tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62210340817010984312024-03-14T00:24:55.990-07:00The Good LifeThis blog will publish weekly Christian devotionals
Please feel free to comment, disagree or add your ideas and questions!Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.comBlogger557125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-16415386177654020042020-06-07T12:13:00.001-07:002020-06-07T12:13:14.606-07:00More Wisdom from Proverbs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More Wisdom from Proverbs</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s Spirit
speaks through the book of Proverbs in Old Testament times with more wisdom for
His people. The main point of the book of Proverbs is that wisdom apart from
God is impossible Our God is a faithful and merciful God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A God of unfailing love and a God of justice.
A God who can do no wrong. And a God who calls us, His children, to be like our
heavenly Father, and be merciful, loving and faithful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of God’s promises in the book of Proverbs
is that He will provide and lead and protect us through life if we are willing.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promises us: “Trust in the Lord with
all your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And lean not on your own
understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 3:5-6) And another promise in the
book of Proverbs says: “A person’s heart plans his or her way, but the Lord
directs her or his steps.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs
16:9)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, “The
preparations of the heart belong to humans, But the answer is from the Lord.”
(Proverbs 16:1) It is exciting to realize that we don’t have to run our own
lives all by ourselves. But we can come under the protection and guidance of
our loving heavenly Father if we trust Him and try to obey Him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the book
of Proverbs, Solomon lists seven things that our heavenly Father hates:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God hates the proud. (We Christians are to be
humble.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God hates violence. People
who shed innocent blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our heavenly
Father hates it when people stir up trouble and anger between family
members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He hates it when people
think up wicked plans or give a false witness about another person, getting
them into trouble. (Proverbs 6:16-19) A whole chapter in Proverbs is given to warning
humans of the perils of adultery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perils
for the person who cheats on his/her marriage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Holy
Spirit is not mentioned directly in the book of Proverbs, but the person named “Wisdom”
is mentioned over and over again throughout the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Wisdom” in Proverbs becomes a Person
calling out to each of us to take her in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To let her lead us. Bible scholars believe
that this Person named “Wisdom” in Proverbs is really the Holy Spirit,
((Proverbs 1:23) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Spirit in the
New Testament is given to us when we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord and
He will help and teach us to follow the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“wisdom”
of Proverbs, and He will give us the strength to do it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All through
the book of Proverbs, wisdom is contrasted against folly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs teaches that there are just two paths
in life and humans must choose one of the two. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book of Proverbs contrasts the good path
of “Wisdom” against the evil path of folly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wisdom is many things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wisdom is righteousness.
and Wisdom is life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is justice and
honor and truth and industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wisdom is
fidelity and love and peace. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Humans can
choose the path of righteousness or the path of evil. The path of Life or the
path of death. Honor or dishonor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth or
falsehood. Love or hate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fidelity or
adultery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peace or violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Industry or laziness. “Wisdom” travels up and
down the highways and byways of this earth calling out to humans to take the right
path – the path of wisdom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much of the
book of Proverbs is taken up with warnings for us to stay away from the sins
that will destroy us and begging us to follow the things that will lead to the
good life. Here are some of my favorite verses in Proverbs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The memory
of the righteous is blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
name of the wicked will rot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs
10:7)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hatred
stirs up strife, but love covers a multitude of sins” (Proverbs 10:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The
blessings of the Lord makes one rich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When the
whirlwind passes by, the wicked are no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 10:25) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The
righteous will never be removed. But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.”
(Proverbs 10:30) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A righteous
person regards the life of his/her animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The wise
woman builds her house, but the foolish woman pulls it down with her hands.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 14:1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There is a
way that seems right to a person, but it’s end is the way of death.” (Proverbs
14:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Better is a
dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 15:17) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“In the fear
of the Lord there is strong confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And His children will have a place of refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Better is a
little with righteousness, than vast revenues of monies without justice.”
(Proverbs 16:8)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Pride goes
before destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a haughty spirit
before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And my
favorite: “In mercy and truth atonement and forgiveness is provided for
sins:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by the fear of the Lord one
departs from evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 16:6)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-75184721708394196312020-05-27T14:42:00.002-07:002020-05-27T14:42:12.484-07:00Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The book of Proverbs
in the Bible was written over a period of 200 years by Solomon and also perhaps
Hezekiah and several other prophets from approximately 950 B.C to 750 B.C.. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main theme of Proverbs is this: “The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Proverbs 9:10) And also that God’s wisdom is the most valuable thing we
can strive to obtain. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book gives many examples to prove these
truths: (1) That wisdom is the most valuable of assets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2) that wisdom is available to anyone, but
the price is high. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(3) That wisdom comes
from God, not ourselves, and comes by attention to God’s instruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(4) That wisdom and righteousness go
together. That wisdom apart from God is impossible. (5) That evil people suffer
the consequences of their evil deeds. (6) And that the simple, the fool, the
lazy, the ignorant, the immoral, the proud and the sinful are never to be
admired. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right away
in the first chapter of Proverbs we are told how God will punish violent
persons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s listen: “My son, if
sinners entice you, do not consent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
they say, ‘Come with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us lie in
wait to shed blood: Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause:……. We
shall find all kinds of precious possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We shall fill our houses with spoil:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cast in your lot among us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us
all have one purse.” 1:10,11,13-14)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“ My son do not walk in the way with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep your foot from their path:
for their feet run to evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…Surely in
vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they lie in wait for their own blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lurk secretly for their own lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for
gain: Greed takes away the life of its owners.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>( (Proverbs 1:15-19) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
proverb turns “Wisdom” into a person – a woman calling out to each person on
earth, begging them to take her wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And promising those who do, protection and preservation. Here is the
call to Wisdom:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wisdom calls aloud
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She raises her voice in the
open squares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cries out in the chief
concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She speaks her words: ‘How long, you simple
ones, will you love simplicity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turn at my rebuke, for surely, I will pour
out My Spirit on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will make my Word
known to you.” (Proverbs 1: 20-23) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sadly, as “Wisdom”
goes about calling out to each one, many do not listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has so much to give to anyone who will
receive. She is deeply grieved and describes what will happen to those who refuse
God’s knowledge and wisdom: “Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own
ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And be filled to the full with
their own fancies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the turning away
of the simple will slay them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
complacency of fools will destroy them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Proverbs 1:31-32) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wisdom tells
the one who want wisdom what it will do for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She says that discretion will preserve
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And understanding will keep you.
And deliver you from the ways of evil. And from the person who speaks perverse
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 2:11-12) God’s wisdom will
keep you from walking in the ways of darkness (verse 13b) And this wisdom will also
keep you from the sexually immoral person, whose house lead down to death.
(verse 16 and 18)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then this
woman named Wisdom also describes the reward that will be given to those who
received her Words and treasure God’s commands. “But whoever listens to me “to Wisdom”
will dwell safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And will be secure, without
fear of evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will find the
knowledge of God, because the Lord gives wisdom:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From His mouth comes knowledge and
understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stores up sound wisdom
for the upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is a shield to
those who walk uprightly:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He guards the
paths of justice and preserves the way of His saints.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 1:33,2:6-8) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are warnings to the person who is
lazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person who hates to work is
told to see how hard an ant works to gather food for the winter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he or she refuses to work “poverty will
come on you like a prowler, and you will be in need.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 6:11)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And to the
wicked person there are more warnings. “The one who walks with a perverse
mouth. … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He devises evil
continually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sows discord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, his calamity shall come
suddenly:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly he shall be broken
without remedy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 6:12b,
14b-15) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And wisdom
has this to say to the adulterer: “Whoever commits adultery lacks
understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He or she who does so
destroys their own soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wounds and dishonor,
he/she will get and their reproach will not be wiped away. “(Proverbs 6:32-33) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scriptures
in Proverbs tell us that evil actions can become addictive. That evil persons
are literally addicted to doing their crimes again and again. - Proverbs 4:14 and
16-17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thief must steal again and
again, and the violent person must continue hurting more and more people. – or the
same person over and over again. Very frightening! Let us read: “Do not enter
the path of the wicked and do not walk in the way of evil. … For those who
enter this path do not sleep unless they have done more evil: and their sleep
is taken away from them unless they make someone fall. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For they eat the bread of wickedness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they drink the wine of violence.” (Proverbs
4:14, 16 -17) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are
more promises to those who run after wisdom and more warnings for those who run
after evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For the upright will dwell
in the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the blameless will
remain in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the wicked will be cut
off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 2:21-22) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But the
path of the just is like the shining sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the way of the wicked is like
darkness:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not know what makes
them stumble.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 4:18-19) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems
that the book of Proverbs is telling us that we have a choice between good and
evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There seems to be no middle
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Jesus said: “He who is not
with Me is against Me, and He who does not gather with Me, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>scatters” ( Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which will it be? </span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-42836813644322173432020-05-17T11:37:00.002-07:002020-05-17T11:37:50.522-07:00Strengthening Yourself in the Lord<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Strengthening Yourself in the Lord</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture
says: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs
of life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 4:23) Most of us try
to take care of our bodies. But do we – do you - take care of your heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By heart –we mean the part of you that is “you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your soul – your mind, emotions and will?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
are a spiritual being as well as a physical being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And taking care of your heart – which is
another word for your soul- is all important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scripture says: “from your soul flows the springs of life”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs 4:23)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Christians,
taking care of our hearts means learning to receive our comfort and strength
from God. Trusting and obeying God. Meditating on God’s Word, the Bible. Living
a life of thankfulness and praise to God. And building our lives on the solid
Rock. (which is Jesus Christ) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To strengthen
our faith in God and to take care of our heart we can start by: (1) Pursuing God
with all our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cry out to God and
pursue His will for ourselves and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fast and pray. (Mark 9:14-29) Ask God for more faith and more love. For
more of His Spirit. Scripture says: “He who comes to God in prayer must believe
that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Hebrews 11:6) Faith pursues God and believes
that God rewards those who come to Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: “This is the confidence we
have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to His will, He
hears us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1 John 5:14) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob wrestled all night with God and told God
that he would not let God go until God blessed him. God blessed him and changed
his name from “Jacob” to “Israel” which means: (You have wrestled with God and
have prevailed).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Genesis 26: 24-29) God
was very pleased that Jacob ran after Him and would not let Him go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to strengthen ourselves in the Lord
we must be more like Jacob and pursue God with all our hearts! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second
thing we can do to watch over our hearts and strengthen ourselves in the Lord
is this: (2) Study the Bible and meditate on God’s Word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let God speak to you through His Word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not feed your soul junk food or even worse
do not feed on Satan’s lies, hatreds, heresies and poisons. Get a good
concordance and go to a Bible believing church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fellowship with other believers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stand on the promises of your faithful God. All
through Scripture God has given His children wonderful promises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promises us His peace so let us take it
and hold onto it. God’s Word is food for your soul, and you cannot be joyful
and strong in the Lord if you do not feed on His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The third
thing we can do in taking care of our heart is this: (3) Obey God and obey His
Word. Live a life of obedience to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember
that God is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goodness of God is
the cornerstone of our faith. Everything God does is good and loving, joyful and
merciful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says that He can do
no evil. He is a righteous Judge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
commandments and laws are just. They are there to lead us in the ways of eternal
life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Confess your
sins and ask for His forgiveness, which He promises to give. If you have
bitterness, hatred or unforgiveness in your heart, confess it and give it to
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will take care of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your soul will not prosper if you carry around
unforgiveness or bitterness or hatred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also,
Jesus calls us to have a servant’s heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will give us joy as we serve others. Followers of Christ are to be
humble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: “Pride goes
before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16;18) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is a commandment in Scripture that
you are disobeying, confess it to God and turn from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honor your parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not steal from others or take advantage of
others or be greedy or bear false witness against others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not covet what others have. And do not
commit adultery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love God with all your
heart and love your neighbor as yourself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live a life of love to God and to other
humans. Do not take God’s Name in vain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set aside time to rest and worship God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And do not kill another person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Human life is sacred. God calls on us to
trust Him. Ask Him to help you trust Him more. Ask Him to guide your steps and
listen for His leading.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fourth
thing we can do to build ourselves up in God is: (4) Be thankful to Him. Scripture
tells us to give God thanks in every situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(1 Thessalonians 5:18)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live a life of praise and thanksgiving. Rejoice
in the Lord always! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live in the romance
of a loving and good and faithful God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture
says that God lives in the praises of His people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spend time praising God. Give Him your heart
in worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: “Therefore,
they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming in to the goodness of
the Lord, for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the
herd:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their souls shall be like a well-watered
garden,” (Jeremiah 31:12) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is your soul a
“well-watered garden”? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fifth thing
we can do to take care of our souls is: (5) Feed our hearts on what God is
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not stumble over what He does
not seem to be doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And do not dwell
on your disappointments, or on the people that tried or are trying to hurt you.
Scripture instructs us to fill our minds with the helpful people in our lives, the
beauty of creation, and all the good things around us. (James 1:17) And, to
remember that God is the source of everything good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father…” (Philippians 4:8) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sixth
thing is: (6) Learn to trust God and live with the unexplainable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That doesn’t mean that you don’t try to find
explanations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But give up your right to
understand everything that happens that doesn’t seem to make sense. Learn to
trust God with the unexplainable. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We read in the Bible (in the book of Job) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where Job, a good man of God, struggled to
understand why God would allow him to lose all of his children and all of his
wealth and covered him with boils when he had been such a good man and had
tried to serve God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Job insisted that
God should come and give an answer to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was the defendant and he was the
prosecutor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we ever do that with God?
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, God showed up and assured Job that his
terrible loses did not happen to him because he wasn’t a good and faithful
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That there were realms in the universe
that he, Job, could not understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that the God who knows everything and has all power and who created the world
and makes it all work together, could also be trusted to take care of us, even
when it doesn’t look like He is taking care of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That we don’t see the whole picture and still we
are called to trust God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Job fell on his
face and worshipped God and promised that even if God killed him, he would
trust Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God blessed Job and healed
his boils and gave him more children and gave him back twice the wealth that he
had had before. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And last but
not least, to build up our hearts, we need to: (7) Do good deeds. Be good
stewards of our time and money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help the
poor. Pray for others and share the gospel. Take care of our family and be
faithful to our spouse. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask God to lead
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus comes again to judge the
world and when He divides the sheep from the goats, the sheep are the ones who
fed the hungry and who took care of the sick. (Matthew 25:35-40).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus tells them that when they fed the hungry
it was the same as feeding Him. And when they helped others it was the same as
helping Him. While we are on this earth let’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be Jesus’ sheep and help others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture
says that Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches. (John 15:51) We get all of
our strength from Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can do nothing
without Him. Let’s go out and walk in His Ways and His Holy Spirit will go with
us to guide us Then our souls will be like well- watered gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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I took much
of this blog from Bill Johnson and Randy Clark’s book “The Essential Guide to
Healing”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-87753294838683088802020-05-10T17:24:00.002-07:002020-05-10T17:24:13.418-07:00How Do We Get Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9L6UNqx-88bvomZglo8a3rzl_Y2FtgFCDQCtuvlKFguTGmc_pEostQYmxWlC6tdIgqxUvWH_SrnnWFO_okLnGbJqzJVsAQEXnHhOhoZNbpUE3Na_0JWfSUIe0Ce94bDjlKdL5iORzPws/s1600/prayers+for+the+sick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9L6UNqx-88bvomZglo8a3rzl_Y2FtgFCDQCtuvlKFguTGmc_pEostQYmxWlC6tdIgqxUvWH_SrnnWFO_okLnGbJqzJVsAQEXnHhOhoZNbpUE3Na_0JWfSUIe0Ce94bDjlKdL5iORzPws/s1600/prayers+for+the+sick.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How Do We Get Faith as Small as a
Mustard Seed?</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus told
his disciples :”I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will
move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing will be impossible for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 17:20) Jesus’ disciples were
upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus had given them His
authority to heal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and they had prayed
for a little boy to be healed, but the boy was not healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Jesus lovingly healed the child. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Discouraged,
the disciples asked Jesus why even with His authority, they had not been able
to heal the boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Jesus answered that
they could not heal the boy because they had too little faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Jesus encouraged them by telling them
that all they needed was just a small bit of faith – as small as the smallest
seed - the mustard seed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of
us pray for healing for friends and loved ones but they are not healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does that mean that we, like Jesus’
disciples, don’t have enough faith? If so, then how do we get more faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a little faith the size of a mustard
seed? </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Randy Clark,
a faith healer, insists that we cannot work up this faith on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That this “mountain moving” faith comes from
God as a gift. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is <u>the gift</u> <u>of
faith</u>. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit gives each of us a spiritual gift,
“For to one is given the word of wisdom, through the Spirit to another the word
of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another the <u>gift of faith</u> by
the same Spirit to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To another the working of miracles, to
another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits to another different kinds
of tongues and to another the interpretation of tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1 Corinthians 12:8-10)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
mountain moving faith is not normal faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dr. Clark believes that this kind of faith is a gift of grace from God,
enabling the believer to have the faith for a specific outcome in a specific
moment – like a healing, or for a person to accept Christ as Savior.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus commands His disciples to “Have the
faith in (or of) God” (Mark 11;22) We cannot be commanded to have something
that we don’t have!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Dr. Clark says
that in this verse, the word “have” has been translated from the active form of
the verb (have) which means “to take hold of (something) or to grip or
seize”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He believes that Jesus is
commanding His disciples to make an effort to take hold of, or to seize the
faith of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ask God to use us in
any way He wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To give us the power
to hear His voice and to heal through us if He so wills. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps that
is part of the reason why the Bible often encourages believers to fast and
pray. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The believer really wants more of
the Holy Spirits’ power and is asking for God’s answer in a need. Scripture
says that our heavenly Father gives gifts to those who ask for them or really
want them and humbly wait on the Lord to receive these gifts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And fasting promotes a humble spirit in us as
we wait and lay our out requests before our heavenly Father.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe that our heavenly Father
wants a ho hum or casual prayer quickly thrown at Him for the big miracles we
need from Him in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think He
wants us to ask and seek and knock and keep on knocking. So, if we are asking
God for the faith to believe that He will make a loved one’s blind eyes see, we
are not asking for normal faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
special faith for a special need. This faith for healings and miracles is a special
gift from God related to the operation of healings and miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we can ask for it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: “Ask and it will be given to
you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a son asks for bread from his father, will
the father give him a stone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…Or if he
asks for a fish, will the father give him a snake?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…If you, being sinful, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to those who ask Him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Luke
11:9,11,13) Here, our heavenly Father promises to give us His Holy Spirit power
if we ask Him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Clark
says that the kind of faith that comes from God as a gift, is not there all the
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot create this faith, but
it is simply given by God as a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr.
Clark mentions one of the other gifts that Scripture says the Holy Spirit gives
to believers – the gift of knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1
Corinthians 12:8-9) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Randy Clark says that often there is a strong
connection between the gift of a word of knowledge and the gift of faith. A
word of knowledge from God allows us to know the specific will of God in a specific
situation, and that causes great faith to rise up in our hearts for answered
prayer for a healing or a prayer request. Faith is an important part in almost
every healing or miracle from God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mary Healy
tells a story of how the Word of Knowledge (one of the gifts of the Spirit) was
used as a tool for evangelism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary had
a friend, a Catholic priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This priest
was on the phone with a woman named Susan, an unbeliever who began to ask the
priest some questions about God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
priest saw an opening to share the gospel and began telling Susan about God’s
love and how He gave His Son, Jesus to die for her sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As they were
talking, an image came into the priest’s mind of Susan looking at herself in a
mirror, with her earrings on. And Jesus was looking at her with great love. The
priest decided to take a step of faith and share his impression with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told her that he saw the Lord Jesus
looking at her as she was looking in her mirror, with her earrings on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got more words of knowledge and he told Susan
that: “The Lord wants you to know that He sees your beauty and delights in you,
and that no matter what you’ve done in the past, He loves you and has a plan
for your life.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was
silence on the line for a minute or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the priest heard Susan crying and saying: “How did you know
that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then shared with the priest
that a month earlier she had fallen into a black hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That she had done things in her past that she
felt were very bad and that had ruined her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she felt like she was worthless. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But earlier that day she had put on a new pair
of earrings and looked at herself in the mirror and she wondered if there might
be hope for her somewhere. She accepted the priest’s challenge to read a book
about Jesus and she promised to come to church and learn more about God. The
word of knowledge that God gave the priest – the impression he got while
talking with her - was given to help Susan have faith in Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And later she gave her heart to Christ and
joined the church. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Susan probably
would have not had the faith to start going to church or to believe in Christ
as her Savior if the priest had not shared with her the “word of knowledge” that
he received from the Lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The priest
was supernaturally shown something about her that he wouldn’t have known
without that “word”. - or mental picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The body of Christ shies away from these supernatural gifts because sometimes
they can be mis-used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there are
false prophets and fakes pretending to have spiritual power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Bible promises that believers will be
given these spiritual gifts to use here on earth for His glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-26108712055237311152020-05-02T11:17:00.000-07:002020-05-02T11:17:13.232-07:00A Faith Healer Tells How God's Healing Gifts Work Through Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Faith Healer Tells How God’s
Healing Gifts Can Work Through Us</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Scriptures
tell us that we who believe in Jesus are authorized to heal the sick through the
Name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 10:8, Luke 10:9. James 5:14-16, 1
Peter 2:24, Mark 16:18) Jesus calls us to extend the love of God and His
healing to the lost and the sick and those in bondage. But how does this happen?
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Randy Clark, a Christian faith
healer, tells us what he has learned in his many years of praying for the sick.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We learn
from Scripture that faith is the main way that healing is received from God and
passed on to the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, of course,
God is sovereign and is also able to perform healing outside of the box. According
to Dr. Clark, the faith to heal is different from “saving faith” which enables
us to believe that Christ died for our sins and through faith in Him we receive
eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Healing faith has its
source in God and not in the person praying. The person praying is the conduit
for God’s supernatural healing power to flow through. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The faith to
heal is a gift of the Holy Spirit that is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:9. Also
Jesus speaks of “mountain moving” faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus said: “Have faith in God.” (or Have the faith of God) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said: “ For I say to you, whoever says
to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in
his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, I say to you,
whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you
will have them.” (Mark 11:22b-24)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Randy
Clark believes that in the Scripture we just quoted, (Mark 11:22b) that Jesus
may have actually said: “Have the faith <u>of</u> God.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Clark thinks that Jesus is commanding His
disciples to make an effort to acquire, take hold of, or to seize the faith of
God, which suggests acquiring the faith that comes from God. Or in other words,
being led by God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We don’t
have to work up our own faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
contents of this faith involves receiving revelation or a word of wisdom or
hearing the Holy Spirit’s still small voice – maybe as a strong impression or a
knowing that something is God’s will to take care of. It is a gift of grace,
enabling one to believe or have faith for a specific outcome in a specific
moment. Here below is an example of hearing God’s voice and direction and receiving
healing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Years ago, I
had a skin disease on my hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For five
years my hands had had painful blisters and bleeding cuts all over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went from doctor to doctor but none of the
doctors could diagnose my problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
of the doctors told me that I must be nervous, and my hands were breaking out
because of my nervousness. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, one day as I was driving to work, I
was in so much pain with my hands that I stopped the car by the side of the
street and took a few minutes to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
held my cracked and bleeding hands up to God and cried out to Him to heal them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must have had forty- five or fifty bleeding
cracks all over my hands at that time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right away I had the strong impression that I
should drive across the street to the corner drug store and go in and buy a
tube of athlete’s foot medicine and rub it on my cracked hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did that and after four or five weeks of
rubbing athlete’s foot medicine or fungicide on my hands, finally my hands were
healed. Praise God! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that God
gave me a word of wisdom or an answer as to what to do to heal my hands. My
hands have been healed ever since. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
associated faith and hearing God’s voice with being Abraham’s children. (John
8:39-47)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Scriptures say that “those
who believe are the children of Abraham.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Galatians 3:7) And according to Scripture, the pattern of Abraham’s
faith was hearing God’s still small voice and believing and trusting God and
obeying whatever God was asking him to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Genesis 12:1,4,15:4-6,9-10,23-14:22:2-4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham was willing to obey God’s small voice
to lead him - even when God was leading him to places that might be dangerous
or difficult or inconvenient. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God called
Abraham to leave his home (civilization) and travel to a new place - to far
away Israel, the Promised Land. But Abraham left his comfortable home, not knowing
where he was going, but following God’s leading.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps many of us never reach this level of
faith that Abraham had, because we may not be willing to give the Holy Spirit
that much control of our lives. What if the Holy Spirit leads us where we don’t
want to go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really how willing are we to
follow God anywhere, like Abraham did? Because Abraham believed God, God
blessed him and his children mightily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I believe that part of Abraham’s faith was his willingness to go wherever
God led him, or to do whatever God asked him to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He totally trusted that his loving heavenly
Father knew best.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a
story in Mark chapter 17 of the disciples not being able to heal a boy with epilepsy
and then Jesus healing the boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
disciples asked Jesus why they weren’t able to heal the boy as Jesus had given
them His authority to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Jesus
answered them saying that the reason they didn’t heal the boy was: “Because you
have so little faith. I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing will be impossible for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 17:20) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, it seems
that Jesus is saying that all we need is just a tiny bit of faith to pray for
something that God wants to give us, and it will be given. As a child of God I
can ask my loving heavenly Father for anything I need and He promises to give
it to me if it is in His Will and if I have the faith of a tiny grain of mustard
seed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But then the
faith that is related to the operation of healings and miracles, signs and
wonders, our faith healer, Randy Clark is saying is different from our own mustard
seed faith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a faith that comes
from God as a gift – a situational faith gift for the moment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bishop David Pytches, an Episcopal Charismatic
says of this kind of faith: “This gift is a supernatural surge of confidence
from the Holy Spirit which arises within a person faced with a specific
situation or need whereby that person receives a transrational certainty and
assurance that God is about to act through a word or action.” Then when the
pastor prays for the sick person, the healing takes place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In another week, in my next blog we will go
over some of these healings that happened when pastors and priests and faith
healers received this faith gift for a sick person. The nature of faith can
seem complex, but God calls us to heal through His Name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is intentional about healing, and He is
calling us to partner with Him – to let Him use us to heal other through us and
to bless others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those first Christians
were used by God to heal the sick as well as to save souls. And we are called
to do the same. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: “At the
hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the
people: and they were all with one accord.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Acts 5:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most of this
blog was taken from Dr. Randy Clark’s book: “Authority to Heal”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-54608712920005921892020-04-25T11:54:00.004-07:002020-04-25T11:54:47.954-07:00A Christian Faith Healer Talks About the Power to Heal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Christian Faith Healer Talks About the
Power to Heal</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Randy Clark
is the author of several books about how God has used his healing ministry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years he has seen tens of thousands
healed and brought to salvation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He encourages
fellow Christians to walk in the supernatural power of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to hit some of the high points
in his book, “Authority to Heal”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
book has blessed me so much and I hope it will bless you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Randy
Clark discusses the Biblical foundations for healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He mentions that God always provided a
healing stream throughout the Old Testament years before Christ came. That
healing stream flows from the very nature and goodness of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Scriptures God reveals himself as
Yahweh-Ropheh, which means “the Lord who heals you.” And God promised to
protect Israel from the many diseases that afflicted mankind if they would
follow Him and obey His commands. (Exodus 15:26) God healed sick persons through
Moses and God also healed the sick through many of the Old Testament prophets,
especially Elijah and Elisha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Jesus
came, He went about healing all the sick who came to Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everywhere He went He took care of the sick people,
unless they refused and rejected Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
said this about Himself: “The spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has
anointed Me to preach good news to the poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of
sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s
favor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Luke 4:18-19)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus commissioned
His followers to follow in His footsteps and also heal the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He taught His disciples to be God’s
agents and let God’s healing power flow through them to heal the sick. Shortly
before Jesus went back to heaven, He gave His disciples the “Great Commission”.
(Mark 16:15-18) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus gave all of His followers a job to
perform. Our job is to go out and offer His salvation and healing to the world.
And Jesus promised that His Holy Spirit would be with us to give us His power
for this undertaking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The healing stream
that ran through the centuries during the Old Testament age, now with Holy Spirit
power has become a river of healing flowing through our modern New Testament age.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In His “Great
Commission”, Jesus calls all of His followers to: “Go into all the world and
preach to gospel to every person. ..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out
demons; they will speak with new tongues. They will take up serpents: and if
they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them, they will lay hands
on the sick, and they will recover.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Mark 16:15,17, 18)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few Christians,
in religious meetings, play with snakes whose venom is deadly and drink
poisonous drinks to try to prove that God is with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t believe that Jesus ever meant that
we should play with real live poisonous snakes to tempt God! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bible
scholars believe that t the snakes or serpents Jesus mentioned could be
spiritual evils or demons that try to harm the Christian. God’s power does shield
believers from harm. Even when we get sick and die, the grave has no power over
us. (1 Corinthians 15:55) I believe we Christians would be amazed if we could
see how many evils there are out there that God has protected us from throughout
our lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus calls
whoever believes to go out and witness and heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says: “I say to you, he who believes in
Me, the works that I do, he will do also: and greater works than these he will
do, because I go to My Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever
you ask in My Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ask anything in My Name, I
will do it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 14:12-14) Healings
and miracles were the number-one-way God received glory in the Scriptures. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Randy
Clark insists that before the Christian goes out to witness and heal in Christ’s
Name, he or she should receive an “anointing” from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though a Christian receives the Holy
Spirit when they believe in Christ, they may need to have a release or fullness
of the Holy Spirit in their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
Scriptures point to this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is one
Scripture which shows this truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When
the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they
sent Peter and John to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they
arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because
the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them: and they had simply been
baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the
Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-17)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, in
Romans we again find the concept of impartation (passing on a spiritual gift by
the laying on of hands) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says: “I
long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you
strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s
faith.” (Romans 1:11-12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul, as he
went throughout the Gentile world witnessing to justification by grace through
faith in Christ, he also emphasized that receiving the empowering presence of
God through His Holy Spirit into one’s life was all important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Spirit is the true source of our
fruitfulness if we try to live our lives for Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul reminded Timothy, his beloved helper in
the ministry, to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the
laying on of hands.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2 Timothy 1:6) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A believer
can receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit without the laying on of hands. But
it is one way that many believers have received this fullness. Another way is
through praying and fasting and waiting upon God. Scripture says that God is
simply looking for those who are willing to yield their hearts and live by all
that God wants to work through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>–
those who are willing to believe for more, because, according to Scripture,
there is more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the Old
Testament we see the principle of impartation (laying on of hands) – a transference
of anointing in Deuteronomy 34:9, “Now Joshua, son of Nun was fill with the
spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are many other examples of this principle of impartation throughout the Old
Testament as well as in the New Testament.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture
teaches us that God gives each believer a spiritual gift or gifts to use in
their ministry with other believers to build up each other in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These gifts are mentioned in 1 Corinthians
12:4-11)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For to one is given the word of wisdom,
through the Spirit to another the word of knowledge through the same
Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To another, faith, by the same Spirit,
and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To another the working of miracles, and to
another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, and to another different
kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one and the same Spirit works all these
things, distributing to each believer individually as He wills:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1 Corinthians 12: 7-11) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We need power
from the Holy Spirit to use our spiritual gift or gifts as we go about doing
God’s work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you feel a stirring in your
heart for more of the power of God in your life and for more of the Holy Spirit
to work through your life, you can pray and ask the Lord to create a hunger in
you for more of His Spirit and His gifts. You can ask God for more of the power
of the Holy Spirit. You can ask that the Lord create faith in you to receive
whatever He has to give you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ask
and humbly believe, you will receive. </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most of this
blog has been taken from Dr. Randy Clark’s book, “Authority to Heal” Restoring
the Lost Inheritance of God’s Healing Power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-13571988812133434972020-04-16T13:47:00.003-07:002020-04-16T13:47:54.529-07:00Jesus Calls Us to a Life in the Spirit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus Call us to a Life in the Spirit</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we are continuing our study of Jesus’ words on how to
live our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He preached about this
in His famous “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew 5,6and 7 of our
Bibles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is calling out a people to
reject the world’s ways of doing things and live their lives completely
trusting their heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
children of God, Jesus calls us to a new way of living, and He gives us His
Spirit to help us walk in this new way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus gives His followers many different commands in this sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without His Spirit to help us keep these
commands we would not be able to obey any of them on our own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have covered much of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” already
in previous blogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But today we will
continue as He has many commands for His followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And some of Jesus’ commands go against
worldly wisdom and upsets our sense of pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here is one that I struggle with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus asks us to go the second mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here is what He said: “You have heard it said, ‘an eye for an eye and a
tooth for a tooth’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I tell you not
to resist an evil person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoever slaps
you on one cheek, turn the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if
anyone sues you and takes away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And whoever compels you to go one mile, go
with him two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give to him who asks you, and
from him who wants to borrow, do not turn away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 5:38-42) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus has a great deal to say about humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no wonder, since it was pride that first
caused mans’ downfall into sin when Adam and Eve felt that their own way was
better than God’s way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now restored
godliness requires that we humans do the opposite and humble ourselves before God’s
will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps here in Jesus’ command to
go the second mile and turn the other cheek, He is calling His followers to
renounce any form of pride and retaliation against those who treat us badly and
leave all vengeance to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obedience is
the response of faith to Jesus’ commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are to let mistreatment by others remind us to overcome
their evil through love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our heavenly
Father will take care of us and be our shield and defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when our enemy kills our bodies, we will
be taken to heaven and will be made whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In these situations, we are promised that “not a hair of our heads will
be harmed!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Luke 21:18) But of course,
this promise in Scripture must have a spiritual meaning. There is nothing that
our enemies can do to harm us that our heavenly Father cannot take care of,
even if we don’t see the reward until we reach heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus gives more commands concerning how we are to live our
lives in His “Sermon on the Mount.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal: But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do
not break in and steal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also. … No one can serve two masters, for
either he will hate the one and love the other, or else be loyal to one and
despise the other, you cannot serve God and money.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 6:19-21 and 24) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a common thread throughout all of Jesus’
commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That we should be like little
children, trusting our heavenly Father with our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that we are to “travel light” and not be
anxious or worried about grasping for more and more money and coveting more earthly
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we must not put all of our
efforts on becoming wealthy and make that the goal of our lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worldly riches can be stolen or lose their
value in a falling stock market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But our
heavenly inheritance is incorruptible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This earth is not our home, we’re just passing through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our citizenship is in heaven and our lives
should be different because of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scripture always warns about the love of money taking away our love for
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus reminds us that we cannot put
God first and also put the pursuit of wealth first. Jesus isn’t warning us
against working to earn money to provide for our families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture doesn’t say that money is the root
of evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says that “the “Love” of
money is the root of all evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1 Timothy
6:10)</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lastly, Jesus warns His followers of false teachers that
will come in our churches and pretend to be good Christians – or the sheep of
God’s pasture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really, they are
there as ravenous wolves to destroy your church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is what Jesus said: “Beware of false prophets,
who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous
wolves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will know them by their
fruits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do people gather grapes from
thorn bushes or figs from thistle bushes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a
bad tree bear good fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every tree
that does not (Matthew 7:15-20)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">False teachers have been there to ravage and destroy the
Church from the very beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They plant
seeds of unbelief and rebellion wherever they go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They pretend to be religious and good, but
they hate Jesus Christ and they deny that He died for our sins and that He is
the Son of God and Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That He came
in the flesh and that He is the only Way, Truth and Life. Over my lifetime I
have seen many of these false prophets come in and tear apart the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been warned by Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And throughout Scripture there are stark
warnings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And Jesus closes His Sermon by giving the parable of the
wise and the foolish builders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew
8:24-28)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One person builds his house on
the Rock and the other person builds his house on the sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the storms come, the wind and rain are
too much for the house with no foundation that is built on the sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it falls down and is destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the house with its foundation built
firmly on the Rock withstood the storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Rock is Jesus Christ and the sand is everything else that we can build
our lives on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This parable shows the
necessity of doing the will of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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After Jesus finished his Sermon to the crowd that was gathered,
He began healing all those in the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He spent the next couple of years going through the countryside with
His disciples and healing the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
made the lame to walk and the blind to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He cured leprosy and He even raised the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus healed everyone who came to Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He sent His disciples out and many were
healed when they prayed for the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When Jesus rose from the dead and went back to heaven, He left His
Spirit to empower each of His followers, so He could work through them. The
early Church grew and was persecuted because the Holy Spirit power flowed through
their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they loved one another,
and miracles and healings occurred wherever they went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-35535275599134059462020-04-08T11:13:00.002-07:002020-04-08T11:13:17.424-07:00Jesus Tells Us How God Wants Us To Live<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeKvq3kF8NasmOIDJVmuLxAfNvrmCzlWnZC9GdPTA_cn_JCvoe6VRQ_UGGh3q70YOgBIQyawu2pe8ja3W9a9PipKs_mIbNn_doNFTUlgEVDTzZiAYGM7OqfyfZZVwPGcm0bOwFw2b6-CH/s1600/Jesus+preaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeKvq3kF8NasmOIDJVmuLxAfNvrmCzlWnZC9GdPTA_cn_JCvoe6VRQ_UGGh3q70YOgBIQyawu2pe8ja3W9a9PipKs_mIbNn_doNFTUlgEVDTzZiAYGM7OqfyfZZVwPGcm0bOwFw2b6-CH/s1600/Jesus+preaching.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus Tells Us How God Wants Us to
Live</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we are
continuing our study of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew
5,6 and 7 of our Bibles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is
calling out a people to reject the world’s usual way of doing things and live
their lives completely trusting their heavenly Father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As children of God, Jesus calls us to a new
way of living, and He gives us His Spirit to help us walk in this new walk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus gives his followers many different
commands in this sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without His
Spirit to help us keep these commands we would not be able to obey any of them
on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus calls
His followers to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh. To be citizens of the
“kingdom of God” and not of this world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of Jesus’ commands in his sermon is the
command that we not judge other people. Many of us like to judge others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus does not forbid the condemnation of
wrongdoing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He does forbid the
spirit of faultfinding and overlooking our own shortcomings while assuming the
role of judge and picking apart others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are Jesus’ words regarding this command:
“Judge not, that you be not judged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with the measure you use,
it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7: 1-2)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s so easy
to judge others and to find fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
whole world around us does this and it often is a natural response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it is even fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus calls us to a different lifestyle
in the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are called to build
others up and not tear them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other
Scriptures tell us as Christians that when we see a fellow Christian falling
into a sin, we should with love go and confront him or her. And try to help the
fellow Christian turn from sinning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
that is different from cutting a sinner down behind his or her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus stops
briefly and gives this advice to His followers: “Do not give what is holy to
the dogs: nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their
feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Matthew 7:6) As Christians we are called to tell others about Christ
and hold Him up as Savior and Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
we must sometimes use discretion when we tell others. To share God’s Word with
those who hold Christ in contempt and to share with those who blaspheme and
make fun of our Lord, not only cheapens our precious faith, but some of these
rebellious people can harm us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus gives
us a big compliment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells believers
in Him that we are “salt” and “light”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Salt gives food it’s flavor and light will chase away the darkness and
show the Way. Here is what Jesus says: “You are the salt of the earth, but if
the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is then good for nothing but to be thrown
out and trampled underfoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the
light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let your light so shine before
people that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 5:13-16)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ says
that when we share God’s Word and love others and help those in need in His
Name, we are the “salt” being added to a bland and sometimes meaningless life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Christian “salt” adds flavor and zest and
spices up lonely and sad lives with the knowledge of Gods’ redeeming love. Our
“salt” gives joy and meaning to life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
when we bring our “light” into this dark world, it shatters the darkness. Our
little light is really Christ, the Light of the world, shinning through us and
pointing the Way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But Jesus warns
us not to let our precious “salt” lose its flavor, for then it is useless - good
for nothing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus also warns us to hold
our light up high on a lampstand so all can see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To never hide our light so those around us
continue stumbling through the darkness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sad it is when Christians water down the
Truth and hide or forget the Light they have been given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how sad to go to a church that gives out
salt with no flavor and holds out a light that is all covered up! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Christians our salt and our light are alive
and powerful. Let’s not forget how much Christ has given us who believe. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In His
Sermon on the Mount Jesus commanded His followers to love their enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what He said:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall
love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I tell you, ‘Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good
to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you may be sons of your Father
in heaven: for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends
rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
continues: “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not even the tax collectors do the
same?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you greet your brothers
only, what do you do more than others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do not even the tax collectors do so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, you shall be ‘perfect just as your Father in heaven is
perfect.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 5:46-48) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does Jesus command us to love our
enemies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His answer seems to be “That
you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 5:48) In other words, we are
children of our heavenly Father and we are to be like our heavenly Father and
fit into our heavenly family. Children should have some resemblance to their
fathers. And our heavenly Father continues to love and show mercy to sinners.
Always waiting for them to come to Him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The devil
tempts us to hate our enemies and it is so easy to follow that lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we are not children of the devil and
should never follow him. Christ commands us to pray for our enemies and have
compassion and good will toward them. We are citizens of the kingdom of God –
not the kingdom of this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
children of the Light – not the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us always live in the
Light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– the Light of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we do that, we must put off our judging
and our hatreds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see here
that Jesus is calling us, His followers, to do things that are almost
impossible for us to do without His help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But He give us His Spirit for just that reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be able to obey His command to love our
enemies, not be judgmental and to obey the other commands He gives us in this
sermon, if we ask for His help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
Spirit is here in our lives to give us power to give up hating our enemies and to
love these enemies through us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
doesn’t ask us to do anything that He doesn’t give us the power through His
Spirit to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we are
approaching Easter, we will be celebrating the fact that Jesus rose from the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because He lives, we shall
live also!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hallelujah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 14:19) </span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-92032266972833338382020-04-01T12:04:00.003-07:002020-04-01T12:04:58.252-07:00Jesus Last Word from the Cross - It is Finished<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDlIzTqjBWXHET-qsutHog5GEKbOj7cFt70iA4jtgqlKnTXxba8plyIB6XwIhhn-FvQrnqQtrI7KW0GEYEfw0arn-KMZrLPMeUJCjI7Krxn_w2sHbmAwCyxKoNYMMqD-WtIIVjoByo75g/s1600/It+is+Finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDlIzTqjBWXHET-qsutHog5GEKbOj7cFt70iA4jtgqlKnTXxba8plyIB6XwIhhn-FvQrnqQtrI7KW0GEYEfw0arn-KMZrLPMeUJCjI7Krxn_w2sHbmAwCyxKoNYMMqD-WtIIVjoByo75g/s1600/It+is+Finished.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’ Last Word from the Cross – “It Is
Finished”</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 19:30</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus had
been hanging on the cross for six hours bleeding, gasping for breath and
enduring the terrible pain, while many in the crowds standing around watching
were mocking Him. At noon the sun had stopped shinning and darkness covered the
land. (Luke 23:44-45) Finally, around 3p.m. in the afternoon Jesus said His
last word in Hebrew: “Tetelestai” or “It is finished” and bowing His head, He
gave up His Spirit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture
says that shortly before Jesus died, He “knew that all things were now
accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 19:28) What was “it”
that had been finished or was accomplished on the cross?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
did Jesus do to fulfill the Scriptures? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many prophecies throughout the Old
Testament proclaiming that God would send a Messiah or a Sacrifice to save us
from our sins. Humans couldn’t save themselves from sin and death, but God
could. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The promise was there waiting to
be fulfilled. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The word in
Hebrew that Jesus used on the cross was “Tetelestai,” which means “It is
finished”. This word is found in ancient documents showing that a loan or a
debt had been completely paid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
what was the debt or “it” that had been completely paid off on the cross? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To answer this question, we need to go way
back to the beginning in the Garden of Eden!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We read that
in the beginning that God created the earth and everything in it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And everything God created was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God also created Adam and then Eve and they
were both created perfect and good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
created them to live forever and He put them in the beautiful Garden of Eden. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gave them the animals to name and care for
and all the fruits and vegetables in the garden to eat, except the fruit of one
tree. God only gave Adam and Eve one law that they were not to break. They were
not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that stood in
the middle of the garden. If they ate the fruit on this tree, God warned them
that they would lose their immortality and die. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adam and Eve
were created “in God’s image” and like God, who has free will, they were given
free will also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would the first man and
woman who ever lived on this earth use their free will to love and trust God,
their heavenly Father?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would they believe
His warning that disobeying Him and eating the forbidden fruit would cause
their death? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or would they choose not to
believe God and decide to disobey Him and do their own thing? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would they think that they were wiser than God
and didn’t need to follow Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were given two choices – to believe God
and obey or to not believe God and disobey. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which would they choose?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We read the
sad story in Genesis 3:1-6. “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of
the field which the Lord God had made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said to the woman, “Has God indeed said that you shall not eat of
every tree of the garden?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the woman
said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden. But of
the fruit of the tree, which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You
shall not eat it, or touch it, lest you die.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the serpent said, “You will not surely die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For God knows that in the day you eat it your
eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, when the woman saw that the fruit of the tree
would be good to eat, and that is was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree
desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she also gave to her husband with her,
and he ate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as
Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they knew that something had gone
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says that right away they
were ashamed of being naked and they sewed leaves together to cover their naked
bodies. Somehow, they already knew they weren’t good enough and needed a
covering. When God came to walk with them in the garden, they ran away from Him
and hid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their sin had distanced them
from a holy God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they did meet with God, Adam blamed and
accused Eve, his wife, for tempting him to eat the forbidden fruit <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Eve blamed the serpent. (Genesis 3:7-24) Sin
caused their marriage relationship to suffer and divided them from one another
a bit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because of
that original sin, Adam and Eve fell from being immortal to being mortal and
they eventually died as God had warned them would happen if they ate of the
forbidden fruit. And sadly, their children (all of us) inherit their mortality
and we all sin and die. We are born mortal and sinful, like our first parents
were. And Scripture says that all the created world is also under a curse now because
of sin! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not the way God created it
to be. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who can
change all of this and free us from being sinful and suffering the consequences
of sin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible answers that
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of many passages says: “The
wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus
Christ our Lord.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Romans 6:23) We asked
earlier, when Jesus was on the cross and cried out that word, “Tetelestai” or “It
is finished,” what did He mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was
paid off, completed or finished on the cross?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What was “it”?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture tells
us that Jesus completed the goal for which He was sent to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to pay
the price for our sins and redeem us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scripture says: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous
for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(1 Peter 3:18) Jesus completed the work necessary to bring us back to
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His work was dying on the cross. We
humans couldn’t bring ourselves back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only He could do it for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scripture says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation is
come, the old has gone the new is here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself. (2 Corinthians
5:17-18a) Only Christ can make us new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only through Him are we “born again”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can’t do it ourselves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sin
distanced us from a holy God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
Christ, the distance from God is erased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Matthew 27:51) Sin has enslaved us to sinful desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through Christ, the enslavement of the enemy
is overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John16:33) Sin divides us from
one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through Christ, the
division with each other is replaced with unity. (Colossians 3:12-14) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s not
leave Jesus’ finished work as our unfinished business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says; “For by grace are we saved
through faith, not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not of works lest any
one might boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) We must have faith in God and His promise
to take away our sins through Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
must believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are offered the gift
of salvation and we must accept it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We can
experience God’s favor rather than trying to earn it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ephesians 1:3) Religion says “Finish the
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a relationship with Jesus says:
“The work is finished.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t work
our way to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work is finished
in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we have to do is accept
this Gift He is offering us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe
that Jesus took away our sins by His death on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adam and Eve
sinned because they didn’t believe God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are tempted by that same sin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing has changed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s believe God and believe the Bible that Christ
has taken away our sins and given us eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our salvation is finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ paid it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe it and follow Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is the answer. Allow Him to come into
your life. There is nothing for you to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every stumbling block is rolled out of the road and every gate is
opened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your salvation is finished
through Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has taken away
your sins. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The debt has been paid in
full. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The victory over sin and death has
been won!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tetelestai “<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is finished.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-85014138861928684792020-03-25T18:20:00.000-07:002020-03-25T18:20:31.260-07:00Jesus Tells Us Why We Don't Need to Worry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus Tells Us Why We Don’t Need to
Worry</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are
continuing our study of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew
5,6 and 7 of our Bibles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we come
to the part of Jesus’ sermon where He tells us why we don’t need to worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then He calls on us to stop worrying and
start trusting our heavenly Father. (Matthew 6:25-34) He keeps calling us again
and again to live our lives constantly trusting our heavenly Father.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus commands
us: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink:
nor about your body, what you will put on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? “(Matthew
6:25) Jesus isn’t telling us not to work to pay for our food or to fulfill our
duties by working to providing for ourselves and our families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the word He uses is “worry” or having an
anxious, frightened, tormented concern about being able to have adequate food
and clothing. He calls us to a gracious carelessness = to work and do our best
but then to leave the rest to God who will take care of us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
continues: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we
wear?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For after all these things the
Gentiles seek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For your heavenly Father
knows that you need all these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew
6:31-33) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
continues: “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor
gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feeds them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you not of more value than they?”
(Matthew 6:26) And He continues telling us not to worry about what we will wear
– our clothing. He continues: “So why do you worry about clothing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider the lilies of the field, how they
grow:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they neither toil nor spin: and
yet even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more
clothe you, O you of little faith?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Matthew 6:28-29)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is
telling us to look at the little details of God’s creation and how He has carefully
provided for even the smallest creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God has given even the baby birds just out of the nest a built-in
knowledge of how to find worms in the ground and seeds in the grass for their
food. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I am writing this, two birds
are building a nest on our back porch. And I am amazed to see how they know
just how to build their nests and care for their young. Who taught them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus continues
his sermon by mentioning the lilies of the field. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we take time to carefully look at a lily or
a rose or any flower, we find that from a tiny bud each flower opens up and
glorifies God with its unique beauty. All of that colorful radiance and
delicate detail in each blossom and when autumn comes the lilies and most other
beautiful flowers fade and die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says
that if God can artistically decorate and clothe the lily or any flower with no
other purpose than to cheer us with it’s beauty, and then only for a short time–
a season - how much more will He clothe you and me while we are here on earth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after we die, He will clothe us with His
righteousness and beauty for all eternity. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
mentions that the lilies of the field will be thrown into the oven when the summer
season is over. Gods’ good and perfect creation has been cursed by death, because
of the curse of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Romans 6:23)
(Genesis 3) But the Day is coming when Christ will come again to judge and
destroy all sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And nature – the flowers
and trees - will again be more glorious and there will be no death or sickness
or sorrow. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
continues His Sermon on the Mount by reminding us to ask our heavenly Father
for what we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He promises that
God, our heavenly Father will give us what we ask for if it is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says: “Ask and it will be given to you,
seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. “(Matthew 7:7) He
reminds us that earthly parents usually try to give their children food and
good things when they ask for them and that God, our heavenly Parent will much
more give His children good things when they ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says: “If you then being sinful, still
know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father
who is in heaven give good things to you when you ask Him.” (Matthew 7:11)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These
amazing promises are made to God’s children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those who humbly believe and want to try to do God’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to
those who rebel against God and refuse to believe in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus continues his sermon by calling us to
obey the “Golden Rule”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says: “Therefore,
whatever you want others to do to you, do also to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this is the Law and the Prophets.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 7:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus, in
His famous Sermon, again warns us that there are two ways to live life – God’s
Way and Satan’s way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says: “Enter by
the narrow gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
and there are many who go in by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are
few who find it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus
gives us many promises and throughout His sermon constantly reminds us to trust
our heavenly Father. But these glorious promises are for those sinners who most
of the time, want to obey God and who allow Him to forgive them and help them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who enter the narrow way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-33807653751808875992020-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:002020-03-17T17:33:01.480-07:00Jesus Calls us to Live our Lives Trusting our Heavenly Father<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus Calls us to Live our Lives
Trusting our Heavenly Father</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day
while Jesus was walking through Galilee preaching and healing all the peoples’ diseases
and sicknesses, He saw that the crowds following Him were very large. So, He
went up on a mountain side and sat down and began preaching to all the
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are blessed to be able to hear
the sermon today that Jesus preached to those crowds so long ago. His sermon
was faithfully written down by His followers and is in our Bibles today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5,6 and 7)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus’
famous “Sermon on the Mount” has so many good things for us to receive and so much
truth for us to grapple with, that today we will only be able to cover part of His
sermon. – the part where Jesus is telling His followers how not to live and
what not to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then He is inviting
them to a new Way of living and believing. A new life in the Spirit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will
cover Jesus’ instructions about how we should live. Jesus doesn’t just care
about how we live, but He also cares about how we feel while we are living! Jesus
even gets into our heads and wants our thoughts! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He starts off by discussing our giving to the
needy. He warns believers not to brag to others about how much they are giving,
and not to give so that they can be honored!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not to try to impress folks or show off with how rich or generous they
are!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus tells
the crowd: “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that your
giving may be in secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then your heavenly
Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 6:3-4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus also
warns His disciples not to show off when they pray or when they fast by trying to
impress others with how hungry they are when they fast or how eloquent they are
when they pray. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He isn’t criticizing fasting
or public prayer, but He condemns pretentious prayer or fasting that is done to
attract attention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t want His
followers to proudly play the world’s game of competing against one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He calls us to be ourselves when we come to
God. And to come with a humble spirit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says:” But when you pray, go into your
room, close the door and pray to your Father, who in unseen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then your Father who sees what is done in
secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6) It seems that Jesus is asking that
our prayers and our fasting and our gifts giving be just between us and our
heavenly Father and not to be done to impress others.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Jesus teaches us how to pray by giving us
“The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13) He gives us an example of how to pray. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the “Lord’s Prayer” that He taught us:
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our Father
in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
kingdom come; your will be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
earth as it is in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give us this
day our daily bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And forgive us our
sins as we forgive those who sin against us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Yours in the kingdom and the power and
the glory forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 6:9-13) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus’
prayer starts with: (1) “Our Father”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we pray, all our needs are met by our generous loving heavenly Father. (2) Next,
we praise our heavenly Father. “Hallowed be your Name” We enter into His presence
through praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(3) After that we pray His
will: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” We
pray His will for our lives, our loved ones lives, our church, our nation, etc.
(4) Then we ask for God’s generosity. “Give us this day our daily bread” Jesus
asked us to pray daily, asking the Father to supply our daily needs. Let’s not
worry about tomorrow but trust God to answer our needs for today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says that His mercies are new every
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Lamentations 3:23)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus’ model
prayer continues:(5) After praying for our daily needs we pray for God’s
forgiveness. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” We need
God’s forgiveness for this day, and we need to forgive others today too. Daily
set your will to walk in love and forgiveness. (6) Then we pray for God’s power
over Satan today. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” Pray a
hedge of protection around yourself and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(7) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And last, we praise God for
who He is. “for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen”
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course,
we don’t have to pray these very words. Prayer is personal and we are
encouraged to pour our hearts out to our heavenly Father in our own words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus’ prayer is a helpful <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>example of how to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In His
sermon Jesus is calling us away from selfishly living our lives by the world’s
standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living for ourselves and not
for God. Proudly fighting to get the best seat at the movie. And working harder
to earn enough money to buy a more expensive car to impress our friends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rush around anxious about whether we have
enough money to buy all the things that the world says we must have. And we
stay awake nights worrying that our children won’t make high enough grades to
get into the top colleges and get the best jobs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have nightmares about all the bad things
that might happen to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we are
stressed, angry and anxious most of the time along with being exhausted from working
overtime to pay for everything we think we must have to impress people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus invites us to a better simpler Way of
living.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
invites us to relax and trust our heavenly Father for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To lighten up and humbly live our lives for
God and not for ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To believe
that our heavenly Father really does love and care for us like the Bible says
He does. To enjoy the comfort of remembering that God is with us all the time and
will help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God our Father promises
that He will answer our prayers if they are in His will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves to give his children good things. He
promises to forgive us of our sins through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) and He
promises us peace if we believe in Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says that we are given the Holy
Spirit – the Comforter - to live within us to help us live this new life that Christ
offers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This new life of trusting and
obeying God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
presents two way of living in his Sermon on the Mount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 6:19-25) We can live our lives for
ourselves, without obeying and believing in God as our forgiving Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or we can live our lives trusting and obeying
God. In His sermon, Jesus is asking us to choose to trust God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says: “No one can serve two masters,
for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to
the one and despise the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot
serve God and money.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 6:24)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-62922954079495025392020-03-07T17:38:00.002-08:002020-03-07T17:38:35.550-08:00Jesus Tells a Story of Inviting Guests to a Grand Celebration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij19aqtPHvXmkA1XyFjRXN92Ms228Z3rP-4C87s3MYfPK7yv6IyW7JFiVgQw5VyF5Q0MWLoI7F5v1fdF_Vy_NfE4rdtIKv836g_IE4A3ZfbqkIHu8SpLFHcG_RG_KBbkGw_VZ5HObH0oiH/s1600/Christ%2527s+Righteousness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij19aqtPHvXmkA1XyFjRXN92Ms228Z3rP-4C87s3MYfPK7yv6IyW7JFiVgQw5VyF5Q0MWLoI7F5v1fdF_Vy_NfE4rdtIKv836g_IE4A3ZfbqkIHu8SpLFHcG_RG_KBbkGw_VZ5HObH0oiH/s1600/Christ%2527s+Righteousness.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus tells a Story of Inviting
Guests to a Grand Celebration</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matthew 21:1-14</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus was a
storyteller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told many stories, or
parables, as He went about His ministry of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>teaching the people about God and healing the
sick. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stories were part of His
teaching and they always had a meaning and a purpose. In each of His stories, Jesus
is trying to teach us a spiritual Truth. And He is trying to show us the Way so
that we might have Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In our story
today, Jesus is teaching that the whole world is invited to a grand heavenly party,
a wedding party, celebrating salvation! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Father or the King sends His messengers out with His invitation. Many people will
refuse the invitation and mock the messengers who bring it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And others may even kill the messengers who
bring the invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people will
joyfully accept the invitation and let it change them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But others will refuse the invitation but then
try to break into the grand party illegally. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus begins
his story about the festive wedding feast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The king’s son will be marrying his bride. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lavish royal feast is being prepared with only
the best foods and finest wines and the king is sending out messengers to
invite only his close friends and relatives to the royal dinner party and joyous
celebration. Come, taste and see that the Lord is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture reads:
“The king sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast,
but those who were invited were not willing to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again. The king sent out more servants
saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, see I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and
fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come to the wedding party.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they made light of it and went their way,
one to his own farm, and another to his business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the rest who were invited seized the king’s
servants, treated them spitefully and killed them.” (Matthew 22:3-6) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The king and
his son are deeply hurt. They had prepared so much for their relatives and
their loved ones. How could this be? They are heartbroken. Many of their own
would not receive them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much had been
prepared for these chosen ones, but the ones they loved so dearly didn’t have
time. The king is angry that some of his messengers have been killed when they
were delivering his invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sends
out his army to find those who have done this and let justice be served. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is
Jesus trying to tell us in this story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bible scholars believe that the Son who was to be married at this
wedding feast is Christ and the bride are the believers. The bride – those who
accept the invitation for Salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those who allow Christ to take away their sins and cover them with His
robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10, Psalm 132:9, Job 29:14, 2 Corinthians
5:21) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The marriage
holds a promise or a covenant between Christ and his believers. And the royal dinner
party, with heaven’s music, joyful dancing, rich food and fine wines, all there
to celebrate the love between Christ and His beloved believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And also, there is rejoicing in all of the
blessings that go along with this new marriage covenant. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the
blessings of this marriage covenant are pardon of sins, the favor of God, peace
and joy, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, the promises of the gospel, the
comforts of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of eternal life – all these are part
of the preparations for this grand wedding feast and celebration. A feast that was
made for love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For laughter and
rejoicing. For fellowship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was
made for fulness. The design of the good news of Christ is to fill every hungry
soul with good things. No one is left wanting anything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a celebration it will be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the
preparations are ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pardon is ready,
peace is ready, comfort is ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
promises are ready, and heaven at last is ready to receive us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those who were invited are not
ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will not come!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because they cannot, but because they will
not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are all those good things to go to
waste with no one to enjoy them? What is the king to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
continues His story this way: “The king said to his servants, ‘The wedding is
ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So then go into the highways and byways and as
many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ “The doors are flung open and all are
invited!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So those servants went out into the highways
and gathered together all whom they found, both good and bad and the wedding
hall was filled with guests. “(Matthew 22:8-10) The whole world is invited to
the grand heavenly celebration. The good and the bad. The rich and the
poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The criminals and the perverts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is left out. Whoever will, may come. All
who want to accept His invitation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ
will have His kingdom in this world! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
finishes His story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The wedding hall is
now completely filled with excited guests!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the king comes in to see all his guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the king sees a man there who does not
have on a wedding garment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The king asks
the man, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment? And the
man without the wedding garment has no answer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Matthew 22:11-12) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The man
without the wedding garment is not able to stay at the grand wedding party!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not allowed to remain in heaven wearing
his own dirty clothes. He cannot stay in heaven on his own in his sins. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He isn’t good enough without Jesus. Without the
wedding garment, he cannot have eternal life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless he accepts Jesus’ invitation to clean
him up, to wash away his sins. Unless he allows Jesus to cover him with the
wedding garment -Jesus’ robe of righteousness, - he cannot enjoy the royal celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, he must leave. Jesus finishes His story
by saying, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said: “I
am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
person comes to the Father but by Me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 14:6) I believe one of the lessons
Jesus is trying to teach us in this story is that we cannot enter heaven with
our own good works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must have Jesus
covering us with His righteousness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-45290404029628805582020-02-24T12:09:00.001-08:002020-02-24T12:09:16.107-08:00A Tale of Two Thieves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oetyxvAvS8kRi_eGTA8NxQ0Fge8axs7nFLN3kMcJrIKkYQt8Yxai-V9ivc8CRH6yodE4GN_yrtegxK_lv-YfSzFdHBq1gy6YxU-DT0OcQxNRL7wcVXhCkPydD4lDeHp7MzZBL7diFxyw/s1600/Tale+of+Two+Thieves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oetyxvAvS8kRi_eGTA8NxQ0Fge8axs7nFLN3kMcJrIKkYQt8Yxai-V9ivc8CRH6yodE4GN_yrtegxK_lv-YfSzFdHBq1gy6YxU-DT0OcQxNRL7wcVXhCkPydD4lDeHp7MzZBL7diFxyw/s1600/Tale+of+Two+Thieves.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Tale of Two Thieves</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a
terrible day in history, Jesus was put to death along-side two thieves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture
tells the story: “Two other men, both criminals, were led out with Jesus to be
executed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they came to the place
called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on His
right side and the other on His left. And Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them
for they do not know what they are doing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Luke 23:32-34) Can you imagine, during His worst hour, Jesus was caring
and praying for the very people who were putting Him to death?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture
continues: “The people stood watching, and the religious rulers sneered at
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said, ‘He saved others, let
Him save Himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soldiers also came up and mocked and
taunted Jesus.” (Luke 23:35) Scripture continues: “One of the thieves who hung
there next to Jesus hurled insults at Him, ‘Aren’t you the Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save yourself and us.” (Luke 23:39) This proud
thief rejected Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But with the
humble thief on other side of Jesus, it was a different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other thief trusted Jesus. He rebuked the
first thief with these words: “Do you not fear God, since you are under the
same sentence of condemnation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We indeed
justly, for we are being punished for our deeds: but this man (Jesus) has done
nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41) Then this dying thief asked Jesus to remember
him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said: “Jesus, remember me when You
come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And Jesus
answered the trusting thief saying: “I tell you the truth, today you will be
with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus saves those who trust Him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just that simple. All the thief asked
was: “Jesus, remember me.” The future of the saved person is a promise of Paradise
in the presence of Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The “Tale of
Two Thieves” is a warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is both a
scene of comforts and a scene of concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a season of belief and a season of rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ has conquered death. Scripture says
that he died for all of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all
of humanity is at the cross. What each of us does with Christ is the most
important decision we will ever make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bible says that we have only two choices, to reject Him like the first thief did;
or to trust Him like the other thief did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
said that we are either for Him or against Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Matthew 12:20 and Revelation 3:15-16) When Jesus was asked what our
part is in our salvation, He answered that our is to believe in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 6:29) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the one
side of Jesus we have the proud thief who rejected Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who stood around the cross mocked and
sneered at Jesus. The pathway to rejection is to mock Christ, to disregard Him,
to feel that we are too smart for Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To believe that we don’t need Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s easy to follow the crowd, or follow some of the false religious
leaders, like the first thief did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
follow in the pathways of perdition. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the other
side of Jesus, we have the humble thief who trusted Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The humble thief knew he was a sinner, who
deserved punishment. He was sorry for his sins. (Luke 23:40) He recognized the Truth.
– Jesus is the Truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Luke 32:41) And he
wanted that Truth. He asked Jesus to remember him. He walked in the path of
salvation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And on the cross
in the middle, there was Jesus, paying the price for our Redemption! Jesus
saves those who trust Him. Christ has conquered death for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the “gospel” or the “good-news” - God
offers us a Gift – the gift of eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scripture says: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of
yourselves, it is a GIFT of God, not of works lest any person should boast.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ephesians 2:8-9)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, the
Bible tells us that our salvation is a gift from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible also tells us that: “God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have everlasting life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John 3:16) Love gives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loved
us so much that He gave us the very best gift - eternal life through His Son
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paid a terrible price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He loves us that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we love Him because He first loved
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, love gives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if we really love Him, what are we giving
back to Him? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we giving Him our
lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-9758479019052559102020-02-17T14:17:00.001-08:002020-02-17T14:17:19.958-08:00Preparing the World for God's Kingdom on Earth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preparing the World for God’s Kingdom
on Earth</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Revelation 6-7</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bible
tells us that at the end of the age, Christ will come again in all His power
and glory to judge the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Christ
also comes to set up God’s kingdom on earth and to reign over it. God’s kingdom
on earth will look very different from the sinful world that we live in
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The steps
necessary for preparing the world for God’s kingdom on earth will involve a
period or time of terrible judgments like mankind have never seen before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: “The day of the Lord is great
and very awesome: who can endure it? “(Job 2:11) The last book in the Bible,
the book of Revelation tells about these end time judgments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The book of
Revelation was written by John, the apostle, and in the book of Revelation John
describes the vision he was given of what would happen at the end of the age. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John in his vision saw a door open in heaven
and a voice inviting him to come up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John says: “At once I was in the Spirit and there before me was a throne
in heaven., and Someone was sitting on it” (Revelation 5:2) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John tries
to describe the glory and majesty of the One on the throne and he describes the
twenty-four elders and the four <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>living
creatures and the thousands and thousands of angels all worshipping and
praising God around the throne.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The One on
the throne held a scroll that was sealed with seven seals. The scroll must be
opened for sin to be judged and removed from the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no one there came forward to open it, since
no one was able. There was a search in heaven for someone who would be worthy
and able to open the seven seals of the scroll. But no one was found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great sadness came over John as he sat there
waiting and waiting and he began to weep. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the
elders told John not to weep because: “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root
of David, has triumphed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is able to
open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5) Then John looked up and saw
a Lamb, looking as if it had been slaughtered, standing in the center of the
throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lamb came and took the
scroll of Him who sat on the throne. Then all of heaven broke out in songs of
praise and worship to the Lamb who was the only One worthy and able to open the
scroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every creature in heaven and
on earth and under the earth and on the sea also joined in praise and worship
to the Lamb for overcoming the earth’s curse of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Revelation 5:13-14) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Jesus Christ,
the Lamb of God begins to open each of the seven seals, the future Tribulation
is presented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Revelation 6:1-14) Bible
scholars believe this Tribulation period lasts about seven and a half years. The
first seal is broken and a white horse with a rider comes on the earth to
conquer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rider offers a false peace
to the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second seal is broken
and a red horse with a rider comes on the earth to bring wars on the earth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The third seal is broken and a black horse
with a rider comes on the earth rationing food and bringing famine to the
earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then a pale horse with a
rider comes on the earth bringing death to a quarter of the population of the
earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lamb who
was slaughtered continues opening the seals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he opens the fifth seal, we see martyrdom. The souls of those
people who were killed or martyred because they turned to God and His Word during
this terrible Tribulation period are under the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These martyred people are calling out to God
asking how long this terrible time will last. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gives them white robes and tells them to rest
and wait a little longer for the end. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And when Jesus,
the Lamb opens the sixth seal, the terrible judgments of God is displayed on
earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be a great
earthquake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun turns black and the
moon turns blood red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stars in the
sky fall to the earth and the sky rolls up like a scroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every mountain and island is removed from
its place. Nothing in our earth as we know it is still the same. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The world’s
inhabitants will recognize the source of their great distress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of calling out to God, they hide in
caves and call out to the earth to hide them from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to live life their own way. They refuse
to come to God and ask for help and repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During all of this destruction the people on earth will ask, “Who can
stand?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the answer is given.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two groups
of people will be saved during this Tribulation period. (Revelation 7) God gives
four angels the task of placing a seal on the foreheads of 144,000 Jewish
servants of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seal will protect
them from harm or death. There are 12,000 Jewish people sealed and protected from
each of the 12 tribes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And these Jews become
evangelists for their God, and they witness to the people during the Tribulation.
The second group who will be saved during God’s divine judgment are a multitude
from every nation, tribe, people, and languages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Revelation 7:9-10) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Church
(Christians) are not mentioned in Scripture during this Tribulation period. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Bible scholars believe that the Church is
taken out before this Tribulation period begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During past times when God judged the world’s
sin, it seemed that the few who still worshipped God were spared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noah and his family and their spouses were kept
safe in the ark when God judged the world with a flood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Lot and his wife and daughters were spared
destruction by an angel leading them out before God judged Sodom and Gomorrah
with fire and brimstone. So, some believe that the Church will be taken out of
the world before this Tribulation begins. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We read of
these terrible judgments and we may become frightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all of Scripture tells us that God loves
us and that if we come to Him that He will take us in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 9:7-10 says: “But the Lord sits
enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice, and He judges the
world with righteousness: He judges the peoples with uprightness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a
stronghold in times of trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not
forsaken those who seek You.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-36061934213956958082020-02-10T11:46:00.001-08:002020-02-10T11:46:06.008-08:00Why Don't We Have as many Miracles Today as the Early Church Had<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why Don’t We Have as Many Miracles
Today as the Early Church Had?</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been
a question I have asked for a long time now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why can’t modern- day Christians, through Christ’s power, raise the dead
and heal as many of the sick as Peter and Paul did for those first believers in
Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years I have gone to
healing meetings and sometimes a person seemed to be healed from an uncurable
diseases. I have read every book I could find about Christian healing and
miracles and asked any Christian leader I could corner this question. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why aren’t we experiencing the miracles and
healings that the early church did?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some pastors answered that most likely we sophisticated
and educated Christians today don’t have the simple childlike faith that those
early Christians had. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, most of us don’t
have enough faith today because we are too educated? I wasn’t sure that was the
answer. And weren’t those early Christians intelligent and have questions too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any generation a child of God must have the
childlike faith that God will hear her or his prayer and answer it according to
His will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Others Christian
leaders answered my question this way: that God gave miracles and healings to
the early Church perhaps because they didn’t have what we have today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the Word of God, the Bible, and we
can each have our own copy to read and study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The early Church often didn’t have that and many of them couldn’t read
anyway. God’s Word is powerful, and we receive salvation because we believe what
Scripture says about Christ – that He conquered death for us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also,
Christianity has been around for more than two thousand years now and we today
have the benefit of seeing that the Christian Church has made a huge difference
wherever it has gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christian
church was the first to establish hospitals, orphanages, charities, and missions
around the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of the other
world religions did that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no other
religion other than the Christian religion believes that God loves us so much
that His Son, Jesus, died to take away our sins and conquered death for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No other world religion teaches that we are
to forgive one another because God offers forgiveness to us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity
is the only religion in the world that does not teach that a person must work to
earn their own salvation. The burden is all on the individual to make it or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To please a holy God or to miss the
mark. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Christianity teaches that Jesus
Christ is the only One who can make us victorious over sin and give us the gift
of eternal life. Only He can take away our sins and give us His robe of righteousness.
Only He can pay the price. So, Christianity is completely different from all of
the other man-made religions on this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 14:6) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the other
religions are legalistic – some have laws that a person must pray so many times
a day and go on so many religious pilgrimages, etc. or measure up on a scale –
in order to please God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christianity is
the only world religion where the God of the Bible, the God we serve, loves us
and gives us His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us, making us free in Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians down through the ages have put
their trust in Christ, and we Christians today have the advantage of reading
that long history of Christianity and following along that pilgrim way in the
Christian tradition. The early Christians didn’t have that advantage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The early Christians were just starting – just
beginning – to learn to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one had gone before them. The Old
Testament points the way to Christ, the Messiah. But the Jewish leaders were
expecting their promised Messiah to be different than Jesus was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They overlooked His many miracles and
healings and tried to cover up His resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, these
first Christian were the very first to believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Many
of them were leaving Judaism and were being persecuted because they were
leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Bible scholars believe
that God gave the miracles and healings, signs and wonders to the first
Christian apostles and leaders to validate their new message of salvation
through Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps, since
they were the first believers to follow in the Christian path, they might have
been given more helps and more healings and miracles from God, to point them
along that new Way. Our Scripture says that “Jesus is the Way.” (John 14:6) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for more than two thousand years now the Christians
that went before us walked on this narrow Way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And our faith is strengthened by their example as we can follow in their
footsteps.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Bible scholars believe in dispensationalism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dispensationalism is the belief that God has
dealt with the Church in different ways down through the ages. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As parents takes care of their child differently
when he is a baby than when he is a young child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And differently when their child is in
grammar school than when she is a teen-ager. Some believe that our heavenly
Father also deals differently with His children when their spiritual or
physical needs are different. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe this
idea of God, parenting His children differently, comes out in the parable in
the Bible of the rich man and Lazarus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:27-31) the selfish rich man who
has died and is in hell is begging Abraham to allow him to go back to earth and
warn his five brothers to change their ways because there is a hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brothers are living selfishly like he did
when he was alive and turning their backs on the poor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only the rich man could go back from hell
and warn his brothers, so that they could repent and turn to God and obey God’s
laws of love and not go to hell like he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But Abraham
answered the rich man: “Your brothers have Moses and the Prophets, let them
listen to them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the rich man in
hell argued: “No, Father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them,
they will repent.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Abraham answered:
“If your brothers do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be
convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16: 29-31) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This parable
shows that the brother was not allowed to go back from the dead <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and warn his five living brothers because they
already had God’s Word (Moses and the Prophets) These five brothers were
religious men who knew already that God had commanded them to help the poor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had already spoken to their hearts through
His Word and it seems they had already hardened their hearts against
obeying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, a miracle wouldn’t do any
good in changing them. Does this parable in Scripture <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>point to the possibility that God might not give
as many miracles to He children who already have “Moses and the Prophets” - or His
Word, the Bible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the
years we have heard stories of visions and healings from missionaries who are
living in countries where it is illegal to have a Christian church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And countries where a person can be killed for
having a Bible or for becoming a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over and over again these stories of healings and miracles come from a
non-Christian praying for God’s guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or from brave Christians who are being persecuted so severely for following
Christ that they need guidance as to how to witness and where to turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And often when a person who is living in one
of these anti-Christian countries prays and asks for guidance, God gives him or
her a vision directing them to a Christian church or to a Christian person for
their answers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s Word
tells us to ask and we shall receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And to seek and we shall find. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
we believe in Him, He promises to answer our prayers, if they are His Will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
many answers to prayer really are miracles. They just aren’t as dramatic as
some of the miracles we read about in Scripture. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God works in different ways in different
situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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When we pray
for God’s love to be in our hearts, He gives us that love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And love has power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love crosses boundaries and overcomes
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being able to pray and ask for
anything in His Will is powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Allowing Jesus to work through us is powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God’s Word is powerful. God has
distributed the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the modern- day Christian
Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has empowered each Christian
with a gift or gifts to do something. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 27-30) The
work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians in our churches validates
the Christian message that Christ came to save sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That light shines brightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What more do we need? </div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-60587301355993386552020-02-02T18:22:00.001-08:002020-02-02T18:22:07.076-08:00He Who Has an Ear, Let Him Hear<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74sGGnAOseTl6UZ5itvbqBb-QSe8p8p7ks7wbxSbz8m9V-_8NxMB4ECISj3hyphenhyphenWUiZ2vKt_xoyS5b7OvKuaMzd4dvDFhSro1haNqyb0sKO5Av1Ll73t16giyqU-WaY6i8sg24ZcIT7nu9_/s1600/John+seeing+Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74sGGnAOseTl6UZ5itvbqBb-QSe8p8p7ks7wbxSbz8m9V-_8NxMB4ECISj3hyphenhyphenWUiZ2vKt_xoyS5b7OvKuaMzd4dvDFhSro1haNqyb0sKO5Av1Ll73t16giyqU-WaY6i8sg24ZcIT7nu9_/s1600/John+seeing+Jesus.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He Who Has an Ear, Let Him Hear</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the book
of Revelation, we read of Jesus in all His glory, appearing to John in a vision
and giving him seven messages to write down and give to seven of His
churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year was approximately 95
A.D. and these early Christian churches were in what is now modern Turkey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can read in our Bibles in Revelation
chapters 2 and 3, just what Jesus said to each of these seven churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And near the end of each of these seven
letters, Jesus always says these same words: “He who has an ear, let him hear.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because
Jesus is the Head of His Church (his followers) I believe these messages,
warnings and comforts are for all of His Church, both then and now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus asked His early churches (95A.D.) to
hear if they had an ear, He is also asking us today to hear if we have an ear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the early churches, He has so many lessons
to teach us, if we are only open ourselves to hear. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does it mean to “have an ear”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it means for us to be open to hear
what Jesus is saying to us. The Holy Spirit does speak to us and nudge and
teach us, if we are listening. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
we don’t want to hear what Jesus is telling us to do, so we stop being
sensitive to His still small Voice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
want to run our own lives and not make changes in order to follow Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must be careful to always keep our hearts
(ears) open to Jesus’ call. And be willing to answer that call. Let’s keep checking
our “ears” and make sure they are always open to hear what Jesus is saying to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus speaks
to us through His Word, the Bible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
Word tells us that we should love and forgive, so we should love and forgive –
even when we don’t want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can ask
Him to help us and He will give us the power to obey Him and love and forgive. And
if Scripture warns us that certain actions are sinful, we should take that
warning seriously and obey. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trusting Him
and obeying His commands helps keep our ears open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust and obey for there’s no other way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the last couple
of blogs, we studied what Jesus said to the first four churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we will briefly go over what Jesus said
to the last three churches. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus speaks
to the church in Sardis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Revelation
3:1-6) Jesus tells the Sardis church that they have a reputation for being
alive, but the truth is that they are dead!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Revelations 3:1-3) That there are a few church members (a remnant) who
have not defiled themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what
little that remains in the Sardis church is ready to die! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t know how and why this Sardis church
died – what sins or unbelief killed this once vibrant church? - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we have seen dead churches today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Churches that once were alive with the Truth
and love of Jesus and now these churches don’t believe in Jesus at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as we are on this earth we will need
to watch and pray and hold on to the Truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
admonishes this dead church in Sardis <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to
wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To strengthen what remains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To remember what they had received and heard
when they first accepted Christ as their Savior and to obey the Truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to repent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus warns that if they don’t turn around and repent that He will come
as a thief in the night to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
promises that those few faithful Christians left in Sardis, the dead church,
will walk with Him all dressed in white, if they continue holding fast to the
Truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promises that He will never
blot out their names from the book of life. but will acknowledge their names
before His Father and His angels.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next
church Jesus sends a message to is the church in Philadelphia. (Revelation
3:7-13) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though this church is only
40 or 50 miles from the church in Sardis, the church in Philadelphia is very
much alive and well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where Jesus has
only warnings for the church in Sardis, He has only praise for the church in
Philadelphia!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus tells
the church in Philadelphia that they have been faithful and have kept His Word
and not denied His Name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of
this, Jesus is giving them an “Open Door”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A door that no one can shut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An open door to go through and preach the
gospel where people’s hearts will be ready and open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe an open door for more, we don’t
know all that Jesus’ open door means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus also
promised the Philadelphia church that because of their faithfulness, He will
protect them and humble those who were persecuting them. And Jesus promised to
come back from heaven for them and He will make them pillars in His temple in
heaven and give them His new Name.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
is the true and holy God who holds the key to every door in this life and the
next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can learn from Jesus’ letter to
this faithful church that perhaps if we hold fast to the truth and stay
faithful to Him that Jesus will open doors for us and provide protection and
give us <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>citizenship in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And lastly,
Jesus writes to the church in Laodicea. (Revelation 3:14-22) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus begins His letter by introducing
Himself to the church in Laodicea as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and
the ruler of God’s creation”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
exposes the church at Laodicea as lukewarm, wretched, poor, blind, and
pitiable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He calls them to come back, to
repent, and to open the door to Him and let Him into their church and into their
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says: “Here I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stand at the door and knock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) He calls
them to stop being lukewarm and open the door and let Him come into their
lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can never be lukewarm when
Jesus is in their life!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are there
seasons in our lives when we are lukewarm in our faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These words of Jesus’ saying that He is
knocking at the door and asking us to let Him in, these words are also for His
church on earth today. Jesus is also knocking at our heart’s door, and He is
also asking us to let Him into our hearts and lives. Not to keep Him standing
outside looking in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we willing to
pay the price to follow Jesus? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To let
Him in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we listening for Him? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we hear Him knocking at our door? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will we open the door and let Him in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-81880863475429539022020-01-25T18:52:00.000-08:002020-01-25T18:52:00.571-08:00The Tem[ptation to Tolerate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Temptation to Tolerate</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the book
of Revelation, we read of Jesus in all His glory, appearing to John in a vision
and giving him seven messages to write down and give to seven of His churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year was approximately 95 A.D. and these
early Christian churches were in the area of what is now modern Turkey. We can
read in our Bibles in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, just what Jesus said to each
of these seven churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is the
Head of His Church (His followers) and I believe these messages and warnings are
for all of His Church, then and now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How would we
feel if our church received a letter or message sent directly from Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would probably be very excited, and feel
good when He praised us, but maybe not so good when He rebuked us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in His letters, Jesus rebuked two of the
churches for being tolerant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for tolerating
false teachers and not throwing them out of the church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we, His modern Church sometimes too
tolerant today when false teachings threaten our church?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Haven’t we
learned that being tolerant is a good thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We know we should be polite and take our turn and tolerate other people
when we are in a crowd, or when we are driving on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know we need to forgive others and try to
understand other viewpoints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be open
minded, inclusive and flexible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As followers
of Christ we are called to be patient, kind, loving and merciful even with
those who differ with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But our
tolerance ends when we face evil. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
rebukes and judges these two churches for being tolerant of the false teachers among
them and for allowing them to harm the faith of the believers in their churches.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s read some
of what Jesus said to the church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus introduces Himself this way: “These are
the words of Him who has the sharp, two- edged sword.” His sword separates good
from evil and separates those who are spiritually alive from those who are
dead. Then, Jesus’ letter praises the Pergamum church for holding fast to His
Name amidst persecution. But Jesus also rebukes the church for tolerating false
teachings. (Revelation 2:14-15) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Terrible
heresies had been allowed to come into the Pergamum church. False teachers had
joined the church and had even been given leadership positions! These false
teachers were teaching the church members that sexual immorality was good. And
worshipping other gods in other religions was also good. The Pergamum church
was allowing their church members to be taught to be tolerant of sexual
immorality and idolatry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New believers
in Christ were being led astray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is
very angry, and He calls for the Pergamum church to repent or He will war
against them in righteous judgment. (Revelation 2:16) Jesus will reward the
conquerors (those who resist) with hidden manna and a white stone with a new
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is telling the Pergamum church
and all Christian churches that when we take a stand for truth, we will receive
a conqueror’s reward from Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now let’s
read some of what Jesus said to the church in Thyatira in Revelation
2:18-29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus introduces Himself this
way: “These are the words of the Son of God whose eyes are like blazing fire
and whose feet are like burnished bronze.” (Revelation 2:18) Jesus goes on to
praise the church in Thyatira for their love, faith, service and patient
endurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then Jesus harshly
rebukes the church for tolerating a false teacher, Jezebel, in their church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jezebel was promoting sexual sins right there
at the altar! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus calls
for the church in Thyatira and for this woman to repent and stop spreading this
sin and evil in their church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they do
not repent and stop this evil, great suffering, disease and death will come to
all those who follow this woman’s teaching and indulge in her sexual immorality.
This will cause many little children to die, Jesus’ letter says. Sadly,
innocent little ones often suffer for their parents’ sins. But all who conquer
and keep Jesus’ Word until the end, Jesus promises that they will be given
authority over the nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding fast
to Jesus and not to false teachers leads to true ministry forever. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In these two
letters from Jesus, along with many other Bible passages, we learn that God is
a jealous God and He does not tolerate His children straying away from Him and worshipping
other gods or other religions. (Exodus 20:3-6: the 1st and 2<sup>nd</sup>
Commandment of the 10 Commandments) He is the only One we are to ever worship.
We are to be His faithful witness. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God does not allow unrepented sexual
immorality to go unpunished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These sins,
among others, are not to be tolerated in the church or there will be
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to resist
temptation by standing firm in Christ against heresies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tolerating false teachers in the church is
often the first step toward disobedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must pray for wisdom and boldness and hate what our Savior hates. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus tells
both churches not to tolerate evil, even though the societies they live in will
persecute them if they don’t tolerate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Jesus calls them - and us- to hang on and hold fast to the
Truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus promises rewards to those
who stay true to Him – the hidden manna and the white stone with a new name are
His promised rewards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He also
promises those who refuse to tolerate false teaching that they will have
authority over the nations.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bible scholars suggest that Jesus is our
hidden manna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our reward. He is the
Bread of Life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we eat of Him, we live
forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the new name written down
in Glory for us may mean that in heaven we are given new faith and new powers
and talents, new strengths and new work along with our new eternal body. And
Jesus tells the church in Thyatira that those who stay true to Him will be
given “authority over the nations.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
we are faithful over a few things here on earth, He will make us ruler over
many things in Glory. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is
telling His followers “You can do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can be My light in a dark world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we stay true to Him through persecution and sometimes even death,
we become conquerors with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then
we reign with Him! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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died with Him (Jesus), we will also live with Him: if we endure, we will also
reign with Him… (2 Timothy 2:11-12a) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-61084044758649927742020-01-19T19:04:00.003-08:002020-01-19T19:04:49.327-08:00Rejoice, the Lord God Reigns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rejoice, The Lord God Reigns</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
declaration that the Lord reigns is the central claim in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 99 is one of many psalms in Scripture
that declares that God is holy, and He is the Almighty king. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all the subjects of the heavenly king are
called to bow in awe before their God, their King, their Creator, heavenly
Father and Redeemer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Throughout
the Scriptures God has many more names. The Scriptures call Him our Protector
and our Shepherd, our Refuge and our Judge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He is also a Warrior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
warrior image of God and the references to the Christian life as a war/battle is
a constant in the Bible, (Revelation 17:14: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Ephesians
6:11-17, Exodus 15:3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Holy Scriptures
tell us that God is a warrior who defends His people with vigor against their
enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 98:1b-2 states: “His
right hand and His holy arm have gotten victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord has made know His victory: He has
revealed His vindication in the sight of the nations.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Psalm 98:1b-2) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And many
passages throughout Scripture command us to not strike back at an enemy for
wrongs they have done against us or harm they have caused to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says that our job is to forgive, and
God’s job is to judge and avenge or punish. Romans 12:19 says: “Do not take
revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘Vengeance
is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the
kings of the world have faults, but our God and king has no faults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is holy, pure, good, merciful, loving,
just and righteous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s holiness
causes the earth to quake in His divine Presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Psalm 99:1) And He is also Almighty and
Everlasting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is the Three in One: ,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a great mystery. Psalm 97:2b declares: “Righteousness
and justice are the foundation of His throne,”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yahweh, or God is a judge without corruption
or partiality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Psalm 99:4-5 pictures
God as a “lover of justice”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalms
96:13 and 98:9 speak of God’s judgment over the whole world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be a final judgment of the world when
Jesus will sit as sovereign arbiter of the fate of nations. (Matthew
25:31-46)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is also pictured
in Scripture as the One who answers the prayers of those who turn to <span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;">im, HimH<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God listens to those
in distress and comes to their aid (Psalm 72:4, 12-14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, God’s watchful care carries expectation
with it. Israel was required to obey the decrees of God. God calls His children
not only to trust Him but to try to obey His laws. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when we must wait for God’s
answers to our prayers to become apparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 there is a list of some of the great
men and women of faith who fully trusted in God. Some of the people on this list
received miracles and great answers to their prayers during their
lifetimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But some of the people
mentioned in Hebrews 11 – also believers with great faith in God -suffered terrible
persecution and will receive their answers after they get to heaven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s timetable is not our timetable. But His
promises are sure. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we must wait for some of our prayers to be
fully answered, we must wait patiently trusting that God knows how to take care
of everything. “All things work together for good, to them who love Him…” (Romans
8:28) His ways are higher than our ways and they are beyond our
understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has promised that believers
will be victorious in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we can
count on that, even though we cannot understand.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God our divine King is not limited or defined
by human rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He transcends all human
institutions and He is our Creator and Redeemer. God the Son suffered and died
to take away our sins and then He rose again. And God the Father, the King of
the Universe, is also our personal God – our heavenly Father- if we allow Him
to be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We humans
will always be “ruled” by something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Often, we humans allow the values of our culture, or the delusions about
human wisdom and power to rule our lives instead of allowing God to rule our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin is always at the door, so if
we do not make a conscious choice to be ruled by God, we will inevitably be ruled
by something that is oppressive, unscrupulous or unrighteous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps the
best argument against the belief in God as King and ruler of our world is the
apparent lack of control by God in our world today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wars, shootings, drug abuse, bombings,
hatreds, a world gone haywire! If the kingdom of God exists, there are times
when its presence is hard to discern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bible
acknowledges this dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kingdom
may not yet be evident now, but it will be when Christ comes again as king and judge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Scripture the kingdom of God is compared
to the smallest seed (Mark 4:31) and to a treasure buried in a field. (Matthew
13:44) and to yeast hidden in the dough (Matthew 13:33) Some parts of the
kingdom are “now” and some are “not yet.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The problems
and tragedies of this world today are not the last word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shouts of voices in heaven are written in
Revelation 11:15 “the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord
and of His Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus Christ
comes back at the end of the age, He will take over the rule and reign of the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian faith declares that the
kingdom of God will come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible, God’s
Word proclaims it and we believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
belief in this kingdom gives us hope to defend against the false notion that
the future offers no more than the drudgery of today’s world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kingdom
of God lies ahead of us changing everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is our hope and joy as Christians. God gives us His Holy Spirit to
live within us and teach us and bring us this hope and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 Corinthians 15:25 declares: “He (Jesus)
must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though
unseen in fulness, the kingdom of God is more real and meaningful than any
other power, even the power of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
serve a mighty God and we have a powerful and wonderful hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rejoice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord God reigns!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the
ideas in this blog were taken from “Psalms Interpretation Bible Studies by
Jerome F.D. Creach, Chapter 6 “Rejoice, the Lord is King” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-66336468568956852162020-01-13T09:42:00.001-08:002020-01-13T09:42:23.226-08:00What is a Christian Wife to do with that Verse about Submitting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is
a Christian Wife to do with that Verse about Submitting?</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ephesians
5:22-23 is one of the passages in the Bible that I have struggled with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it is: “Wives submit yourselves unto
your own husbands, as unto the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:
and He is also the Savior of the body.” (Ephesians 5:22-23) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today most
modern couples believe that wives are equal to their husbands and often as
competent, and sometimes more so, than their husbands. Does this Bible passage in
Ephesians mean that competent married women are not allowed to use their
God-given talents if those talents threaten their husband’ ego or causes
problems in their marriages?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Submit? Shouldn’t
a wife demand her rights? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good marriages
are so important, -part of the fabric that holds society together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And couples need to give and take to make their
marriages work. It seems that submitting is part of that give and take. But does
this submitting mean that wives must do all the submitting while their husbands
assert their dominance and order their wives around? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could these verses be mis-used as a mandate
for wives becoming nothing more than dutiful servants? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think that is what this Ephesians
passage means. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Does this
mean that a wife should submit to a husband that is telling her to do a sinful
act?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should she disobey God’s laws so
she can follow her husband’s lead into sin since her husband is her head? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ephesians 5:22-23 is only two short verses in
the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not to take two Bible
verses or commands out of context with all the other verses in the Bible. All
the other passages in the Bible tell God’s people that they are never to follow
another person into sin. I believe this verse in Ephesians should obviously be
taken along with all the other commands in Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we try
to follow the teachings of the whole Bible, clearly a woman is not to obey her
husband when he tells her to sin or break God’s commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the husband tells the wife to harm another
person or betray a trust or stop speaking to her children or her parents, or
any other unkind, unloving <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or sinful
act, I believe the Bible tells a wife to follow God’s Will when her husband’s
orders go against God’s Will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This passage
also instructs Christian wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one thing to submit to Jesus Christ our
Lord, God the Son, our Savior and Redeemer, the Light of the world. But is a
woman commanded to submit to a fallible, sinful man?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe this command in Ephesians to
wives means that faithful wives are to submit to abuse or humiliation or that
they must endure infidelity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Corinthians
7:15 says that when an unbelieving spouse (husband) leaves that the abandoned
spouse or wife is not bound in such circumstances, but God has called her to
live in peace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God cares and isn’t
asking wives for the impossible! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The verse
just before this passage, Ephesians 5:21, commands submission for both husband
and wife: “Submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” The husband is
also commanded to submit to his wife! Mutual submission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The husband may be the “head,” - but the wife
is often the “neck” that turns the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Throughout
their lives together, the husband and wife are to love each other and to submit
to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A loving husband will
work for his wife’s best interests and a loving wife will work for her
husband’s best interests. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not
competing against each other but working together as one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it comes naturally when the wife often submits
to her husband’s wishes. I have watched so many good marriages where both
husband and wife act as one and work together and serve each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But God has
more instructions for the husbands than for the wives!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really heavy-duty instructions! We continue
reading God’s commands to husbands in Ephesians: “Husbands, love your wives
just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did Christ love the Church?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died on the cross for his Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave himself, naked and bleeding to suffer
for His Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put her needs above
his own and sacrificed His life for her. I don’t hear husbands fussing about their
primary command being to love their wives and to give themselves up for her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we read God’s commands for husbands,
those verses about wives submitting to the head seem not to be such a big deal.
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And husbands
have another obligation in the marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scripture says: “But if any one does not provide for his own, especially
for those in his family, he has denied the Faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
(1 Timothy 5:8) This does not say that a man must be the primary bread winner.
Or that his wife doesn’t need to work outside the home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In biblical terms, the value of work is
measured in service, not in dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
Scripture says that a man’s job is to work and do his best to support his
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not abandon his duty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christian
marriage, Scripture says is about intimacy and love and about the mystery of two
persons becoming one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These commands in
Scripture regarding the duties of wives and husbands won’t work without love. Love
is the key! Our marriages are like a little picture of Jesus as the bridegroom
and the Church (believers) as His bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bridegroom (Jesus) gives himself up for us, His bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Church (the bride) follows (submits
to) her husband, Jesus. But the Church (bride) is joyful in submitting to her
Lord and Savior because she loves Him, and He does everything to bring her peace
and joy and love and victory over sin, because He loves her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scripture
teaches us that Jesus is our Bridegroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And no one comes to Jesus while holding onto our rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to come before Him is to fall
flat on our face. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is our head and the
head of the Church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Male or female, if
we insist on our rights or insist on doing things our way, we reject Jesus
because He calls us to submit to Him all the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-10657237807503908612020-01-05T14:31:00.001-08:002020-01-05T14:31:57.684-08:00The Framing of a Building was Raising Up as our Covering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3zirKhPn1N_xthQV9oItefZBUpqG6WT50o4ZPC7ogsOEQsko0vpvEvgyIaEuD4hpXsEyogxSbjkM1aFOkdobHuMw4BOAPRCT2X6iGYG6WAuIK_tKVIcs8Ukb_DkrBolvQvVtEa8mghRI/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3zirKhPn1N_xthQV9oItefZBUpqG6WT50o4ZPC7ogsOEQsko0vpvEvgyIaEuD4hpXsEyogxSbjkM1aFOkdobHuMw4BOAPRCT2X6iGYG6WAuIK_tKVIcs8Ukb_DkrBolvQvVtEa8mghRI/s1600/home.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Framing of a Building was Raising
Up as our Covering </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently I
had lunch with my good friend Judy, who had just gotten back from visiting her
three adult children over the Christmas holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judy is in her late 70’s and her hands trembled,
and tears rolled down her cheeks as she told me that her visit with her
children had not gone well. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judy’s daughter-in-law was angry that she had
come to visit them over Christmas and intrude on their privacy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And her son asked her to leave after giving
her a long list of everything she had done wrong over the years as his parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had always deeply loved her son and
daughter-in-law and had been a good mother, and she was frightened and confused
by their accusations. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judy packed up, got a motel, and drove over to
visit her two daughters who lived nearby. Then Judy’s oldest daughters informed
her that she has decided not to call herself a Christian anymore because she
had moved on to becoming an agnostic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had decided that Christians were
phony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Judy’s younger daughter told her that she
was leaving her husband and her children and moving in with her exciting new
boyfriend, who spends all day playing video games. Also, Judy’s teen-age
grandson has overdosed on drugs and is threatening to commit suicide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Judy is a
widow in her late seventies and lonely, as her husband has recently passed
away. She and her husband had a good marriage and raised their children to love,
serve and trust Jesus Christ. It was their life. They had such hopes for their
children, that they would follow Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now Judy tells me that she feels like she is
losing her adult children and grandchildren. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that it is her job to bring her children
back to herself and back to God! But she doesn’t know how. Such a big job for a
faltering older woman!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So many
Christian parents are confused and frightened because of the choices their
adult children are making. Many young adults are leaving their Christian faith.
They are choosing a life without Christ and missing out on so much! The spirits
of despair and unbelief are everywhere. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
have all the flowers gone? </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But yesterday
Judy called me to share some good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Judy felt that God had spoken to her, helped her in her despair and given
her new vision and hope! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several nights earlier,
she had been in her bed, awake in the darkness praying to God about her
children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did her son and his wife
reject her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would happen now that
her oldest daughter had turned away from Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what about her younger daughter and her
grandchildren?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All alone now, with
arthritis and heart trouble, how was she going to handle living alone without
her beloved husband?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was family
and trust and community? Where was God? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
darkness was closing in around her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All alone in
her bed on that cold dark night, the sick spirits of darkness and fear and
hopelessness swept in on her taking over her being. She broke out in a cold
sweat with her heart pounding as the evil spirits of anxiety and fear, dizziness
and nausea took over her body and soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the eyes
of her imagination she could see all her many sins and problems, and her
children’s sins and problems - all piling on top of her and weighing down on her
and her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Desperation took over since
she felt too weak and helpless to fight or free herself or her family of these
things that were tearing them apart. Messing them up and leading them toward
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terrified with this awful vision
before her eyes, Judy cried out to Jesus. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then even
though she was still afraid, she felt His calming Presence around her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could still see the same vision in her
imagination- the vision of sins and problems moving in and taking over her
family. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now she saw something new starting to
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A solid structure or a
foundation was beginning to form around and over her and pushing away the messy
problems and sins. As a skeleton gives structure to the body, this Cornerstone
and framing of a building was slowly raising up a protective structure around
Judy and her family as she prayed for them. Covering them and slowly providing
them protection and victory over the evils they couldn’t conquer by themselves.
Judy was not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had been there all
the time.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had given her a Cornerstone, a building
not made with hands, a Savior, (Isaiah 28:16-17 and Ephesians 2:19-21) who has
the strength to free her from the sins that so easily weighed her down. Jesus
is our Cornerstone too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His job is to
fight evil for us and win. To be victorious and raise us up to be victorious
with Him. His job is to be our structure or covering from sin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Solid Rock. And our job is to believe in
Him and follow Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-55979537254825112012019-12-20T14:53:00.000-08:002019-12-20T14:53:34.513-08:00Ancient Israel was Expecting the Savoir's Birth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ72JoxLKjQ_g3rYttm-2TK3GZsndUkF4F8ZlvoLS15f1A3Be2GvzGGHyMDJMFHdWxZF3IxlWW5FOV5O-xzs-qwJVJ1JPkCMC_jQcg3dWYGLPwKGL7Uw_BEkKEyJf3JkEODjHDZNN20nwV/s1600/Baby+Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ72JoxLKjQ_g3rYttm-2TK3GZsndUkF4F8ZlvoLS15f1A3Be2GvzGGHyMDJMFHdWxZF3IxlWW5FOV5O-xzs-qwJVJ1JPkCMC_jQcg3dWYGLPwKGL7Uw_BEkKEyJf3JkEODjHDZNN20nwV/s1600/Baby+Jesus.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ancient Israel was Expecting the Savior’s
Birth </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Before Jesus was
born, God spoke to the ancient Israelites through their prophets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These Old
Testament prophets promised that God would someday send a Savior or a Messiah
to save them from their sins. We have many of these prophecies in the Old
Testament of our Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of these
prophecies, the Israelites were waiting and expecting a Messiah or a Savior. But
when the Savior finally did come to earth, many didn’t recognize Him! </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus had been born to a rich family, or if
He had gone along with the religious leaders’ power games, they might have recognized
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or if Jesus came in leading an army
and fighting and freeing Israel from the cruel Roman rule, they might have
recognized their Savior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will read
just a few of these prophecies today from one of the prophets and see if we might
have missed Jesus like many did back then. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let’s pretend that a
camera had been invented that could not only take pictures of a person’s face
and body but could also capture shots ahead of time of how the person would
live his life and what was inside his soul and spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think God used such a camera, but God
did give Isaiah and the other prophets many detailed pictures or prophecies about
the coming Messiah or Savior (Jesus) and what He would be like. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we only have time to go over some of
Isaiah’s prophecies concerning the expected Savior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are many more prophecies of His
coming in Scripture.</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazingly, the prophet Isaiah’s pictures of
Jesus were taken about 700 years before Jesus’ birth. They captured scenes
showing what would happen to Jesus and even how these future events would
affect us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through his “prophecy” camera
Isaiah received the photos and left them in an album for all of us to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s turn to Isaiah 42:13-15 and Isaiah
53:1-12 and view each shot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The first picture that
Isaiah captured was of Jesus being praised and lifted up. But He was also
called “My Servant”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See, My Servant
will act wisely, he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Isaiah 52:13) We read in the New Testament,
“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is
above every name.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Phil.2:9)</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The second picture of
Jesus was of a broken and beat-up man, astonishing those who saw Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just as there were many who were appalled at
Him, His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form
marred beyond human likeness” (Isaiah 52:14)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The third print is of
Jesus cleansing many in the world of sin. The practice of sprinkling with blood
or water to cleanse was performed by priests as part of the Old Testament
law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He will sprinkle many nations, and
kings will shut their mouths because of Him. …”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Isaiah 52:15)</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The fourth photo of
Jesus is of an unimpressive, overlooked, ordinary looking person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing special to draw us to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He came today, He wouldn’t drive the right
car or have a degree from a better university.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wouldn’t even dress to make the right impression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He grew up like a tender shoot, and like a
root out of dry ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no beauty
or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should
desire Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was despised and rejected
by people, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like one from whom men hide their faces, He
was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Isaiah 53:1b-3)</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In the fifth picture,
Jesus is on the cross dying for our sins. “Surely, He took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him,
and afflicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He was pierced for
our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that
brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of
us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us
all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Isaiah 53:4-6) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The sixth photo will
break your heart when you look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here Jesus is seen as a lamb being carried off to be killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He went to his death voluntarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did
not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By oppression and judgment, He was taken
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who can speak of His followers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For He was cut off from the land of the
living, for the transgression of my people he was stricken.” (Isaiah 53:7-8) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The seventh picture
in Isaiah shows Jesus dying with the criminals and being given a grave with the
rich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This picture also shows that Jesus
had not done anything wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He was
assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in His death, though He had
done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Isaiah 53:9) We know from Scripture that
Jesus died on the cross between two criminals and that Joseph of Arimathea, a
rich man, buried Jesus’ body in his own grave. </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This photo shows that
it was God’s will to allow Jesus to suffer and die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think we are in this picture too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read along and see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and
cause Him to suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And though the Lord
makes His life a guilt offering, He will see his offspring and prolong His
days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Isaiah 53:10) The offspring mentioned here
are Jesus’ spiritual descendants, according to many Bible scholars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course Jesus would rise from the dead
and live forever.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And the last picture
in Isaiah’s photo gallery shows Jesus as our Savior, victorious, and joyful
that His perfect sacrifice has saved so many of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is satisfied that His death gave us life
and He is praying (making intercession) for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“After the suffering of His soul, He will
see the light of life, and be satisfied by His knowledge my righteous Servant
will justify many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He will bear
their iniquities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, I will give
Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong,
because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the
transgressors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For He bore the sins of many
and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:11)</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus understood His
mission and work as the fulfillment of these prophecies (pictures) in Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some Bible scholars have called Isaiah 53 the
chapter that describes Jesus as the “Suffering Servant”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was willing to pay the price for us and
be our “suffering Servant”. The last verses of Isaiah 53 say that Jesus was
pleased that all of His suffering has brought us eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s live our lives in such a way that He
will continue to be pleased. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></b></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></b></b></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-24841845108765044712019-12-15T19:25:00.002-08:002019-12-15T19:27:26.559-08:00God Gives the Gift of Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgyqF2wmaZIFM-ueALzT_0jNKjqEAxOsokImQImgWEy6E84kFcZZwDYMo3c4i-jdQObvx7j3gvyv8CK0UuP8DAbPQPSdtagtC8sOZlYAjwf7o7AmNdKOZlaXzW-0Ddn0ueDLvdRkFDvcy/s1600/Christmas+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgyqF2wmaZIFM-ueALzT_0jNKjqEAxOsokImQImgWEy6E84kFcZZwDYMo3c4i-jdQObvx7j3gvyv8CK0UuP8DAbPQPSdtagtC8sOZlYAjwf7o7AmNdKOZlaXzW-0Ddn0ueDLvdRkFDvcy/s1600/Christmas+gift.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">God Gives the Gift of Hope </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Book of Zechariah (chapters 1-6)</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zechariah was one of
Gods’ prophets to the Jewish people and his ministry began in 520 B.C. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prophet did not deliver his own message,
but he was faithful to give only the message that God gave him. God used
Zechariah and other prophets to bring hope to Israel - hope for their future.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But these promises of hope in the future are for
us too. Many of God’s promises that were given to Israel by the prophets will
be fulfilled when Jesus comes again at the end of the age. These prophecies of
warnings and hope and promises are all there in our Bibles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Today we will go over
a few of God’s promises, given through Zechariah to God’s people long ago. The
Jewish people had come back to their homeland after spending seventy years in
Babylonian captivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their city, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place>, had been
destroyed by the Babylonians along with the temple of the Lord. But now they
had returned to their homeland ready to rebuild. </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But it didn’t take
long for problems to arise and discouragement to set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people soon realized that the new temple
they were building would never compare with the old one that had been destroyed.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had blessed their forefathers with gold
and riches so that they could build a grand temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But these returning Jewish exiles were poor
and struggling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why wasn’t God there
with more provisions for them to build? </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we ever been discouraged when others don’t
give us the respect that we deserve?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or
when we don’t have the money to buy what we think we should have or the health
to go where we want? Why isn’t God giving us more when others seem to have it
all? </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Another problem the
Jewish people had in 520 B.C. was with the cruel and powerful Persian king who
forbid them to rebuild God’s temple. (Ezra 4:5) The Israelites were afraid of
this powerful nation and became depressed and quit building. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard to keep the faith and build God’s
temple when so many forces were against them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Israelites quit
building because they believed that if God had been with them everything would
have gone smoothly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we ever stop
doing God’s work because we are persecuted, or things don’t go smoothly? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It was into this mix
that God gave a word of hope to His people through Zechariah. God comes to
Zechariah by night and gives him eight visions! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These visions from God (Zechariah 1:8-6:7)
brought hope for the discouraged Israelites, and they also bring hope for us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us want hope to show up right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We aren’t used to waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But some of God’s hope and some of His
promises will be completely fulfilled for us after we die and see Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not now. </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These prophecies speak of the Hope (Jesus) at
the end of the age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bible scholars
believe that some of these prophecies have a double fulfillment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zechariahs’ prophecies were fulfilled back
then for the Jewish people in 520 B.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did rebuild their temple and God prospered them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Zechariahs’ prophecies also give us hope
for a time when wickedness is removed and Christ, the Messiah will come again,
and a new glorious temple will be built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Basically, the
meaning in Zechariah’s eight visions from God is that God will save His people and
bring judgment on the nations who are trying to harm them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God promises His people that He will bless
their rebuilding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will be a
protective wall of fire around Jerusalem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God will judge their enemies and send “The Servant, the Branch, to save”-
Jesus Christ. (Zechariah 3:8:9) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In Zechariah’s fifth
vision - of the golden lamp stand and the olive tree, - the Lord promises that
He will empower His people and give them His Holy Spirit. (Zechariah 4:6) (He also
promises to give the Holy Spirit to each believer in Christ today) </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Four of the eight
visions foretell that in the end of the age God will remove sin from His
followers and from the whole earth. The fourth vision shows Joshua, the high
priest, standing before God in filthy garments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His sin is removed from him and he is given clean rich robes to wear.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sixth vision shows that dishonesty will be
cursed, the seventh that wickedness will be removed from the earth and the last
vision tells that the spirits of heaven will execute judgment on the whole
Earth because of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Zechariah 6:5,7)</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin will be taken away from the earth before
God brings in His new day of victory and blessing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This truth is an important part of Zechariahs’
visions. God’s people in 520 B.C. who were given this promise are in their
graves and will receive these blessings at the same time that God’s people today
will receive them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– when Christ returns
at the end of the age. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The sixth vision of
the flying scroll is particularly graphic!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a vivid picture showing how dishonesty is cursed by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I see a flying scroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten
cubits,” says Zechariah. Then God interpreted, “This is the curse that goes out
over the face of the whole earth: ‘I will send out the curse,’ says the Lord of
hosts: ‘It shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of the one who
swears falsely by My name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shall
remain in the midst of his house and consume it, with its timber and stones.’”
Zechariah 5:2b, 3a, 4) According to Biblical scholars, a roll or scroll is
employed in Scripture for a pronouncement of judgment.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">After Zechariahs’
visions, God shows him that Joshua is being crowned, but then the language
changes and the one being crowned is the Lord, and He is building the temple. Here
is that double meaning again. – a promise for the present – for the Jews in 520
B.C., and a fuller promise for the end of the age. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">These Israelites from
long ago were given hope by Zechariah’s visions. and they started building God’s
temple again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now they knew that God was
with them, even when their problems seemed so big. Do we sometimes make the
same mistake they did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we wonder
where God is when our problems overwhelm us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These Israelites questioned whether their efforts in building Gods’ new
temple would ever be worth anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They compared their temple to the grand temple of their forefathers, and
it didn’t measure up.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we have those same problems?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we sometimes wonder if our lives really
matter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we fear that our efforts
don’t compare with someone else’s?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we have prayers that don’t seem to be answered in our time frame, do we think
that God won’t answer them in His time frame? The comforting words that God
gave His people through Zechariah long ago are for His people today also.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God tells us not to be discouraged if our work
seems small (or unimportant). (Zechariah 4:7-10) “For who has despised the day
of small things?” (Verse 10) We give importance to the size of things, but God doesn’t
see things that way. His ways are not our ways.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zechariahs’ prophecy also reminds us that what
God has begun in us He will complete. And our prayers will be answered even if
it isn’t in our time frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to
depend on the Holy Spirit to accomplish the things that God has called us to do.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we are called upon to remember that
our work is important in building God’s Church.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gods’ message to Zephaniah is a double
message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The promises of victory are for
Christians as we live our lives today. But these promises will be completely
fulfilled for us at a later time also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only
at the end of time when Jesus has come again and all sin is completely removed,
will we have the total victory through Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s believe God’s Word and take these gifts of hope and blessing from
God into our hearts, and take joy and encouragement from them always. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-31117203606618282712019-12-08T19:33:00.003-08:002019-12-08T19:33:59.365-08:00The key to Gods Blessing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Key to God’s Blessing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 133</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 133
only has three short verses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Psalm
133 ends with this sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For there
the Lord God has commanded the blessing of life forevermore.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Psalm 133:3b) We know that “Life forevermore”
is a wonderful blessing from God. This verse seems to be saying that God will
command this blessing “there”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But where
is “there”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s read the Psalm and
see . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first
verse of Psalm 133 reads: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell
in unity!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Psalm 133:1) God’s vision
for us is unity in our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we
would like that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If everyone would
just agree with us, then we might be able to have unity some of the time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have some
days when I get in a bad mood and become irritated with anyone who happens to get
in my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that my natural self,
my “default”, is selfish and critical. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want God’s unity with my friends and family and in my world, however, I often
mess up the unity I want.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But when I
take time to pray and look to Jesus, He changes my default or my selfishness
and gives me His vision and His love for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t keep coming back to Jesus for help,
I can quickly slip back into my selfish self. I love being a Christian because
it is so good to be able to run to Jesus and receive His deep love for others and
His truths and freedoms! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of
being stuck with my little critical and selfish ways of looking at my
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is
calling us to live in a certain way – to do our best to live in unity and peace
with others if <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we can’t obey God and live in unity on our own without Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Spirit will give us humility and love for
others and everything else we need to do our part to live in unity - if we are
willing. Others can mess it up, but with Christ we can do our part.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ is the Light of the world (John 8:12) and
He will cover us with His light, making us little lights shinning through the
darkness of our world. Think of all the many people along your life’s way who
have been lights to you, encouraging you and making your life better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are meant to be there for one another. “Behold
how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” (Psalm 13:1)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second and
third verses of Psalm 133 gives us two pictures of Godly unity. – or when God’s
people are together as a loving family. The first picture of Godly unity is
like “oil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture says: “It is like
the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the beard of Aaron, running down on the
collar of his robes! (Verse 2a)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aaron was a priest and his priestly duty was
to come to God with prayers and sacrifices for the Jewish people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Scripture says that Jesus is our high
priest who prays for us and gives Himself as our sacrifice to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus prays for us and He prays for our unity
with other brothers and sisters in Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 17:20-26) He prays that we love and care
for one another, and not tear each other apart. Godly unity on our part is like
a sacred service to God: it is personally fulfilling. Also notice that this
unity is flowing down from above “running down on the beard of Aaron” and “running
down on the collar of his robes”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second
picture of Godly unity in verse 3a says that this unity is also like “dew”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s people loving each other in unity as
family is like refreshing “dew”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage says: “It (Godly unity) is like
the dew of Mount Hermon, which falls down from the mountains of Zion!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(verse 3a) This Godly unity is like
refreshing service to society, it is nationally fruitful. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice that this unity or “dew” also is falling
down from the mountains of God, a bit like the unity or “oil” that is running
down on Priest Aaron’s beard. Do you catch the flow – “coming down upon” and “coming
down from above.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These blessings of
peace, humility and love and unity are coming down from our heavenly Father for
us, if we are open to receive them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 133 closes
with these words: “For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life
forevermore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(verse 3b) Perhaps this
passage is saying that Godly unity unlocks God’s blessing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There” is when we are in unity with our fellow
Christians. Scripture tells us that the very first Christians after Pentecost were
united in everything they did together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Scripture also says that through Christ these early Christians
performed many miracles and healings. Could it be that their love for one
another and their unity as the body of Christ had something to do with the many
who came to Christ through their preaching and the many who were healed through
their prayers? Could this be the key to their blessings?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Experiences
of unity here on earth are just a small taste of the complete spiritual unity
we will enjoy in heaven forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is
calling us to do our best, with His help, to live in peace and love with our fellow
brothers and sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we need to do
anything differently to obey this call? </span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-8947567975753974022019-12-01T18:56:00.001-08:002019-12-01T18:56:18.734-08:00God's Message for the anxious Workaholic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMmzIEXvh0h0C7Aw4nWlN1y3WmiDN6NzB_O3kbHHR0R8_-NSyBVN6C7do5OlRpMoaApqYqxh9XvhebN644j-P4I7dm51rG-3tfTFKL3_YjaSNUF7lzNZ1QsGkSBe5DXCAYM9j1gRBd8Au/s1600/hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMmzIEXvh0h0C7Aw4nWlN1y3WmiDN6NzB_O3kbHHR0R8_-NSyBVN6C7do5OlRpMoaApqYqxh9XvhebN644j-P4I7dm51rG-3tfTFKL3_YjaSNUF7lzNZ1QsGkSBe5DXCAYM9j1gRBd8Au/s1600/hand.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s Message for the Anxious
Workaholic</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 127</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can easily
become an anxious person. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too I often
worry that my work will not be good enough. Or that something will go wrong.
When I start to worry, remembering the words of Psalm 127 helps me and calms me
down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reminds me to relax and trust in
my heavenly Father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping that
maybe this psalm can help you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 127 is
a short little Psalm – only five verses. But this Psalm reminds us that the key
to success is not by our anxious frantic efforts but by abiding in Him. That without
God, we can do nothing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s read
Psalm 127 here:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<ol style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: decimal;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Unless the Lord builds the house
(marriage, family) they who build it work in vain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman
stays awake in vain.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It is vain for you to rise up early
and stay up late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eating the bread of
anxious labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For God gives to His beloved even in his
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Behold, children are a heritage from
the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the fruit of the womb is a
reward.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
so are the children of one’s youth. </span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blessed is the person who has her or his
quiver full of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shall not be ashamed
but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Psalm
tells us that without God’s help, our endeavors are in vain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we build our house (marriage, family) we
need to consult the divine Architect. (verse 1a) We need to pray and ask God
for His blessing for our house (marriage, family) and our country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the citizens and leaders of a country make
laws that break God’s laws and if they forget to seek God’s will and blessing, their
country will eventually fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 127 says: “Unless the Lord watches over
the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (verse 1b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Workaholics
beware. Psalm 127 says that our work is in vain independent of God’s calling
and direction. (verse 2a) We don’t have to do it all by ourselves, but God “gives
gifts to His beloved even in her or his sleep.” (verse 2b) Let’s not miss out
on the truth that we don’t have to do it all that God blesses us even at the
most unlikely times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And Psalm
127 ends by telling us that our children are a gift from the Lord, designed to
fill a purpose with joy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said: “I
came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 10:10) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We sometimes
think that the harder we work; the richer we become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But without God, all our money and earthly riches
will not satisfy us. Yet this Psalm shows that God’s gifts are given by our
resting in His grace and doing our reasonable share of work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8) of the
Ten Commandments commands God’s people to rest from their work on the sabbath
day or the seventh day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we take
seriously God’s command to rest from our work – and to rest and trust in Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, Scripture
says that God gives us work to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are many passages in Scripture that speak against sloth or being lazy and not
doing our share of work. But then we are told not to “Rise up early and stay up
late and eat the bread of anxious labor.” (Psalm 127:2) God has placed limits
on our work so there is room for rest, reflection and worship. We can find this
moderation when we stop trying to run our own lives and trust God each day to
guide and help us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does it look like to abide in Jesus
instead?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A passage about us abiding in
Christ is found in John 15:1-8. Jesus is speaking these words: “Abide in Me,
and I in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the branch cannot bear
fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you bear fruit,
unless you abide in Me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the “Vine”,
and you are the “branches”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you abide
In Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit: for without Me you can do
nothing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 15:4-5) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This New
Testament passage is saying the same thing that Psalm 127, our Old Testament
passage said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That without God being
involved in our work and our lives, all that we do will amount to nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our secular
society tells us that we should run our own lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be self-made men and women. Rugged individualists.
But our secular world has it all backwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God speaks to us in Scripture and tells us that “We are not our own, we
are bought with a price” (the price is the blood of Jesus) (1 Corinthians
6:19-20)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to live our lives for
Him and His glory and not just for ourselves if we want His blessings and His abundant
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s come to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repent of the spirit of independence in our
lives and give our lives to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop
trying to run things on our own and ask Him for His guidance and blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do this every day! Live the good life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Jane Furnishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013618390201487867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221034081701098431.post-72796629731009183102019-12-01T18:48:00.000-08:002019-12-01T18:48:31.776-08:00God's Message for the Anxious Workaholic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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