tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17831375050363920062024-03-12T21:15:51.552-07:00Passing the Baton for His Name's sake Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-54899654186022388832013-07-22T22:47:00.001-07:002013-07-22T22:47:24.094-07:00EvaluationDuring our senior graduation in May, I was asked to be the one to give the student speech. Knowing I couldn't allow myself not to, I searched for a verse that would apply to what we were going through at this stage in our lives. After some thought, I went with Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:7 where he says, "I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the race."<br />
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While this verse was taken out of context as none of us were at the end of our lives at graduation (I hope :S), I believe it was still possible to resonate. Though we were still young, there was still this transition taking place, this change from one chapter of our lives to another.<br />
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Possibly one of the most oddly-amusing things about us as Christians, generally speaking, is that we can get so caught up in service to God that we forget to stop and listen to Him. And, as a result, we end up draining ourselves, in the spiritual sense, because we no longer find the time to actually sit down and listen.<br />
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Again and again in the Old Testament, when God spoke through the prophets to Israel, He returned to the theme of His desire for justice, godliness and mercy rather than sacrifices and burnt offerings.<br />
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When we think about such attributes as justice, mercy and godliness. These aren't things we can simply go through the motions with. They are unable to become a mindless action we do each day because of their reliance on the condition of our hearts and minds. And the only way to maintain such a condition would be to be in that continual connection with God. Such a condition which can seen in Scripture:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-16" id="en-ESV-29621" style="background-color: white;"><b>1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</b>, "Rejoice always,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Thess-5-17" id="en-ESV-29622" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">17 </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29622B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>pray without ceasing,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-ESV-29623" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18 </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29623C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
It can be easy to simply give God our burnt offerings in life without allowing it to transform us. We can appear godly without being godly.<br />
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But this has always been far from what God desires.<br />
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And here's the thing. When we truly begin to actually try to make a difference for God, rather than simply going through the motions, we come across resistance. The devil places barriers in our way and it exhausts us over time. We may not realise it at first but, slowly, it begins to impact us. We slowly feel the fire for God that we once had being drained in our lives.<br />
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And it dawns upon us that we need to simply stop and reconnect with God.<br />
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There is nothing wrong with this.<br />
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Now for some of us, this may be easy to do on a regular basis. But sometimes, it can be easy to forget the importance of stopping and resting and giving God a chance to show us where we need to re-evaluate and re-prioritise in our lives, because for all we know, He may just been closing some doors while opening others.<br />
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And God will use His Word and those around us to grab our attention. As Scripture testifies:<br />
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<b>Hebrews 4:12</b>, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">For the word of God</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30027A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> is alive</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30027B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> and active.</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30027C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> Sharper than any double-edged sword,</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30027D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV)</span></span><br />
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One verse in particular that He has kept on my mind is this:<br />
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<b>James 3:1</b>, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." (NIV)<br />
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This has always been a verse on the edge of my mind, reminding me to tread cautiously and now, it is a reminder that I must stop where I am and re-evaluate my faith so that I may reconnect with God. It is for this reason that this will be the last blog post.<br />
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God doesn't want us to simply run on faith reserves. He wants us to move on the full power of His Spirit, but the choice is ours as to which one we choose.<br />
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And so, regardless of where we stand whether we need to reconnect and re-evaluate ourselves in God's will or we're firmly in step with Him, let us remember to recall Paul's words in Acts 20 and never lose sight of Christ in our lives.<br />
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<b>Acts 20:24</b>, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (NIV)<br />
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God bless you all.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-10050262705976120542013-07-15T08:26:00.003-07:002013-07-15T08:38:45.386-07:00Owning the faithThis past Saturday, I was tasked with preaching to the youth group on how we relate to our parents. And so I prayed on it because I wasn't quite sure how to relate to my fellow brothers and sisters on the topic. I say this because most of the youth group consists of youth raised in Christian homes while this wasn't the case for me.<br />
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But regardless of my differences with those around me when it came to parents and their views, I, no doubt, could relate on how we respond to our parents. Just about all of us have been through that rebellious stage in our teen years where we begin to strain against the boundaries set up by our parents. We begin to test them and question them, and on these grounds, I could easily relate.<br />
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And so I felt led to challenge a trend that seems far too dominant with Western culture. Something that likely worries a great deal of parents which has to do with the loss of faith that takes place shortly after teenagers leave for college or university.<br />
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For a Christian parent, it would seem correct to claim that one of their most important duties is to pass on the faith to the next generation.<br />
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But while many well-meaning Christian parents do their best, that doesn't seem to be the case, does it?<br />
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So what issue do we face?<br />
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Their faith is not their own.<br />
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The youth may follow along with the traditions, go to youth group, pray, read Scripture or anything else that may <i>appear</i> godly, but there is no <i>personal</i> conviction... only tradition, a means to please the folks.<br />
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Now I don't want to generalise anymore than I already have nor do I want to deviate from the message I want to share here.<br />
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After doing a quick search on Google, it would seem some of the major reasons for such a trend tend to revolve around a central theme.<br />
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Community. The very community we place ourselves in. Now, I can't speak from the perspective of a parent and I will do my best not to do so but it feels as though a great deal of effort is put into shaping the community Christian youth grow up in, so that the community not only best reflects the Christian views they want their children to adopt, but also to protect them from the ways of the world.<br />
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But we cannot hide from the world forever, and we cannot serve to the capacity God requires without getting our clothes dirty, so to speak. Jesus never said this life as a Christian would be easy... so why would we ever portray it in such a way?<br />
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But I'm not writing this to lecture parents... or anymore than I might already have (please leave angry comments below). I am writing this to show the responsibility we all have in response to our own parents.<br />
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It would seem expected that if one were giving a message on parents, the topic of the fifth commandment would come up... and it needs to. It is the one commandment with a promise.<br />
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<b>Exodus 20:12</b>, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Honor your father and your mother, </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-2064P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">that your days may be long in the land that the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> your God is giving you." (ESV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">God places a great deal of importance on honoring our parents, regardless of what age we are. And I would say one of these ways would be to not take their wisdom for granted. God has these people in our lives to not simply dictate what we can and cannot do until we turn 18, generally speaking. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
But He has them in our lives so that we may learn not to make the same mistakes they have made and if we do so, to seek the guidance we so desperately need, because Satan would love for us to rebel against our parents and not listen to a word they say. When our parents say, "Don't get drunk", Satan goes and whispers, "Well, parents can't always be right, can they?".<br />
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When, all the while, our parents tell us this, not to keep us from enjoying life, but to keep us from harm.<br />
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Sound familiar? I hear that phrase a great deal when talking about God and His commands and guidelines for Christian living. Even the author of Hebrews understood this connection between what our earthly parents say and what God says in Hebrews 12.<br />
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<b>Hebrews 12:7-11</b>, "<span class="text Heb-12-7" id="en-NIV-30220" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">7 </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30220M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span> For what children are not disciplined by their father?</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-8" id="en-NIV-30221" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30221N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></span>—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-9" id="en-NIV-30222" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30222O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></span>and live!<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30222P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-10" id="en-NIV-30223" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30223Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-11" id="en-NIV-30224" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30224R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></span> for those who have been trained by it." (NIV)</span><br />
<span class="text Heb-12-11" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
But let's take this further for a moment and seriously touch base with the issue of faith because not only will Satan try and get us to ignore our parents rules and guidelines, but he will try to keep us from approaching them in times of need.<br />
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When we need to be accountable to someone close to us, Satan will tell us that our parents won't understand and instead of going to someone older in the faith, like our parents, we go to someone with... less maturity and we miss the very opportunities God has for us to learn and grow.<br />
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And this applies just as much for those without earthly parents who can provide this support. Just as Paul was a father figure to Timothy in the faith, so to are those older in the faith fathers and mothers to us in a spiritual sense. And when we're in need, Satan will whisper this same lie all over again.<br />
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But at the end of the day, there is one thing we know for certain.<br />
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We all stand before God, fully accountable for our actions.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Hebrews 9:27</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">And just as </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30116BD" title="See cross-reference BD">BD</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">it is appointed for man to die once, and </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30116BE" title="See cross-reference BE">BE</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">after that comes judgment" (ESV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
We all stand accountable, regardless of who we are. And, I don't know about each one of you reading this but for me, when I think about this, my parents and those I consider as spiritual parents no longer seem like the people trying to dictate my life or the choices I make. But instead they begin to seem like some of the best accountability partners God has placed in my life.<br />
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So if we were talking about the topic of faith in the beginning, why bring accountability up? Because if we are to grow in our own faith and seek Him, rather than lean on the faith of another, then sometimes the best ways to grow are through seeking God through fellowship with those closest to us in the faith.<br />
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Which is often our parents, spiritually or biologically speaking.<br />
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And God has promised again and again that He is with us through the trials of this world.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1 John 4:4</b>, "</span><span style="background-color: white;">You, dear children,</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30608H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> are from God and have overcome them,</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30608I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> because the one who is in you</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30608J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> is greater than the one who is in the world." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>John 16:33</b>, <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> In this world you will have trouble.</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> But take heart! I have overcome</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> the world.” (NIV)</span></span><br />
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In light of such promises and the tribulation we all face and will face, instead of trying to protect ourselves from the world, perhaps it's time we allow our faith to grow through suffering, which produces perseverance, and perseverance, character which leads to hope (<b>Romans 5:3-5</b>).<br />
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And how better to do this than to be in fellowship with those closest to us, like our parents?<br />
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God bless you all.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-85839932469419372722013-07-08T08:06:00.001-07:002013-07-08T08:06:15.403-07:00Into the SanctuaryThis past Sunday, while it was a small service due to many families being on vacation, it was a good one. These past several weeks, our fellowship has been going through the early chapters of Genesis and last night gave focus to Genesis 6. Now when we think of Genesis 6, for those of you who are good with your Bible memory, we quickly associate it with Noah. But the preacher didn't do this, instead he focused solely of the issue of evil in the world. One of the toughest and most reoccurring topics raised by non-Christians.<br />
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Today, while the issue being discussed isn't quite the same, it still relates. However, instead of looking at why bad things happen to good people, there also remains the question of why good things seems to happen to bad people.<br />
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There is a psalm in Scripture written by Asaph, written during a time when matters in the kingdom were becoming turbulent.<br />
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And so I imagine Asaph seeing all that is happening around him and in the midst of it all, he regards:<br />
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<b>Psalm 73</b>:1<b>-3</b>, "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (ESV)<br />
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Most of us can relate to his utterances here. We believe in God, that He is sovereign, good and just. That He has a plan... but He just seems a little slow... or apathetic. And while we believe that God is good, we begin to think that what the world has to offer... what sin has to offer is simply... better.<br />
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And with this line of thinking comes conclusions like the ones spoken in verse 13:<br />
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<b>Psalm 73:13</b>, "All in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." (ESV)<br />
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In times when it seems like God isn't moving or doing anything in spite of our struggles, the temporary joy and happiness of the world seems to become more and more inviting. And the resounding "no" to sin and ungodliness that we are called to echo becomes less and less convincing... and we simply wonder whether our walk with Christ has been a waste of time. </div>
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Now I imagine some of us can relate or some of us may not. Some of us are better with self control and conviction, unwavering in the faith... and some of us simply find ourselves alone in a room wondering what was the point in saying 'no' to sin and instead of rejoicing in having obeyed God, we simply ask ourselves, "Was it worth it?"</div>
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Is it really worth it? </div>
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Asaph, too, found this to be a weary task of trying to make sense of the success of the wicked.<br />
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<b>Psalm 73:16-17</b>, "But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." (ESV)<br />
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Until. The revelation of the psalmist. The simple moment of stepping into the divine presence of God.<br />
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<b>Psalm 73:21-22</b>, "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you." (NIV)<br />
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The world has its way of playing on our minds. To wear us down until we've heard so many lies, we can'e even discern the truth. We simply become ignorant if we are surrounded by bad company, because we know that bad company corrupts good character (<b>1 Corinthians 15:33</b>).<br />
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But when we allow ourselves to enter into the presence of God through fellowship or youth group or Bible study, I've always imagined it as being a moment of complete spiritual rest where Satan is unable to get at us and we can simply allow God to fill us with Him. And as a result, God's will, character and plan becomes clearer and we begin to see Him better.<br />
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A previous post spoke more in depth on this (<a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/03/spiritual-mountains.html" target="_blank">Spiritual Mountains</a>), so I will leave you to read that if you haven't before but the gist of it is that, through Christ, just as Moses entered the glory of the LORD on the mountain, so too can we enter the glory of the LORD each and everyday, allowing Him to fill our minds and hearts.<br />
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It should come as no surprise that the world would become more and more tempting with the more time we spend in it and less time we spend with God.<br />
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But when we act in such a manner, when the world begins to look more and more tempting, are we simply not looking back? Looking back on our old sinful lives and thinking, "It would be cool to do that again one more time." To simply do something for "old times' sake".<br />
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And I'll admit, I've thought this a lot. And for this reason, Christ's words in Luke 9 have hit home many times as I hope they do for many of us.<br />
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<b>Luke 9:61-62</b>, "Yet another said, 'I will follow You Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.' Jesus said to him, '<span style="color: red;">No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.</span>" (ESV)<br />
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Just as Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt as she looked back on the destruction behind them, so too are those who look back on their old nature as Christians deemed unfit for service in the kingdom of God.<br />
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This is the cost of following Christ.<br />
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<b>Colossians 3:1-2</b>, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (ESV)<br />
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The world may not know better because of the corruption of sin... but we do. And unless our minds are set upon the eternal, they are bound to linger on the temporary and before long, they will linger on sin.<br />
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<b>Philippians 3:13b</b>, "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead" (ESV)<br />
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May this be a resolution we hold to in our own walks with Christ.<br />
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God bless you all.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-14813789991344366292013-07-01T07:33:00.000-07:002013-07-01T07:46:41.165-07:00Stagnant WatersEveryday, all the time, in the media or from those around us, we hear a multitude of certain proverbial sayings. These sayings which lead us ponder them for a minute or two; sayings which remain in your mind for a while. Sometimes you'll readily dismiss them thinking, "Nah, that's not in line with Scripture."... Well, assuming Scripture is your standard. Or, every now and then, regardless of the origin, a saying will come to mind that seems to be even true on a biblical level.<br />
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I want to share on one of these sayings today. One I'm sure that most of us are familiar with which goes "Too much of anything can be bad for you." When we think about it, we realise that this saying holds a great deal of truth to it with respect to food or drinks we consume or activities we partake in, and we come to realise that too much of any of this can cause a major unbalance in our lives that can lead to harmful consequences.<br />
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But what about on a biblical level? While I do not believe that too much of God or the things of God is bad for us, it would seem that allowing too much of the Spirit to flow in, without allowing Him to flow back out through us, can have serious consequences.<br />
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Jesus Himself seemed to address this during His sermon in Matthew 5:<br />
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<b>Matthew 5:14-15</b>, "<span class="text Matt-5-14" id="en-NIV-23249">You are the light of the world.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23249B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span> A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.</span><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NIV-23250"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." (NIV)</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-15"><br /></span>
<span class="text Matt-5-15">When we allow the indwelling of the presence of God and when we allow ourselves to be spiritually fed, we allow the Spirit to continue to work in our lives and to work <i>through </i>us. What use is it to us and those around us to whom we are called to witness to if we simply allow ourselves to be spiritually fed but never allow it to manifest in our lives? </span><br />
<br />
Have you ever been near stagnant water? If you haven't, be warned. If you have, then you'll get where we're going with this. The colour no longer becomes natural, the smell changes, it no longer feels the same. No longer is it a fresh stream but a breeding ground for disease and sickness.<br />
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We know that stagnant water is generally formed when there is no flow within the body of water. Though water may enter from one source or another, if it has no outward flow, it simply stagnates.<br />
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<span class="text Matt-5-16"><b>John 7:38</b>, <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Whoever believes</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26367AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> in me, as Scripture has said,</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26367AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> rivers of living water</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26367AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> will flow from within them." (NIV)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">If Scripture has said that <i>rivers of living water</i> will flow from within us, we arrive at several implications. One being that this isn't talking about a trickle of water or a stream, it's talking about a river. Now, when I imagine this river, I end up thinking of white water rapids, but regardless of what comes to mind, we're talking about a fairly massive body of water, spiritually, flowing from within us. It is no wonder that the likeness of Christ is intended to manifest from within us if we have a spiritual river flowing from within us. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">And then we have the second implication which should naturally arrive from the first. If a river is expected to flow from His own, then how much more of God should we be drinking from. Because we can do nothing spiritually good outside of God, it stands to reason that anything spiritually good coming from us originally came from God. Hence, if we're expecting a river to flow from within us, then we may as well go stand under a spiritual waterfall and drench ourselves. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
Now, I've never been near the Dead Sea but I have learnt about it on occasion. It receives its name from the high level of salt in the water that prevents marine life from flourishing. This high concentration of salt is caused by the lack of outflow of water. So while water flows in from the Jordan, the only means of outflow is through evaporation leading to a high level of salt in the water.<br />
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If we lead ourselves to become stagnant in our Christian walk, then is the living water that is supposed to come from within us truly "living" if we leave it to stagnate?<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
Earlier on Matthew 5, in the same passage where Jesus speaks of light, He also speaks of salt.<br />
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<b>Matthew 5:13</b>, <span style="background-color: white;">“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." (NIV)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">I've have often struggled to understand this verse but I believe it is highly relevant to this week's topic. If we, as Christians, simply become spiritually dull through a lukewarm mindset, essentially become stagnant, then what value is the light within us? What value is the salt, the Gospel and truth, that is within us? </span><br />
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Later on in Scripture, James touches on this topic again:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>James 2:18-19</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, "</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” </span></span><span class="text Jas-2-18" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Show me your faith without deeds,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30312Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></span> and I will show you my faith<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30312Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></span> by my deeds.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30312AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="text Jas-2-19" id="en-NIV-30313" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">You believe that there is one God.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30313AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></span> Good! Even the demons believe that<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30313AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></span>—and shudder." (NIV)</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-2-19" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Again and again in Scripture, God calls His people to come drink from the eternal wells of life so that they will never thirst again. Scripture says that faith comes from hearing the Word of God (<b>Romans 10:17</b>) and we know that works done through faith come as a result of faith. Faith can be seen as the inward flow while works is the outward, the manifestation of Christ in our lives.<br />
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But what of the question as to whether it is actually the Word we are filling ourselves with?<br />
<span class="text Jas-2-19" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Jas-2-19" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>Matthew 15:11</b>, "</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them,</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23645G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">If our actions lead us to become defiled, then we have need to be concerned about what we are allowing ourselves to be filled with in the first place because the very influences that we buy into are the ones that will manifest themselves in our lives. If we do not see the living rivers flowing in our lives then either we are stagnating or maybe we are simply not filling ourselves with God in the first place. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Christian artists have spoken of being filled to be emptied again. They may not be the source of authority but the idea would seem to be biblical. God calls us to not only empty ourselves so that we may be filled by Him, but empties us as well so that we may be filled anew with His Word; never allowing it to stagnate but always sustaining the flow to us and through us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Don't allow the Word to stagnate in your life. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">God bless you all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-68581035196505013162013-06-24T07:06:00.002-07:002013-06-24T07:07:18.304-07:00Struggling with All His Energy<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I begin to write this, I continually hesitate, unsure of how to begin and phrase what is on my heart. Every week or so it feels this way, where I keep on asking myself, "Is this biblically sound?", "Does He really want me to teach on this?". Of course, we all have those rough moments in life where we're not quite sure what God is doing. In a way, it feels as though the past year has been all about that for myself. With school finishing and trying to make sense of things happening in life, there were times that a part of me would have likely said, "Well, I guess the Spirit is nowhere to be found." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I imagine quite of a few of us can resonate on this, just as David seemed to as well in <b>Psalm 51:10-12</b>, when he pleaded, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore in me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (NIV) </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a scary low point to be at, isn't it? Where one no longer experiences the joy of salvation, to the point where one's spirit isn't even willing anymore. And often, when we do find ourselves at these low points, where we feel so broken, in pieces and twisted, we hear about the promise of seeking God with all our hearts and finding Him. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And people tell us this and we search and we search, but sometimes, it feels as though we never find anything. And, as a friend once mentioned to me, we get to a point where that feeling of abandonment and struggle is no longer a scary thought, but becomes the norm... and somehow we get used to it. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Every week or so, it <i>feels </i>this way"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"In a way, it <i>feels </i>as though"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"where we <i>feel </i>so broken"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">" <i>feeling </i>of abandonment and struggle"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Proverbs 3:5</b>, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a little bit eye-opening, how we manage to rely on our feelings so often. How they seem to dictate our actions. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Haven't we gotten to a point where we rely so much on them as to value the sincerity of our own faith using feelings as a standard?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead, do we not have the canon of Scripture; In more ancient words, the 'standard' of Scripture?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we take a step back from how we <i>feel</i>, and look at Scripture instead, what are we continually taught?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2 Corinthians 5:7</b>, "We live by faith, not by sight." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And God isn't going to change that, not while we are in our earthly bodies. And He hasn't changed that since Old Testament times. When confronted with the enemy, God spoke these words through the prophet Isaiah:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Isaiah 7:9</b>, "The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By why all this discussion of heads? Because God was making it clear that no matter how strong the human leadership of other kingdoms appeared, the head of Judah was God and God alone. God, who had no equal. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And as it much as it must have been terrifying in the face of the human enemy, God did not call upon their feelings and senses to comfort them, but their faith in Him. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
And by looking at alternate translations, God's Word becomes adamantly clear.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm." (NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"If ye will not believe, ye shall not be established." (KJV)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God has placed such a high priority on the importance of belief and faith, to the extent of dismissing the errors of human wisdom by placing faith in one's human strength and feelings. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And why? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Romans 10:17</b>, "<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">So then faith </span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">cometh</span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (KJV)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Faith comes as a result of His Word, because He would rather have us listen to His voice, than trust in our own emotions. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">If the Spirit is given as a deposit to us (</span><b style="background-color: white;">2 Corinthians 5:5</b><span style="background-color: white;">), should we not also listen to what the Spirit says, rather than our own emotions which can deceive us? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">And so we arrive at the origin of this message.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<b style="background-color: white;">Colossians 1:29</b><span style="background-color: white;">, "To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." (NIV)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">There is this energy that surpasses human understanding and emotion working within God's children through Christ. When looking at alte<span style="font-family: inherit;">rnate translations, again, the message becomes a little clearer:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (ESV)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">We do not undergo His will for our lives alone, nor simply with a portion of the power of God, but with the fullness of His power. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<b style="background-color: white;">Philippians 1:6</b><span style="background-color: white;">, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (NIV)</span><br />
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God isn't going to let us be if we find ourselves having a bad day. By no means. Instead, if anything, it would seem that God uses this for His very purpose.<br />
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"<i>For when I am weak, then I am strong by His sufficient grace leading me to boast in my own frailty</i>" would seem to be the agreeable summary of <b>2 Corinthians 12:7-10</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God is not limited by our rough days filled with turbulent emotions, nor does He ignore them. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He uses it. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because it is at our lowest points when we stop relying on our own strength and begin to realise the fullness of the power of Christ within us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1 John 4:4</b>, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (NIV) </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Remember this week that He is greater. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God bless you all.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-25818926717228795052013-06-17T06:59:00.003-07:002013-06-17T07:26:34.476-07:00Using the Talents of GodSeveral weeks ago we discussed the topic of the idolatry of money (<a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/06/forgetting-mammon.html" target="_blank">Forgetting mammon</a>) and earthly possessions by exploring particular passages in Scripture such as the discussion between the rich man and Christ and we began to see how God, as He always has been, is well and truly more concerned about the condition of our hearts than the amount of money in our pockets.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now this raises a few questions which I did not feel up to addressing last week but, </span>nonetheless<span style="font-family: inherit;">, cannot be avoided. When one finds themselves reading the Gospels, or the New Testament in general, it can be all too tempting to place oneself on a guilt trip when reading how early Christians lived in near poverty relying wholeheartedly on God to provide their every need. And as a result, we can feel as though we are not in service to God as He intends because we know where our next meal will come from or where we will sleep and we have that sort of security that almost feels 'ungodly' in ways. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or let's take a different look at it and look to the pulpit where we have the megachurches and some pastors in possession of money, quantities of which some of us can only dream of, at their disposal. And when we look at this luxury many of us can find ourselves in or the incredible amount of wealth some have in the name of Christ, there becomes a part of us that does not feel at ease with what we see. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And why wouldn't we? All throughout Scripture, warnings tend to follow wealth. Reminders that it is perishable, deceptive and unsatisfying. Or as <b>1 Timothy 6:10</b>, the "love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (NIV). And so wealth, in light of all that Scripture says, seems to become taboo in a sense and we begin to think that wealth can have nothing to do with the will of God and cannot be used for His glory other than to simply sell all we have. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's take a moment to look at a parable in Scripture found in <b>Matthew 25</b> which I am sure many of us are familiar with. In the parable of the talents, as it is called, we have a master who has trusted his servants with different portions of wealth. The master goes away and two of the servants invest the money and reap a return while the third, who received only one talent (as they are called in some translations), buries it and waits for his master's return. Then the master returns and he rewards the first two servants for what they have sown but condemns the third. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then Christ concludes in verse 29:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<b>Matthew 25:29</b>, "<span style="color: red;">For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.</span>" (NIV)<br />
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And I've often found this verse difficult to comprehend, particularly the last part "Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."<br />
<br />
But it makes sense doesn't it?<br />
<br />
If we take this parable first to mean the spiritual gifts God gives us. If we simply keep our gift to ourselves and never use it to reap a harvest, then what was the purpose of God giving us the gift in the first place? Would it not be logical that the master would take that gift from us and provide it to someone who is more willing to further God's kingdom through it, just as the master in the parable took the one talent from the third servant and gave it to the first who 'reaped a harvest' so to speak?<br />
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And in <b>Luke 16</b>, we have a very similar message given by Christ.<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Luke 16:10-11</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">" (NIV)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span>
Again Christ teaches this message of being trusted with what God gives us, and here He is more explicit in saying that if we are trustworthy with whatever He may provide us with, He will give us more responsibility.<br />
<br />
But back to the point. What does any of this have to do with worldly wealth?<br />
<br />
Well interestingly, but not surprisingly, following Jesus' words in Luke 16 shown above, He again goes on to say that we cannot serve two masters, we will hate one and love the other.<br />
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And all over again we are reminded that this is not about the quantity of what we have but the condition of our hearts and, at least personally, I would say that few passages in Scripture resonate this more beautifully than Christ's words regarding the women with two pennies.<br />
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<b>Mark 12:41-44</b>, "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. </span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, </span><span class="red" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="red" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.</span><span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">" (NIV)</span><br />
<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span>
<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">The others had given "out of their wealth" but the widow put in "all she had to live on". And it would seem that one can only do this when they come to the full realisation that all that they have belongs to God and nothing else matters except God. </span><br />
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But did she give out of obligation instead of heartfelt devotion as it would seem? I'm not sure we can say but the following verses would seem to shed some light:<br />
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<b>2 Corinthians 9:6-7</b>, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (NIV)<br />
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And again, God, through His Word, returns to the matter of the heart with absolute no regard to the quantity.<br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">And so we return to the question at hand when it comes to our own lives as Christians and the wealth we hold in our hands. Whether we're simply in youth group receiving a few dollars a week as pocket money or the head of a massive church; to those whom are trustworthy, more is given. </span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Now, whether that added responsibility comes in the form of spiritual or material gifts, that is entirely up to God, but we can be certain that God will entrust us with more, whatever form 'more' takes in our lives. </span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">I'm not saying that all megachurches are godly. Far too many teach a false gospel that leads people to believe that if they tithe at church or even simply believe to Christ, a Mercedes will miraculously appear in their garage.</span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Of course, that's not how its phrased, but the idea is there where it is taught that Christ will bestow earthly possession upon possession to those who believe in Him... which begins to sound very odd in light of the handful of times Christ spoke of eternal treasures. </span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">But there are those few who work in such churches, who, as God gives them more, they use it to bring sincere glory to God. I don't wish to give any names in order to not give the impression I am praising someone other than God but there are those few who have because they were deemed trustworthy by God and as God has given more, they have continued to glorify Him through what they have received both spiritually and materially. </span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">As <b>Matthew 25:15</b> says, each of the servants was given "according to his ability". So too has God given us each spiritual and material gifts that He desires for us to use for His glory. And while spiritual gifts are of much higher value and Christ's promises never focused on the material but the spiritual, Scripture teaches us that we can reap an eternal reward through glorifying Him with the few material possessions He has trusted us each with. </span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">In light of all of this though, by no means should we expect to receive more material wealth out of greed, thinking we are serving God. Do we not then simply come back to the condition of the heart where a God-led heart gives no notice to reliance on the material and solely trusts in God?</span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">So may we remember that we are called to store up treasures in Heaven in order to keep our hearts from greed and selfishness and so that God may use us more and more in this fallen world, in whatever form He chooses to do so. </span><br />
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<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">God bless you all.</span><br />
<span class="red" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span>
<span class="red" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-indent: 0px;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-71695347635284826652013-06-10T05:11:00.001-07:002013-06-10T05:28:52.600-07:00Degrees of Glory I want to share a story today. Something I feel led to share because of something I believe God revealed to me several years ago. It was around the end of grade ten; exams had just about finished and I remember sitting down at the table with a group of friends and one of them said something that I thought was wrong, so I openly judged her for it.<br />
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That wasn't smart.<br />
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I look back on it now and remember later on on same afternoon, I was talking with an older brother in Christ about it because my words had hurt her and I wanted to make things right. As I was talking with him in this cafe downtown, guess who walked in? And as she walked past us... man, it was the 'cold shoulder' personified. My older brother chuckled in bewilderment and we continued talking. I eventually was able to make amends with her.<br />
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While it wasn't smart of me to do that, nor morally right in the way I did it, I don't regret it. Because around that time, it was when I started to view my Christian walk differently and, through this new lens, the will of God in my life seemed to become a little more clearer.<br />
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I began to see segments of my Christian walk as different lessons God was teaching me and that experience with being judgmental was all part of God shaping me and rebuking me so that I could conform more to His image. Painfully, the latter end of grade ten was about hypocrisy and being judgmental. : /<br />
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But it isn't always that way where failure must be included. A while ago, in the blog post <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/03/spiritual-valleys.html" target="_blank">Spiritual Valleys</a>, the topic of suffering and perseverance was discussed and the idea that God places trials in our lives to build us up so that we can learn to trust more in Him and allow Him to strengthen us rather than relying on our own strength.<br />
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And all of this links in with one of the most comforting reminders that God has provided each time I stumble or fall: that while we are His children and are saved, our walk is a journey that will take a lifetime, not a day.<br />
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One verse in 2 Corinthians puts this concept quite beautifully:<br />
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<b>2 Corinthians 3:18</b>, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (NIV)<br />
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Or as the ESV puts it, "And we all... are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."<br />
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I'm quite fond of the way the ESV words it because it gives this imagery of steps of glory that we slowly travel up. That, as we progress, God takes us from one step to another as we are transformed more and more into His likeness.<br />
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If we look in Scripture, we can see these lessons. And not only that, but these lessons are a requirement, not an option.<br />
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<b>Revelation 3:19</b>, "Those who I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." (NIV)<br />
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<b>Hebrews 12:7-8</b>, "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." (NIV)<br />
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That's a scary thought. If I don't see God pruning and refining in my life, I would likely have serious need to examine my salvation and where I stand in my faith.<br />
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And Revelations 3:19 sheds more light on this topic of discipline and how He works in our lives through the last several words of the verse: "So be earnest, and repent."<br />
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Repentance is about turning away, changing one's mind, and the major thing we as Christians are always called to turn away from is sin.<br />
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These degrees of glory are all about us turning from our sin and becoming like Him. And when we think of it that way, does it not become so much more simpler with knowing who He is and knowing that being like Him is our very goal?<br />
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But, at least as teenagers, doesn't it feel as though we sometimes think we know best? Our parents say "Don't do that" and we do it anyway.<br />
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Well, at least I did that... a lot. :P<br />
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But our parents give us these warnings for good reasons.<br />
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<b>Proverbs 5:11-12</b>, "At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, 'How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!'" (NIV)<br />
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At the end of the road, of this life, we'll wish we had listened to our parents if we didn't in the first place. And since God makes this comparison in Hebrews 4 between a loving father and Himself, then how much more so should we be listening to God's warnings and counsel found in His Word?<br />
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<b>Proverbs 1:7</b>, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (NIV)<br />
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At the moment, I find myself in Proverbs and I was reading about wisdom which is personified as a woman and often contrasted with the adulteress or foolishness. A lot of people in the world seem to have this idea that what God has to offer doesn't compare to sin and that God's offer is dull, plain or boring.<br />
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But notice this verse which speaks of wisdom and what she has to offer.<br />
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<b>Proverbs 9:1-2</b>, "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed wine; she has also set her table." (NIV)<br />
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Meat and mixed wine.<br />
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Now, I'm pretty hungry at the moment so that sounds pretty dang good, but compared to the 'stolen waters' and the 'food eaten in secret' which is offered by Folly, the mixed wine and meat would be the logical choice, right?<br />
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But don't we often try to avoid discipline because it seems unpleasant, no matter how beneficial it may seem in the future? And these reminders coming from fallible people like our parents or older siblings in Christ, in our own cynical minds, it can sometimes be hard to believe the future benefits exist... but coming from an eternal, omnipotent God?<br />
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<b>Isaiah 48:17b</b>, "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, and directs you in the way you should go." (NIV)<br />
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<b>Hebrews 12:11</b>, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (NIV)<br />
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Continually, throughout Scripture, we are taught of the present sufferings and future glory. The deeds in this world that lead to treasure in Heaven and here, in Hebrews 12, the present discipline that will lead to a 'harvest of righteousness".<br />
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In light of this it becomes abundantly clear that all of this is God's will for us: this very discipline and degrees of glory.<br />
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But sometimes, when we hear 'the will of God', we suddenly feel this overwhelming sense that we don't know what that means. That we can't understand it.<br />
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But, whether we know it or not, we are commanded to understand it.<br />
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<b>Ephesians 5:15-18</b>, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (NIV)<br />
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And how can we know the will of God and understand the degrees of glory that He leads us in?<br />
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Scripture. It will always return to knowing Him and His Word. While the world changes and the mockery evolves, He and His commands and His Word remain the same.<br />
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So now this the question we are each faced with this week is: what degree of glory is He leading me in my life, right now?<br />
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God bless you all.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">If anyone if curious, John McArthur's sermon on discerning God's will is worth watching if you have a spare hour and can be seen <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYdBMlmJ6Oc" target="_blank">here</a> which I, personally, highly recommend.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-21300176144873455752013-06-03T06:41:00.002-07:002013-06-03T06:51:10.764-07:00Forgetting mammonIt's always been a little bit funny when it comes to receiving certain gifts in life, especially during birthdays and Christmas time. I can get myself all riled up about a gift that I'm pretty confident I'll get or something I've been waiting for for what feels like ages... and I open the gift.<br />
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And it's not as awesome as I imagined it would be.<br />
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Is anyone with me on this? Where the anticipation before receiving the gift feels somehow more exciting than actually getting it? And somehow, we manage to do this to ourselves again and again... well some of us. And instead of being a part from the world as we should be, we get sucked into the materialistic worldview that is always begging for more and no matter how much one has, it never seems to be enough.<br />
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And this idolatry, this worship of always having more; of always <i>needing</i> to have more, thankfully, is one issue in particular that Jesus directly addressed.<br />
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In the book of Mark, we have the story of the rich man and Jesus, which I am sure many of you are familiar with. The rich man approaches Christ asking Him what must be done in order to receive eternal life. Jesus then recites the commandments and the man affirms he has followed them throughout his life.<br />
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Then Jesus responds:<br />
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<b>Mark 10:21-22</b>, "Jesus looked at him and loved him. '<span style="color: red;">One thing you lack</span>,' he said. '<span style="color: red;">Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.</span>' At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." (NIV) </div>
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I'll be honest, this passage makes me a little uncomfortable because I look around and I see all that I have and I ask myself "Would I be willing to sell all of this for Christ in an instant?" and often the answer isn't godly. </div>
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All throughout the Old Testament, God was clear on idols and here again, He has emphasised its issue, and here's the thing: the rich man's problem was not that he had the wealth in the first place. The issue was that he idolised it over God. </div>
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He would have rather worshipped what he could hold rather than the One who created him. </div>
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And this topic wasn't a one-time thing that Jesus brought up. No, He made it quite clear:</div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">Matthew 6:24</b><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">" (KJV)</span></div>
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And hence, the name of the blog post with mammon being the idol of money. Christ was clear in Scripture that, whatever it may be, whether it be our car, our clothes, music or any other material possession, if any of these replaced God in our lives, then we are, as Scripture puts it, displaying our hate for Him, our distrust, our belief that we would rather trust in our own possessions for security than God Himself.<br />
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And just as this was an issue 2,000 years ago, it is just as evident today. But as usually is the case, rather than simply believing what we are told, we have to go and test the limits.<br />
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<b>Ecclesiastes 5:10-11</b>, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" (NIV)<br />
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Some people like to think that Christianity is all about 'don't do this or that' and that it takes all of the so-called fun out of life. But when Jesus spoke out against worship of mammon and that it was such a serious issue as to keep oneself from eternal life, He commanded us not out of any malicious intention of ruining our lives, but out of love.<br />
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Notice in the passage in Mark 10, it says Jesus <i>loved</i> him. He saw the obedience of this one man, His earnestness. Jesus' intention of exposing the man's worship of mammon wasn't to humiliate the man, but to rebuke and teach out of love, just as any loving father would do for his son.<br />
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Because God knows better than any of us that the wells we often try to drink from are full of tainted water with a shallow bottom and it is only God alone who provides eternal living water.<br />
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In <b>Matthew 6:21</b> He says, "<span style="color: red;">For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.</span>" (NIV).<br />
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And again, it seems clear, Jesus was far from concerned about <i>how much</i> the rich man had. For all Jesus was concerned, He could have had a hundred piece of gold or a million... or one. </div>
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Jesus was concerned with the heart, as He is concerned with all of ours. The very fact that the man was unwilling to place Jesus at the centre of his life; now, that was something Jesus was far more concerned about.<br />
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And why shouldn't we place Him at the centre of our lives? </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1 Timothy 6:17</b>, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (NIV)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">So then once we have that full trust in God, what does He call us to do in His Word with respect to our possessions? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">We each have our own struggles in our lives when it comes to placing God at the centre, so with that one, I will leave it to God to minister to each one of us as He transforms us from one degree of glory to another in His likeness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">God bless you all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-23151848790968751182013-05-26T08:57:00.001-07:002013-05-26T09:04:28.561-07:00The Seventh DayWith having recently finished high school and suddenly having a bucket load of time on my hands, I've been thinking, which is always a good sign, about the past several years and times that the system drove me mad and yet how, with God's guidance and strength, I learnt to overcome.<br />
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And as I've sort of entered into this period of physical and mental rest, it also feels as sort of a spiritual rest where God is needing me to calm down and re-evaluate my faith and in the midst of thinking this through, I felt God leading me to share on the topic.<br />
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It seems that as time progresses and we find faster and faster means of doing things, society somehow places this pressure on our lives that, because we have this extra time, we must fill this time with something else to do, and, consequently, we never really slow down.<br />
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And when this thought is pondered upon, oneself finds their thoughts being drawn to the very beginning of Scripture... well I hope your thoughts are drawn to Scripture. <b>: /</b><br />
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Why? Because this God we serve is the very author of what it means to rest, to chill out, to look back on His work and say "It is good." And yet, it seems that we have grown this mentality that says "If you're not constantly involved in ministry, you're not doing enough." And its almost as if we get legalistic about it, and we, in our own small way, end up creating a works-based salvation.<br />
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Let us draw, for a moment, to Genesis 2.<br />
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"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." <b>Genesis 2:2-3</b> NIV<br />
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I guess its easy to forget that this concept of 'rest' is actually a <i>holy</i> concept. That it is sanctified and perfected by Majesty. And before we go any further, we do need to draw a line because Scripture also speaks out against laziness.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"For even when we were with you,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29689A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> we gave you this rule: 'The one who is unwilling to work</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29689B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> shall not eat.'" <b>2 Thessalonians 3:10</b> NIV</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And its good that Scripture makes this distinction so as not to thwart and mistake the holiness of what it truly means to rest as opposed to being a potato couch... which I am... sometimes. </span></span><br />
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But on a spiritual level, what does this mean to us? In an effort to avoid this works-based mindset on salvation, what does it means to really... rest?<br />
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I recently spoke with a sister in Christ on the topic of working in faith and what this means to us and she brought to light a verse of Scripture that I've probably brushed past countless times yet appears so profound.<br />
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When Christ was being asked about doing the works God requires, this is His response:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." <b>John 6:29</b> NIV</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isn't that awesome? When you look at this verse in John 6 and relate it to Jesus' final words "It is finished" it resonates the saying,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Religion says 'do'. Jesus says 'done.'"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While we get so wound up sometimes in trying to do things for God, He's whispering, "Chill, it's already done." And we're simply reminded all over again that we can do nothing to earn this salvation He offers because He has already done what is needed. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And this basis of faith, of belief in God, what He has done and even obedience to His commands and its relation to finding rest for our souls resonates throughout Scripture. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"Stand at the crossroads and look; </span></span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">ask for the ancient paths, </span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">ask where the good way is, and walk </span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">in it, </span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">and you will find rests for your </span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">souls." <b>Jeremiah 6:16a</b> NIV</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">The good path leads <i>to </i>rest, not from it because God, more often than we realise, simply wants us to abide in Him. To wait upon Him and listen to what He has to say in our lives. To be restored by Him, to be refreshed so we don't burn ourselves out spiritually. This is His desire for us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Today, at church, several families shared what they were doing once they would move on in the summer and one couple talked about God's calling in their lives to rest and I recall them commenting that they didn't fully understand what it meant to rest and that they didn't have all the answers but they were going to step down from the ministries that they were involved in and simply abide in God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." <b>Hebrews 4:10</b> NIV</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Isn't it amusing when people go on vacations and yet there's often one family member who has brought all of their work with them? This isn't what God wants for His children. He knows that in order to rest, we simply need to let go for a while. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And, sometimes, the idea of 'letting go' scares us, and we begin to think that we aren't doing enough for God. But this rest that God offers is the fruit of obedience, and as Paul points out, is worthy of making every effort to enter into. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their [Irsael's] example of disobedience." </span><b style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">Hebrews 4:11</b><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"> NIV</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">Some people love to work and work and work, but when it comes to serving God, that isn't what God desires. He knows we need this spiritual rest more than we know ourselves, and He's waiting for us to accept it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">So, chill out, and allow God to minister to you as you rest in Him knowing that His work remains finished upon the cross. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">God bless you all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. <b>Romans 15:13</b> NIV</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-44237738748567766422013-05-20T04:00:00.000-07:002013-05-20T04:08:46.627-07:00Don't waste your timeI'm not sure why I do it, but perhaps I'm insane as I once heard insanity defined as the repetition of doing something while hoping for different results. Each time I go onto YouTube, or rarely on Yahoo! Answers, and I end up in the religion section, you are guaranteed to almost always find a religious debate going on in the comments.<br />
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And well, you get where I am going with this. That's exactly what happened and I ended up responding to someone who was trying to call Christians out on not obeying the Old Testament laws.<br />
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Man, I ask myself why I even bothered to provide some answers in the first place.<br />
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And so I ask myself questions like whether it was really worth it, whether I could have said something different, did I even plant any godly seeds or was it only a means of Satan to get me wound up?<br />
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It's very inspiring to hear Christian apologists debate the hard-line opposition, and while God is fully capable of using those situations for His glory, as I believe He does and gifts such Christians with the ability to engage in such debates, I believe Scripture teaches us not only to be careful with <i>how</i> we preach the Gospel, but also with <i>whom</i>.<br />
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Here is where it seems the Holy Spirit calls us to discernment because while some of us are gifted in debating, some of us aren't and we only find ourselves wound up in frustration with not only the opposition, but with our own willingness to engage in foolish quarrels that keep us from teaching Christ.<br />
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And by ending up in silly quarrels that lead no where, we miss the whole point of Christianity.<br />
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Now Scripture is clear:<br />
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<b>1 Corinthians 2:14</b> NIV says, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-14" id="en-NIV-28409" style="background-color: white;">The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28409A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> but considers them foolishness,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28409B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-14" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-14" style="background-color: white;">And we recollect Christ's words to the apostles in teaching how, as the world hated Him, so it will hate us. So it is no surprise when the world mocks us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-14" style="background-color: white;">But.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-14" style="background-color: white;"><b>Matthew 7:6</b> NIV reads, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320;">"</span><span style="color: red;">Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.</span><span style="color: #001320;">"</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">You see, while we know the state of the world and we know the cost of preaching the Gospel... Christ also taught to be careful of what we give to the world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"Do not give to dogs what is sacred."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And Scripture is filled with guidelines, warnings, teachings on such matters as discernment and teaching.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-14"><b style="background-color: white;">Titus 3:9</b><span style="background-color: white;"> NIV rea</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">ds, "</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Just as we have foolish controversies that go round and round in circles, so too did the apostles and churches of the early NT. This dilemma is no stranger to God's children. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">This is why Paul's words in 1<b> Corinthians 2</b> appear to be so profound when he says, </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power" (<b>1 Corinthians 1:4</b> NIV) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We, in our fallible ways, can so easily be lured into foolish arguments that have the appearance of wisdom. Arguments that centre on logic and trivial issues while the whole time we miss "Christ and Him crucified" (<b>1 Corinthians 1:2</b>) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And based on His own words, it would seem Christ knew this very well as He faced such opposition Himself. And yet what was His conclusion? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white;">Matthew 10:14</b><span style="background-color: white;"> NIV reads,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> "</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.</span><span style="color: #001320;">"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have pearls of wisdom, the joy of the Gospel, the Giver of life indwelt... yet what do we profit if the very people we preach to devour the pearls we offer? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, just as I find myself, some may wonder, "Well, what about the Great Commission and the giving of the Gospel to all nations?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, in response, I say, as I often like to say, "Don't get me wrong here", I believe everyone should hear the truth of God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But. He works on His timing, not ours and we work by His discernment, not our own. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." <b>Psalm 51:17 NIV</b></span></div>
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God desires a contrite heart, and many voices that mock are clearly not contrite. And sometimes, instead of offering the beauty, sufficiency, supremacy and salvation of Christ in its purest form, we simply need to say "God bless you", shake the dust off our feet and wait.</div>
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Wait, because, there will come a time when God's timing is perfect and those pearls of truth, where they were once bitterness, can become life to a stubborn-turned-contrite heart. And while we all have the choice to other reject His truth or accept it, God, in His perfect timing and infinite wisdom, knows the right time for the right words. </div>
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And God hasn't left us hanging on this discernment. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1 Corinthians 2:15-16</b> NIV reads, <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-15" id="en-NIV-28410">The person with the Spirit<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28410Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-16" id="en-NIV-28411">for,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-16" style="position: relative;">“Who has known the mind of the Lord</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-16" style="position: relative;">so as to instruct him?”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28411AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-2-16">But we have the mind of Christ."</span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-2-16">He has given us His mind. His heart, His Word. And with all that He has given, we have the assurance that He will give the words that need to be spoken so that we may avoid the foolish quarrels that so often prevail, and can instead teach the truth of Christ in all its glory. </span></div>
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Use your time wisely and never be afraid to brush the dust off of your feet when you need to. </div>
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For anyone who would like a similar perspective in different words, here is a <a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/pearls-before-swine.html" target="_blank">GotQuestions</a> article. </div>
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God bless you all.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-24372613361537395652013-05-13T04:57:00.003-07:002013-05-13T04:59:23.502-07:00The Season of WaitingAs one pastor once said "I would make my sermons shorter, but once I start I'm too lazy to stop." Well, today I want to give the second half of the message that I gave last week because in my original message on social prejudices, I had included two other biblical figures, but once I got writing, I realised there was no way I would be able to add in what I wanted to say without skimming over the important stuff but still keeping the message short. And even now, as I proofread this, I realise that trying to add in both intended biblical characters would have either made the message too shallow or too long. Hence, we continue, except with a slightly different focus.<br />
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You see, while we looked at God's lack of concern for social prejudices last week, my original focus had been on the 'age' aspect of that and how people are judged based on age. This explains my initial focus on Elihu. However, I still felt led to broaden it because Scripture is not just about how God goes beyond age but how He goes beyond physical limitation, social class and gender.<br />
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And so, bear with me if this message seems too youth-centred at the beginning (which it should be or else the blog's purpose is void).<br />
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So today, I want to look at a figure from Scripture who, though God had big plans in store for him, it wasn't until he was around 30 before the anointing of his youth took effect.<br />
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So who am I talking about? David, of course.<br />
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In <b>1 Samuel 16</b>, we have Samuel who has come to anoint the new king of Israel who would succeed Saul.<br />
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<b>1 Samuel 16:12b-13a</b> it reads, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Then the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”</span></span><br />
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<span class="text 1Sam-16-13" id="en-NIV-7609"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7609C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7609D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> came powerfully upon David."</span></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Sam-16-13"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So David had this anointing. He was told he would become king with his family as his wtiness. But remember, this anointing took place when David was a youth. And yet, think about it, when he finally became king as recorded in <b>2 Samuel 2</b>, what had happened?</span></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Sam-16-13"><span style="font-family: inherit;">David remained a shepherd until called into Saul's service. </span></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Sam-16-13"><span style="font-family: inherit;">David had killed Goliath - <b>1 Samuel 17</b></span></span></div>
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David got married - <b>1 Samuel 18</b></div>
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<span class="text 1Sam-16-13"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saul attempted to kill David out of jealousy - <b>1 Samuel 19</b></span></span></div>
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Saul's men chase David throughout Israel - <b>1 Samuel 21-23</b></div>
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And the list goes on...</div>
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Seriously, David did a bucket load of things, things that we don't usually get around to doing in our late teens and early twenties (I don't see any Goliaths around here... just saying). And even then, before he went out to kill Goliath, what was he doing? He was shepherding the sheep, while killing bears and lions as was his duty as a shepherd. </div>
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If I had that sort of anointing and had to wait that long to receive it, I would have become mighty impatient. And then, added onto that, just imagine being on the verge of death numerous times as the very king you have been prophesied to succeed is the very one who is trying to kill you out of jealousy and fear. </div>
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Now, though not in 1 or 2 Samuel, we have the sentiments David felt during these different times in his life. Listen to David's conclusion in his plea to God found in <b>Psalm 27.</b></div>
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<b>Psalm 27:13-14</b> NIV reads, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."</div>
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This very man who was being persecuted, and crying out to God to be rescued from the hands of his oppressors, reached the simple conclusion of: be strong, take heart and wait. </div>
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Why? Because regardless of the circumstances, His plan is good. And now the coming verse becomes painstakingly obvious. </div>
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In <b>Jeremiah 29:11-14</b>, we find God speaking to the exiled Israelites where God declares His promise that His plan is known and that His plan is good and for those who cry out to Him, He will be found.</div>
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And so in <b>Jeremiah 29:11</b>, we have, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">For I know the plans<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was a promise given to the exiled people of God. And if His plan for His people is good, does that not also mean that His plan for David was also good? Would it not explain the conclusion he found in Psalm 27? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That regardless of whatever the circumstances, God would provide and fulfill His good and glorious plan. </span></div>
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And in Scripture, we read about how God has provided His children with gifts, about the Great Commission that He commands His children to take part in, that whatever is done in His Spirit will not fail and so many other promises and commands He has laid before us as His bride. </div>
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And so we know and believe that God has a plan and a mission He wants each and everyone of His children to fulfill. </div>
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But like David, sometimes God will place us in seasons of waiting. Whether we be young or old, or whatever the circumstances, sometimes God simply commands us to wait. </div>
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And we know, we just know that He has a plan and we're anxious for it to be fulfilled, but God, in His abundant wisdom, knows that we need it. Whether He is refining us as Christians, or He is waiting for His pefect timing, He knows we need it and we can be certain He will use it for His glory. </div>
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So be strong, take heart and wait in the LORD. </div>
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God bless you all.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-26986766364933244282013-05-06T06:01:00.000-07:002013-05-06T06:16:40.622-07:00The social prejudices that God doesn't care forToday I want to share with you all a message that I brought to youth group several weeks ago and one that I've been wanting to share for some time ever since I finished reading the book of Job. But before I get into that, I want us to think for a moment because for some of us, this may simply be a message I'm preaching to the choir, but for a lot of us, I believe, we hold these reservations without us noticing them.<br />
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You see, how often do we neglect someone's advice or wisdom because of a social prejudice we may hold? Whether it be with respect to their age, gender, ethnicity or class, do we ever ignore them, if even for a moment because we think that since they are younger, different or come from a different country, that what they may have to say isn't worth our time?<br />
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Keep that in mind as we just briefly look at two people from Scripture, the first one coming from the book of Job.<br />
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Now, in the book of Job we have Job (duh) who lost just about everything material-wise and family-wise in his life, so a group of his friends came to mourn with him and after mourning, they begin a discussion. Now, when I read Job, I like to imagine its one epic argument... but that's besides the point. But we find the friends discussing what Job could have possibly done to deserve all that had happened. And it isn't until <b>Job 32</b> that we hear from the person that I want to bring to the forefront today.<br />
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<b>Job 32:1-5</b> NIV says, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Job-32-1" style="background-color: white;">So these three men stopped answering Job,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13630A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> because he was righteous in his own eyes.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13630B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Job-32-2" id="en-NIV-13631" style="background-color: white;">But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13631C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13631D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>rather than God.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13631E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Job-32-3" id="en-NIV-13632" style="background-color: white;">He was also angry with the three friends,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13632F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> because they had found no way to refute Job,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13632G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> and yet had condemned him.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></span><span class="text Job-32-4" id="en-NIV-13633" style="background-color: white;">Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13633I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Job-32-5" id="en-NIV-13634" style="background-color: white;">But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused."</span></span><br />
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Here we have a youth of his time in society who was troubled by the words he was hearing to the point of being compelled to speak out, not for his own personal gain, but for the sake of the truth.<br />
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Godly focus. That's what Elihu had. And not only that but respect. He respected the others because they were older than himself. And so he waited.<br />
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And then, in <b style="background-color: white;">Job 32:6-8</b><span style="background-color: white;"> NIV</span>, he begins to speak, "<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Job-32-6" id="en-NIV-13635">"So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, '</span>I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty,<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-13637M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> that gives them understanding."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He was fearful, he had respect. The kind of respect for his elders that it seems a lot of grown ups today complain that society is lacking. But here was a sincere youth who, despite everything that was being said, waited patiently until he could speak. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But after realising the folly and all that was being said, what was his final conclusion? That it is God and God alone who gives understanding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But before we expand on this, I want to take it further, beyond just talking about age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's take a moment, and jump ahead to the time of Christ and look briefly at the man who prepared the way for Christ before His ministry began. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, we're talking about John the Baptist who was prophesied about in <b>Isaiah 40:3</b> NIV,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-3-3" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">‘Prepare the way for the Lord,</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Matt-3-3" style="position: relative;">make straight paths for him.’”</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And when we think about John, what do we imagine? Someone whom many people had come to in order to be baptised, the very man that God chose to prepare the way for His Son. We have all these images in our head about John and the influential figure he was at his time.</span></div>
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But at face value, what was he? A poor guy with barely the clothes on his back. </div>
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If we look at <b>Matthew 3:4 </b>NIV, what do we see? </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="text Matt-3-4" id="en-NIV-23197">John’s<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23197E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23197F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> His food was locusts<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23197G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> and wild honey."</span></span></div>
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Whether it was a lifestyle John chose or a result of his circumstances, this was the life John lived. And yet in <b>Matthew 3:5-6</b> NIV, we see,</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-3-5" id="en-NIV-23198">"People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.</span> <span class="text Matt-3-6" id="en-NIV-23199">Confessing their sins, they were baptized<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23199H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> by him in the Jordan River."</span></span></div>
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All I can imagine issomeone, considered to be at the bottom of society, having such a godly influence that people traveled across Judea to come be baptised by him. </div>
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And when we thought that God had shown all there needed to be demonstrated that He is neither limited nor cares about the social prejudices we place on people, He decided to take the lowliest position, making Himself a vulnerable infant born in a manger. </div>
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And, sometimes. Sometimes, because of these prejudices we hold, we can be tempted to fall into the trap that Elihu speaks of,</div>
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"For God does speak - now one way, now another - though man may not perceive it." (<b>Job 33:14</b> NIV)</div>
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What if, the very people that we ignore in our lives because of the prejudices we may hold in our hearts are the very ones God wants to use to speak to us? That is what we must always be careful because God works in some amazingly mysterious ways sometimes and the last thing Satan wants is for us to realise and listen to what God is saying. </div>
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Now, before we finish, there are a few words of encouragement that need to be shared.<br />
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Because God does not care for the limits that society tries to place on His children whatever those limits may be, we have a duty to uphold as Christians regardless of who we are in society, and I believe Paul says it beautifully in the first book of Timothy, "</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t let anyone look down on you<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29760A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> because you are young, but set an example<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29760B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> and in purity." (<b>1 Timothy 4:12</b> NIV) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Whatever limit people try to place on you, remind yourself that regardless, God calls you to set an example for all believers. a</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And because of His sufficiency and grace, we lack nothing. </span></div>
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"For Christ conquered death with only a tree, and if you have more than that, how much more will He want to see, you see, you have all that you need." David Bowden from "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCMbbeMaxM" target="_blank">No Excuse</a>" </div>
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God has given each of us exactly what we need in order to fulfill the mission He has set out before us.<br />
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And now He waits with an outstretched hand and a message to share: that the limits society places on us are the very constraints He will use to make His Name known and to fulfill His perfect and pleasing will.<br />
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So now the choice rests with us. Do we hold onto our prejudices that place both ourselves and those around us in shackles or will we trust God with what He has given us?<br />
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God bless you all.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-33659186700369208882013-04-29T04:44:00.002-07:002013-04-29T05:01:19.299-07:00Silent Providence<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Today I want to share with you all a few final words that I feel God has in store for me to share. Over the past several weeks, for those of you who have missed the messages or need a recap, we first began with <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-spoken-prayer.html" target="_blank">The Spoken Prayer</a> and looked briefly at what prayer is really about behind the traditions that we have and the way we perceive prayer in church today. Then we moved away from what we do during prayer and looked, if only for a moment, at the ways in which God responds in <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/04/quiet-answers.html" target="_blank">Quiet Answers</a>. Now, before I move on from the topic of prayer, I want to end on several passages of Scripture that really feel as though they fit in the 'spoken' word sense nor in the 'answer' sense but in something that remains unspoken yet divine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You see, there is a passage in <b>Romans 8</b> that has kept me intrigued for a long time. Some of you may already be on the same train of thought as myself which concerns verses 18-27. Now, I'm not a big of expounding on large sections of Scripture at a time but I feel that it is necessary here in order to understand what Paul was sharing with the church in Rome. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, this particular chapter of Romans is a well-known one where Paul speaks about who we are in the Spirit and in Christ. How we have His Spirit that testifies that we are His children (v. 16), how our present sufferings are incomparable to the future glory we will behold (v. 18) and how, in His love, we are 'more than conquerors' (v. 37). Those are only a few of the handful of beautiful verses found in the chapter and I would encourage you to re-read it sometime this week because of its simple reminder of God's sovereignty and grace in our lives. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But before I get too sidetracked; in <b>Romans 8:18-27</b>, we find Paul speaking of our current sufferings and the future glory we will behold when we see Christ again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To show the way the author writes it in verse 18, "<span class="text Rom-8-18">I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (NIV)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What an awesome verse! Here we find Paul speaking of all that will be revealed at the Second Coming of Christ. As we later read in the following verses, the author goes on to talk about how all creation, including ourselves, wait with urgency for His return so as to be free of this world and be with Him forever. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, some of you may be thinking "Dude, that's cool and all, but I thought this was about prayer, not the Second Coming."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Give me a moment... I'm getting to it. If I may, I want to share two more verses from the passage in order to set the context of where this message is headed. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In verses 24 and 25, it says,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="text Rom-8-24" id="en-NIV-28141">For in this hope we were saved.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28141K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> But hope that is seen is no hope at all.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28141L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> Who hopes for what they already have?</span> <span class="text Rom-8-25" id="en-NIV-28142">But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (NIV)</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-8-25"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God is moving, Christ is returning but He isn't doing this on our time frame because His agenda is larger than we can imagine. And because He knows this, He gives us His Spirit of patience so that we may serve while we wait for His return.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the cool part that keeps me fascinated and is the main focus of today's message found in the next two verses. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In <b>Romans 8:26-27</b>, it says, "<span class="text Rom-8-26" id="en-NIV-28143"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28143N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> himself intercedes for us<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28143O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup> through wordless groans.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-27" id="en-NIV-28144">And he who searches our hearts <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28144P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup>knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28144Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." (NIV)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This very same Spirit intercedes for us when we are unable to even find the words to express our innermost struggles! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The very same God who said "You know what? I'm going to re-build the bridge between You and me without you even lifting a finger by dying on the cross for you" is the very same God who says,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"When you no longer have the words to express the pain, the frustration or the hurt that you have, I not only know your pain better than you do, I can provide a way for you to persevere." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do we ever wonder why we sometimes hear the testimonies of others who were struggling and were so consumed with grief or pain and yet God provided a miracle and answered an unspoken prayer? Don't get me wrong here, spoken prayer is crucial to us yet even when we can't find the words to express ourselves, God still ministers to us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And I'm sure we all know a passage of Scripture that could probably show this in the practical sense. For me, this is found in <b>2 Corinthians 12:7-10</b>, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="text 2Cor-12-7" id="en-NIV-29030">Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29030B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> a messenger of Satan,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29030C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> to torment me.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-8" id="en-NIV-29031">Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. (v. 7-8 NIV)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text 2Cor-12-9" style="font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></sup></span>
Now, Paul doesn't give us a great deal to go with in terms of understanding here in verses 7 and 8 but there was once something I heard regarding Paul referring to his struggle as 'a thorn". It's as though Paul become so familiar with his struggle that each time he came to God in prayer, its as though he would find himself simply saying, "Hey dad, I just need to talk about the thorn again."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Don't some of our struggles, spoken or unspoken feel like that? That they come to the point where we are so consumed by it that we can no longer mention it or we simply don't bother? And so we resort to nicknaming it, but how many of us stop there and in doing so, we end up forgetting some of the most beautiful verses that follow in verses 9 and 10.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text 2Cor-12-9" style="font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></sup></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 2Cor-12-9" id="en-NIV-29032" style="font-size: 12px;"><b>"</b></span><span class="text 2Cor-12-9" style="font-size: 16px;">But he said to me, <span class="woj">“My grace<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29032E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> is sufficient for you, for my power<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29032F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> is made perfect in weakness.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29032G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29032H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033" style="font-size: 16px;">That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29033I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span> in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29033J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span> in persecutions,<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29033K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span> in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (v. 9-10 NIV) </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 2Cor-12-10" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 2Cor-12-10" style="font-size: 16px;">His grace is sufficient and because of this Paul was empowered and was able to delight in his hardship. And so can we. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">I want to take a moment and recall one short phrase at the end of <b>Romans 8:27</b>. Notice what it says, "because the Spirit intercedes<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28144Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."</span><br />
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You see, its easy to recognise when we have sin in our lives and we struggle because of it. And what do we do? We repent and enjoy restored fellowship with Him again.</span><br />
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But what about when we suffer for doing good or we suffer in the midst of following God's will. Whether it be the loss of a loved one or the love we gave that was given in Christ is trampled on and our own hearts along with it. And we sometimes find ourselves wondering what God is doing, whether He is moving or whether He can still make a difference in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">After all, we read in the Scriptures that is it is His very will that we suffer for doing good, <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." (<b>1 Peter 3:17</b> NIV)</span></span></span><br />
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And yet the very Scriptures say that the Spirit intercedes in accordance with the will of God. In the midst of our trials and suffering for His Name's sake, He intercedes and provides that very sufficient grace that makes us strong in our weakness. </span><br />
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When we can't find the words, He can always find the strength and He will never leave us hanging. </span><br />
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God bless you all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-61381416683747347132013-04-22T02:47:00.003-07:002013-04-22T02:56:49.536-07:00Quiet Answers<span style="background-color: white;">Today, I wanted to move onto a slightly different topic on prayer but after writing the previous message focusing mainly on traditions, I felt in debt to elaborate on a point that had been raised last week. A point that I feel is worth elaborating on and is crucial to our prayer life. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Last week the concept of conversation in prayer was discussed and how our prayers are more than simply our own requests going up to Heaven, but at also have to do with listening in response. And it would seem simple enough to think of it as us sending up our own prayer requests and thanksgiving for a given number of minutes and then listening to see if He responds in the moment with an audible voice. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">But how often does it feel as though God speaks to us with an audible voice? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Don't get me wrong here, I don't intend to discredit those who claim to hear Him audibly. One testimony I heard of a man in prison talked about how God spoke to the man audibly at one point. The fact that the voice confirmed what would happen in the close future gave credit to the voice coming from God. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">But when we look at the Old Testament and we hear how the Israelites would go and ask the LORD about whether they should go fight a certain nation or whether they should respond to this particular sin in this manner, and God would respond in what would seem an audible voice. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">If we look at <b>Judges 1</b> for example, the verse two verses say,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">"</span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the </span><span class="name" style="color: #001320; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Lord</span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?” </span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">The</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="name" style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Lord</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">answered, “Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands."" (NIV)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">I'm sure, in response to our own prayers, we would love to have such a clear cut answer as the Israelites were given by God again and again. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Now, this has the potential to raise the question of the means by which the LORD responded to the Israelites. I have always believed it was an audible voice. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">However, the truth is, concerning the point I'm trying to get at here, it doesn't matter. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Here is what really matters: that it is not necessarily the manner in which God spoke, but </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">the confidence and certainty by which the Israelites knew that God had responded and that His answer was what He desired.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Because that's what we really desire when we pray, right? That confidence that when we feel we have received a response, that we know that He has responded and His answer will come through and prevail. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">But listen to what Christ has to say.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> Jesus Himself said in <b>John 10:27</b>, "</span><span style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.</span><span style="color: #001320;">" (NIV)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Or as the New Living Translation puts it, "My sheep recognize my voice". </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Just to give some context, in this passage, Jesus was responding to a question that it seems many people ask even today. The question posed to Him was, "</span></span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly" (v. 24). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Doesn't that sound </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">familiar</span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"If only God would make Himself known or provide some miracle to show His existence or..." The list goes on, yet these are the exact same accusations and questions Christ faced while on earth posed to Him by those who considered Him as crazy, a blasphemer or demon-possessed. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">But Jesus says His sheep recognize His voice. It seems too tempting to give into the belief that they had it easy in the Old Testament, that all that was required was to ask the prophet of the time to inquire for oneself what God wanted.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">So if we don't hear an audible voice and yet know His voice, how does He respond? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Well, He can choose to respond however He desires. You see, we seem to focus too much on 'how' God responds. Sometimes, its tempting for us to hear the testimony of another Christian and think, "Aha, now I know how God will respond next time I pray." </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">But hearing His voice is not so much a matter of knowing how He will choose to respond, but a matter of simply knowing God. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Scripture is riddled with promise after promise for those who fear Him, for His children. Promises of asking and receiving, of our prayers being heard, of escape from temptation, forgiveness from sin and answers to prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">God may not respond with an audible voice, but He will respond nonetheless and not out of obligation in the sense that our faith forces Him to respond, but out of love and for the sake of His glory. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">Again and again, we emphasise the importance of knowing God. Why? Because regardless of how this world changes and our prayer requests change from financial, to health, to marital, to family issues. God never changes. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Malachi 3:6a</b> says<span style="font-family: inherit;">, "<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">"I the LORD do not change." (NIV)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">And if God never changes, then the same answers that seemed crystal clear to the Israelites can be just as clear to us today because God is just as capable of answering our prayers today as He was capable of answer the prayers of the Israelites. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">So before we ask ourselves whether we're listening, first we need to ask... do we know Him? Because once we know Him, then regardless of how He chooses to respond whether it be through Scripture, our circumstances, friends or even a stranger, we know He will respond and we know we will recognize His voice because we are His and He is ours and He won't leave us hanging. </span><br />
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And before I finish, I want to share a piece of wisdom that God taught me a few years ago:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"God's delays are not God's denials."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Remember, He works on His own time and His timing is <i>always</i> perfect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-56713635744377447832013-04-15T04:57:00.000-07:002013-04-15T05:03:25.471-07:00The Spoken PrayerIt is no surprise when we are ridiculed as Christians. That is just the way it happens, just as it has been prophesied. And many aspects of the Christian life are ridiculed to a large extent but the one aspect that I find that is ridiculed a lot more than others, though this is only my own observation, is prayer.<br />
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One of the comments that frustrates me the most is when people say two hands working can do more than a thousand together in prayer because such a phrase shows how much we have come to misunderstand prayer itself. So, hopefully, in my own finite ways, God will teach us something today.<br />
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When we think about prayer, what do we imagine? A church with closed eyes, clasped hands and bowed heads? A lone voice speaking on behalf of the masses? A few silent but moving mouths in prayer? When I think about the way prayer is portrayed today, I ask myself whether my prayer will be any less valuable if my eyes are open and my arms outstretched.<br />
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But let's take a step back for a moment, and look at something we are far more familiar with found in <b>Mathew 6:5-6</b>:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-6-5" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">“<span style="color: red;">And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23288D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><span class="text Matt-6-6" id="en-NIV-23289" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: red;">But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23289E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.</span>"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">In Jesus' sermon on the mount, we hear Him reminding us to be secretive in the way we serve. And it seems quite clear why He would warn us of this because our incredible vulnerability to pride. Whether its giving to the poor or praying out loud, if we are not careful, we can lead ourselves to become prideful in our ways and in doing so we miss out on a godly reward that He has in store for us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Now, don't get me wrong here. I believe public prayer within church is a beautiful thing. What I am meaning is that we must guard our hearts, as we are so often reminded of in Scripture. Prayer is not something God has provided for our own personal gain and it is so, so much more than empty words spoken from a prideful heart. But prayer, as we will later look at, is as much concerned about our own changing hearts, as it is about our spoken words. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This leads us with no surprise to what Christ says in the following two verses: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-6-7" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><br /></sup></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-6-7" id="en-NIV-23290" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">"<span style="color: red;">And when you pray, do not keep on babbling<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23290F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23290G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span><span class="text Matt-6-8" id="en-NIV-23291" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: red;">Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23291H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> before you ask him.</span>" (NIV)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-6-8" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span>
I'm not much of a Bible scholar compared to some but I would assume that the same people who prayed in public to gain an earthly reward are the same ones called 'pagans' who babbled on. And I don't think there's much interpretation needed here as Christ couldn't be much clearer than this. God knows us better than we know ourselves so how could we fool Him by trying to repeat the same request in five different ways or that by making our prayer ten minutes longer, that He is bound to hear us for certain.<br />
<br />
I don't mean to crticise anyone with those words. I know that in our times of distress we can do nothing more than beg for His mercy and cry out to Him repeating the same words that express our pain.<br />
<br />
What this leads us to conclude is that Christ desires sincerity. As we are told in <b>Hebrew 10:22</b> to draw near with a sincere heart and in the final chapter of James, that it is the prayer of a righteous man that prevails.<br />
<br />
But I want to take this chance to raise an interesting question about prayer that this passage in Matthew begs an answer for.<br />
<br />
If God is sovereign in His ways, if He is all-knowing that He should not need some human request in order to make the right choice, if He is bound to act on the behalf of the good of those who love Him, then why do we pray?<br />
<br />
For some of you, passages of Scripture will quickly come to mind where it feels as though God has changed His mind: Abraham's requests of behalf of the few righteous or Moses' prayer on behalf of the Israelites. It feels as though, somehow, based on these passages, God is able to change His mind and since His ways are perfect, then He would have made a mistake had He not changed His mind based on the request of His servant!<br />
<br />
And if that were so, then He is prone to being imperfect which would leave us with a serious theological issue.<br />
<br />
But this... this is where prayer gets interesting. This is where we come back to the purpose of prayer, because prayer is a conversation. Prayer is as much about listening to God, as it is about speaking.<br />
<br />
If it were not so, then what would be the purpose of such passages as <b>1 Thessalonians 5:16</b> where we are told to "pray without ceasing" (NIV).<br />
<br />
I don't intend on talking 24/7 without taking a moment to listen.<br />
<br />
So then, if prayer is as much about listening as it is about talking, then perhaps its more than the supposed idea that God changes His mind at our request.<br />
<br />
Perhaps it simply has more to do with us allowing Him to change us instead.<br />
<br />
If we take a moment and look at the way Scripture presents the way we receive gifts from God, what does it say?<br />
<br />
<b>Matthew 7:11</b> NIV, "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;">If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again and again, Scripture tells us to ask and receive. And if we look at <b>Philippians 4</b>, we see that 'the peace that transcends all understanding' comes as a result of prayer and petition to God. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just like any conversation with someone, when you share your deepest concerns, you open yourself up to them and in turn, their counsel can change you. Why should this be any different with God? If we share our deepest desires, hopes and concerns, then He is just as able to change our hearts. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The more we ask and cry out with a sincere heart, then will He not change us? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The more I think about the supposed instances where God seemed to change His mind, the more I believe those moments were more about God changing the hearts of men, than men changing God.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is so much more than can be said about prayer and even in saying all of this I feel as though I have barely touched the surface of matters, but I want to bring this message round in full circle before I finish.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It feels as though Scripture does not present this idea of bowed heads, closed eyes and clasped hands when it comes to prayer. If anything, when it speaks of <i>how</i> to pray, Scripture is more concerned with the internal than the external.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So then why do we do it? Is not prayer with open arms, heads lifted high and eyes open wide just as valid? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Regardless of how we choose to pray and in the manner we choose to not only cry out, but to also listen, God, above all else, desires our sincere attention. It seems all too simplistic to say that by closing our eyes we close off the distractions that can hinder us from hearing God, but at the same time it seems all the more true. Now, I don't claim to know the origins behind such traditions with prayer but I would be willing to say that this reason can be just as valid.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And again, why else would we bow our heads other than to show reverence to this awesome God we serve? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
Wholehearted attention and reverence. He deserves nothing less, and in view of His majesty, a prideful heart and empty words seem like nothing but foolishness.<br />
<br />
But prayer goes much deeper than words, and at times it seems all to true that just as many unspoken prayers are answered as those which are spoken. But that's a whole other message for next week.<br />
<br />
God bless you all.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-17668353037104787452013-04-08T04:53:00.001-07:002013-04-08T04:53:11.405-07:00The known GodNow that the celebrations of Easter are over as Pentecost comes around, I want to look at something that we find in Acts, which isn't exactly related to the festivities going on at the moment but, eh, what gives.<br />
<br />
For those of you who are familiar with the book of Acts, I'm sure you would have heard of the story of the people in Athens found in Acts 17.<br />
<br />
During this time, Paul is debating in the synagogue and during the meeting, he stands up and begins to proclaim the Gospel. This is how he begins in <b>Acts 17:22-23a</b>,<br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27546A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.</span> <span style="background-color: white;">For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant: small-caps;">to an unknown god</span><span style="background-color: white;">. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27547A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;">—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Its very easy to get caught up in being 'religious' without knowing the living God. The Pharisees managed to do it. They demanded the crucifiction of God in the flesh. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And I'm not sure we're all that different. We may not physically crucify Him, but we become prideful in our ways. As what was talked about <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/03/its-not-about-me-or-you.html" target="_blank">several weeks ago</a> about the grace of God and how we sometimes have a tendency to think that we deserve God's grace... but that other person down the road? Nah, not a chance. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
At what point do we get so out of touch with God that He becomes the unknown God in our lives?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">I ask this because of a warning that God gives to Israel a number of times in Deuteronomy. I'm trying (note: 'trying') to get through the Bible in a year and as I read through the Old Testament, I notice how several times in the book of Deuteronomy, when God speaks out against false gods, the attribute of these 'gods' that He repeats is this,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">the curse if you disobey</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5237A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> the commands of the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5237B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> which you have not known."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Of which you have not known". And remember, this is God-breathed Scripture we are talking about. God could have mentioned any other attribute: "which have no power/authority/being/life". </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
"Which you have not known."<br />
<br />
Too many people think of God as some derelict God who winds up the clocks of time and leaves it there and yet this very same apathetic behaviour He speaks out against.<br />
<br />
Or maybe its not that, maybe it isn't about religious pride but, instead, someone was hurt in their past by their father and because of that, this idea of a Godly Father figure just seems too unbelievable and too big to be known.<br />
<br />
Listen to the first proclamation that Paul says in the rest of <b>Acts 17:23b</b>,<br />
<br />
"Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." (NIV)<br />
<br />
Each one of the reasons that make us feel bitter towards God as if He doesn't care about what we're going through can cause just as resentment towards God as the last one.<br />
<br />
But this God we serve? Man, this is a very, personal God who cares about us.<br />
<br />
A lot of the time we talk about how God moves for His glory, brings salvation for His glory, works our His will for His glory. But all of what He did as well is throughout the Old Testament and into the New is summed up in what Paul says in verse 27.<br />
<br />
"God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." (<b>Acts 17:27</b> NIV)<br />
<br />
In <b>John 14:7</b>, Jesus proclaims that since we have known Him, we know the Father.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b>Matthew 10:29-31</b> NIV says,"</span><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: red; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. </span><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: red; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.</span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: red; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.</span><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">"</span></span><br />
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And this love that God has for His people. This isn't something new.<br />
<br />
<b>Isaiah 40:27-28</b> NIV, says, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Why do you complain, Jacob? </span><span style="background-color: white;">Why do you say, Israel, </span><span style="background-color: white;">'My way is hidden from the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">; </span><span style="background-color: white;">my cause is disregarded by my God'? </span><span style="background-color: white;">Do you not know?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Have you not heard? </span><span style="background-color: white;">The </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> is the everlasting</span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> God, </span><span style="background-color: white;">the Creator </span><span style="background-color: white;">of the ends of the earth. </span><span style="background-color: white;">He will not grow tired or weary, </span><span style="background-color: white;">and his understanding no one can fathom."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And again, "Do you not know?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not only is God concerned, but He is also capable and He wants us to know this so we may trust in Him. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And our trust in Him isn't blind in that He's some distant God that we have no clue about. He longs for us to know and simply know who He is so that we may trust. </span></span><br />
<div>
<br />
And this very same God that is not far from us, is the same God who decided that despite our failings and sin, that He would reconcile ourselves to Him. And whether its in our pain our in our prideful religion that we come to forget Him, He remains the same.<br />
<br />
This is the very same God who proclaims "Be still and know that I am God" (<b>Psalm 46:10</b> NIV).<br />
<br />
So regardless of what you are struggling with, know that He wants you to rest in the knowledge that He alone is the everlasting God who is very, very known to us.<br />
<br />
And He has made Himself known through His Word, all it takes is for us to ask Him to reveal Himself and He will.<br />
<br />
God bless you all.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-33531978940588779382013-04-01T04:29:00.001-07:002013-04-01T04:29:06.693-07:00The Resurrected BodyHappy Easter to you all. I hope you all had a good time, whatever you got up to. Me? I slept in, did homework and played games... well I do that every Sunday. Meh. However, since it was Easter, again I feel compelled to write on something in relation to the resurrection.<br />
<br />
And it feels almost troubling in a sense how we sometimes have a tendency to neglect the resurrection. I'm not sure how many of you will agree with me on that, I know there are millions of professing Christians in the world and I'm sure there are many who do incorporate this phenomenon far more than myself.<br />
<br />
But just roll with me on this one.<br />
<br />
How often do we hear people say "God loves you so much that He died for your sins"? It has to be the most common phrase used when it comes to sharing the Gospel. Of course, its necessary in order to share the Good News.<br />
<br />
But how often do we hear people say "God loves you so much that He resurrected His body for you?"<br />
<br />
That almost sounds a little weird. Sure, its in the Gospel message, but notice Paul's words in <b>1 Corinthians 15:17-19</b>,<br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-17" id="en-ESV-28719" style="background-color: white;">And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28719A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>you are still in your sins.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-15-18" id="en-ESV-28720" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18 </sup>Then those also who <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28720B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" id="en-ESV-28721" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19 </sup>If in Christ we have hope<sup class="footnote" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28721a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A17-19&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28721a" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> in this life only, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28721C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>we are of all people most to be pitied." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;">If we do not have the resurrection, we were never new creations. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;">If Christ had not risen, we would never make it to Heaven. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;">If that the cross was the end of it, then we may as well not be Christians. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;">This is the truth of the matter with the resurrection. This is how crucial it is to our faith. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;">Let's back up for a moment to the cross where Jesus hung. On that cross, He bore the sins of the world, yours and mine. He received the full blow of God's wrath so that we wouldn't have to receive the punishment. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-15-19" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
But here is our predicament. When Adam sinned, when he ate the forbidden fruit, we were brought into a state of depravity. For all intents and purposes, we died spiritually and came into bondage with death and sin.<br />
<br />
Now, when Christ came and died, His death first made the way that we needed. It provided the atonement, the covering of our sin. It provided that intercession we need with God, but there was still this bondage to sin and death in our lives.<br />
<br />
It was not enough for Him to simply die. Our God is a holy God and we couldn't be reconciled to Him without the bondage being broken.<br />
<br />
For the wages of sin is death, and Christ died. But it is through His resurrection that He broke the curse.<br />
<br />
This is the importance of the resurrection because it is vital for our renewal in Christ. We are called as Christians to DIE to ourselves so that we may LIVE in Christ.<br />
<br />
And this doctrine is incorporated into one of the most common Christian practices.<br />
<br />
Why do we get baptised? To symbolise death to self and resurrection in Christ.<br />
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<b>Romans 6:5-7</b> say, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-5" id="en-NIV-28074" style="background-color: white;">For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28074A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rom-6-6" id="en-NIV-28075" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">6 </sup>For we know that our old self<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28075B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> was crucified with him<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28075C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> so that the body ruled by sin<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28075D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28075E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>—</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rom-6-7" id="en-NIV-28076" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>because anyone who has died has been set free from sin."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-7" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-7" style="background-color: white;">We are united with Him in the resurrection so that we are no longer slaves to sin. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-7" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-7" style="background-color: white;">Now, this is essentially all doctrine. But what about the application? I personally find a sermon frustrating when I'm not provided with a reason why the message applies to me and my spiritual life (or the audience in general) so I don't intend to leave you hanging. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-7" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
The application I give to you is found in <b>1 Corinthians 15:20</b>. After Paul has provided all of these arguments as to the importance of the resurrection and its necessity to our faith, the simplicity of his conclusion is amazing.<br />
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"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead." (NIV)<br />
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That's it. The undisputed claim that He has been raised from the dead.<br />
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This is the confidence God calls us to and it is this very same confidence that can lead us to worship and sing,<br />
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"Where, O death, is your victory?<br />
Where, O death, is your sting?"<br />
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So the next time you find yourself recalling the love of God shown through the crucifixion remember also that the cross on which Jesus hung is an empty cross. And the grave in which He lay is a hollow tomb because not only did God love you enough to die for you, He desired you enough to free from you from bondage by breaking the curse through His resurrection.<br />
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God bless you all.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-86841789823389999702013-03-25T05:11:00.001-07:002013-03-25T05:11:21.871-07:00It's not about me... or youWith the lead up to Easter, I kept wondering whether I should just teach the traditional Easter message of the Gospel as many do, and I appreciate that because we all need the reminder. So I pondered this and felt God leading me to talk on something slightly different. Something that I feel that we, as God's chosen, can become forgetful about.<br />
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Today I want to talk about what the universal atonement of Christ means to us. The fact that He not only died for my sins or yours, but for the sins of the whole world. And we see this teaching in Scripture such as in 1 John where the author says to the Israelites, "<br />
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<b>1 John 2:2</b>, "<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Now, some people are willing to debate verses like that till the cows come home. That isn't my intention here. Rather, this is my purpose in this message:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">That we, as Christians, tend to often forget that God's grace, mercy and love isn't only about those who are already saved, but is concerned with the whole world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Don't get me wrong, I'm not pointing fingers at all. I know some Christians who show such love to the unlovable because God first loved the unlovable when we couldn't. What I do want to get at is this mindset that we sometimes slip into. This idea that because of who we are or what we have, we are somehow better than those around us and we try and use this to our advantage. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And this isn't just a mindset that was adopted by Christians once Christ came and died for us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">No, this is something that goes back to ancient Israel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">In <b>1 Samuel 4</b> we hear the story of Israel's battle with the Philistines and early on in the chapter Israel goes out to war and is defeated and the elders ponder, "Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the LORD's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies." (v. 3 NIV) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">In other words, "Look guys, something's not right. Instead of consulting God, let's go get the ark so that we can be confident that God is with us."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Now, I could try and give a heavy theological explanation for this, but none is needed. Instead I want to share what the NIV Study Bible notes. Now it gives a decent but lengthy explanation so I'll simply share the last sentence as it summarises the mistake made by Israel. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">It says, "They [Israel] reflect the pagan notion that the deity is identified with the symbol of his presence and that God's favor could automatically be gained by manipulating the symbol."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And man... we may not have an ark but we have the crosses around our necks to our very status as Christians to justify ourselves rather than consulting the King of kings and allowing Him to speak through us. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And we forget to remember that the very people that we are shunning are the very people that Christ came to save. </span></span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">From the religious leaders who had Him crucified to your neighbour down the road who is so full of pride that we, in our own way through judging him, have become prideful ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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I can confess to that. The pride I sometimes have in my heart and I think to myself about some people, "Nah, they don't deserve God's grace. " And instead of humbling myself in servitude, I judge instead. </div>
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I hope we can all see the irony in that. </div>
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Many people like to claim that God in the Old Testament is different from who He is in the New Testament. This can't be further from the truth because the very same God who died for us, is the same God who pleaded with the wicked in Ezekiel. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In <b>Ezekiel 18:23</b>, God asks this question, "<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" (NIV)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And He answers this very question in <b>Ezekiel 33:11</b>, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">"</span><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?'"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">When people die without Christ, does He rejoice?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">This is the question we need to ask ourselves, because if He does, why would He die for us in the first place? Scripture continually attests to the doctrine that God shows no favoritism (<b>Acts 10:34</b>), that He would rather have everyone come to salvation (<b>2 Peter 3:9</b>) and that even in the midst of our most wicked sin, our most deceitful personality... He died for us and gave us the choice to be made alive in Christ (<b>Romans 5:8</b>). </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">So does He rejoice? No. And in the relisation of this, we come to know that this salvation we have... it isn't about us and our own prejudice. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Its about Him and His love, His desire and His glory. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Sometimes, we simply need the reminder that Israel received in <b>Joshua 5:14</b> when the commander of the LORD's army proclaimed that he was neither for nor against Israel, and in saying this, reminded Israel that it is not God who fights their battles, but they who fight His. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">In the same way, it is not us who decide who is worthy of receiving God's grace, but God Himself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Let us not turn from this truth, in our own false sense of self-righteousness, but allow God to minister to us as we serve as witnesses of His grace and glory. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">God bless you all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: start; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-23860245562335842572013-03-18T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-18T05:30:23.649-07:00Spiritual ValleysToday I want to continue with the analogy I brought up last week about <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_968977956"></span>mountains<span id="goog_968977957"></span></a> and valleys in our Christian walk, and today, I really want to place emphasis on this because this is the part of our lives that, after a spiritual mountain where we've felt so close to God and so full of Him, that, once its over, we sort of see the next part as a curse when it should be a blessing.<br />
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Now, what am I talking about? I'm talking about valleys. But valleys aren't normally situations we imagine being times when we feel close to God. Let's think about this for a moment. As I talked about last week with mountains. Mountains are about being close to God, being surrounded by His glory, hearing His Word clearly in our lives.<br />
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Valleys? Well, <b>Psalm 23:4 </b>surely doesn't say 'Ye though I walk along the mountain of death.' No. When we think of the valleys in our lives, we end up thinking of the times filled with suffering and trials and pain. When we no longer feel that strong connection with God and the overhanging trees seem to block out all of the light. You can see the sort of spiritual symbolism I'm getting at here.<br />
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In our minds, valleys do not sound pleasant when it comes to our spirituality. But here's the thing: we need valleys. Why? Because fruit doesn't grow on mountains.<br />
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To paint a picture for you, when I think of this analogy, I think of the Himalayas. Snow-capped mountains, clear skies, the glory of God on earth.<br />
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But there's one problem. While it may be splendid, there's no actual fruit. In the same way, these spiritual mountains in our lives are incredible, but there's no spiritual fruit for us.<br />
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Now, I need to clarify something about this. When I say fruit, I'm sure we quickly think of the passage in <b>Galatians 5:22-23</b> which says,<br />
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"<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Gal-5-22" id="en-NIV-29185" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">22 </sup>But the fruit<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> of the Spirit is love,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> joy, peace,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Gal-5-23" id="en-NIV-29186" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">23 </sup>gentleness and self-control.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29186D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> Against such things there is no law." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;">And these are amazing, godly attributes that Christ lived out and that He lives out through us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;">But how do we often build up these attributes? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Sure, we pray for them. But does God give us these attributes straight away?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While He is fully capable of doing that, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">God doesn't normally work that way. If I pray for patience, will I receive patience at a moment's notice... or will He send trials my way that lead me to rely on His strength so that I may build up patience? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Romans 5:3-5</b> says, "</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-5-3" id="en-NIV-28051" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>Not only so, but we<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span>also glory in our sufferings,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28051A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> because we know that suffering produces perseverance;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28051B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rom-5-4" id="en-NIV-28052" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>perseverance, character; and character, hope.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rom-5-5" id="en-NIV-28053" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">5 </sup>And hope<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28053C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> does not put us to shame, because God’s love<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28053D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28053E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> who has been given to us."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Gal-5-23" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
Suffering leads to perseverance, perseverance to character and character to hope. And in such a world full of sin and grief and suffering, isn't it an amazing thing to not only have hope but to be a beacon of hope founded on God?<br />
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We can pray for God to move us and transform us while we are on the mountain, but while on the mountain, there will come a point when He says, "Okay, I will transform you from glory to glory into My likeness, but you're going to need to go back into the valley so that I can build you up."<br />
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I hope you can begin to see how these valleys, though they appear daunting, are His doing and His blessing to us. But I understand if some of you may be wondering "But what if I won't know when the next mountain is or I lose hope that He can do this all through me?"<br />
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<b>Exodus 24:18</b> tells us this, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2196A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;">days and forty nights.</span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">" (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">While on the mountain, Moses was sustained by God for forty days and nights without food or drink as another verse points out later in Exodus. Now, that's God's providence right there at work on the mountain. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">But what about Christ? Christ wasn't on a mountain, He wasn't even in a valley. He was in the desert, probably the worst place to be spiritually-speaking, for forty days and forty nights. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">And its as though God is saying to us, "Yes, I can do awesome things in your life and show you My glory on the mountain, but I'm also the God who not only commissions you back into the valley, but I will walk by your side even into the desert and do the impossible through you when you feel as though you can't take another step." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
Why? Because as Jesus proclaims to the Devil, in <b>Matthew 4:4</b>, "<span style="color: red;">It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.</span>" (NIV)<br />
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The connection that Moses had with God on the mountain is the very same connection you and I have with the same God regardless of whether we feel like we're on a mountain or in a valley or stranded in the desert.<br />
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He remains by our side through it all.<br />
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God bless you all.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-32162263854094205102013-03-11T06:41:00.000-07:002013-03-11T06:42:51.763-07:00Spiritual mountainsToday, I want to talk about something I'm sure we've all been through as Christians, especially if we've ever gone to a camp or a conference that has just been so full of God. Over the course of this week and next week, I want to spend some time talking about the mountains in our lives as well as the valleys, the spiritual ones of course.<br />
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In 2009, I went to a Bible camp in Chang Mai, Thailand with my friends. This was the first major Christian event outside of my youth group that I had been to and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I had been a Christian for around a year or so at the time. When we finally got there and got settled down, it was just amazing. The worship, the sermons, the fellowship. It was just so Spirit-filled to see other youth desiring God and hearing from such inspirational people. However, like many good things in this life, it had to come to an end and when I finally got home, I guess the feeling that can be describe what I felt was homesickness. I had gone from such awesome fellowship to being back home alone and I missed the fellowship, the worship, the testimonies.<br />
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I later spoke with a friend of mine and he gave me an analogy that has stuck with me since then and it has to do with mountains and valleys and it goes like this:<br />
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Our lives are full of mountains and valleys and every now and then, God will take us up a mountain and we'll feel closer to Him than we ever have been before and we'll be able to receive hindsight of where He is leading us in our lives.<br />
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But there's no fruit on a mountain, and God doesn't want us to remain fruitless.<br />
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So He sends us down back into the valley where there are trials and troubles and sometimes we don't know where we're going. But soon enough He will bring us to another mountain and our lives are filled with a continual series of mountains and valleys; and so today I want to look at what spiritual mountains do in our lives and then next week we will look at the spiritual valleys of our lives.<br />
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Now, the major thing about spiritual mountains in our lives is that they bring us into His presence in such an awesome way.<br />
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For those of you who are familiar with the first few books of the Bible then you will know there is something awesome about mountains in the Old Testament.<br />
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Before the tabernacle was built, God often resided on mountains when He desired to speak to the Israelites and when this happened, this is what He commanded them:<br />
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In <b>Exodus 19:12</b>, it says, "<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death." (NIV) </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now many laws in the Old Testament had the death penalty and if you notice, when it came to such things as obeying the regulations God gave regarding the Ark or the Tabernacle, anyone who disobeyed these laws received the death penalty. God's presence was no light matter for His people. His holiness and majesty was not meant to be taken lightly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And in <b>Exodus 19:16</b>, we get an idea of just how amazing this event was when it speaks of the cloud that covered the mountain, the lightning and the trumpet that sounded declaring His presence. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, we have this picture of the awesomeness and the glory of God that rested on the mountain. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Now the mountain was not entirely off limits. Yes, it was to the general population, but to Moses and the elders it was not and if you read in <b>Exodus 24</b>, it describes their calling go to up on the mountain. Then at one point, God calls Moses to go further while the others waitied. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">In <b>Exodus 24:12</b>, it says, "</span></span><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction." (NIV)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then verses 15 and 16 describes what happened to Moses and Joshua, his aide, as they ascended further up the mountain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">"When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, </span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">and the glory of the </span><span class="nivsmallcaps" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px; text-transform: uppercase;">LORD</span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;"> settled on Mount Sinai." (NIV)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">When Moses went up on the mountain, the glory of the LORD covered him and as w'ell look at later on, he didn't return the same from these encounters. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">Now, here is the blessing for us as Christians in all of this. Because of Christ, who is our High Priest and Mediator, anyone can approach God in the same way Moses did. We have that same access that Moses had to the glory of God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And when we are on these spiritual mountains from time to time in our lives, we become so full of His glory and as God spoke clearly to Moses on the mountain and as it was where Moses received the Law, in the same way, on our own spiritual mountains, those are the times when we often find ourselves able to most clearly hear His voice. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, don't get me wrong. We can hear His voice just as clearly in trials and suffering. But on these spiritual mountains, its during these times when we aren't troubled or struggling with trials and we often find ourselves more capable of receiving that hindsight and instruction from Him in the same way Moses did. </span></span></div>
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And even when we return from these spiritual mountains. If we were truly moved by God, we never return the same.<br />
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In <b>Exodus 34:29-35</b>, we read about how after each time Moses returned from the mountain, his face was radiant.<br />
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<b>Exodus 34:29</b> says, "<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD."</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Moses didn't return from an encounter with God unchanged and while the passage goes on to describe that Moses didn't notice the change, the others did. In the same way, when we return from these conferences or camps or any form of spiritual mountain in our lives. Though we don't notice it, God moves us in ways that are evident to others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And I have a feeling some of you may be wondering "Well, that's useful to know about spiritual mountains, but what does that mean for my everyday walk?" </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Well, even though we don't have these spiritual mountains everyday, we do have the same access to God that Moses had and while His voice may not sound as clear or His presence may not feel as strong, He still remains by our sides. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">But when you do find yourself on a spiritual mountain, cherish it. Sometimes we don't find ourselves on another mountain for years, but He is able to give us the hindsight to where He desires us to go and the instructions needed to do His will. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And whenever the valley seems too long, remember.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Remember the last time He led you onto the mountain and take hope in how He appeared to you knowing He will finish the good work He began within you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-5045165604037439752013-03-04T04:23:00.002-08:002013-03-04T04:23:37.156-08:00An Appeal to DefenseLast week, we focused on the idea of oppression and His promise of peace and a light heart in the midst of trials. Today, I want to finish this message that somehow managed to turn into three messages, starting with <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-lukewarm-mindset.html" target="_blank">A Lukewarm Mindset</a>, then becoming <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-calm-in-storm.html" target="_blank">The Calm in the Storm</a> and now An Appeal to Defense (I'm not going to link that one, though that would be funny).<br />
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An appeal to defense, our calling to defend Christ.<br />
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You know, sometimes, its difficult to answer the hard question and its easy to think that when the opposition fails to realise the truth, that somehow you've failed in teaching it. And as a result we end up thinking "Well... apologetics isn't for me, I can't use reason with my faith since the world doesn't seem to accept it".<br />
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And we come across beautiful verses like <b>1 Peter 3:15</b> which command us to give a reason for the hope that we have in Christ, and we wonder, "Well how on earth am I going to do that? How does it seem that I fail when renown preachers prevail?"<br />
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But, thanks be to God, we are not all the same and the few words spoken by a child can be just a powerful as though spoken by a renown leader. <b>1 Corinthians 2:1-5</b> shows us this. Read carefully what Paul tells the Church of Corinth:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-1" id="en-NIV-28396" style="background-color: white;">"And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28396A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-2" id="en-NIV-28397" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup>For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28397B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-3" id="en-NIV-28398" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>I came to you<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28398C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> in weakness<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28398D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> with great fear and trembling.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28398E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-4" id="en-NIV-28399" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28399F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28399G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-5" id="en-NIV-28400" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">5 </sup>so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-5" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-5" style="background-color: white;">Where does the power of Paul's testimony come from? The Spirit. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 1Cor-2-5" style="background-color: white;">Who did he need to know? Christ and Him crucified.</span></span><br />
Was his message complicated? Not at all.<br />
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Now, don't get me wrong for a moment, I am not attempting to undermine apologetics where we have such teachers as William Lane Craig who adamantly defend Christ, but what I am trying to say is that we are not all Dr. Craig. The way God desires to use you and the words He has for you to speak are different from those of your brothers and sisters.<br />
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And God has a calling on each of our lives and He places us where He wants us to be and, if we allow Him, His Spirit will do the speaking for us.<br />
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I know that I have my own tendency to collect all of these apologetic books and think "Alright, if I read through these, I'll be a pro at debating atheists." This is not the case.<br />
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A friend of mine once told me about someone whom he knew that was interested in learning about the Enemy so he could better combat the Enemy's ways and so forth. And this person, after some time, was approached by a brother in Christ out of concern and he essentially said to him that when someone is checking money to find the counterfeit bills, what do they do? Do they spend their time studying counterfeit bills and comparing them to real ones? No, instead they study the real ones nonstop so that when they do find a fake one, they recognise it instantly because they know exactly what a real one looks like.<br />
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Now, that's not the perfect analogy but the message is still there. The truth we need is not in debates or lengthy scholarly essays, its in His Word. And the truth we need to share is with Him. When it comes to defending Christ, ultimately we need only tap into His wisdom and let Him lead us from there.<br />
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I think a lot of our disheartening, though, doesn't come necessarily from what we say, but how the world responds. And in the midst of this, we've forgotten Christ's words where He says that the world is going to hate us because it hated Him, and yet He always spoke the truth.<br />
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<b>John 15:18-19</b> says, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">“</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. </span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b>19 </b></span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If </span>you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.</span></span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">" (NIV)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">And if we notice how in <b>John 18</b>, when Christ is before the High Priest, He always spoke truth, yet He was still condemned. Don't be surprised when the world hates the answer given for the reason you hope. <b>James 1:2</b> tells us to rejoice in our sufferings, so rejoice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">The final thing I want to remind you of is the worldview to which we are preaching and Pilate's answer to Christ and His words is so iconic of today's world. In <b>John 18:38</b> after Christ spoke to Pilate in private about who He is, Pilate simply responded: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">"What is truth?" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Despite hearing truth, the world still asks the same questions, expecting a different answer. This is the condition of the world. This is not always our failure to teach the truth as God intends. If the world responded to Christ with that question, why should we be surprised when it does the same to us? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">We know that Jesus alone saves, so let God water the seeds that have been planted by the truth that we bring. Don't fret when the world ignores what you say and don't despair when the world doesn't seem to understand.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">He's still in control, have no fear in giving the reason for the hope you have. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">God bless you all. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-42933189166954806842013-02-25T03:16:00.001-08:002013-02-25T03:29:55.396-08:00The Calm in the Storm As I remembered that last week was the last message on purity, I found myself at a loss for what to teach today so I want to finish up on something that I had taught a while back. Originally this message was a continuation of the one entitled "<a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-lukewarm-mindset.html" target="_blank">A Lukewarm Mindset</a>" which focused on John 18 and how Peter acted in the face of oppression and how this parallels with today. I want to split up this second half of the message and, today, speak on His providence in the face of oppression.<br />
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Now, the message on the lukewarm mindset left off looking at the attributes of a lukewarm Christian, how they give the appearance of a genuine Christian but crumple under pressure and submit to the world. And now, like many Christian messages, I want to change roads and look at how we face the oppression that people find their faith crumpling under.<br />
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It isn't breaking news to any genuine Christian that oppression is slowly increasing in the world. In some places its far worse than others, but nevertheless, it is increasing and we know this can come in many forms too. I remember, a while back, there was a substitute teacher at my school who was a devout Atheist and we had some pretty decent conversations on morality and religion that resulted in us not getting any work done (totally not my fault). One day we were talking during break time and somehow the topic of a literal view of creation came up and when he found out that I do take it literally, he responded with something along the lines of "Its one thing to believe in God, but you don't really believe that's literal, do you?!"<br />
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I have to admit that I was a little disappointed at his disappointment with me but this took little toll on my faith; I'm used to mockery for my beliefs on the creation account. But let's broaden things for a moment and ask: what about younger Christians who are simply trying to defend Christ and Him alone? And they find themselves feeling weighed down by the oppression, because, unfortunately, Satan knows our weaknesses and will do what he can to crush our faith. I'm sure he would enjoy nothing more than to see a young Christian crumple under oppression and for the faith to die.<br />
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But just as Satan and his demons don't take days off from attacking us, nor does God leave a day without a promise of His peace. The phrase "Do not be afraid" or similar phrases with the same meaning is repeated 365 times in the Bible.<br />
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Now, I've come to accept the definition of a coincidence being "A miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous" and for the number of promises on this topic to be the exact same number as that of day in the year is just amazing and shows nothing less than His providence in our lives.<br />
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Now, since the intended purpose of this blog is to keep the youth in mind specifically, I do want to take a moment and speak to them directly.<br />
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Guys, the most common thing we will likely hear from non-Christians who are against God but won't openly discriminate against Christians are going to say things along the lines of "You're too young to understand the world" or "You'll grow out of it". And they see our faith as something childish, like believing in Santa, that we grow out of overtime.<br />
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<b>Job 32:8</b> NIV says,<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">"But it is the spirit in a man, </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">the breath of the Almighty, that </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">gives him understanding."</span></span></span><br />
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These words were spoken by Elihu in the book of Job. He was the last one to speak out of all of Job's friends because he was the youngest and yet the words he spoke were the wisest.<br />
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The understanding we have of Scripture is His gift to us. People will say that you are too young to understand when it is they who not even realise that it is God who gives understanding in the first place.<br />
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Now, as God has led me to write more and more of these messages, I find that so often do the messages return back to the central providence of God: the peace He brings, His light burden, His easy yoke. And now that we arrive at the topic of oppression, His providence is just as valid and just as applicable.<br />
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<b>Matthew 11:30</b> NIV says, "<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">In the midst of this oppression, He gives us this promise. This promise of a light heart, of rest, and as mentioned before, of courage. And He doesn't fail to continue to remind us of this: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b>John 16:33</b> NIV <span style="font-family: inherit;">says, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> In this world you will have trouble.</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> But take heart! I have overcome</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> the world.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Time and time again, not only does Christ recognise the oppression of the world and the fight we have before us but He PROMISES us that we will have peace in His because He has overcome the world so that we would not be afraid. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And some might be thinking, "Dude, you're just spouting Bible verses here, what am I learning?" </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">But isn't this what we need? To simply have His Word? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">I recall a sermon a while back where the speaker humoursly commented that sometimes he felt that we would learn more in church if we would just read the chapter rather than having someone trying to teach a sermon on the chapter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And, in a way, its too true. We find ourselves too reliant on what other Christians are teaching us and not allowing ourselves to nurture our own souls with His Word. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">We need those few simple verses each day of His promises to restore us in the midst of oppression, two hours each Sunday won't give you the same refreshment nor will it give you the same direction in the midst of oppression. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">But His Word? It equips us with exactly what we need to stand firm in the face of oppression and it alone is sufficient. Let His Word give you the calm you need in the storm. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">God bless you all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: start; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-76982885195726149842013-02-18T04:52:00.002-08:002013-02-18T05:06:20.392-08:00The Passion of PurityToday, I intend to give my final message on purity. Just to summarise what we've learnt so far, in <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-higher-standard.html" target="_blank">A Higher Standard</a>, we established that God calls us to a beautifully high standard contrasted with the world, in <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/02/boundaries-of-purity.html" target="_blank">Boundaries of Purity</a> we looked at the false presumption that purity is stagnant and examined the biblical idea of purity being alive, and then in <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-heights-of-purity.html" target="_blank">Heights of Purity</a>, we examined how high and far this call to purity actually goes and attempted to understand how to follow this.<br />
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But there is something final that I need to address and based on Scripture and my own personal experiences with purity, it is something we need to learn. In the past, I have spoken on the need to not only have head knowledge, to understand, but to actually believe in your heart that what you say is the truth to the extent that its not simply words, but something that you follow. The message I am referring to is <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2012/11/18-inches.html" target="_blank">18 inches</a> which I want to take further and apply to purity today.<br />
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I don't want to dwell too long on the consequences of only having head knowledge but no commitment in one's heart, however, it still needs to be addressed.<br />
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Few chapters say it as bluntly as <b>Matthew 7</b> where Christ says to those that thought they were doing the right things. They appeared Christian, looked Christian but were everything but Christian based on Christ's response when He says "Depart from me, I never knew you."<br />
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Based on their own admissions however, it seems quite clear that there was a form of head knowledge, but I would say they weren't committed in their hearts, perhaps even to the point that their hearts were tainted and polluted by the world.<br />
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The issue was not that they didn't know Him, but that they were potentially unwilling to go to the lengths of obedience that He requires of us.<br />
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And yet we hear about Christians from the past and around the world who will go to great lengths and self-sacrifice for the name of Jesus and it astonishes the world and leaves the world dumbfounded as to how they can endure such torture yet preach His Word so zealously.<br />
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And we hear about Christians who have testimonies of sexual purity where they have learnt from past mistakes and become free from sin while others have testimonies of always saying no, not having fallen in these traps in the first place, and we ask ourselves "How?". How can someone manages to maintain purity in such a way as to not fall into the same traps in the first place?<br />
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Okay, well I've given it away... I'm talking about zeal! About passion. How can we live up to this standard of purity that we've been talking about for the past three weeks if it means nothing in our hearts, if we have no real desire to follow it actively but it just becomes a sort of passive thing. And then, how do we control this passion so we are not mislead in our goals and intentions?<br />
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<b>Romans 12:11 </b>paints a pretty clear picture of what being zealous for God really means when it says,<br />
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"<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28257A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> serving the Lord." (NIV)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Never</b> be lacking. One of those Christian concepts that seems unbelievable yet its right there in Scripture. Wouldn't it be amazing to have that sort of fire for God each day as we serve Him? </span></span><br />
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And we ask ourselves, "How can we <i>never </i>be lacking in zeal?" Surely that's impossible.<br />
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Well, for anyone with a Bible that has a concordance at a back, there are some interesting verses found in the Old Testament regarding zeal.<br />
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<b>Proverbs 19:2</b> NIV says, "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">nor to be hasty and miss the way."</span><br />
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Not only is head knowledge dangerous without commitment within one's heart but the vice versa is true as well, and this isn't only an OT concept. No, no. Paul resonates these words in two of his letters. </div>
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<b>Romans 10:2</b> NIV says, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">For I can testify about them that they are zealous</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-28176A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here Paul is speaking of the Israelites, the Jews who believed, and still do, they are following God's desires. Yet, he makes this distinction that their zeal is not based on knowledge, and he goes on to speak of the righteousness of God and this knowledge of God that have in Christ and His salvation. </span></span></div>
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You see, we are called to be zealous for God, but this zealousness isn't hollow, it isn't based on thin air, its based on Scripture. It needs that head knowledge that helps us grow because if we use that knowledge of God that we learn, then we can grow spiritually, but if we allow is to leave us unchanged, then what is the point in learning it in the first place? </div>
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<b>Galatians 6:18a</b> NIV says, "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good"</span></span></div>
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We need that knowledge to guide our purpose for our zeal. I'm sure Satan would love for all Christians to be zealous for all the wrong things... but for the Christians to know exactly what God commands in His Word and the purity He calls us to.<br />
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Well, then we start to bear such fruit as holiness and goodness and purity. </div>
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Build up that zeal that you need, but don't let it go to waste.<br />
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God bless you all. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-28302A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-31926288718916959732013-02-11T04:11:00.002-08:002013-02-11T04:18:29.462-08:00The Heights of PurityToday we will continue our study on purity and the level of purity God requires of us. In the past couple of weeks we looked at first the standard of the world briefly and contrasted that with the standard that Christ gave while on earth and through the apostles (<a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-higher-standard.html" target="_blank">A Higher Standard</a>). We then went further and examined the misconceptions of purity and how purity isn't stagnant but is in continual motion towards Christ in obedience to God (<a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/02/boundaries-of-purity.html" target="_blank">Boundaries of Purity</a>) and we left off hinting towards understanding the extents of purity through His Word. That is where I want to continue today.<br />
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Now, when I say 'the heights of purity', what I'm really trying to get at is: what does the purity that God calls us into look like? And, in a way, it can be hard to picture this, especially when we look at passages like <b>Ephesians 5:3</b> which talks about not even allowing a hint of sexual immorality or impurity among God's children. And like a lot of things in Scripture, this isn't something that can simply be grasped in one simple verse or isn't only confined to the subjects we relate purity to, such as sexuality.<br />
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After reading several books on purity when it comes to relationship, they're usually in agreement when it comes to choosing courtship over dating, only a little to no kissing before engagement or even until the wedding day in some cases, refraining from being alone together and so forth.<br />
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But I don't want to get too caught up on interpretations because purity encompasses so much more than simply romantic relationships and so I'm going to throw some verses at you and we'll work through them one by one.<br />
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The first one I want to look at is <b>Philippians 4:8</b>,<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">This is one of my favourite verses. The simplicity of the message is astounding and yet it is so radical for this day and age. 'Whatever is <b>true</b>... whatever is <b>pure</b>... think about such things'. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Paul knows that purity starts with our thought lives.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">And notice he doesn't say "Make sure not to think about lust or coveting or greed". No, no. As we learnt, purity is in motion, it isn't about boundaries, just as our faith in Christ isn't about all the "Thou shalt not's" but is about freedom in Christ. It is simply a constant fixation on the glory and splendor of God and all He has done and allowing our minds to be consumed with that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b>1 Timothy 5:1-2</b> NIV says, "</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, </span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">Again, just a beautiful passage from Paul as he briefly summarises how we should treat others in the body of Christ and the part that has always fascinated me is the last few words.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">Absolute purity. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">It is astounding how simple it sounds and yet so difficult at the same time, and we find ourselves coming back to what was just said about Philippians 4:8, that this isn't about regulations and criteria. Its not about a boundary that is set out and that as long as you're within that boundary, you're treating others with absolute purity. No, not at all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">Because this all really comes back to Christ's most fundamental teaching: love. And the love we hear about in <b>1 Corinthians 13</b> and we know that that passage sounds too cliche in contemporary times. That doesn't make it any less true. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">Not only does love has the essence of selflessness, so does purity. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;">And there's a lot more Scripture has to say on purity, but I want to discuss one last verse that I have always been quite fond of as it describes the childlike nature Christ calls us to be as God's children. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-indent: 25px;"><b>Titus 1:15a</b> NIV says, "</span></span><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To the pure, all things are pure". </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I haven't done any scholarly reading on this verse but the interpretation I have also felt I have received from God has always been this idea that those who are pure, who's minds are fixated on the purity and truth of God, they have this sort of innocence. And some people will interpret this innocence as being naive or ignorant or whatever they want to call it, but I've always seen it as a sort of innocence that refuses to be corrupted by the world. That it is able to see the good where there is good, and doesn't fixate on the evil. That is can hear the worst joke in the world and yet passes it by because the mind is too pure to hold such thoughts so as to understand the joke. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">I hope you are beginning to get this picture of purity that I am trying to paint for you and not only the heights of this purity, but also its beauty. I know I only posted the fist half of the verse and for those you who are </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">familiar</span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> with the verse, you know it goes on to talk about those who's minds are corrupted and do not believe and it creates this stark contrast between the purity of God and corruption of the world. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And I don't claim to hold to this sort of purity all the time but I can say that the times when I have managed to hear a joke and remain so naive as to not understand it and, thus, the devil has managed to take no hold on my mind and God has kept me in peace, and it was such a blessing. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">And there is hope for all who are in Christ because this renewal of the mind must start somewhere and He is fully capable of renewing our minds so that we may attain this purity. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">So, I implore you this week, to just take some time and allow God to refresh your mind and cleanse it as He transforms you from one degree of glory to another in Christ's likeness. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fffefd;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783137505036392006.post-51782546699049389502013-02-04T04:14:00.001-08:002013-02-04T04:20:24.683-08:00Boundaries of PurityToday I want to continue on talking on the topic of purity. Last week we focused on the calling that we have to reach a higher standard. This was essentially a broader overview of the whole Christian standard of what it means to follow God, but today I want to narrow things down. I want to look at something specific that I think is too often misunderstood in today's culture. I want to talk about the boundaries of purity.<br />
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I think that it is safe to say, that far too many Christians and non-Christians, have the following idea of purity in mind:<br />
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"Purity is a line. A boundary that is marked right before going the "whole" way with someone, and we can go as far as we like as long as we don't cross that line and we're all good with God."<br />
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I hope most of you have the same perplexed thought running through your mind that goes,"Who would get that impression from Scripture? O.o"<br />
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Now, I want to address two serious misconceptions about purity made in this illustration.<br />
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The first is this: that purity is a line right before sex.<br />
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It may not seem so, but it feels as though this thought is quite prevalent among young Christians today and its almost amusing in light of what Christ says in <b>Matthew 5:26</b> when He says,<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.</span>" (NIV)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">And again, we looked at <b>Ephesians 5:3</b> last week which says that there should not even be a HINT of sexual immorality among us because it is unfit for God's children. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">All one needs to do is do a quick search on Google about verses on purity and no where is a line indicated when it comes to purity nor is there indication of compromise. If Christ taught that even a thought could lead a man into sin, how much more so the actions that are a prelude to sex? </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">Now I know that there are some people, that I do not claim to know but I believe there are some, who will try and argue "Well, a specific line isn't indicated in Scripture as to what is acceptable and what isn't etc." And they're right, there isn't a line indicated as I just said. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">But here's the other false assumption made in the initial illustration. Are you ready? Okay.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">The second is this: that purity is stagnant, a line, unmovable and something to avoid crossing. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">I've spoken before on the idea of faith being alive and in motion under the heading "Stand firm, but not still" which can be found <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2012/12/stand-firm-not-still.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and this idea of faith being alive and in motion wholly includes purity. The psalmist knew this in <b>Psalm 119:9</b> NIV, "</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is his answer to living pure, it is <b>living</b>. Not many will say that the idea of living is some stagnant or dull, for that matter, but something alive. Here the psalmist is really talking about active obedience to God's Word. Obeying His commands. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The other interesting thing to note about that verse is that the psalmist doesn't specify a simple, singular action by which we remain pure but it encompasses the whole of His Word. Some people may say, "Well, you say 'be pure' but I don't know how to start, where to begin." Purity is taught throughout Scripture and the New Testament speaks in abundance on sexual purity. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A quick Google search and clicking on one of the first links takes me to a site that already gives fifteen verses on purity. Now, this says something doesn't it? Would it be safe to say that those who know His Word, know what it means to be pure, and those who know His Word are the ones who dig into it daily? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are in a war. Again, I have spoken on the importance of daily Bible reading (link <a href="http://ptb4hns.blogspot.com/2013/01/daily-devotion.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Those who know His Word, will know what it means to be pure and how He desires a living purity for us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That purity is not about a boundary, and purity is not about remaining still. Its alive, just as Christ is alive in us. Purity is not something we stoop to and simply avoid the line with, but something we aim for. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, with regards to sexual purity and what is deemed as appropriate, what is not and such, is another topic which I want to touch onto next week, so don't freak out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May He teach the meaning of walking in purity this coming week... or you can wait until next week's message (joking). </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2b2b;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">God bless you all. </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Rom-15-13" id="en-NIV-28317"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.<b> Romans 15:13 NIV</b></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276312668284689425noreply@blogger.com0