM DEO IS TO LIVE ONE’S ENTIRE LIFE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF GOD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-31851642682645345982015-01-10T12:02:00.002-05:002015-01-10T12:02:57.341-05:00We have moved!We have moved! You can find us here<br />
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https://awakeandarise316.wordpress.com/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-24329704954713535012014-09-22T08:35:00.000-04:002014-09-22T08:35:47.385-04:00The Beginning of WisdomFor those of you who have teenagers, you know that parenting takes on a whole new level. This is mainly due to the fact that teenagers know everything. I do mean EVERYTHING and they no longer need you. My teenagers will politely listen to me and nod their heads but I know they are not listening. How do I know? Simply by observing the results of their actions. At this point it is too late to change the outcome and I can't help but think to myself, "if only you had listen to me".......<br />
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<i>"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7</i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">What is fear? </span><br />
It is the emotional foreboding or dread of impending distress or misfortune. I personally do not want to live in this kind of fear. I would end up stuck in my house for days on end! Thank fully this is not what the Bible refers to. The fear of the Lord refers to an awe-inspiring reverence. I have to confess that most days, I do not live with an awe-inspiring reference for God. I get up and drink my coffee and get the kids ready for school and start tackling that never-ending to-do list. On those days that God is not at the top of my to-do list, I often feel frustrated, exhausted, defeated, angry, desperate, etc... I am more than likely acting like a brat and God is looking down, saying "if only you had listen to me."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmrws_DsG-ImYA1WSwdn5cibQ62GkTmxdBeUjHq6pI5x6KeTxnqpy70zNvEBfn2cPPcssewVhOYycrXgFJbyUK3q0E0TKsiS92Y2GOeo5V0wjFr539ckn7ab2mQrNrR0PIQhMuuFsmKnx/s1600/proverbs17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmrws_DsG-ImYA1WSwdn5cibQ62GkTmxdBeUjHq6pI5x6KeTxnqpy70zNvEBfn2cPPcssewVhOYycrXgFJbyUK3q0E0TKsiS92Y2GOeo5V0wjFr539ckn7ab2mQrNrR0PIQhMuuFsmKnx/s1600/proverbs17.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Beginning of Knowledge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Isa-55-9" id="en-ESV-18750" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">For as the heavens are higher than the earth,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">so are my ways higher than your ways</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9</span></span></i></span><br />
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I believe that we will never fully know God until we are complete in heaven. Even the psalmist cried out, "such knowledge is too wonderful for me" (Psalm 139:6). Yet the fear of the Lord, this awe-inspiring reference IS the beginning of knowledge. Every journey has a starting point, every story has a beginning. Our journey with God starts with full reference for who He is. There is nothing greater, better, bigger than our God. NOTHING. He alone is worthy of all our praises. Wisdom has its origin in God, and whoever fears him receives it if he prays in faith (James 1:5). </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fools</span><br />
but fools despise wisdom and instructions...... Jeremiah 4:22 talks about those who are unwilling to know God and they are referred to as "stupid children". I do not want to be a brat and called stupid. I feel pretty confident that neither do you. Here is my challenge to you and me this week. Let's practice greeting each day with an awe-inspiring reference for God. Let's greet each day with a praise and a song. Let us pray "God grant me wisdom today".<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/238980250/James-Study" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View James Study on Scribd">James Study</a> by <a href="http://www.scribd.com/murielgregory" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View murielgregory's profile on Scribd">murielgregory</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="300" id="doc_59830" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/238980250/content?start_page=1&view_mode=book&access_key=key-qefLVzQwntNbncLbxHVL&show_recommendations=false" width="400"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-25032475507050287052014-09-21T08:43:00.000-04:002014-09-21T08:43:30.030-04:00Come to me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gvD8ImXyHp9ENesgobfNIfvRefg4rn1Pz3uuP-vU9bgJYP5vIOlMHWhlCeSeophsMaNOVYdvZD55EiA7eA-2zXDZ8VKbnHzXqTr41tOkCTbLDppI3NS52YaXyjruiXyd6RoxKFqtGAX_/s1600/matthew1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gvD8ImXyHp9ENesgobfNIfvRefg4rn1Pz3uuP-vU9bgJYP5vIOlMHWhlCeSeophsMaNOVYdvZD55EiA7eA-2zXDZ8VKbnHzXqTr41tOkCTbLDppI3NS52YaXyjruiXyd6RoxKFqtGAX_/s1600/matthew1820.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/238980250/James-Study" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View James Study on Scribd">James Study</a> by <a href="http://www.scribd.com/murielgregory" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View murielgregory's profile on Scribd">murielgregory</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="300" id="doc_59830" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/238980250/content?start_page=1&view_mode=book&access_key=key-qefLVzQwntNbncLbxHVL&show_recommendations=false" width="400"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-37760913223196579192014-09-12T21:44:00.000-04:002014-09-13T08:16:00.024-04:00Hearing with the Heart<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
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<i>For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:3</i></div>
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An American missionary in Africa wanted to translate the English word faith into the local dialect. He could not find its equivalent. So he went to an old sage, who was himself a fine Christian, for help in rendering the needed word into understandable language. The guru studied it, and finally said, “Does it not mean to hear with the heart?”</div>
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What does faith mean to you?</div>
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How would you explain it to someone who does not speak English? How do you explain it to yourself?</div>
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In order to fully understand what James mean by the testing of our faith, we need to fully be honest with ourselves about what faith means. Does it mean going to Church on Sunday? Does it mean putting more in the offering plate? Does it mean reading your Bible every day?</div>
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Most Bible translation will render James 1:3 as "testing of your faith". The KJV translates this verse as "the trying of your faith." Have you ever been tried? I know my kids have tried me on many occasions growing up. Fortunately I never had had to go to a trial and stand before a judge. I never had to live through a series of witnesses telling about me. I never had a group of jurors declaring me guilty or not guilty, when they never met me. I never had to see the gavel go down on my verdict. </div>
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What would it look like today, if my faith was put on trial? Would I be found guilty or not guilty? Would I pass or would I fail? Would I fail and persevere or would I give up?</div>
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How about you? How is your faith? How is it when all is well? How is it when nothing makes sense and God's presence is a distant memory?</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Adolf Hitler could not silence pastor Martin Niemöller, and kept him imprisoned for seven-and-a-half years. His ministry during and after incarceration was courageous and constructive. Having read many of his books and heard him during frequent trips to America, I was pleased that he granted me an interview in the Ecumenical Center in Frankfurt. He was warm and outgoing, repeating frequently, “We are responsible for mankind.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Toward the end of our visit he said: “Christianity is not an ethic, nor is it a system of dogmatics, but a living thing. One cannot deal with God in solitude or in remoteness only, but in the struggles of life.”</span></div>
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How is your study of James coming along? Will you be joining us? Let us know if you do, we would love to pray for you.<br />
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You can download the James Study right here.</div>
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/238980250/James-Study" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View James Study on Scribd">James Study</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_34884" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/238980250/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-62360426531674622722014-09-09T18:50:00.000-04:002014-09-09T18:50:45.012-04:00Consider it pure joy James 1:2<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Consider it pure joy my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2</i></div>
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There is a song that always makes me bob my head when it comes on the radio. Here are the beginning lyrics and I am sure that you will be singing along...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Here's a little song I wrote</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><i>You might want to sing it note for note</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Don't worry, be happy</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">In every life we have some trouble</span></i></span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"></span></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">When you worry you make it double</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Don't worry, be happy</div>
</span></i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't worry, be happy now</i></div>
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I was curious one day and did some research about the inspiration for that song. Here is what Wikipedia taught me: </div>
</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="India">Indian</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> mystic and sage </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Meher Baba</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">(1894–1969) often used the expression "Don't worry, be happy" when cabling his followers in the West.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 13.3333320617676px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">However, Meher Baba communicated variations of the sentiment; fuller versions of the quote – such as, "</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Do your best. Then, don’t worry; be happy in My love. I will help you</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">— which incorporate responsibility with detachment, as well as the master/disciple spiritual relationship.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEyhj2lIDa59l39pP8fXYe-xIblRgkMLGzGdfgkENJ7B1-bi2PnFsBS9KFG31i__aFltcSUrPJ5skglGvNx6qltnwveF2pQDiKULbYr1XcM968jysdY-zuFpW6uePUGALA0CNYqX7hxxb/s1600/dont-worry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEyhj2lIDa59l39pP8fXYe-xIblRgkMLGzGdfgkENJ7B1-bi2PnFsBS9KFG31i__aFltcSUrPJ5skglGvNx6qltnwveF2pQDiKULbYr1XcM968jysdY-zuFpW6uePUGALA0CNYqX7hxxb/s1600/dont-worry.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I do like the concept of responsibility with detachment and master/disciple spiritual relationship. However I am not convinced that being "happy" is what God intends for my life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">We, Americans have this engrained in our brains that</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">We hold these truths to be self-evident, that </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">all men are created equal</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Those words penned on July 4, 1776 are echoed in the <a href="http://www.hrcr.org/docs/frenchdec.html" target="_blank">Declaration of the Rights of Men and Citizens,</a> penned by a revolutionary French assembly in 1789, with the exception of the word happy.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Those two countries at the time were going through some major turmoils and faced many trials of many kinds. Yet when making a declaration the concept of freedom and happiness was there. How can this be? I do not know about you but I never had to face the kind of trials that those men and women faced. The few that I faced rarely made me consider pure joy. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">James here uses the word joy not happiness. The word happy in the Hebrew language is esher, and is mainly translated as blessed. It is only used a few times, </span>Job 5:17; Psalms 1:1; 2:12; 144:15; Proverbs 8:32; Daniel 12:12.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ʾEsher</i>, the word translated “happy” (kjv, nlt), can also be translated as “blessed.” These two felicitous states of human beings are intimately laced together. They are at times impossible to differentiate in some biblical passages; by definition, the Lord blesses the happy person and the person blessed by the Lord is happy. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Holman-Treasury-Key-Bible-Words/dp/0805493522/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410096339&sr=8-1&keywords=holman+treasury+of+key+bible+words" target="_blank">Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words</a></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Happiness is a secondary emotion to joy, an overflow of joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A quality or attitude of delight and happiness, which is ultimately grounded in the work of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Among the many situations in which joy is experienced, Scripture recognises as supreme being accepted in the presence of God. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Bible-Themes-Martin-Manser/dp/034065645X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410096480&sr=8-2&keywords=dictionary+of+bible+theme" target="_blank">Dictionary of Bible Theme</a></span></blockquote>
The question remains, how I can consider it pure joy to face trials? If God loves me, why isn't He taking those trials away? If God is all powerful, why does He let me suffer?<br />
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The questions are hard. The answer is simple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuhnlv4uJD4RMGGv2BbSfUxYNiOENiwhJOpwe6OecO4HyEs0lbsVgeKIyQzCOe9d2RtBtvsdcaZXIPKQnpc3AT8EHH8zmSSJkpELp-NquAmuTjMXjv5QMOBU4rwOBmnkSZygIe7r_Wrn1/s1600/Job.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuhnlv4uJD4RMGGv2BbSfUxYNiOENiwhJOpwe6OecO4HyEs0lbsVgeKIyQzCOe9d2RtBtvsdcaZXIPKQnpc3AT8EHH8zmSSJkpELp-NquAmuTjMXjv5QMOBU4rwOBmnkSZygIe7r_Wrn1/s1600/Job.png" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
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Think of Job. Job was a good, godly, god-fearing. Yet Job had trials after trials after trials. Yet he NEVER cursed God. Job loses everything, I mean EVERYTHING. Yet he never curses God. His wife tells him to, his friends tell him to. He holds his ground and NEVER curses God. He just makes appeal after appeal. Finally in chapter 31 Job makes his last appeal. Here is his claim:<br />
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In my innocence, I cry out for a hearing before God (31:1–40).<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have not looked with lust on a maiden (31:1–4).<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I am not guilty of lying or deceit (31:5–8).<br />
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have not committed adultery (31:9–12).<br />
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have treated my servants fairly (31:13–15).<br />
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have been generous and kind to the poor and the disadvantaged (31:16–23).<br />
6.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have neither worshiped gold nor celestial bodies (31:24–28).<br />
7.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have not rejoiced in others’ ruin (31:29–30).<br />
8.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have not refused hospitality to anyone (31:31–32).<br />
9.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have nothing to hide, but I wish God would give me a written statement of charges (31:33–37).<br />
10.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I have not withheld payment for the laborers on my land (31:38–40).</blockquote>
<br />
Job is saying, I am a righteous man yet I am suffering. None of this makes sense and he feels that he would be better off, if he was sinning. He quickly finds out that he is speaking without knowledge. Bottom-line God is just. And God answers.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: </i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? </i></i></div>
<i>
<span class="s1"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="s1"><i>Dress for action<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>like a man; </i></span></i></div>
<i><span class="s1">
</span></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>I will question you, and you make it known to me. </i></i></div>
<i>
<span class="s1"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Job 48:2-4</i></div>
</span></i></blockquote>
<br />
Then suddenly Job understands and cries out<br />
<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<i>“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? </i></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<i>I lay my hand on my mouth. </i></div>
<div class="p3" style="text-align: center;">
<i>I have spoken once, and I will not answer; </i></div>
<br />
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<i>twice, but I will proceed no further.” Job 40:4-5</i></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: left;">
God's answer is like a slap in the face</div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Dress for action<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>like a man Job 40:7</i></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: left;">
Ouch...... Then God keeps on talking and reminds Job of the things that only He can do. Even though Job had proclaimed in chapter 19 that His redeemer lives, he did not get it. Then God revealed all of His power and glory to him. Then Job knew without the shadow of a doubt that His redeemer lives and concludes with those words:</div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>“I know that you can do all things, </i></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<i>and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. </i></div>
<div class="p3" style="text-align: center;">
<i>‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ </i></div>
<div class="p3" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, </i></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<i>things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Job 42:2-3</i></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: left;">
Job prayed and God accepted his prayer and restored his fortunes. </div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: left;">
So why rejoice when we face trials of many kinds? Because only then can we get to see the glory and power and majesty of God. Only then can we grow in our faith. Only then can we know Him and know without ANY doubt that Our Redeemer lives.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PjfW8MhLhGlE6YqRZiXcbPs4QSBx8ykwyJPCB005Qstrcipau9we2c56Y3rW97CsUVwK9-XI1vYCHNdE98Wl_iIHjmiu-HVLSENVO33mOliw0wLKlfWuMMWR7ktTaDPsZ-Cgj8kDFpb6/s1600/redeemer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PjfW8MhLhGlE6YqRZiXcbPs4QSBx8ykwyJPCB005Qstrcipau9we2c56Y3rW97CsUVwK9-XI1vYCHNdE98Wl_iIHjmiu-HVLSENVO33mOliw0wLKlfWuMMWR7ktTaDPsZ-Cgj8kDFpb6/s1600/redeemer.png" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-26044955577610663022014-09-06T11:24:00.001-04:002014-09-06T11:24:24.746-04:00Why do we study the Bible?
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The Bible is above all a book that talks about God and His relationship to the world. What is God like? What is His relationship to His creation? What is His intended purpose for creation? (From the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Holman-Illustrated-Dictionary-Charles-Draper/dp/0805428364/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410013535&sr=8-1&keywords=Holman+Bible+Illustrated+Dictionary" target="_blank">Holman Bible Illustrated Dictionary</a>)</i></blockquote>
When I was in school and a book was studied in class, we would invariably always cover those basic questions:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Who are the main characters;</li>
<li>What is the setting;</li>
<li>What is the climax of the story;</li>
<li>What is it about.</li>
</ul>
<div>
If we apply those same basic questions to the Bible, I think that we can all agree that the main characters are God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Sub-characters would be Adam and Eve, Noah, </div>
<div>
Abraham, Moses, David etc.... The setting is creation. I think it is fair to say that the climax is the cross. The story is about God's love for the world. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sadly though too often we turn a Bible Study into a study about us and for our particular needs. The Bible is for us not necessarily about us. Now before you call me a heretic, let me explain.</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTSlsBk5Ua-_h9K0RKN-RTroGBVGqo8auQa68VBDPfFU0K1q-HtyQQjnHsugb-fTJNINjYIz7TaQgqLxblrDKsPjwXNHlNl0q-wGHwKlKIipuCqgQdkLSXn4LiiimZZ6irNADLh_V3-sP/s1600/Tablet.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTSlsBk5Ua-_h9K0RKN-RTroGBVGqo8auQa68VBDPfFU0K1q-HtyQQjnHsugb-fTJNINjYIz7TaQgqLxblrDKsPjwXNHlNl0q-wGHwKlKIipuCqgQdkLSXn4LiiimZZ6irNADLh_V3-sP/s1600/Tablet.001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Imagine that just like any good books the Bible is made into a movie. If the Bible was about you then you would have a part in the movie. The truth is that the only part you would have (if you are lucky) is the one of an extra whose head or hands are seen for a second. So first and foremost let's read the Bible to know God better. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>To know him is to recognize him for what he is, the sovereign Lord who makes a demand on man’s obedience and especially upon the obedience of his people Israel, with whom he has made a covenant. He is the God whose holiness and loving-kindness are ‘known’ in the experience of nation and individual. The criterion of this knowledge is obedience, and its opposite is not simply ignorance but rebellious, wilful turning away from God (cf. 1 Sa. 2:12; 3:7; 2 Ch. 33:13; Is. 1:3; Je. 8:7; 24:7; 31:34). (taken from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Bible-Dictionary-Howard-Marshall/dp/0830814396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410014709&sr=8-1&keywords=New+Bible+Dictionary%2C+Third+Edition" target="_blank">New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition</a>)</i></blockquote>
<br />
The beautiful thing is that the more we get to know Him, the more we get to know ourselves. Our heritage is with God and we are called His children (Romans 8:14). That lofty knowledge comes with some instructions too. Like any parent God wants us to follow some rules and make the family look good:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>we are to be peacemakers Matthew 5:9</li>
<li>we are to love our enemies Matthew 5:44-45</li>
<li> we are to believe Him and receive Him John 1:12</li>
<li>we are not exempt from suffering Romans 8:17</li>
<li>we are to be blameless and innocent Philippians 2:15</li>
<li>we are to know Him and recognize Him 1 John 3:1-2</li>
</ul>
<div>
You have all heard that couples that have been together for a long time tend to look alike. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">University of Michigan psychologist Robert Zajonc conducted an experiment to test this phenomenon. Here is one of his findings; "</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px;">Zajonc suggested that older couples looked more alike because people in close contact mimic each other’s facial expressions. In other words, if your partner has a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px;">good sense of humor</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><i> and laughs a lot, he or she will probably </i></span><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap" id="itxthook0p" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; bottom: auto; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: auto; left: auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: static; right: auto; top: auto; white-space: nowrap !important;"><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap itxtnewhookspan" id="itxthook0w" style="border-color: transparent transparent rgb(0, 204, 0); border-style: none none solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; bottom: auto; display: inline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; right: auto; top: auto; white-space: normal;"><i>develop </i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-image: none; border: 0px none transparent; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">laugh lines around their mouth — and so will you." (</span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><i><a href="http://www.livescience.com/8384-couples-start.html">http://www.livescience.com/8384-couples-start.html</a>)</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;">We are called to be imitators of God Ephesians 5:1. Imitate means "to follow as a pattern, model or example" (Webster). The word imitator from Ephesians 5:1 is also translated as followers in the KJV. We cannot imitate what we do not know, therefore we need to know God and the only way to know God is by spending time with Him through His word. The more the better. Do not treat the Bible as a self help book. It is so much more than that. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Open your Faithbook more than your Facebook.</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;">This semester PWOC Fort Drum will offer a study on the Book of James. I hope that you can join us either physically or online. The study and teaching will be posted here weekly.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1IUtvlZp7SG91IQe2DyboHpWIrKADLlkeeQSG1Y9O9yso9lHbjZ5sOs3DReMHQ45D7MIOOyI6EZxgnipgfLOnk0MG_OSPz1PfIKoU3XnMKDi73n2BBJom0slHyyqQKn6w3FDg7iHqbtV/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1IUtvlZp7SG91IQe2DyboHpWIrKADLlkeeQSG1Y9O9yso9lHbjZ5sOs3DReMHQ45D7MIOOyI6EZxgnipgfLOnk0MG_OSPz1PfIKoU3XnMKDi73n2BBJom0slHyyqQKn6w3FDg7iHqbtV/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22px;">I cannot wait to start this journey with you!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-7739839142131937622014-06-03T15:55:00.001-04:002014-06-03T15:55:32.412-04:0030 Day to pray for your husband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0OIxPfowLkWQGwX5bjolbnmIAjYydoxqotPtudRbF3GH8wBrY3Y_tPjAU5-3x-rPE_YUyJhADIRoxamFw1dESBPWuC0WWG_c5CY5n_hAjJbn8abx4sClrIxe5qr6zg5YG7jCJzEdp-fB/s1600/30dayprayforhusband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0OIxPfowLkWQGwX5bjolbnmIAjYydoxqotPtudRbF3GH8wBrY3Y_tPjAU5-3x-rPE_YUyJhADIRoxamFw1dESBPWuC0WWG_c5CY5n_hAjJbn8abx4sClrIxe5qr6zg5YG7jCJzEdp-fB/s1600/30dayprayforhusband.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
When people pray, God listens and works miracles. Praying for your husband does not mean to ask God to fix the little (and even big) things that bug you. Praying for your husband is simply laying his needs and your marriage at His feet and allowing Him to transform your marriage into what God intended it to be.<br />
Take the challenge with us. It is NEVER too late to start. Whether you have been married one day or 50 years, start praying today.<br />
<a href="https://www.reviveourhearts.com/media/uploads/pdf/31daysprayinghusband.pdf" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.reviveourhearts.com/media/uploads/pdf/31daysprayinghusband.pdf" target="_blank">You can find this challenge here. </a><a href="http://reviveourhearts.com/">Reviveourhearts.com</a> has many other great resources as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"An excellent wife who can find?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is far more precious than jewels </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The heart of her husband trusts in her,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he will have no lack of gain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>She does him good, and not harm,</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>all the days of her life</i></b>."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 31:10-12 (emphasis mine)</div>
<br />
The main focus for this week's prayers is your husband relationship with God. Whether your husband is a believer or not, he is a child of God. He may follow God wholeheartedly or reject Him completely. Regardless of the situation, praying for a right relationship with God is crucial. Not just that but praying for your husband will also ensure that your relationship with God is on track as well.<br />
<br />
So join us in this challenge and do let us know if we can pray for you.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-67545132151473278172014-05-27T09:27:00.003-04:002014-05-27T09:28:47.788-04:00Be a Voice for the Voiceless - IJM Prayer Gathering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzXJ-801_-vqpzHyZ3hCbQWS0RNEEAFo9FI5EI-2n5tXwYTF0CjuqxlMZDqhtottx3nGJU-Ze_Il-CvfDdb2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Here are some testimonies from our ladies who experienced the IJM Global Prayer Gathering this past April in Washington DC <a href="http://www.ijm.org/" target="_blank">www.ijm.org</a>:<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Overall, I was really glad that we went to the prayer gathering. It was great to hear from all the different representatives from all over the world....hearing about the various kinds of work they are doing. It's not 'just' sex trafficking or slavery, there's also land grabbing in Africa, or rape victims advocates in Central/South America, undercover operations, and then even US legislative representatives stateside. The work that IJM does reaches a wide scope of victims/issues. It was kind of shocking to hear that there's over 27 million slaves around the globe. Seems like a very large number in today's world. But in the US we're so blinded by our life of relative comfort. As far as what to "do"......So many times we want to pack up our stuff and go on a mission trip somewhere to 'convert' people or spread the gospel....that's great, and there's a time/place for that. But what I learned at the gathering was that sometimes what we REALLY need to do to help these people, is to seriously pray for them. Also, shine light on the reality of these dark issues here in America as well, because we are a great nation w/great resources.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-Jessica</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For me The IJM Global Prayer Gathering was very much an emotional event. When asked to share something, I was stumped, because words simply cannot convey what I felt. I can tell you about it, but telling is not enough. You have to feel it to truly understand what it is to have your eyes and your heart opened to the depth of the suffering that goes on in this world. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the GPG first session on Thursday night, Gary Haugen spoke about shining God's light into the darkness. In the subsequent meetings they began to introduce us to that darkness. While all the speakers had poignant stories, the one that hit me hardest was an IJM investigator who spoke about the thousands of boys enslaved in the fishing industry in Ghana. He showed us a picture of a little boy, perhaps five years old, sitting, dejected and unresponsive on a fishing boat. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I saw that little boy, I thought of my own son, who is eight. I remembered his smiles, his laughter. I saw him sitting on a big plastic toy truck that we bought for his birthday one year. I saw his joy when he got his first medal in his first gymnastics competition. I remembered how I know he needs his mom when he asks me to read to him or tries desperately to keep me in his room, talking to him and playing with him at bedtime. These are things that the little boy on the fishing boat, and countless others like him, will never know. Never, that is, unless people like you and I step up to our God-given role and purpose; unless we step outside of ourselves and do our part, what ever that may be, to help spread justice in this world.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt he gave them a mission. They were to enter the Holy Land and destroy the sin that existed there. Then they were to live according to God's laws and if they did so he promised to bless them and make them fruitful. They would be a leading nation that all the world looked to. And the world would see the glory and power and love and caring nature of God the creator. Unfortunately, the Israelites got it all wrong. They thought God had put them there and blessed them because they were somehow special, better than everyone else, and that they deserved to be better off than the rest. They failed their God-given mission, and he disbanded them as a nation. They have never recovered that former glory. God passed the mission on to the Gentiles.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I believe that God blessed this land because the people who founded it were tired of unreligious people with selfish motives telling them how to worship God, and they wanted to make a nation where God, and not human ends, is the motive and the means for worship. Like he did with Israel, God gave prosperity to this land because the people were honoring him. But also as with Israel, God did not give prosperity simply so the people could be wealthy. Rather, he gave it so that they could glorify his name. And for a while, we did that. But, like the Israelites, our prosperity has gone to our heads. We think that we are here just because we're great. God Bless America. But God says America, bless God!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We studied Ephesians at the beginning of the year, and the major theme that stood out from that book is unity of the body. But it's not unity of the PWOC body, or of your local church body. It's not even unity of the city, state or nation's body. God desires unity in the church as a whole. That means that Christians in Cambodia, Ghana and Brazil are as much a part of your body as is the lady sitting next to you. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What I experienced at the Global Prayer gathering tore my heart and moved me to want to help, in some way, the people who are suffering. And truly not just them, but the people who keep them in this suffering, because I cannot help but wonder what brings one to the depravity of mind, to the state of pure callousness, that allows human beings to treat other human beings this way. The first step in helping is to see that there is a need, and the next step is to feel the pain that God feels because of it. If your heart is not yet broken for the poor, the oppressed, the enslaved, the downtrodden of this world, I urge you to start exposing yourself to the truth. Seek out information on what's going on in the world, and then pray pray that God will break it your heart for what breaks his.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">- Carol</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Dear PWOC of Ft. Drum,</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> I wish to thank you for allowing me to share in the recent International Justice Mission Prayer Gathering. As a wife of a retired Army Veteran, I am inspired by you young women of faith engaging in the experience of expanding your influence through prayer opportunities for individuals and families of our nation and our world.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> We live in a world with extreme challenges. The IJM experience brought home to me the need for women and men of faith to pursue DILIGENT HOPE through DILIGENT PRAYER. as our founding fathers of this great nation sought religious freedom and justice from the tyranny of British rule. They acknowledged along the journey the role of DIVINE PROVIDENCE. We need only to look at our dollar bill to see the eye which signified tribute to Divine Providence glorified. The Latin inscription of "Anniuit Coeptis" means , "God's blessings on our undertakings". Also, "Novus Ordo Seclorum" labeled the currency as of " A new order of the ages" , recognizing our nation's deep roots in Christian principles of the many denominations who fasted and prayed this nation into the "land of the free and the home of the brave.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> George Washington's love of liberty produced perseverance as he acknowledged repeatedly God's miraculous intervention in the winning of the American Revolution. History records him admonishing his men to practice Christian virtues. Washington prayed regularly, daily, in fields alone, on his knees, and in tents of an evening. This posture of prayer is what the IJM experience reiterated for me. A calling to arms of sorts... to fight the good fight for Justice....as only the Light of Liberty in Christ reveals.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> In recent days we've heard various stories that our founding fathers were not so Christian. Benjamin Franklin has been said to be such. YET, he quoted Psalm 127:1.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain", and asked the "Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings." When the newly formed congress was in a stalemate much as our present day congress is, Franklin spoke these words , " I believe that without HIS concurring aid we shall succeed no better than the builders of Babel"</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Seems to be a message relevant for today's political builders in Washington.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> And so as we were encouraged by Gary Haugen in Washington with IJM to pray ....may we recognize the parallels of poverty and violence and injustice here in the USA as well as in those places in the world where the laws of justice are so rarely enforced. May we encourage one another to pray diligently for healing of a polarized country and world.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> May we ask God to shrink the shadows of fear as Isaiah 61 calls us..</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> May we seek to dispel the darkness as John 3:20 calls.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> May we plead for the melting of the mountains and defeat evil as Psalms 97:5&6 depicts.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> May we call forth healing as seen in Psalms 30.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> May we persevere to the dawn. (psalms 30:5) Oh Lord, guide our feet & our prayers in the way of peace. ...rescue...restoration... repentance ... rehabilitation....rejoicing. Amen</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>- Nancy</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3</b></span></div>
Priscillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597041039553646599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-30721816489008820682014-05-19T12:00:00.000-04:002014-05-19T12:00:27.584-04:00Does God Owe You?<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I have a friend who is frustrated with God right now. He has certain talents and abilities, and he expected God to give him certain things in the way of a job, things which would utilize his God-given talents. But he didn't get what he wanted and now he's angry with God, maybe even falling away. It makes me sad, and I pray that he will not walk away from his faith. But I can relate to him. Not too long ago a similar thing happened to me, a disappointed expectation, and I blamed God. Thankfully, we serve a forgiving God, and because of Jesus he does not hold my error against me. I think it's all too easy for us to come to expect things and to be angry with God when we don't get them.</span></div>
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. </span></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">James 4:2b-3</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">God did not put us in this world to live here. <b>We are to be in the world, but not of the world.</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i>"Jesus answered, 'My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.'" John 18:36 </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i><b>But what does that mean? </b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">God gave us abilities and gifts, and he expects us to use them. If you don't believe that, read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. God also wants us to have prosperity and enjoy the world. Why else would he have promised "a land flowing with milk and honey" to the Israelites if they obeyed him? And why did he give us stars, snow-capped mountains, the Grand Canyon, delicious food or sunsets if he does not want us to have pleasure in this life? All of this is the "in the world" part.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">The problem is not in having, using or enjoying these things. Rather, the problem comes when these things become the focus. That is what being "of the world" means. If we desire things simply because they give us pleasure or make us happy our heart is not in the right place. And it is the heart that God is after. So if you're asking God for something, or expecting anything from him that is not forth-coming, try doing a heart check. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i>Is your focus on Him?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i> Or is it on your own pleasures? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Ask God to show you. He knows your heart better than even you do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i>Holy Father, YOU alone are God and worthy of all praise and worship. Thank you for your goodness and for the many blessings you continually pour out. Help us to receive them with humble, generous, and thankful hearts. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on you and to live faithful, god honoring lives. Thank you Jesus. Amen </i></span></span></div>
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Priscillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597041039553646599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-55694316225228043282014-05-12T12:33:00.000-04:002014-05-12T12:33:12.833-04:00Be Alert and sober minded for the purpose of PRAYER...<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">
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<span style="color: #0035ff; line-height: normal;">The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit <i style="line-height: 22px;">for the purpose of prayer. 1 Peter 4:7</i></span></div>
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This seemed a fitting verse to me, after our study of Joel, culminating in the letters to the churches in Revelation. To us, it may not seem like the end of all things is near. After all, Peter wrote this 2000 years ago, and the end doesn't really seem any closer than it was back then. So perhaps we have another 2000 years to go. I doubt it, but I don't pretend to know the mind of the Lord. Yet whether it seems near to us or not, the end is coming. And the command is clear - keep praying! Clear your mind, Peter says, focus it on the things that matter, and pray. Our prayers increase the kingdom. They keep us oriented. And they heal the church. Let's keep the church in prayer asking God to fill the body with his Spirit and help us to accomplish his purpose. Pray that the church will stand out as separate and different, and that we will glorify our Lord.</div>
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<i>Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Word, the Bible. I thank you for the prophets, for their words that point out sin and tell us what you truly desire. I thank you for conviction and correction, so that I can always be reaching toward a holier life. I thank you for the body, and for the way that you give each of us a part to play. I thank you that not one of us is neglected in the gifting. I thank you for prayer, our communication with you. I thank you that you have not abandoned us here on earth; you have not given up on us or forsaken us but have saved us. I ask you to fill the church with your Holy Spirit. Bring your love and conviction into the body. Make the words of the prophets real to us so that we will see our sin, face our unholiness and cling to what is good, bringing glory to your name. Purify our hearts and our minds to serve you fully. Amen.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Eph-6-11" id="en-ESV-29332" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29332O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Put on <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29332P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></span>the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29332Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></span>the schemes of the devil.</i></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-ESV-29333" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">For <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></span>we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></span>the rulers, against the authorities, against <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></span>the cosmic powers over <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></span>this present darkness, against <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></span>the spiritual forces of evil <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></span>in the heavenly places.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-13" id="en-ESV-29334" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Therefore <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29334X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span>take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29334Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></span>the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:11-13</span></i></span></td></tr>
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Priscillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597041039553646599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-29031137368781182762014-05-05T23:36:00.002-04:002014-05-05T23:40:05.538-04:00Be the change you want to see! <br />
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<span style="color: rgb(26.494230%, 26.498820%, 26.494230%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-weight: 600;">To every decision in our daily lives we can simply ask ourselves, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">"Does this honor God and </span><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">bring Him glory?” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Do you think about your daily habits? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Are you pursuing His Kingdom?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Who are you following?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>How are you set apart?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Some thoughts on ways to SHINE the LOVE of CHRIST:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Spend time in the WORD each day. Listen and obey.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Spend time with and nurture your own families and
homes</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Reach out to the widows in your family and community</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Write snail mail to loved ones sharing your testimony & what God is doing in your life</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Serve with JOY at your church doing your part</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Be generous givers and remember the poor, orphans, and widows</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Check out your Local foster Care and adoption
agencies or s</span><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">upport those who foster and adopt children</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Proclaim the good news and praise His name at every opportunity - do not be silent!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Walk in a manner worthy of </span><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">the LORD - be "Above reproach" </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Say "YES"to God! Be available, open, and surrendered to HIS KINGDOM work</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Pray without ceasing</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">AND IN ALL THINGS...</span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">A few good organizations to learn about and support the cause: </span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Compassion International -
www.compassion.com</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">International Justice Mission - www.ijm.org </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Samaritan Purse </span><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">www.samaritanpurse.org </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">Voice of the Martyrs </span><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">www.persucution.com </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Baskerville; font-weight: 600;">World Vision - www.worldvision.org </span></li>
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<i><b><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Romans 11:36 - 12:2 "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.</span></b></i></div>
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Priscillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597041039553646599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-24497600803637285752014-04-30T10:23:00.001-04:002014-04-30T10:23:50.789-04:00Join us in prayer tomorrow!<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
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Prayer
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<span style="color: rgb(13.725490%, 13.725490%, 13.725490%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">The trumpet is sounding, rallying the people of God to come with “one voice” in
prayer and repentance.
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<span style="color: rgb(13.725490%, 13.725490%, 13.725490%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">Around the world and especially in our very nation, we see the battles of good and evil
raging. We, as a nation are too often filled with pride, selfish ambition, materialism,
greed, envy, and all types of evil and idolatry. We live in a day and culture where often
evil is called good and good evil. Too often, we Christians follow the world and would
rather our ears be tickled and entertained than to adhere to the great calling and purpose
we have been given.
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<span style="color: rgb(13.725490%, 13.725490%, 13.725490%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">We are in need of a wake up call. Sound the trumpets! Rally the troops! Put on sack cloth
and, like Ezra, pour out your heart to intercede in prayer for this nation. Will you answer
the call? Will you join us? </span><span style="color: rgb(13.725490%, 13.725490%, 13.725490%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">It begins with me. It begins with you.</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(13.725490%, 13.725490%, 13.725490%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">May 1st is our nation’s “National Day of Prayer”. This day was originally declared by
George Washington for the people of our fledgling nation to humble themselves before
the Almighty God in prayer, fasting, and in seeking His will and ways. It is a day set aside
to meditate on His goodness. A day to give thanks and to praise His name! The God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has blessed us with grand providence and provision! Ask the
thousands, if not millions, who have fled to this nation in search of freedom and in hopes
of finding refuge, my own ancestors included. God, in His grace, allowed this Nation to
rise into a world power. It was a place of freedom and hope for millions of people fleeing
persecution or hardships. God, in His sovereignty, has protected her and poured out his
blessings on her. Sadly, like the Israelites, we Christians have fallen in love with the gifts
instead of the giver. We can be fickle people and prone to leave the God we claim to love.
Will you join us in “rending your hearts and not your garments” this May 1st? Will you
join us in interceding for the individuals of this Nation? As you ponder your own whole
hearted devotion to the LORD GOD who is worthy of all praise, take time to also reflect
on the plight of our Nation. Take a minute to read President Ronald Reagan’s 1983
address below and join us in prayer. </span><span style="color: rgb(13.725490%, 13.725490%, 13.725490%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">Choose this day whom you will serve.!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'TrebuchetMS'; font-size: 10.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">JANUARY 27, 1983 - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TrebuchetMS'; font-size: 10.000000pt;">A PROCLAMATION<br />
PRAYER IS THE MAINSPRING OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT, A FUNDAMENTAL TENET OF OUR PEOPLE SINCE
BEFORE THE REPUBLIC WAS FOUNDED. A YEAR BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, IN 1775,
THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS PROCLAIMED THE FIRST NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AS THE INITIAL POSITIVE
ACTION THEY ASKED OF EVERY COLONIST.<br />
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO IN 1783, THE TREATY OF PARIS OFFICIALLY ENDED THE LONG, WEARY
REVOLUTIONARY WAR DURING WHICH A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER HAD BEEN PROCLAIMED EVERY SPRING
FOR EIGHT YEARS. WHEN PEACE CAME, THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER WAS FORGOTTEN. FOR ALMOST
HALF A CENTURY, AS THE NATION GREW IN POWER AND WEALTH, WE PUT ASIDE THIS DEEPEST
EXPRESSION OF AMERICAN BELIEF -- OUR NATIONAL DEPENDENCE ON THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.<br />
IT TOOK THE TRAGEDY OF THE CIVIL WAR TO RESTORE A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. AS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN SAID, “INTOXICATED WITH UNBROKEN SUCCESS, WE HAVE BECOME TOO SELF-SUFFICIENT TO
FEEL THE NECESSITY OF REDEEMING AND PRESERVING GRACE, TOO PROUD TO PRAY TO THE GOD THAT
MADE US.''<br />
REVIVED AS AN ANNUAL OBSERVANCE BY CONGRESS IN 1952, THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER HAS BECOME
A GREAT UNIFYING FORCE FOR OUR CITIZENS WHO COME FROM ALL THE GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE
WORLD. PRAYER UNITES PEOPLE. THIS COMMON EXPRESSION OF REVERENCE HEALS AND BRINGS US
TOGETHER AS A NATION, AND WE PRAY IT MAY ONE DAY BRING RENEWED RESPECT FOR GOD TO ALL THE
PEOPLES OF THE WORLD.<br />
FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON'S STRUGGLE AT VALLEY FORGE TO THE PRESENT, THIS NATION HAS
FERVENTLY SOUGHT AND RECEIVED DIVINE GUIDANCE AS IT PURSUED THE COURSE OF HISTORY. THIS
OCCASION PROVIDES OUR NATION WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE OF OUR
BLESSINGS, AND TO SEEK HIS HELP FOR THE CHALLENGES WE FACE TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.<br />
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1983, NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. I CALL UPON EVERY CITIZEN OF THIS
GREAT NATION TO GATHER TOGETHER ON THAT DAY IN HOMES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP TO PRAY, EACH
AFTER HIS OR HER OWN MANNER, FOR UNITY OF THE HEARTS OF ALL MANKIND.<br />
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND THIS 27TH DAY OF JAN., IN THE YEAR OF OUR
LORD NINETEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE, AND OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA THE TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTH.<br />
RONALD REAGAN<br />
[FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER, 11:22 A.M., JANUARY 28, 1983]<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'TrebuchetMS'; font-size: 10.000000pt; font-style: italic;">NOTE: THE TEXT OF THE PROCLAMATION WAS RELEASED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY ON
JANUARY 28.
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<span style="color: rgb(35.570310%, 34.492960%, 32.999800%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-weight: 600;">Prayer:<br />
To the Almighty Sovereign LORD,<br />
There is none like You. Forgive us our sins and transgression and make us willing to forgive
and love others, especially when it’s difficult. Grant us the strength, humility, and courage
to do your will. Set our hearts on fire with love and passion for your great name! Turn our
affections from anything and everything that is outside of your will. You alone are worthy
of our hearts devotion.
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(35.570310%, 34.492960%, 32.999800%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-weight: 600;">We pray for a revival to spread throughout the nation and world by leading the
church to repentance by your mercy and grace. Deliver us from temptation and save us
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(35.570310%, 34.492960%, 32.999800%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-weight: 600;">from the enemy. May we be a generation that is found faithful and true in your eyes. A
people full of LIFE, full of JOY, full of HOPE, full of LOVE, full of POWER, and full of YOU.
You are our God and we are your people. Come LORD JESUS, Come! To your name be all
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(35.570310%, 34.492960%, 32.999800%); font-family: 'Baskerville'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-weight: 600;">the glory. Amen! </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Priscillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597041039553646599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-54749563653775214842014-04-30T10:23:00.000-04:002014-04-30T10:23:13.723-04:00Joel - Return to the LORD!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Priscillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597041039553646599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-72636475653538721562014-04-12T11:16:00.000-04:002014-04-12T11:16:32.721-04:00Deception Locuts in America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have spent way too much time trying to figure out when the book of Joel was written and who was Joel. Eventually I realized that those details did not matter and they did not for a specific reason. </div>
If we knew exactly the time the book was written and the life of Joel, we could draw conclusion about the writing and tie it all to that time and place. The truth about this book is that it is for here and today.<br />
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<i><b><span class="text Joel-1-2">Hear this, you elders;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-1-2">give ear, all inhabitants of the land!</span></span><br /><span class="text Joel-1-2">Has such a thing happened in your days,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-1-2">or in the days of your fathers?</span></span><span class="text Joel-1-3" id="en-ESV-22295"></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="text Joel-1-3" id="en-ESV-22295">Tell your children of it,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-1-3">and let your children tell their children,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-1-3">and their children to another generation.</span></span></b></i> </div>
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<i><b><span class="text Joel-1-4" id="en-ESV-22296">What the cutting locust left,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-1-4">the swarming locust has eaten.</span></span><br /><span class="text Joel-1-4">What the swarming locust left,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-1-4">the hopping locust has eaten,</span></span><br /><span class="text Joel-1-4">and what the hopping locust left,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-1-4">the destroying locust has eaten.</span></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4">Joel 1:2-4</span></span></b></i></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4">Joel starts with this horrible picture of locusts invading the land. Locusts were a common bedtime story during the Passover as the Israelites would recall the Exodus stories. <br />Locusts are still alive and well today. They still swarm in Africa and destroy everything in their pass. It is now possible to predict the pass of locusts and prevent the destruction with pesticides. Yet they still come and destroy. In revelation you can read how in the last days we will be plagued with locusts. On the day of judgement we will face the locusts.</span></span></div>
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<i><b><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4"><span class="text Rev-9-3" id="en-ESV-30828">Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. Revelation 9:3</span></span></span></b></i></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4"><span class="text Rev-9-3" id="en-ESV-30828"></span>The battle of Armageddon will be fought after the return of Christ our Lord. The time and day are and will always be unknown. Where we stand today is the valley of decision. Today you have to decide where you are standing. In the valley of decision there is no gray just black and white. We have been misled into thinking that God’s laws offer room for interpretation and options. I will call this living in the gray.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx5sD-oRpjiVBEewbEAvyrm8SOk9WnXtQ2RSiSLIRB0bPaqBQN1tmJO4Vg-HqCTAskxnLFiaZRtWSn2vW9FNkTfsYj4sYO9ezo6xC4NinekeXOS0KG-3PdizAtstKI_7_d3L2DT_8QQHK/s1600/blackandwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx5sD-oRpjiVBEewbEAvyrm8SOk9WnXtQ2RSiSLIRB0bPaqBQN1tmJO4Vg-HqCTAskxnLFiaZRtWSn2vW9FNkTfsYj4sYO9ezo6xC4NinekeXOS0KG-3PdizAtstKI_7_d3L2DT_8QQHK/s1600/blackandwhite.jpg" height="320" title="Awake and Arise 2014" width="239" /></a></div>
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The truth is that God’s laws are black and white. The gray is sin. Sin that entered the world with a simple question<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> “Did God really say…” </b></i></span>You can read all about this in Genesis 3.<br />
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This gray is what I call the locusts of deception and this is why the prophesy of Joel is applicable to you and me today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGNY2j0ZC3XdTfRj47x6pMV-l_qx7Wwc8atNSYcojqW1JfD1m2DkKabZs4G7hLRVOUSs_Omx9oyGAVxhzXOe5_-5oe97gPEnfmxEXesuHDljyJTDKOUaCnWjbZxssWKuTPxHuAxZ78rAY/s1600/the+deception+locust.004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGNY2j0ZC3XdTfRj47x6pMV-l_qx7Wwc8atNSYcojqW1JfD1m2DkKabZs4G7hLRVOUSs_Omx9oyGAVxhzXOe5_-5oe97gPEnfmxEXesuHDljyJTDKOUaCnWjbZxssWKuTPxHuAxZ78rAY/s1600/the+deception+locust.004.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4"> Let me walk you through a few examples of locusts in our daily lives:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4">Prostitution</span></span></u><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4">:</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4"> </span></span></span></li>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Did God really say...... </span></i></span></span></div>
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<i><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-1-4"> </span></span><span class="text 1Cor-6-16" id="en-ESV-28467">"Or do you not know that <b>he who is joined<sup> </sup>to a prostitute becomes one body with her</b>? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”</span> <span class="text 1Cor-6-17" id="en-ESV-28468">But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-6-18" id="en-ESV-28469">Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin<sup> </sup>a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-6-19" id="en-ESV-28470">Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? <b>You are not your own,</b></span><b> </b><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-ESV-28471"><b>for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.</b>" 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (emphasis mine)</span></i></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-ESV-28471">We have slowly and surely accepted prostitution as a fact of life. Each deception locusts </span><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-ESV-28471">pushing us farther and farther into the gray. Simple thoughts such as <i>"it is the oldest job in the world</i>" or "<i>it does not affect me</i>" turn the white from God's law into gray. Here are some facts about prostitution:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-ESV-28471"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The average age of entry into prostitution is 13 years (M.H. Silbert and
A.M. Pines, 1982, "Victimization of street prostitutes, Victimology: An
International Journal, 7: 122-133) or 14 years (D.Kelly Weisberg, 1985,
Children of the Night: A Study of Adolescent Prostitution, Lexington, Mass,
Toronto). Most of these 13 or 14 year old girls were recruited or coerced
into prostitution. Others were "traditional wives" without job skills who
escaped from or were abandoned by abusive husbands and went into prostitution
to support themselves and their children. (Denise Gamache and Evelina Giobbe,
Prostitution: Oppression Disguised as Liberation, National Coalition against
Domestic Violence, 1990) <br /> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-ESV-28471"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Estimates of the prevalence of incest among prostitutes range from 65% to
90%. The Council for Prostitution Alternatives, Portland, Oregon Annual
Report in 1991 stated that: 85% of prostitute/clients reported history of
sexual abuse in childhood; 70% reported incest.</span> </span></span> </span></div>
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Does it still not affect you?</div>
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Most of us either watch the Superbowl or know someone who does. At that time of the year it is nearly impossible not to hear about the Superbowl. Urban legend has it that sex trafficking is increased during the Superbowl and that an influx of prostitutes arrive in the city where the Superbowl is held. There are no real evidence that this is true. However those observations might be tainted by the gray lenses we are looking at those facts. What constitutes prostitution? What is acceptable and what is not? Here is another fact for you to consider.</div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Law enforcement in New Jersey has worked for years to battle forced prostitution. The state strengthened its human trafficking law in early 2013, but it hit a roadblock in August when a federal judge ruled that a portion of the law that pertains to commercial sex ads posted online may conflict with federal legislation. The state is appealing.</span> [source:AP.org]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaSVrHMVAXoGwuKW3vplyU0MwNH15F7TeGUC8l8qpmd-4P-fUHaU-0CnAsv89999TodxNG9IQ2oHNMN3ECuRVC7HQblcv_NW5xIYv7RdVgewfLHnHJgbcBPxJcaa5u7_q887VGEKMk3vV/s1600/locust-plague-vector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaSVrHMVAXoGwuKW3vplyU0MwNH15F7TeGUC8l8qpmd-4P-fUHaU-0CnAsv89999TodxNG9IQ2oHNMN3ECuRVC7HQblcv_NW5xIYv7RdVgewfLHnHJgbcBPxJcaa5u7_q887VGEKMk3vV/s1600/locust-plague-vector.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a></div>
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<li><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pornography</span></u>:</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Did God really say...</i></span></div>
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<span class="woj"><i>"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with <b>lustful intent</b> has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28 (emphasis mine)</i></span></div>
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<span class="woj"> Pornography is a plague that is affected all of us. What you and I consider pornography might not be what God would call pornography. That is the first gray area that we have allowed. What is lustful intent? Lusting after any man or woman that you are not married to is pornography in God's eyes. Accepting anything else is stepping into the gray. We have slowly but surely allowed darker gray to invade this truth by saying "<i>I am a Christian and immune</i>" or "<i>I am a woman and not affected</i>" or "<i>there is no harm in just looking</i>". Here are some facts.</span></div>
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<span class="woj"><span style="color: #444444;">Seventy percent of American men ages 18–34 view Internet pornography once a month. This shocking fact is one of many that CT consulting editor John W. Kennedy found during his research for this month's cover story, "Help for the Sexually Desperate" (page 28).<br /><br />Don't assume that porn isn't a problem in the church. One evangelical leader was skeptical of survey findings that said 50 percent of Christian men have looked at porn recently. So he surveyed his own congregation. He found that 60 percent had done so within the past year, and 25 percent within the past 30 days. Other surveys reveal that one in three visitors to adult websites are women.<br /><br />Porn is gaining a stranglehold on mainstream American culture. One reason is the false message that porn viewing is harmless and socially acceptable for the sexually frustrated. One reason it is not harmless is the number of casual porn viewers who end up sexually addicted. The term sexual addiction is only 25 years old. But it describes the very real problem of extreme sexual behavior that is destructive to self and others. [source: Christianity Today 2008]</span></span></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Slavery</u></span></b>:</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Did God really say...</i></span></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-146-5" id="en-ESV-16347">Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-146-5">whose hope is in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> his God,</span></span><span class="text Ps-146-6" id="en-ESV-16348"></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-146-6" id="en-ESV-16348">who made heaven and earth,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-146-6">the sea, and all that is in them,</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-146-6">who keeps faith forever;</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-7" id="en-ESV-16349"></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-7" id="en-ESV-16349"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span>who executes justice for the oppressed,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-146-7">who gives food to the hungry. Psalm 146:5-7</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-7"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-7">Slavery was abolished in the United States after the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln was a key person in this movement. Here are some of his thoughts about the topic in 1858:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I have always hated slavery, I think
as much as any Abolitionist. I have been an Old Line Whig. I have always
hated it, but I have always been quiet about it until this new era of
the introduction of the Nebraska Bill began. I always believed that
everybody was against it, and that it was in course of ultimate
extinction.</span></span></blockquote>
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The topic of slavery is a tricky one and we could spend hours discussing what we think God says about slavery. After all we are all slaves. Romans 6:16 states that we are slaves to the one we obey. Either slaves to God or slaves to sin. So for the sake of argument I will replace here the term slave with the term oppressed. You might argue that you do not own any slaves and therefore are not responsible for this epidemic. Read the following story:</div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Antonio was taken to a run-down trailer where 28 workers slept on mattresses on the floor and shared one bathroom. "In the morning when I woke up and wanted to go outside I realized the door was locked. We were told we could not leave until the debt was paid off."<br /><br />He subsequently worked for 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week. "It was hard work, very hot and we had to work constantly squatting down and carrying the heavy buckets of tomatoes. The first week I thought I'd earned good money. But from the wages I received he took out money for the driver, the rent, the water- everything."<br /><br />Antonio was kept under 24 hour surveillance, was not allowed to make phone-calls, and faced constant threats of violence to himself and his family back home. "What made me most scared was when I heard about the people who had tried to escape. One of them had been beaten very badly.”</span><a href="http://freedomcommons.ijm.org/news/national/slavery-america-meet-antonio" target="_blank"> http://freedomcommons.ijm.org/news/national/slavery-america-meet-antonio </a></div>
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Antonio is not a slave in South America, or Asia or Africa. Antonio is a slave in a tomato farm in Florida. You very likely bought a tomato picked by Antonio.</div>
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The first gray about this deception locust is to believe that slavery is not our fault and that we do not oppress anybody. Through the Freedom Commons you can take a survey called the <a href="http://freedomcommons.ijm.org/action-alert/find-out-how-many-slaves-work-you" target="_blank">Slavery Footprint Survey</a>. I took it and found out that I have 66 slaves working for me. I cannot pretend any longer that it does not affect me. I can no longer stay in the gray. I want to stand in the light and apply God's truth to my life - <i><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-7" id="en-ESV-16349">executes justice for the oppressed,</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-146-7">who gives food to the hungry -</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-7">There are many more areas where the deception locust has invaded our lives.</span></span><i><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-146-7"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hear the trumpet and make a change to day.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Joel-2-12">“Yet even now,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-12">“return to me with all your heart,</span></span><br /><span class="text Joel-2-12">with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-2-13" id="en-ESV-22325"></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-2-13" id="en-ESV-22325"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span>and rend your hearts and not your garments.”</span></span><br /><span class="text Joel-2-13">Return to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-13">for he is gracious and merciful,</span></span><br /><span class="text Joel-2-13">slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-13">and he relents over disaster. Joel 2:12-13</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Joel-2-13">I am extremely grateful for a God that is merciful and abounding in steadfast love. All He wants is for us to return to Him with all our hearts. Remove the grays in your lives and step in the light.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-90726130052175012432014-04-07T09:21:00.000-04:002014-04-07T17:02:15.523-04:00We live in the world we brokeMy new motto for life is <span style="font-size: large;"><i>“You will love what you invest in; and you will invest in what you love.”</i></span> I promise you, you invest the time and effort into this obscure little ancient book of Joel, you will come to love it. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get dirty here.<br />
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One of my favorite books of all time is <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1014/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: large;">“The Gift of Magi”</span></i> by O.Henry</a>. Remember it? A young poor couple want to give each other the best gift ever for Christmas. So she sacrifices her most treasured possession, her hair, cuts it and sells it to get a chain for his most prized possession--his grandfather’s pocket watch. The ending is a twist that makes everything so wrong and yet so perfectly right. <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1014/" target="_blank">You’ve got to read it for yourself.</a><br />
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Anyways, O.Henry was known for his surprise twist endings like that. Someone reportedly asked him how he wrote. He said he’d write the endings first, and then wrote the story up to it.<br />
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I hope as you started to look at Joel this week, and your Old Testament survey, you saw a glimpse into the heart of God and was reassured of his plans. He wrote the ending first, and now is letting the story unfold up to it. Make no mistake--He didn’t start wringing his hands when he found out Eve bit into that old apple. He didn’t wonder what He was going to do.<br />
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No, the God of time--who is not bound by time, who is the beginning and the end, who was and is and is to come--He saw the end when he started the beginning. He knew before he pulled the dust together into the shape of a man. He saw Eve take that bite. He saw children sacrificed in fires to appease demons. He saw the shooter at Ft. Hood, the killing fields of Cambodia; the gassed trenches of Europe. He saw his very own son agonizing on a cross. As he breathed into that lump of clay, he said it is worth it. He said Laura, Tiffany, Emily is worth all the pain and suffering. Certainly not for our own merits. But just because He loves us. And the good we will do--through Jesus--that will outweigh the bad.<br />
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So with this plan from the very beginning, He breathed life into Adam. And the story of man began. Repeatedly, when things were going good--oh friends, hear me--when things were going good, our hearts would wander from our God. He would allow hard times. He would send punishment. But always with a way out. Always, He would plead, ‘But if you will only repent, I will save.’<br />
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We live in a broken world. We’re the ones who broke it. And that broken world is hell-bent on destroying itself with Satan driving it there. At this time, God allows those natural outcomes of sin to bring hard times. Yes, sometimes, the Bible says He even sends those hard times.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes He allows the trouble. Sometimes He sends it. Always. Always, He uses it for our good</span></i>.</blockquote>
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So we see humanity vacillating for generations, deciding who they will serve, and seeing the consequences of that choice. It’s frustrating to watch, isn’t it? Over and over, God sends his Holy Spirit to people to be witnesses to the people. And so we come to the prophets.<br />
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You know those kids’ books “You wouldn’t want to be a roman gladiator?” It’s a whole series of funny, cartoon books that show the hard times of history. You wouldn’t want to be a pilgrim. You wouldn’t want to be a settler. You wouldn’t want to be a mother of toddlers. They should write that one. Well, there also should be one called ‘You wouldn’t want to be a prophet of God.’<br />
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The prophets of God gave their entire life to His disposal. Gave up every ‘right’ they had to their lives. Get swallowed by a whale. Preach naked. Lay on one side in the town square for a year. Marry a prostitute and call your children unloved and rejected.<br />
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That’s just the things God told them to do. Then there was the reaction of the people. Prophets were probably the ones who started the saying ‘don’t kill the messenger.’ Over and over again, they were killed. Beaten. Exiled. Thrown into a well while a war went on overhead.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And they said He is worth it.</i></span></blockquote>
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We seem to think our reward should be in this lifetime. Yes, the American Christian culture--like no other culture--thinks it can achieve it’s mansion and peace and rest that heaven promises, now. Here on this earth. It makes us the poorest in spirit in the world.<br />
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Joel was one of God’s prophets. We call him a minor prophet, only because of the length. At the end of the Old Testament we have 12 minor prophets’ books, not in chronological order.<br />
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In Joel, we see such mystery. God has not given us a time for when the prophet lived. Through this book we get a glimpse into how the God of time sees the world--the past, the present, the future at once. We know some of the things have already happened, and some are yet to come.<br />
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Because there’s no mention of any king or armies, many scholars think Joel could have lived around the time of King Joash, the child king. Let’s back up his story a little bit. From the glory of King David and the untold riches of his son King Solomon--in one generation we fall to the kingdom divided, the wealth vanishing. In just over a hundred years from those great men, we end up with Queen Jezebel ruling the Northern kingdom. To this day, the woman’s name is equated with evil.<br />
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Well, in the southern kingdom, on David’s throne was her counterpart, Athaliah. Both of them had their husbands die. Both of them had their idiot sons ruling. God said enough of Jezebel. He raised up a commander of the army to deal with her. <br />
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Army wives: pay attention. God understands the heart of a warrior. He remembers their names and their deeds repeatedly, preserved for eternity in the Book.<br />
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So Jehu kills Jezebel, her son, all their relatives, and since Queen Athaliah’s son was hanging around, he got it too. <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">You know when the men are gone...</span></i></blockquote>
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Athaliah had a choice. We all do. When faced with hard times, we can shake our fist at God, or we can continue to trust Him. Let’s remember Habakkuk’s response in 3:17-19.<br />
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Athaliah has seen the outcome of the wicked. God gives her the opportunity to repent. Every day is an opportunity to repent for all of us. Instead of falling to her knees, bowing her back and her will to the Lord God Almighty, she stiffened her back. She set her jaw. She raised her fist.<br />
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Her first order of business was to kill off all potential kings. What’s a few blobs of potential flesh when you’re establishing your career of controlling the world? These were her grandchildren. She put them to the sword.<br />
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But even as she set about to control her world, another royal woman risked her own life to obey God. She took off with a yearling, and hid him in God’s house. Her husband, the high priest Jehoiada sheltered the boy and his nurse for 6 years.<br />
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When Joash turned 7, High priest Jehoiada armed the guards. (Again, notice the details God tells us of the warriors.) He brought the boy out and crowned him. When Queen Athaliah heard the noise of the crowds, she rushed out and was killed.<br />
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Hooray! Victory! Happy ever after, right? Jehoiada and Joash restore the temple. The country is at peace. Sadly, there’s a clause in there “Joash served the Lord as long as Jehoiada lived.”<br />
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The old saying is true, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. We can raise moral pagans. We can drag them to church every time the doors open. We can make them stand at attention during worship. We can pound a hundred Bible verses into their brains. But the day will come when they will have to decide, ‘will I repent’?<br />
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<a href="http://veggietales.com/vtmain/" target="_blank"><img alt="Veggie Tales" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAvEaiS5UKU7vEmlYRjhQmZY8GYRgJ-_V5RnxAeyd0FlJyr8mjgdLoRMaI3ESQ5XZY4P-QenXthO-dy3v66RbuHh0WKEcgHB_l7BKzMeZYDMVnLDvDvfPI9bYOz-41JA84SKgQY9BVdWA/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></div>
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Phil Vischer--Veggie Tales Creator--said this:<br />
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<i>"I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, "Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so," or "Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so!" But that isn't Christianity, it's morality. . . </i><br />
<i>And that was such a huge shift for me from the American Christian ideal. We're drinking a cocktail that's a mix of the Protestant work ethic, the American dream, and the gospel. And we've intertwined them so completely that we can't tell them apart anymore. Our gospel has become a gospel of following your dreams and being good so God will make all your dreams come true. It's the Oprah god.”</i></blockquote>
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I am convicted by that. Do I teach obey the rules because that makes life easy for me, or do I teach love the Lord your God. We absolutely have to lead the horse to water. That is our job. But we can only show them how to drink from that well. The Holy Spirit convicts. And they must decide to love the Lord their God.<br />
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Andy Stanley said, “Our greatest contribution is not what we do, but who we raise.” Another old saying I know you know--the hand that rocks the cradle is also true. Yes, it means a sacrifice of your very life. Your time. Your energy. I know the days are long. So long. But the years are very, very short. Your children are not an interruption to your life, your ministry. They are your ministry.<br />
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When King Joash was left without his beloved priest, he had to decide for himself. He chose poorly. And when God sent prophets, pleading with him to turn back to his heavenly Father, Joash stiffened his back. He set his jaw. He raised his fist and said ‘You can’t control me.” <br />
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Perhaps Joel was one of those prophets sent. When Priest Jehoiada’s own son came before King Joash, the king had him killed. Because that’s what you have to do. You have to kill the messenger of God. Skip that Bible time. Turn off the praise music. Stop going to church. Don’t hang out with those people.<br />
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Again, we don’t know for sure when Joel gave his message. But we see in it God’s plan from the beginning. Love. Repent. A life with God, freely chosen, is worth the pain. <br />
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As man’s wickedness continues, more punishment will come. How will we get through these?<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hiding-Place-Corrie-Boom/dp/0553256696/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396876688&sr=8-1&keywords=the+hidden+place" target="_blank"><img alt="The Hidden Place" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_AVh0t3X5jN-0im34JGboeDjsLcq_VdO1LTr-jfc3ot0UUciNcheB8kCV5ZaQGf5xJn8T1l0iL7M8tzYohFd8W5DsmHDLubEhhAG6DDF5UYf8VDGZGCncSP_6Q9aTqqWpDZziDyj_64R/s1600/Hidinh_place_book.jpg" height="320" width="192" /><span id="goog_959273764"></span></a><span id="goog_959273765"></span></div>
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In Holland, in a little clock shop, a girl asked her father this very question. As an older woman, she was reminded of his answer again and again. Corrie and her sister were in their fifties, living with their elderly father and working in his watch repair shop. At a time when they should have been enjoying their golden years, retiring, kicking back, what seemed like the end of the world was breaking all around them. It was driven by an anti-Christ, Hitler. In the face of an army with the power to conquer the world, they chose to enlist in the Heavenly Army. They hid Jews. And they were punished for it.<br />
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How will I have the faith to stay strong through the trials? Corrie had asked her father. Remember when you were a little girl, and we would go on the train? Her father explained. When did I give you your ticket? Right when you needed it. So will God give you the faith you need, my child.<br />
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Much of God’s plan for the future, which we see only a little bit of in Joel, is shrouded in mystery. We don’t know the times. But a soldier who doesn’t know his orders stays close to his commander, right? And a girl who needs a ticket holds her father’s hand. And we must teach our children to do so, as the days are evil.<br />
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As we dive deeper into Joel these next couple of weeks:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Be open to the mystery. No easy answers. No pat verses. Nothing we can control.<br /> Be in awe of the God of all ages. Learn to trust Him more.<br /> And pray for a deeper love for the One who said you are worth it.</span></i></blockquote>
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Overview of the book of Joel<br />
by Tonia GüttingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-31156259441963190512014-03-27T17:49:00.002-04:002014-03-27T17:49:57.451-04:00Joel Study<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">You are invited to a mystery.</span></i></blockquote>
An opportunity to delve deeper into the realms of God. To see the world, the peoples, the past and the future as He sees. <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>“The Lord Is God”</i></b></span> the name Joel proclaims. In this book you will see God’s power, His plan unfolding from the beginning to the end, and His “intense desire for intimacy with all His people,” as the Quest Bible states. Come. Let Him reveal more of Himself to you through this little but mighty book.<br />
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Joel is considered a ‘minor’ prophet, only because of the length of his message. Joel prophesied the coming of the <b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost</i></span></b>, and he gave us a window to the events of the end of the world.<br />
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Joel is poetry, mystery, prophecy; a blending of ancient troubles and future images. From a farm report in a dusty, obscure field to the gathering of the most powerful armies of the nations, Joel gives us a glimpse into how the God of time sees events. Repeatedly, we are promised the coming of <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>‘The Day of the Lord’</b></i></span>--a time when God will openly intervene in the world’s affairs. These coming times are terrifying, awe-inspiring, and incredibly exciting to consider depending on your perspective. Ultimately, they give you a picture of how much He loves you, a deeper gratitude for that love, a trust in that love, and hope. A hope that will carry you through anything. <br />
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<br /><p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a title="View Week 1 on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/214940417/Week-1" style="text-decoration: underline;" >Week 1</a></p><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/214940417/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" scrolling="no" id="doc_46539" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-16153057056400554012014-03-20T19:01:00.001-04:002014-03-20T19:01:33.728-04:00This is us<blockquote>
<address>
<b>Esther Generation (From IF:Gathering)</b></address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
They say you should travel light</address>
<address>
But most of our lives we carry it all on our backs</address>
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These days it isn’t our arms that stay weighed down</address>
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It’s our minds</address>
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We wake up in a panic</address>
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Its our thoughts that hyperventilate for fear</address>
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Of making mistakes.</address>
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</address>
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For fear of failing or succeeding</address>
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Or fear that we’ll never move past our past</address>
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That we’ll be exactly who they said we’d be</address>
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That we’ll never be more than what was done to us</address>
<address>
That we will continue to be taken advantage of</address>
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That we should accept shame as a companion to carry with us</address>
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That we should let the lies befriend us</address>
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</address>
<address>
The lies</address>
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started in a garden</address>
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Spoken slyly by a slithering serpent with his syrupy sweet: “Did God really say?”</address>
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</address>
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And we’ve be doubting ever since</address>
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</address>
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Allowing an unwelcome guest to make himself at home in our lives, minds, gardens</address>
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Keep us bound with slithering fear</address>
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that we are damaged goods</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Never going to be good enough</address>
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Not enough brains, not enough brawn</address>
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Not enough guts to take anything on.</address>
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</address>
<address>
But there is no time for being soft or weak</address>
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That at all times we have to be tough</address>
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That We’ll never be perfect that</address>
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We’ll never be worth it</address>
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That we’ll never be enough</address>
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And sometimes we feel God calling us, nudging us</address>
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Trying to show us</address>
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</address>
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but somehow we stay trapped</address>
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Behind walls of unbelief and unforgiveness</address>
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Our arm’s a weary rope caught in a vicious tension</address>
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Tug of war between our fear and our calling</address>
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Between worry and peace</address>
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Comfort and inconvenience</address>
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Comparing ourselves to each other</address>
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While battling low self esteem</address>
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</address>
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Do we do what’s practical?</address>
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Or follow our dreams?</address>
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Do we take care of ourselves?</address>
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Or meet others people’s needs?</address>
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Should we fight?</address>
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Should we please?</address>
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Should we hide from who we are to put other people at ease?</address>
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</address>
<address>
And then the lies begin to echo and amplify</address>
<address>
Loser</address>
<address>
Time abuser</address>
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Mess producer</address>
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Who needs you?</address>
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She’s so much better</address>
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Just look at her</address>
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You actually thought that was a good idea?</address>
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</address>
<address>
Open your mouth and they’ll laugh long enough that you’ll shut your mouth</address>
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You aren’t smart enough</address>
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You aren’t good enough</address>
<address>
You aren’t sharp enough</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Who do you think you are?</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Fear is our chain and it’s rattling us hard</address>
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It’s the poison that deadens our hearts</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Fear of failing</address>
<address>
Fear of flailing</address>
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Fear of the arrows</address>
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Fear of the way named narrow</address>
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Fear of the shear rock in front of you that begs you sweat and climb</address>
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Climb out of that drug dead comforting pit they call status quo</address>
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And break right up through the earth and into the life you were born for</address>
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</address>
<address>
In the now of your life while there is still time and hunger in your veins</address>
<address>
Turn around and shake off that snake</address>
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Because it’s head’s been crushed, no pulverized</address>
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So let go of the lie.</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Sometimes we imagine that God’s voice is a disappointed hard lined teacher</address>
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Who is waiting to whack our knuckles with a ruler for any imperfections</address>
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</address>
<address>
But that isn’t God’s voice at all</address>
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</address>
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That isn’t Gods heart at all</address>
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</address>
<address>
He speaks tenderly</address>
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He doesn’t need to raise his voice</address>
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He speaks as if He’s right next to us</address>
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</address>
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Because He’s right next to us</address>
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</address>
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Because He goes before us</address>
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</address>
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Because His spirit lives inside us</address>
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</address>
<address>
He starts with love</address>
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And not because He is a hopeless romantic</address>
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But mostly because</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
He is ALL LOVE and HOPE and SECOND CHANCES</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Let go of the fanged lie and bind the wound with dressings of Truth that will heal your bloodied soul</address>
<address>
Take that sharp edge of His Word and hack that snake creeping up the back your neck</address>
<address>
The words</address>
<address>
The only life hack that will hack off the lie of the snake and make your life whole</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
We fear that the place we think God’s love will run out or dry up</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
We fear that place where we think God’s love will run out, dry up, fall of the edge</address>
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And we’ll be left dangling beyond its reach</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
We fear that somewhere God’s love ends</address>
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</address>
<address>
<b><i>But His love never runs out</i></b></address>
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</address>
<address>
His steadfast love surpasses suburbia</address>
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Canvases from skyscrapers to street corners from porch to stoop</address>
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</address>
<address>
<b>His love is looking for you.</b></address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Who would you be?</address>
<address>
What would you do?</address>
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</address>
<address>
<b>If you weren’t afraid</b></address>
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</address>
<address>
Could be that you’ve always wanted to come up through the ground</address>
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in some desolate place that needed a tree</address>
<address>
To bear some fruit for someone with their tongue stuck to the dry roof of their parched mouth</address>
<address>
To be a limb that held some baby abandoned</address>
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To be a limb that someone could used to swing over the fence and free</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
We were made from dust</address>
<address>
A bit of earth kissed by heaven</address>
<address>
made to be groundbreakers</address>
<address>
And peacemakers</address>
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And freedom shakers</address>
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</address>
<address>
So you can take your glossy Vogue covers and use them for washing windows</address>
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Because we’ve always thought the most beautiful women have dirt under their fingernails</address>
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And could shake a bit of the very earth out of their warn and pioneering shoes</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
And lets redefine comfort zone because wherever He takes you</address>
<address>
You are with the comforter</address>
<address>
Wherever He calls you</address>
<address>
You are always in his comfort zone</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
So live all your present moments in His presence</address>
<address>
To keep company with Christ</address>
<address>
To get in on the best</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
<b><i>There’s a whole Esther generation right here and now and it is us.</i></b></address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Who come broken</address>
<address>
Who are <i>done being defeated</i> by fear and worry and stress</address>
<address>
Because it advertises the unreliability of God</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Who want hard and Holy things because we want more than hallow lives</address>
<address>
A life more than self focus and cell phones</address>
<address>
More than iPhones, iTunes and iLove</address>
<address>
Who want a life of loving the least, the lonely, and the lost</address>
<address>
There is a whole Esther generation rising right here and now and it is us</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Who are done with easy</address>
<address>
Who know that being like Christ and caring for the poor in body and soul</address>
<address>
Means more than just caring about easing our consciences</address>
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It means living real sacrifice</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
<b><i>There is a whole Esther generation rising right here and now and it is us</i></b></address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Who say now is the time for the faith brave</address>
<address>
To sky dive and fly</address>
<address>
To remember that we don’t have to strive to be anyone</address>
<address>
To stop taking issue with what God made</address>
<address>
To accept that our perfect God makes no mistakes</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
<b><i>There’s a whole Esther generation rising right here and now and it is us</i></b></address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
To take the weight we carry on our backs</address>
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And offer it back to the savior who already carried the weight of the world on his shoulders</address>
<address>
Who surrender</address>
<address>
Who lay out alabaster hopes and dreams at the feet of our Savior</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
<b><i>There is a whole Esther generation rising right here and now and it is us</i></b></address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
Who will no longer look for peace in opinions</address>
<address>
But to find our solid ground in the truth</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
There are many tomorrows to face</address>
<address>
But today, lets open our hearts and our wounds and our stories</address>
<address>
To the great story teller</address>
<address>
That our lives may be chiseled by His pen</address>
<address>
</address>
<address>
That we may</address>
<address>
<b>BELIEVE</b></address>
<address>
and <b>LOVE</b></address>
<address>
and <b>PRAY</b></address>
<address>
and <b>FIGHT</b></address>
<address>
and <b>REST</b></address>
<address>
and <b>LIVE!</b></address>
</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/03/this-is-us-the-esthergeneration-a-spoken-word-poem/" target="_blank">If you want to hear the poem being read click here. </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-52874341637636753952014-03-12T16:28:00.000-04:002014-03-12T16:28:14.949-04:00Session 5 Ephesians 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="30" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://archive.org/embed/Ephesians4_201403" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="500"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-5574126623740730372014-03-09T12:12:00.000-04:002014-03-09T12:12:00.213-04:00Do you love the little children?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I saw a little girl today. She was about two, and like many two-year-olds she was happy and bubbly and uninhibited. She smiled and I couldn't help but smile in return. She was so beautiful, and I was struck by how precious all little children are. What person doesn't love a child? Their cuteness draws us to them, makes us want to protect and help them. We feel a deep societal need to protect them. We are angry with people who harm them or fail to properly nurture them. We make all kinds of laws to protect them, to make sure that they are not allowed to encounter any unnecessary dangers so that they can grow up and reach their full potentials. <br />
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But as I watched this little girl today, I began to wonder what happens. It seems that at some point they lose the cuteness, and we lose interest in protecting them. Look at the adults around you. How many of them do you love? How many do you feel a need to nurture and protect? How many of them annoy you? Do you talk about them behind their backs? Complain about all the annoying things they do? Do you steal from them, lie to them, curse them, yell at them or insult them? What would you say to someone who treated a child in the way you treat them? They were once cute, lovable little babies. They were innocent souls in need of protection.<br />
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I guess we failed to adequately protect them, because as they grew, they were exposed to all the excesses and sins of society. They were corrupted. They became… like us. But somewhere deep inside is still that small child, that innocent soul looking for love and affirmation and encouragement. Are they getting it?<br />
<br />
When God looks down on us I believe that he sees the little babies hidden inside. He loves us and nurtures us just like babies. Sometimes his love hurts. Just like when we give our children immunizations, discipline them for doing wrong or tell them no in regard to something they want but which might harm them.<br />
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But <span style="font-size: large;"><i>always God loves us,</i></span> no matter what we do. Just like we love our children no matter what they do. <i><span style="font-size: large;">The greatest command is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength</span></i>, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself, to treat others the way you want them to treat you. Is there a little child hidden inside you, longing for love? <br />
<br />
I’d like to challenge you to take a new outlook. Instead of looking at people and seeing them as they are now, try to picture them as the cute little babies that they once were; the toddlers running around; the little girl or boy proudly bringing home a painting from school, even though it just looks like a blob. Try to love them with the unconditional love that we shower on our children, the love we ourselves desire. Admire them, encourage them, engage them, uplift them. And <span style="font-size: large;"><i>pray</i></span> for them. <i><span style="font-size: large;">Pray</span></i> that they will become the perfect souls that God created them to be.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-80291905453428501472014-03-06T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-06T12:00:03.231-05:00Are you putting God first?If you could ask him for anything, what would you ask of God? Solomon was given this chance, and he asked for wisdom to rule God’s people. God commended him and gave him not only that but honor (fame) and riches as well. But Solomon disappointed God.<br />
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In Deuteronomy 17:14-17 God gave the kings of Israel some rules. They were not to collect horses or to return to Egypt for horses. They were not to collect wives. And they were not to collect riches. But Solomon had thousands of horses, and he imported them from Egypt. He had <span style="font-size: large;"><b>700</b></span> wives and <b><span style="font-size: large;">300 </span></b>concubines. And he definitely had riches. It was the wives, especially, that were Solomon’s undoing. They led him into idol worship. But without the riches and honor he could never have gotten all the wives. In the end, God said he would tear the kingdom from Solomon because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness. Yet because of God’s promise to David, he would not do it in Solomon’s lifetime, but his son’s. Solomon’s response? He tried to kill the one to whom God said he would give the kingdom. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wow, Solomon!</i></span> What happened to the humility shown in 1 King 3?<br />
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David, in contrast to Solomon, asked one thing of God - <i>to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, to gaze upon his beauty and seek him in his temple</i>. Solomon asked a noble thing. He was concerned about God’s people and he wanted to be a good ruler, to fulfill his duty in the best way possible. But his focus was on earthly things. David had his eyes on the eternal. He had his priorities right and he was commended as a man after God’s own heart. And his faithfulness affected his descendants as well as himself. The greatest command is to love God. The second is to love people. Our love for and service to people flows out of our love for God. Without the first, the second will inevitably go astray. Solomon’s concern for God’s people is commendable, but he forgot to put God first. <br />
<br />
So my question for you is, Are you putting God first? Do you make time for Him? Or do you let the things of the world pull your attention away? If you are not putting God first, all your works are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.<br />
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<b><i>If you’d like to check this with the Bible, here are some references:</i></b><br />1 Kings 3 (Solomon’s petition)<br />Deut 17:14-17 (God’s command to kings)<br />1 Kings 4:21-28, 2 Chronicles 9:13-28, 1 Kings 11 (Solomon’s riches and God’s anger)<br />Psalm 27:4 (David’s prayer)<br />Matt 22:36-40 (Greatest & second command)<br />Acts 13:22 (David is a man after God’s heart)<br />Ecclesiastes (Everything under the sun is meaningless)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-42851948423881425492014-03-02T11:43:00.003-05:002014-03-02T11:43:51.654-05:00Believe and PrayI've been reading 2 Chronicles during my Quiet Times. I always love reading the histories of the kings. They absolutely fascinate me. One thing I find intriguing is the epitaph that each king is given. Often, there is a king who lived most of his life well, but toward the end of his life he messed up and turned away from God. Yet his epitaph will say something to the effect that he "<span style="font-size: large;"><i>did right in the sight of The Lord</i></span>" - sometimes despite having ended his life in rebellion to God.<br />
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Manasseh, however, is a king whose story is rather the opposite. People often cite Hezekiah (Manasseh father) as an example that we should trust God's will in things and not ask him to change anything. They say that God intended Hezekiah to die, but he begged for longer life and his wish was granted. But the result was that his son Manasseh was born, a king who "made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel." <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Manasseh is remembered as the worst king Judah ever had</i></span>. So people say that Hezekiah should not have had his extra 15 years. And if you only read the story in 2 Kings there does seem to be truth in that. Yet that is not the end of Manasseh's story, although you have to go to 2 Chronicles to get "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say. In fact, Manasseh was taken captive by the king of Assyria, and in his imprisonment he turned to God. He was later released and sent back to rule over Judah again. The fact that the Assyrian king let him go is in itself is amazing. What is even more amazing is that Manasseh destroyed all the idols he had built and ordered the Israelites to worship the true God and forsake idols. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Can we say witness?</i></span> Manasseh may have led the people to sin, but they didn't exactly go kicking and screaming. They were followers. They followed their king into sin, and they followed him back out of it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And that still isn't the end of Manasseh's story. His son, Amon, reigned after him. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Amon was evil</i></span>, and God only saw fit to let him reign two years before he died at the tender age of 24. But his son, Josiah, (Manasseh's grandson, who would never have been born if Manasseh had never been born) was perhaps the greatest king Judah ever had, next to David. He brought a great revival to Judah and to Israel as well!<br />
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So I say pray on, ladies. If God tells you something you don't like, don't be afraid to ask him to change it. Even Jesus asked God to change something he didn't like! Just make sure your heart is in neutral when it comes to the answer. Ultimately, <i><span style="font-size: large;">God is in control</span></i> and will grant or deny as he sees fit. We have to trust him either way, knowing he knows "the rest of the story".<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(These stories start in 2 Kings 18 and 2 Chronicles 29 if you're interested in reading them yourselves.)</i></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-89251159339505550552014-02-24T17:58:00.001-05:002014-02-24T17:58:18.904-05:00Ephesians 2 Session 3 PodcastChoose Gratitude and Joy even in the midst of difficulties and trials.
Because of who we are in Christ, we can stand victorious.
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Do you believe?</b></i></span></blockquote>
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Listen to this week's message.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="30" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://archive.org/embed/EphesiansSession3" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="500"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-61982678597045351192014-02-21T15:59:00.001-05:002014-02-21T15:59:21.425-05:00Ephesians Session 2 Podcast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-47881978743916063572014-02-11T07:56:00.000-05:002014-02-11T07:56:29.667-05:00What is your relationship status with Jesus?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are You Intimate With Jesus?</span></i></blockquote>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">The church is called the Bride of Christ</span></b></u></blockquote>
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<i>Rev 19:7- Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.</i><br /><br /><i>2 Cor 11:2 - I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.</i></blockquote>
<br /> What bridegroom does not want to have sex with his new bride? Especially if she is presented to him as a virgin (and he is a"virgin", too) as is so often not the case in our culture. And let’s not forget the bride. While a woman’s sex drive usually does not match her husband’s, women nevertheless look forward to the intimacy of the wedding night as well.<br />
<br /> Sex is the one act that separates marriage from other relationships. When it is used as God designed it, it is the supreme act of intimacy, drawing a husband and wife together and bringing great pleasure to both partners. Humans were designed for intimacy. With men it leans to the physical, and with women it leans to the emotional, but both of us desire both kinds of intimacy. And we were made in the image of God, which means our desire for intimacy is a reflection of God’s desire for intimacy. <br />
<br /> We obviously are not going to literally have sex with Jesus, but the image of the church as the bride of Christ demonstrates to us that God desires the kind of intimacy from us that comes with a (healthy) sexual relationship. In Genesis, God was found walking in the Garden of Eden during the cool of the day. He came to Adam and Eve to spend time with them. Time is another factor that creates intimacy. While it’s possible to spend time with a person and never become intimate, it is impossible to become intimate without spending time together. That time does not have to be in physical proximity (it could be a long-distance relationship nurtured through letters, phone calls, email, etc.) but it does have to include opening ourselves up to the other person and receiving their openness.<br />
<br /> That is what our relationship to God should be like. When a man and woman meet and find themselves attracted to one another, the first thing they generally do is find a way to spend some time together. She gives him her phone number. He calls. They talk. They meet somewhere and talk some more. They do things together. The more they discover that they have in common, the more things they do together, and so they spend even more time together. Eventually they get married, move into the same house and spend oodles of time together. The only way you can truly become the bride of Christ that you were meant to be is to spend time with him. The more you spend time with him, the more you will find you have in common with him, and the more you will desire to spend time with him.<br />
<br /> Maybe your marriage to Christ isn't what it ought to be. If so, I assure you that in this marriage, you are the problem, not your husband. If that is the case, begin today to reconcile by spending time with him - time in fellowship with other believers, time in the Word, and time in prayer. And if you just aren't feeling it, then start by praying for the grace to desire him again. And in time you will once again find pleasure in your Groom, and He will find pleasure in you.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643733985116328485.post-66872158439696155182014-02-07T16:04:00.002-05:002014-02-07T16:13:05.314-05:00Ephesians Session One Podcast<table align="center" allowfullscreen="" cellpadding="0" cellspa="" frameborder="0" iframe="" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://archive.org/embed/EphesiansSession1" style="height: 30px; width: 500px;" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Week 3 Ephesians 2</span></u></b> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><i>Begin each day this week in facedown worship. Read Psalm 96 out loud . </i></span><br />
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<i>Welcome to our third week of the study of the book of Ephesians. In the first chapter Paul reminded us of whom we are in Christ and that our true citizenship is in Heaven. Sweet sisters and saints, let’s dig into chapter two! </i></blockquote>
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Pray each day for the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read. Ask God to speak to you. <br />
Lord, open my eyes and let me see the treasures in your scripture. (Psalm 119:18) <br />
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<li><u><b>Day 1</b></u> - Read Ephesians 2 and do a SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer). Write down any verses that jump at you as you are reading. Make a couple of observation about them and also write down a specific application for you to follow with. Finish with a prayer. </li>
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<i>For example I wrote down Ephesians 2:8 and made the following observations: it is my faith in God and His grace that have set me free. It is a gift and nothing that I do can ever make me earn it. My application would be: I am a child of God and nothing that I do can separate me from Him and the only striving that I need to do is to reflect Him more. Then I would pray over this. </i></blockquote>
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1) We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners (Romans 3:23). Sinning becomes habitual when we follow the patterns of this world (Eph. 2:2). What are the patterns you tend to follow? <br />
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2) What do verses 1 and 5 say about us in our trespasses? How does one become spiritually alive? Meditate on verses 4-8. What sticks out? Write down cross references that come to mind. (If none come to mind, but you would like to find some, try this cross reference source: biblehub.com/ephesians/2-4.htm) <br />
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3) Verse 8 tells us that His grace is FREE! How does one receive this free gift? What does this mean to you? How would your life be different if you had to earn it? <br />
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1) You are God’s handiwork. Look up the definition of handiwork or workmanship in the dictionary . <br />
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2) Read Genesis 2:7. Yo u are uniquely created. God spoke the world into existence, yet formed us with His own hands. Understanding our true identity is crucial. What do verses 9 and 10 say about that? <br />
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3) What unique task or work has God prepared for you and given to you? <br />
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Because we have been saved and it was free……. <br />
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Because we are God’s handiwork…….. <br />
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Because we are citizens of Heaven………. <br />
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1) What is the major theme for this chapter? <br />
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2) What words, term, or ideas does Paul use frequently? <br />
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3) What is something you learned or were encouraged by this week? <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 </i></span></blockquote>
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1) Make Ephesians 2:2 come to life in your life. Resolve yourself to make note this week of the patterns of this world that you tend to follow and determine to stop doing it. Meet with your accountability partner. Be real and pray with each other about it. <br />
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2) Make your own list of life applications from Ephesians 2 and share one you applied this week with your small group. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> “He must become greater; I must become less” John 3:30 </i></span></blockquote>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0