tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-548662990246671352024-03-27T10:26:43.035-07:00Acts 13:15"Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation or consolation or encouragement for the people, say it."Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-58105681693776985252018-02-15T10:09:00.002-08:002018-02-15T10:09:39.979-08:00The Way OutPaul tells us in Romans we are without excuse for not believing because God gives us a consciousness of Himself which is reflected in the glory of His creation. In other words, He has given us proof throughout creation and has quickened our spirit to recognize Him in it (Romans 1:19-20).<br />
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It is important to note verse 20 ends with a comma: “…So men are without excuse,” (v 20) Verse 21 begins with the word BECAUSE. It is a complete thought when read through, as shown here:<br />
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For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE,<br />
BECAUSE that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened.”<br />
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They KNEW GOD! He is referring to believers. They KNEW God, but they did not glorify Him AS God and they were not thankful.<br />
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Sweet sister in Christ, may I in all humility ask you to consider: You know God, but do you glorify Him as God? And, do you give Him thanks?<br />
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I ask not to condemn, but rather, because it was a hard question for me, as I did not like the answer. <br />
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The remainder of verse 21 and the verses which follow give a very clear yet frightening description of the results if we fail to do these two things. For this scripture, let’s use the NIV, as it uses modern vernacular to plainly show these consequences, rather than being hidden by the pretty and somewhat unrecognizable words used in the King James Version. These consequences are not pretty and should be laid bare.<br />
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21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. <br />
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools<br />
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.<br />
24 Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.<br />
25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen.<br />
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. <br />
27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.<br />
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.<br />
One may read the above and think, “Well, I have never done those horrible things, so I’m good.” Read on dear sister.<br />
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,<br />
30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;<br />
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.<br />
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.<br />
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Wow. And, ouch. I invite you to go to the Lord in prayer, asking Him to reveal through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you which of these you are guilty of committing. Ask Him to quicken your heart as you read through the list again, one item at a time. If we ask with a fervent and sincere heart ready to admit, confess, and repent, He is faithful; He will show us the truth of our sinfulness in order that we may repent and have forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness.<br />
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As believers we tend to think we are not guilty of big sins, just the occasional small one. But, let’s be honest with ourselves before the God Who already knows. <br />
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• Envy<br />
• Murder<br />
• Strife<br />
• Deceit<br />
• Malice<br />
• Gossip<br />
• Slander<br />
• God-hater<br />
• Insolent<br />
• Arrogant<br />
• Boastful<br />
• Invent ways of doing evil<br />
• Disobey parents<br />
• No understanding<br />
• No fidelity<br />
• No love<br />
• No mercy<br />
• Approve of those who do these things<br />
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We would shy away from anyone who is a God-hater, but what about gossip? Am I a gossip? Do I approve when others gossip with me? Am I merciful? Do I sow strife with my complaining or slander?<br />
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Paul tells us clearly; these sins are a direct result of failure to glorify God as God and failure to give Him thanks. <br />
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Many years ago, I was told the word glorify means “to give an accurate estimation of.” When God commands us to give Him glory, we are to give an accurate estimation of Him. In doing so, we cannot possibly over-state His attributes. The harder we attempt to put His glory into words, the more we see how impossible it is to fully glorify Him. He is beyond our comprehension. In our attempts to glorify Him as God (Rom 1:21), we will always fall short and sin (see Rom 3:23). <br />
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We should not miss that it states we must glorify Him AS God. Do we live out our lives giving Him the accuracy AS GOD of our life? Or rather, do we live most of the week making less of Him than is accurately due Him, and then try to make up for it with a little praise and worship on Sunday?<br />
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Again, the presence of these specific sins in our lives are given by inspiration to be the direct result of our failure to glorify God as God. However, He promises the same sinfulness and depravity when we fail to give Him the thanks due to Him. Count your blessings! Name them. One by one. <br />
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We are to give Him glory, thanks and praise.<br />
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As a young Christian, I did not understand why God would require us to praise Him and glorify Him. To illustrate the effect of praise, someone near and dear to me replied, “Ok, tell me all the things you admire about me.” And so, I began to list off qualities of them I love and appreciate. As I did, a change happened in both of us. For me, having my attention drawn to these things made me appreciate them more. <br />
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When we focus on glorifying God and giving an accurate estimation of Him, we by comparison become small. As it should be. “He must increase, I must decrease.” <br />
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He is AWEsome! He is amazing! He is Beautiful! He is Powerful! And SO much more. I am none of these things. The best I can manage is as filthy rags in contrast. <br />
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Only when we fully understand we are nothing and He is everything, can we possibly give Him the glory and honor due Him. Only then can we see clearly all the thanks we owe Him. The consequences for failure to do so is sin and depravity. But, praise God, He has shown us the way out.<br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-32976387879630075692015-12-31T07:11:00.001-08:002015-12-31T07:11:34.907-08:00Good Bye to 2015As 2015 Comes to a close, I look back over a year that has been spiritual drought for me, a year of wandering in a desert. Perhaps it has been a time that the Lord has been testing me, or preparing me? Perhaps both. <br />
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I have found that during such times He is working on me in ways I am not aware. I may never know until I meet Him face to face. Until then, I will walk in faith knowing He has great plans for me and that He loves me deeply. I will rest in the knowledge His plan and His will for my life is greater than anything I can possibly think or imagine.<br />
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In this last month of 2015, He has begun to stir up new understanding and new learning in my life. I am excited to walk with Him into this new phase to see what He is going to reveal of Himself.<br />
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There have been a few events in the past few weeks which are drawing me to study the scriptures again in a new light, and it is so thrilling. During one of the events shaping this new change, someone pointed me to this verse:<br />
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Isaiah 45:3 says I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, <br />
so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.<br />
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What an awesome promise from God! I LOVE to be in the Word and listen as He reveals Himself in the hidden treasures of His Word. What a humbling and thrilling thing it is to be summoned by name by the God of all creation! How awesome it is that the God who breathed the stars into place by the power of the Logos, would deign to lavish priceless wealth upon us, His secret wisdom! <br />
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I go into 2016 with great anticipation of yet again being enthralled by my King. I hope and pray that when 2016 comes to close that this blog will be full of new insight.<br />
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In the past, as I have watched the numbers of readers decline to extremely small numbers, I have considered giving up on it all together. But then I was challenged by the Lord. "Would you still write even if I were the only One listening?" "Yes, Lord, I would." So, if you are reading this, know that I am truly honored that you would take the time to read this. But, yes Lord, I am writing to an audience of One. <br />
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Thank you Father, and praise you for the gift of Your Word! Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, by whom we are given understanding and insight into the secret treasures and hidden things. Thank You that You have not left us orphans in this world, but have provided us the Way of Life and Truth, through Your Son. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us. During this coming year, I pray Your presence and revelation to all who seek you. Please give us a deep thirst and yearning for You, and please satisfy us through a filling of the Holy Spirit and quench us through Your Word. Draw is in and dazzle us! We Delight in Your Word, and fall down in worship! By the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, AMEN!<br />
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Note: One of the amazing things I learned this week is that the original Hebrew word rendered "delight" in the Old Testament carries the connotation of bowing or bending down. When we are delighted in His Word, as He reveals Himself to us there, it should cause us to bow down. As we understand more of Him, it should cause us to see how very low we are. He must increase, and I must decrease.<br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-38576224463612509802015-02-01T04:52:00.000-08:002015-02-01T04:52:12.592-08:00Sunrise Through My WindowAs I stood by the window in the gray before sunrise, I waited with anticipation to hear what the Lord would say. He had wakened me with gentle nudging, "Come, be with me. I want to show you something." After a short lull back into the warmth of blankets and sleep, I heard it again, "Come! Be with me!" And so, I left the covers behind and went. I did not want to miss the gift of the company of my Lord.<br />
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Still groggy, we went to the kitchen to warm some day-old coffee. As I stood in the cold kitchen drawing warmth from the cup, I leaned against the sink and watched the world light up with the coming of the sun. Slowly the grays shifts to blues and fiery pinks. <br />
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From the vantage of this window, I can see mostly trees which, without my glasses, appear only large black masses. If I lean to the right, bits of sky peek through the branches and around the edges.<br />
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Slowly the hues brightened, revealing their beauty in splashes of brilliance shining through the darkness. At once, I saw what He was revealing of Himself. <br />
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How like that scene is the life we live. From my vantage, the world seemed small and dark. We see only glimpses of His magnificence, small patches of His beauty and light sparkling through the darkness. <br />
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Through the window frame of this mortality we see only that which He allows us to see. The framework He uses to structure our lives becomes the context of our individual perspective. Yet, just beyond the frame of the window that is my life and the shadows of the trees which seem to fill it, is the beautiful reality of endless sky. <br />
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We see only a glimpse here and there of His Light, obscured by the darkness of what seems to us to be all of reality. Nevertheless, if we just shift ever-so-slightly to the right, we see there is so much more than we can even comprehend of His magnificence. <br />
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His glory is infinite! It is not bound by the limits of our perspective. The darkness of the trees is only a shadow of this world. <br />
Just on the other side is endless blue sky and splendid ceaseless sunlight!<br />
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<i>Thank You and Praise You, Father for waking me this morning to see You show me the Truth of Yourself once again. I knew when You said, "Come, be with Me." that there was beauty to behold. Oh how I love when You reveal bits of Yourself to me! I treasure our time as You tarry unrushed with me! Thank You, Lord! <br />
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Just now as I prayed that, the sun broke through the trees and shone brightly through my window!<br />
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<i>Oh how marvelous, <br />
Oh how wonderful,<br />
is the Father's love for me!</i><br />
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-45267731686073061462014-07-15T11:12:00.001-07:002014-07-15T11:12:54.500-07:00My Mother's Legacy of ServiceOver the years I spent with my mother, I never knew a time when she was not volunteering at something. Her health made it a struggle, but she always found a way to serve. Often, my sister and I had the privilege of helping.<br />
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Before I was 10 years old, I knew how to find a store manager and request permission to post a sign for important events such as the Red Cross Blood Drive or our church's Shut-In Mass. I had stuffed envelopes and waved at passers-by dressed as a clock for a political campaign. And, the list goes on.<br />
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Even when we were not able to participate, we understood that serving should be constant. We learned this as she shared her experiences with us. <br />
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I recall her return home one Sunday afternoon, after she had been volunteering as a chaplain at the local hospital. She seemed lost in thought, but proceeded to explain. She recounted a series of events which she attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit to put her exactly where she needed to be, when she needed to be there. She was on the elevator, where she met a man with a boy and a girl around 8 and 10 years old, both of whom were sobbing. The man explained to mom that they were on their way to say goodbye to their mother. She accompanied them and stayed with them until they were ready to leave. <br />
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I cried as I listened and then asked her, "How did you do it?!" She said simply, "Just hold their hand and let the Lord lead."<br />
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During another season, she was a teacher of English as a foreign language at our town's library. She didn't just teach English, however, she got involved in their lives and taught them our culture. <br />
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Three of her students were a man and his two sisters from Czechoslovakia. He spoke some English, but the women did not. Shortly after mom began working with them, the man died unexpectedly, leaving his sisters behind alone in a foreign country whose language they didn't speak. My mother stepped up. Imagine trying to translate to and for people you couldn't understand yourself. But, she did it - with God's help, she insisted. They became life-long friends.<br />
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There are many more examples, not only of things she did, but lives she changed.<br />
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In her later years, she read books to a blind man until she could no longer speak. Before she reached that point however, she read the entire Bible onto tape for him. At that time there was no such thing as audio books. When she could not read anymore, she took up her knitting needles.<br />
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She spent hour after hour knitting bandages for a leper colony in the Philippines. They were needed because they were lint-free and reusable. She suffered from Carpel Tunnel and would knit until her arms cramped. She'd stop only long enough to rub the circulation back into them and then continue with her labor of love. In all, she knitted hundreds of yards of the bandages before passing away at only 62 years old.<br />
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I learned a lesson from my mother which has become a passion and a way of life. She taught me that if you can breathe, you can find something to do for someone. She may have been weak in body, but the Lord made her strong in spirit to do every work He set before her.<br />
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I still treasure her knitting needles. In death, she left them behind, along with her legacy of service. She and they will never be forgotten. I love you, Mom.<br />
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<i>Praise you, Lord, for a godly example of living to serve. May I remain eager to serve You. Show me the way, Lord. What work do you have for me? Help me to remain faithful and to train up these children You have entrusted to me as servants for Your Kingdom, and may we together continue her beautiful legacy for future generations. AMEN.<br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-4018655315436285502014-07-14T07:34:00.001-07:002014-07-14T07:34:31.959-07:00Though My Fields Be EmptySo many times I wonder why God does things. We all do. When Life gets hard, we often ask the Lord, "Why me?" as though it should have been someone else. When situations arise that shake us to our core, it's easy to think God must have been mistaken. This is not how life is supposed to be.<br />
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It's easy to see this tendency in the circumstances that threaten to overtake our lives as we know them. But, what about during the more mundane happenings that pass each day? We often miss the Hand of God and His fingerprints in life's minor inconveniences.<br />
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This year, as in years past, I planted a garden or, more accurately, a crop. It was not your average "throw some seeds in the ground and see how they do" affair. Not in the least.<br />
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It began with reading and planning and dirt testing. Then days filled with hand tilling and soil enhancement. By the time planting days deemed appropriate by the Farmer's Almanac arrived, I was exhausted both mentally and physically. My hands had more blisters than a sunburned albino and every muscle in my body protested even the slightest movement. <br />
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And, I prayed through every step in the process. I prayed harder as the work got harder. With more pain came more prayer. In the end, I cried to the Lord. Tears rolled with sweat down my face as I begged for His strength just to finish, and I praised Him when I did.<br />
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The weeks passed as I watered. My garden looked lovely. It was exciting to see the sprouts spring up and still more exhilarating to watch them bloom and grow. Praise the Lord for His goodness!<br />
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"Wait...is that...gasp!...mold?! Ok. Don't panic, just water every other day instead. Great, now they look dry and burnt."<br />
It went from bad to worse. First the cucumber vines succumbed, then the potatoes. "Not the corn, Lord! Really?" <br />
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In the end, we lost it all. Frustration set in and then anger. "Lord, did I not pray? Did I not ask for your blessing and favor? Did I not promise to tithe the first fruits?" I reasoned. I don't often get angry with God, but I could see no fault of my own for this failure. <br />
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Often I sit on the front porch of our country home for my quiet time with Him. Since the devastation that was my garden sits close to the porch, I had avoided seeing it and opted instead for the comfort of the kitchen table for devotions, until the morning He nudged me back outside.<br />
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As I sat contemplating the mess with hurt in my heart, He led me straight to a verse which I don't know if I could find again if I tried. It said, in essence, "Yea, though my fields be empty, Lord, yet will I praise thee."<br />
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I no longer see failure in the brown cornstalks poking up out of the ground, I see the gentleness of a Father who loves me. I see His sovereignty. I see a lesson. And, I see that, although I do the tilling and the plating and the watering, it is He alone who gives the harvest.<br />
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<i>Father, please forgive my presumptuousness and the ensuing temper tantrum. I am humbled before you, my King. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in Your fields. It is an honor and a privilege. Thank you for granting the strength to complete the tasks you set before me. And, "Though my fields be empty, Lord, yet will I praise thee." AMEN!<br />
</i>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-31361395619826564672014-06-08T21:34:00.002-07:002014-06-08T21:34:45.958-07:00Without You Lord, I am NothingSo much time has passed, I scarcely know where to begin. However, this is not about me. It is about a life affected by the Lord. <br />
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The last years have been trying to say the least. What I have found most difficult to bear is the time of spiritual dryness. I have endured a protracted time of barrenness in my relationship with the Lord, and it has been agonizing. <br />
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To my shame, I had harbored thoughts in my heart so deeply, I didn't even know they were there. I had the audacity to believe in some way all I had learned and studied about God's Word was a result of work I had done. I supposed the knowledge was my own. In my pride, the Lord "slapped me off my donkey." His discipline to such an attitude was swift and justifiably harsh, and I am glad. <br />
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It taught me a lesson I will not soon forget. I came to the immediate understanding that without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I do not even have the capacity to comprehend the words in the Book, let alone to soak into their rich and deep context. The great beauty I have experienced in the pages of His Word has absolutely nothing to do with me nor any intrinsic ability on my part. I have enjoyed profound revelation of His glory in the pages of His Word only through the gift of His grace and generosity. He has delighted my soul. <br />
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When the realization of my arrogance arose in my mind, I was immediately cut off from understanding. Throughout the months and years to follow, I would occasionally have a moment of clarity in which He would show me in my desperation that He was still with me and had not abandoned me altogether. Those times, however, were few and far between and mere fleeting glimpses of closeness I yearned to experience everlasting. <br />
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As well, during this time, I had asked a professional writer friend of mine if there was any potential in my writing. The response cut me to the quick. I was informed that my writing is "not interesting." I have wrestled with this declaration for quite some time now. At first, I felt hurt mixed with no small amount of embarrassment. I decided never to write again. But I waver as I am reminded of His question to me, "If I were the only one listening, would you write anyway?" Yes, Lord, I would.<br />
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Well, this season of desolate isolation appears to be nearing its conclusion. I find myself in a place of refreshment and renewal, and my soul rejoices! <br />
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Since I have received many more messages indicating the writing the Lord has put on my heart touches the souls of others, I have decided to fulfill my promise to my Father. Yes Lord, I will write as though You are the only one listening. I will extol You. I will allow my soul to sing of the good things You show me. I will never again take them for granted nor will I allow myself to harbor vanity in my heart. <br />
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Without You Lord, I am nothing.<br />
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-33088306443143318372013-10-21T11:25:00.001-07:002013-10-21T12:32:12.802-07:00Jewels From Exodus 12This morning was delightfully quiet. My children are all away at their Mamaw and Papaw’s house for a nice visit. Selah… I can breathe and pray and praise. This should not be the exception, but all too often it is. <br />
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As I sat in the quiet, I asked the Lord to delight me with His Word. This is absolutely my favorite thing to do in life. I LOVE the Word of God and studying it is akin to panning for gold. The treasure hidden therein is beauty beyond compare, and we miss if it we are not intently searching it out. And, as the good and mighty Abba Father that He is, He did indeed delight me again.<br />
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I read the following section of Exodus 12 regarding the Passover: <br />
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12 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 This month shall be to you the beginning of months, the first month of the year to you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel, On the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb or kid, according to [the size of] the family of which he is the father, a lamb or kid for each house. 4 And if the household is too small to consume the lamb, let him and his next door neighbor take it according to the number of persons, every man according to what each can eat shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb or kid shall be without blemish, a male of the first year; you shall take it from the sheep or the goats. 6 And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall [each] kill [his] lamb in the evening. 7 They shall take of the blood and put it on the two side posts and on the lintel [above the door space] of the houses in which they shall eat [the Passover lamb]. (AMP) <br />
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It fascinates me how the Lord uses the very physical events and descriptions of the Old Testament to teach spiritual truths, and these 7 short verses are packed with those multi-faceted spiritual gems. They are dazzling to the eye when viewed through the eyes of Christianity. <br />
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First, we are told that the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt. Think of this, the Lord God communicated with man in the place of his bondage. Spiritually speaking, we are slaves to whatever and whomever and wherever we are before the deliverance achieved by the Lord on our behalf. He met them where they were, not where He ultimately wanted them to be. <br />
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Also, He communicated to them specifically what He needed for them to do in their present situation in order to work a miracle to serve as a witness to His greatness. I heartily dispute anyone who claims the Lord stopped speaking as soon as John put down his quill at the end of Revelation. My God does NOT change. He has not stopped performing miracles and He has not stopped talking. Tragically, those who say He no longer speaks are those who have stopped listening. Nowhere in the Bible does it in any way indicate that He would stop speaking and in fact we are told, the Holy Spirit gifts some to be pastors, some to be teachers, and some to prophecy (Matthew 23:24, John 8:47, John 18:37, 1 Corinthians 12:28-29, Ephesians 4:11). Why in the world would we continue to have pastors and teachers, but not prophets? In such an instance, we are not taking God at His word, but rather picking and choosing what we will believe. He said what He meant, and He meant what He said. But, I digress. <br />
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He prefaced His words to them by telling them that this command that He was about to give them was so profound that it would change the way they recorded time. It was to become an entirely new reckoning of time. It was a new Beginning. <br />
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3 Tell all the congregation of Israel, On the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb or kid, according to [the size of] the family of which he is the father, a lamb or kid for each house. <br />
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The father of each household was to choose a Lamb for his family. Though it is socially unpopular, one cannot escape the command of the Lord for the father to be the spiritual leader of his home. This verse is only one of many that corroborate the importance of his role to the spiritual health of the family. It is God-ordained. Many volumes can and have been written regarding this subject alone. But again, I digress. <br />
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Each house was responsible for accepting the Lamb into their home. All of Israel corporately as a nation was commanded to perform this task, yet each family was responsible for their own portion. Each family, with father as head, had a role to play. And, father had to be mindful of the size of his family. He was responsible for each one having sufficient food. <br />
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4 And if the household is too small to consume the lamb, let him and his next door neighbor take it according to the number of persons, every man according to what each can eat shall make your count for the lamb. <br />
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If there was going to be any left over, they were to share with their closest neighbor, every man according to his appetite. This verse is so very rich! First, if we have more of the sacrifice than we are able to consume, we are to share it! Not only are we commanded to share it, we are told to share it with our nearest neighbor or those closest to us. They were not to go across the camp and share it with someone on the other side, or to search out their relatives. They were to share it right there where God had planted them. We have become a church obsessed with foreign missions. <br />
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Please do NOT misunderstand me. I totally support missions here and ABROAD. Everyone should have the opportunity to hear the Great News of the Gospel of Christ. But even the Lord said,"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) He started in Jerusalem. <br />
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There are people right next to us who need to have the soul satisfying supper. They are our responsibility. We should not be so concerned what someone is eating across the camp (globe) if our neighbor is starving for lack of the sacrificial Lamb. Those foreign believers have neighbors and responsible to share with each other as well. However, as I said, if the Lord has instructed someone to go, then certainly go. Let’s just not ignore the widow next door in order to do it. In my humble opinion. <br />
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“…Each man according to what he can eat…” Isn’t that amazing? Our Heavenly Father intends for us to be completely satisfied and has indicated that the portion that satisfies us in entirely individual! <br />
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A very dear woman of God said to me early in my walk, “You can have as much of Jesus as you want, pray that He always keeps you thirsting and yearning for more.” And so, I have. I believe I could eat the whole Lamb myself! And each time I hunger after Him, I am filled. But, though I am filled does not mean in any way that there is less for anyone else in the family, for all appetites have been considered and the Lamb is sufficient for us all! Just like the miracles of the loaves and fishes, no one who comes to the table of the Lord need ever walk away hungry. <br />
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At the same time, we are cautioned to let NONE go to waste. And again, just as he portrayed in the miracles of the feeding of thousands, the remains were collected so that “none would be lost” or wasted (John 6:12). What a tragedy it would be for any of Christ’s sacrifice to remain unconsumed and thus be tossed aside as so much refuse. God said He would not allow His Holy One to see corruption. It is incumbent upon us to be sure that each of our neighbors has been offered to partake. <br />
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5 Your lamb or kid shall be without blemish, a male of the first year; you shall take it from the sheep or the goats. 6 And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall [each] kill [his] lamb in the evening. <br />
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We who are in Christ know that He alone was the Lamb without blemish. He was the only sinless, spotless sacrifice ordained from the foundation of the earth. There is no other. He was set apart or sanctified for the work of God. And He was indeed killed by the congregation of Israel. I have had readers on this blog from every part of the world, so no matter where you are, please hear me… I am not anti-Semitic. Jesus was a Jew! They were His chosen people and He loves them, and so must I. Just as the Passover Lamb HAD to be sacrificed in order for the blood to be applied and the Angel of Death to pass over, so too did the Lord Jesus Christ HAVE to be sacrificed. What the Jewish leader of Jesus’ time did was ordained by God. <br />
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7 They shall take of the blood and put it on the two side posts and on the lintel [above the door space] of the houses in which they shall eat [the Passover lamb]. <br />
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I think the King James Version is a bit more descriptive in this verse. It says that they were to “strike” the door posts. <br />
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Imagine the scene with me, if you will. Each family is standing together at the door. Each person dressed in their traveling clothes, as if ready to leave in a moment. They are about to embark on a journey. They have some place to go. Once the miracle of passing from death to life has been accomplished, we begin to move toward the Promised Land. He does not save us from slavery in order for us to stay there. He does not free us, only to have us remain in that place. We are ready to move with Him and on the way we will see the works of His mighty hands! He will rise up on our behalf and show us His power along the way! Oh what a sweet journey! Hard, very hard, but oh so amazing! <br />
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So, there they all are at the door of their temporary abode, dressed for the journey. In one of father’s hands is a bowl of blood and in the other is a small bundle of hyssop. As commanded, he dips the hyssop in the blood and strikes or slaps the first door post. Blood is dripping and upon impact with the post, spatters. He dips again and…splat… hits the other door post. More dripping, more spatter. Gravity carries the blood to the floor. Again he dips the hyssop and slaps it upward to the top beam. I wonder how much of the blood is now splattered, splashed, and dripped on father. Scripture does not specify how much or the blood must be used, but I imagine it was messier and bloodier than we initially tend to think. <br />
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In your mind’s eye look left, then right, then up, and now down. There is likely a pool of blood across the bottom as well. There is a cross of blood, is there not? Do you see it? <br />
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The precious Blood of the unblemished Lamb in a perfect cross on the door posts of your temporary abode, so that the Angel of Death will pass over you. Once you have partaken of the sacrificial Lamb, you are prepared to embark on a journey with Him of Biblical proportions. You are immediately freed and you flee from the oppressor and run with Him, as He escorts you from the place of your bondage to the Land of Promise, the place He has prepared for you. Oh SELAH! <br />
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<i><i>Blessed are You, Oh Lord of all creation! You and You Alone are worthy to be praised! How delightful is Your Word! How amazing! Father I pray that each and every soul who reads these words will be blessed by them. I pray your hand on each one that you will show them the freedom of Christ, if they do not already know Him. I pray that those who do know Him will be brought into fresh remembrance of the beauty and awe of Your Word. Thank You Father for this opportunity to gaze into the record of Your mighty work on our behalf and see You again for who You Are! Thank you for dazzling us with brilliant, vivid jewels You have hidden for us and then reveal to us! Praise You, Father!</i> </i>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-59028463010742605212013-07-15T10:58:00.000-07:002015-02-01T04:57:03.886-08:00Spiritual Discouragement and NeglectOur natural Florida every-afternoon-rainstorm weather had caused my cucumber plants to mold. Over several weeks, I had spent considerable time tilling soil on a patch of earth covering approximately 75 square yards. <br />
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I tilled it, weeded it, planted it, hauled nearly 50 large wagons full of compost to it, watered it, and otherwise tended it. All the while, I prayed that the Lord would bless my effort. After all, I reasoned, I was doing important and useful work. I asked Him to send rain and a bountiful harvest. <br />
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And rain, it did. So much, in fact, my crops were drowning. The worms, on the other hand, were not. Nor did they respond in any appreciable way to the pesticide we applied. <br />
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As discouragement set in, I responded by grumpy neglect. The Lord has shown me again that my best efforts can do nothing to bring the harvest. Only the Lord of the Harvest can do that. <br />
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Today He led me, scissors in hand, to my cucumbers. They were a tangled mess of molded vines and soggy leaves. Slowly I began to snip away the dead leaves. This gave way to clipping entire branches. Ultimately, I uprooted entire plants. In the end, all that remained were the few plants which were actually bearing fruit. <br />
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I was reminded of my favorite section of scripture, John 15 where our Lord describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches. How like My Father to reveal Himself through a physical picture of a spiritual reality. When we allow the enemy to take a foot hold through discouragement and neglect, we are left with a moldy mess of twisted dead branches that are good for nothing. We do not reap a harvest and eventually bring forth no good thing and must be uprooted. <br />
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I noticed as well, the tendrils of the good plants had grabbed hold of the dead plants. When the dead rot was stripped away, the healthy plants suffered some damage. We must be careful to not become entwined in the sin, corruption and dead works of those closest to us. They will ultimately cause us injury. <br />
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It was truly a disgusting endeavor. Upon completion, my hands and clothing were covered with nasty grime. It was slimy and putrid and in all ways revolting. How good of our God to be our vine-keeper. How sweet of Him to tend to us in our corruption and slime. How marvelous that He would care to tend us and lift us up out of the muck and mire, clean us up and set us to good healthy growth.<br />
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<i>Lord, please protect me from discouragement and neglect of my spiritual life. Please prune me Lord, so I may bear much fruit for the good and glory of Your Kingdom. Help me Lord to remember I have work to do, but only You can grow me and prosper me, only You can bring a harvest. I must do my part, but ultimately You are the vine. I am but a branch </i> Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-91223449753729803152013-05-05T18:55:00.001-07:002013-05-05T18:55:19.530-07:00A Life of Regrets<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Live in such a manner that when you are old and looking to finish well, you will have no regrets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what do you do with a life of regrets at 45? How do you turn that bus around? What do you do when you have backed yourself into a corner hemmed in by consequences of life choices that preclude you from stepping forward into your calling?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I keep being told that nothing in life will satisfy me if I don’t live my calling. I KNOW!! Trust me! I know!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what do I do now? I have made decision that cannot be unmade. I have put myself in a position where I am unable to do that which I feel called to do and I am unsatisfied. Now what?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any ideas? Any suggestions? I know there are people reading these posts. I can see the numbers. I really covet YOUR advice… Please feel free to comment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a reminder, if you are reading this in an email, you need to click the link (the blue underlined web address) to get to the actual blog. If you comment or respond only to the email, it will not reach me.</span></div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-47760772355506778282013-04-30T16:09:00.002-07:002013-04-30T16:09:39.131-07:00A Prayer for Young Adults<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If I may be so bold, might I please offer a bit of advice to those readers who are on the cusp of leaving the nest?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There was a time in the life of each adult that we were where you are. I think it fair to say, each of us made some mistakes along the way that we have learned from. I think it equally fair to say that we wish we had listened to those older folks who tried to warn us of the pitfalls before we fell headlong, but didn’t. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As I reflect upon those decisions that were life altering and filled with regret, I can say one thing with a certainty: </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">PLEASE prayerfully consider what the Lord is calling you to do and then do it, regardless of what you deem the cost to be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">From the bottom of my heart, I warn you that no matter what you do in your lifetime, if it is not what the Lord has planned for you, if it is not His perfect will for you, it will NEVER bring fulfillment to your heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“For I know the plans I have for you…plans for a hope and a future…” </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Father I pray from the depth of my being that any young person reading this post will take it to heart. I pray that you would reveal to them in clear and certain ways what is Your good and perfect will for their lives. Lord, I pray that you would give them the strength and wisdom to follow where You lead, and protect them from the evil one who would try to steal Your best from them. I pray that you would guide them with Your righteous right hand and prosper them as they follow You in obedience. I pray that You would bring people across their path to mentor and guide and direct them to You.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I pray that they would pursue Your will and plan passionately all the days of their lives and turn not to the left hand nor to the right, Lord. Whisper in their ears, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” And grant them ears that are hearing and attentive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May they walk with You and serve you every day for the rest of their lives, so that one day they may hear from You, Father, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” AMEN and AMEN!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-83230103199546316962013-02-11T13:46:00.002-08:002013-02-11T13:46:26.172-08:00God CAN Use Me!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My appologies ahead.... The word I is used in the message many times. But, please hear my heart. It points to Him...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am SO excited! I never cease to be amazed at what a Mighty God we serve!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I so yearn to be of service to Him! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few months back, I felt the Lord confirm to me that He would indeed use the least of these (lil' ole me). I felt He was impressing on me that, although I am in a season of life which requires me to be almost constantly devoted to family matters, He would show me a way to serve from home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Very shortly after our "conversation," I was asked by our pastor to be the "Prayer Ministry Coordinator." How exciting! I am able to be involved in a ministry I believe is vital. I am so humbled and awestruck that the Lord would find me useful to His Kingdom in this way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love to pray for others and I <strong><em>LOVE</em></strong> to hear when prayer is answered. And what better way for a homeschooling mother of 4 under 9 to be involved than to begin interceding for the needs of others in the deep quiet of sleepless nights or in the middle of the day when I'm up to my elbows in dishsoap or over a load of laundry that needs folding? I AM USEFUL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And THEN...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently (through a very convaluted set of circumstances) came in contact with a gentleman from a ministry called "Deliver the Difference." They are an AMAZING group who package food for the hungry. There programs are so very far reaching it would be difficult to list them all here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just a few examples: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They have food packing events, where they assemble food in packages that contain 6 servings of nutritionally complete meals. In other words, one package gives 6 people the nutrition required for an entire day! These meals are provided for those locally with need as well as in countries all over the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Further, they coordinate with local restaurants and food stores to freeze leftover food and distribute it to local homeless shelters and soup kitchens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They also provide weekend meals to the 3,500+ homeless children in the Central Florida area. These kids wouldn't normally eat from Friday lunch until Monday, except that this group packs backpacks of 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners and 2 drinks for each child to take home with them on Friday! Absolutely ASTOUNDING!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After 2 failed attempts to get there and physically help out, I explained to the man in charge that I so desparately want to be involved, but am finding it most difficult due to family circumstances. I further explained that I would love to pray for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well... can I just tell you! He was so excited to tell me that just last night he and some other men were on a conference call regarding a new international program they are launching. While on the call, they began discussing that what they truly need is to pray for pray-ers! They prayed the Lord would raise up prayer warriors to pray over every aspect of their programs, the food distribution networks, the people with boots on the ground in some very dangerous places getting the food to the needy, and so forth!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I AM USEFUL! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isn't He AWEsome?! Isn't He wonderful! Oh, I love Him so!</span><br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-63350769346733764252013-02-07T20:28:00.003-08:002013-02-07T20:28:52.367-08:00Love Does Not Look Away<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Life lessons often come to us in the strangest of places or the strangest of ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I recall several years ago, I was standing at the kitchen sink up to my elbows in bubbles, when I noticed a bee trapped between the window and the curtain. After several minutes of struggle, it fell to the sill unable to fly any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking I should take it outside, hoping it would fly away and recover from its injury. But, the Lord impressed upon me, “No, I need for you to watch.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I tried to avert my attention from the battle-weary bee back to the task at hand, but He said again, “I need for you to watch.” So I watched as he struggled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After several minutes, I was again overwhelmed with the feeling that I should DO something. “Perhaps I should put the poor thing out of its misery?” I suggested. “No, I need for you to watch.” Again, I watched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Over time, his movements began to slow. His intermittent times of struggle became shorter and the times of no movement became longer. My heart was breaking for this poor being on my window sill. I so desperately wanted his pain to stop and yet, I felt a higher authority staying my hand. And so, I watched, unsure why a loving God would require what I felt was an unloving response to the spectacle unfolding before me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I felt horrified watching his final moments. I felt as though I were watching a sacred and personal moment when created prepared to meet his Creator. I felt as though I were intruding, as though I should have either some action to avoid the certain conclusion or given the bug his privacy. And yet, I was told no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When it was finally over and the remains of the bee lay lifeless before me, I asked again, “Why, Lord? Why would you have me only watch such suffering and not DO something?!” And then came the gentlest of answers, “Because love does not look away from suffering.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I heard very clearly and yet I did not understand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A year or so following, a dear and sweet loving friend prepared to meet her Creator. She was delivered into His presence following her second battle with cancer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">During her battle, I had the privilege of spending a few nights by her bedside. I did not know the depth of her struggle, she hid it well. But through that time I was reminded that love does not look away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When one shares the love of Christ with people, one must at time look suffering in the eye. In order to be the hands of our Savior in a sin sick and dying world, one must not recoil or run. One cannot comfort the hurting unless one is close. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Take and hold someone’s hand in the depth of their most frightening moments. This is what Christ the Lord does for us. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He promises us in His Word to be there in our darkest hour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">May we be His love to others even in the hard times.</span></div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-27587857515833507152013-01-22T07:37:00.001-08:002013-01-22T07:37:18.690-08:00Milestones and challenges<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Several weeks ago, I was informed that my writing is neither engaging nor interesting. In fairness to the person who shared this, I did ask their opinion as they are what I hope to be, a professional writer. Over the weeks since, I have gone through moments of "giving up" and moments of "thank you for being honest so I can make efforts to improve." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is my sincere goal to make what you are reading here interesting. I try to write about wat interests me most, which is Jesus Christ and things I learn from studying God's Word. My aim was not just another "surfacy" devotional, but real "meat." I love to learn new and deep things about our Lord and when I do, I can't wait to share it. Perhaps I am just a boring person, because what I write about is what I find interesting, and I am not sure how to make it more interesting, but I do promise to try.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, after much internal debate, I checked my stats (they tracks views to my blog) this morning and was humbled to see that my blog has hit a new milestone. It has been visited more than 1000 times (not including the people who read it by email)! This week alone it has been visited by people from The US, Australia, the UK, South Korea, Nigeria, Russia, and the Ukraine!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How very exciting! That means over 1,000 times people from all over the world have come to read what I have to share! That means that I have an opportunity to share with the world the things that excite me about God's Word! </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praise You Father for this AWEsome priviledge! Thank You for allowing me to share You with others! Lord I pray that as I move forward You will show me what YOU would have me share. May I speak (write) words that bring You praise and honor and glory. </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Father, please bless each and every person who has visited this site, as well as each and every person who will visit. May each one find peace and comfort here and increasing knowledge of You, the One and Only Way to eternal Life! AMEN</span></em></div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-7375954079886714652012-12-04T10:28:00.000-08:002012-12-04T10:28:05.527-08:00A Hearing Heart<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart…” (1 Kings 3:9)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each time we are called by the Lord for a duty, it is wise to consider these words of Solomon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Solomon became king of Israel after the death of his father, David, the Lord asked how He might bless him. Rather than request great wealth or any other self-indulgence, Solomon remained keenly aware of the weight of the responsibility at hand. He was cognizant of and concerned about his lack of required experience. He acknowledged God’s hand in his position and humbly gave a fitting estimation of his ability. He willingly acknowledged his deficiency and correctly judged his need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Often we read commentary stating the Lord was pleased with Solomon’s choice because it was selfless, which indeed it was. However, consider also the humility of Solomon’s request. He resisted the prideful temptation to suppose that he had received his position and associated duty based upon some intrinsic personal ability. Instead, his request was born of candid self-assessment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And so Solomon requested what he needed most in order to fulfill his mission, an understanding heart. The Hebrew word rendered “understanding” in the King James Version, may also be translated “hearing.” In order to carry out his God ordained responsibility, Solomon needed his heart to be equipped to hear God. Accordingly, the Lord granted him wisdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From this passage we learn that wisdom comes from a “hearing” heart intent upon listening to the counsel of God when we are called to His service. In modern vernacular we acknowledge, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Solomon lost sight of this important lesson, he made decisions from his own imprudence. As long as he remained humble and listened for the Lord’s leading, he was blessed with wisdom beyond that of any other man ever. Upon considering the wisdom to be his own, rather than being a gift of the Lord, he began to make decisions which led to the downfall of the unified kingdom of Israel. He chose wives who enticed him to worship false gods and he oppressed the people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After his death, Rehoboam rejected Godly counsel and vowed to oppress the people even more harshly than Solomon had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people revolted and the nation was split into the Northern and Southern kingdoms. Clearly he had not been raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and sought neither Him nor His wisdom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps, Solomon realized his need for the Lord in leading the nation, yet assumed himself adequately equipped to parent. Perhaps he felt, as do many today, parenting is not nearly as important as our “God-given” missions. Perhaps, like Solomon, we should be mindful that the children we are called to raise today are the leaders of tomorrow. And, like Solomon, we must first acknowledge our great need for wisdom and ask from the Lord, “who gives liberally and upbraideth not.” Like Solomon, we must continue in humble service to the Lord, relying fully on the wisdom that comes from above, and “lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord, guide me today as I endeavor to serve You. Fill me with Your light and cause my heart to hear You. May I raise Your children to search for and hear You. Lord, I cry out to You like Solomon acknowledging “I am but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish)…Give your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart…” so I may do Your work in my home. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-62005891498764871522012-11-08T07:47:00.000-08:002012-11-08T07:47:23.321-08:00Martha or Mary?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the New Testament, we are told the story of two sisters, Mary and Martha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As recorded, the Lord came to visit and, while Martha hustled and bustled and rushed and fretted to provide her very important guest and His entourage a meal fit for The King, Mary sat at His feet and listened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Scripture likely understates Martha’s response in asking Jesus to tell Mary to help her. I must confess that, if I were Martha, I would have first grumbled around, perhaps even pouted. I would have certainly shot a few grumpy glances her way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But Jesus responded in love,<span class="text"> </span><span class="woj">“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things,<sup value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-25405BY" title="See cross-reference BY">BY</a>)"> </sup>but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A great many commentaries and even a women’s bible study or two have been written about being a Martha. In them we are told to take a break from the worries of this life, the busy-ness that holds us hostage, to remember the important thing is JESUS. We need to sit at His feet. We need to hear His voice above the din which threatens to overtake us. We need to focus our attention entirely on learning His commands. And, we NEED to take the time to abide in His sweet fellowship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I get all that. Believe me. I get that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therein doth my heart beat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But what if my problem isn’t being Martha, it is being Mary? I sit with dishes stacked, laundry piled, and children seeking my attention. Carpets need vacuumed. Floors need washed. Sheets need changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list goes on. But, my heart is at His feet. It seems a constant struggle for me to get up from the floor at His feet to go and do the stuff of life. Man (and woman) was created and placed in the garden to tend it; we were created for work. (See Genesis 2:15)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last night, I finished a bible study with a wonderful group of women. We met for 6 weeks and dug into His Word, studying the Psalms of Ascent. Ah, it was marvelous! He is SO good and His Word so rich! Yet, scarcely 12 hours later I am champing at the bit to begin another. The only question is which one? There are so many great ones! I am profoundly excited to begin our next quest. I cannot wait to begin anew, to dig my fingers into the deep rich soil and draw out the magnificent gems of insight which undoubtedly wait to be discovered, to draw close to Him and listen intently as He whispers His Truth, to dwell in splendid fellowship with my King, my Savior, my Lord, and my Friend. Ahhh, selah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But alas, duty calls…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-82583673412165782352012-11-01T08:12:00.000-07:002012-11-01T08:15:29.151-07:00Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the passing of the month of October (It's FINALLY over!), it is time now to look ahead to the blessed month of November and the priceless possession it holds. THANKSGIVING!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Often when I am feeling a bit down, I will ask the Lord to speak to me in ways I can hear Him clearly. Occasionally, I will ask Him to bless me through my mailbox. Inevitably, I will receive a note from someone or some other such reminder that I have worth and value to someone. Truly a blessing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been eagerly awaiting my mailbox blessing, but I didn't recognize it immediately this time. I found in the box a package sent to (of all people) my mother who has been deceased for more than 6 years. Aggravated that this company did not have the good sense to purchase updated mailing lists, I opened it to get the information to call and politely inform them of their error and "please take her off your list." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Upon opening said package, I realized it was a spiritual magazine, and knowing my mother had some rather eclectic spiritual experiences during her walk on earth, I was expecting something "New Agey" and considered simply tossing it. Prompted by the Spirit, I opened it nonetheless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The subject of each article was being thankful for blessings. Once again, my mind asked the question, "Why do so many non-believers celebrate Thanks-Giving?" Acknowledging that our blessings come from outside of ourselves to the degree we feel we must GIVE THANKS to someone else should provoke one to question, "To WHOM am I giving thanks?" Should it not?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Praise GOD from Whom all blessings flow..." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did read the entire magazine, and it was delightful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So often we are caught up in daily pursuits; rushing to get this or that thing done. Then, at least for wives and mothers, doing the same thing all over again. Laundry by the mounds, dishes by the sinkful. It is so easy to get lost in the tedium. How refreshing to remember to step back and be thankful...</span></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The dirty dishes mean we at today (many times). <em>Thank You Lord for our daily bread.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The laundry means we all had clothes to wear. <em>Thank You Lord for providing raiment.</em></span></span></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That it is bountiful means we have a wonderful little family (or is 4 babies and 2 adults "little"). <em>Thank You Lord for each life you have breathed into our family</em>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The clothes for two adults means that our marriage is still holding on. <em>Thank You Lord for my husband who loves his family so.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The work clothes in the laundry means my husband still has a job. <em>Thank You Lord for employment in this harsh economy.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The dirt on the kids clothes means they have been outside playing hard. <em>Thank You Lord for our beautiful property and gorgeous weather. Thank You that our children are healthy and happy and love to play together.</em></span></span></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The piles of election propaganda ready for the burn pile tells me I need to vote. <em>Thank You Lord that I live in country where I am free to vote. Thank You Lord that You alone are sovereign and in control of the outcome. Thank You that I can rest in the knowledge that, anxious as I may feel, I need not worry, because Your Word assures me of the final outcome.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Thank You Lord for Your Word.</em> <em>Thank You I live in a country where I am free to have and to read Your Word. </em></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You Lord for great Bible Studies.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You Lord for wonderful women of God with whom to do Bible Studies.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And... (the list goes on)</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You Lord for blessing my mailbox (again).</span></em></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You Lord for magazines sent to recipients long since deceased.</span></em></div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-45006828596526402872012-10-11T21:49:00.002-07:002012-10-11T21:49:59.481-07:00Halloween Update<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would just like to take a moment to let you know how the Lord has been answering prayer. As you recall, if you read my previous posts regarding Christians celebrating Halloween, I have been praying for several years for the Lord to give me peace regarding this practice. I also requested your prayers as I grumble through yet another October.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, the Lord has done great things - again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While, I still do not believe it is right for Christians to celebrate satan's holiday, and will never personally participate, I have been convicted by scriptures such as it is not right to judge another man's servant, and if it is not sin to them then it is not sin in God's eyes, and so forth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bottom line is this: though it grieves me to my soul knowing what that day is really all about and that generally speaking it appears most Christians don't care that their behavior is causing our God to be mocked, it is between them and God. They will stand accountable before Him and Him alone. Not them and Him and me. How dare I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If God has a problem with Christians celebrating in this way, He is big enough to let them know. The Holy Spirit is certainly capable of convicting of sin, He does not need my help. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If asked, I will continue to share my feelings on the matter. However, I am more aware now that when speaking with others about it, I get more and more passionate and vehement about my position. Therefore, as Emily Post suggests, it is more polite to decline to speak of things about which we are passionate. We tend to get carried away and inadvertantly hurt others in the process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, unless asked, I will refrain from speaking and thereby keep this peace the Lord has granted. I know this will only be possible with His help. Therefore, my new prayer will be that no one will ask. ;)</span>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-52963690463940486432012-09-24T12:49:00.000-07:002012-09-24T12:56:30.249-07:00"It's Not Really Halloween" (Part 3)<span style="font-size: large;">There are many such comments that fall within the scope of this excuse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not really Halloween....</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">it's a Halloween "Alternative"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">because we don't allow scary costumes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">and we don't call it Halloween</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Many years ago, I was boarding at the house of a friend who had 3 children under 8. We were discussing whether or not her children were celebrating Halloween by going to what their church had titled a "Halloween Alternative." They were not to wear scary costumes and they had renamed it, therefore in their thinking, it wasn't really Halloween.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I ecouraged her to test that theory. One by one she called the children into the room and away from preparing their costumes. From the oldest to the youngest, when she asked, "What are you getting ready for, where are you going?" They responded, "Halloween!" There was no hesitation, and no, they did not think they were going to an "Alternative."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make no mistake, the customs of the ancient pagans are still alive and hiding in the "alternative" celebrations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the ancient practice, witches would attend huge bonfires in celebration of Samhain (Halloween). On the way to the bonfires, they would stop at houses along the way to demand foods and treats to offer their god. They would knock on the door and demand a treat or threaten a "trick." They would do some damage to the property of the person refusing to offer food. Hence, "Trick or treat." In order to not get in trouble for the trick, they wore disguises, hence costumes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By offering candy on Halloween, we are mimicking the practice of offering food to be sacrificed to pagan gods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When there was an argument among the early church leaders regarding whether or not Christians should be required to be circumcised, the response was sent to the churches that circumcision would not be required, but that they should "abstain from anything that has been polluted by being offered to idols..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The word sanctified means set apart. I challenge you to find any bag of candy during the month of October that does not bear markings of being set apart for Halloween. We have made an idol of Halloween, the only holiday of the year dedicated (set apart) for satan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we are unable to tell children they cannot celebrate Halloween because we don't want to ruin their fun, then their enjoyment has become more important to us than remaining a people sanctified and set apart for God Almighty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The costumes, the candy, and yes, even the pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples all have pagan roots. The Israelites were instructed to not adopt the pagan practices of the people in the lands in which the Lord sent them. And yet they did. And when they did, there were always consequences. They compromised. So have we.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Calling these practices by some other name and thinking that we are fooling anyone, makes us look like fools. And make no mistake, the pagans are watching and laughing. We are causing the Lord God to be mocked. That grieves me to my soul!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Father forgve them for thy know not what they do.</em> Unfortunately, in the 12 year since I have been saved, I have been sharing this information. Consequently, I cannot say, Father forgive them for they know NOT what they do, for now they know exactly what they do and they DON'T CARE! Satan's holiday is more important to them than the fact that GOD IS BEING MOCKED BECAUSE OF THEIR ACTIONS!</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Lord, HELP ME! I pray again and again and again for another year PLEASE Lord, if YOU are OK with Christians celebrating Halloween PLEASE change my heart! If YOU are OK with this Lord, PLEASE make it wildly successful so that I can see that YOU are blessing it. If Lord, YOU are NOT OK with this, please break it apart, make it a collossal failure so that ALL may see that You are displeased. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours! Father, Jesus Himself was jealous for the sanctity of Your house! How DARE we allow the hallowed grounds of Your Dwelling place to become polluted by celebration to satan! Forgive us Father, forgive us!</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are reading this, I ask you to please pray for me. As you can see, I am grieved, as I am EVERY SINGLE year. It does not get better. For the next month or more it will get worse and worse. I will be spending the night of Halloween on my face before the Lord at my church. Please feel free to join me.</span>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-29024460900235762012012-09-20T09:32:00.001-07:002012-09-24T12:56:11.275-07:00Let's Just Give Them a Safe Place (Part 2)<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When I became a Christian and began this ongoing debate regarding Christians celebrating Halloween, I asked why Christians think it is acceptable. The excuse I heard most often and continue to hear 12 years later goes something like this… “Kids are going to do it anyway, so we just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I find this line of reasoning nothing short of remarkable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This post will be brief, because I have only one response. Let’s replace the “it” of Halloween with any other behavior in which young people would like to engage if left to their own devices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Kids are going to do drugs anyway, so let’s just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Kids are going to drink alcohol anyway, so let’s just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Kids are going to engage in sexual activity, so let’s just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ludicrous! Wouldn’t you agree?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Kids are going to celebrate satan’s highest holiday anyway, so let’s just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Kids are going to adopt pagan practices and cause God and His Bride to be mocked, so let’s just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Kids are going to celebrate the day of the year on which spells are cast and demons called upon, so let’s just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">"Kids are going to celebrate the day on which the spirits of the dead are being contacted, so let's just give them a safe place to do it and use it as an opportunity to preach the Word."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This makes no more sense to me than the previous statements. If it is WRONG, don’t do it. If it is wrong tell kids not to do it! Don’t just give them a “safe” place to do it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If you want to preach the Word on that day, go to the people who are trapped in Wicca. Pray for the people who are Pagans on that night. Use that night to pray against what they are doing. Use it to pray against their practices and bind the demons they are releasing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Next…. “It’s not really Halloween, because we don’t allow scary costumes.” (Seriously?)</span></div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-80292064023200714632012-09-18T13:50:00.000-07:002012-09-24T12:55:52.066-07:00Christians and Halloween (Part 1)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As Halloween approaches yet again, my heart grows heavier with each passing advertisement. It remains a reminder of years past. You see, before I became a Christian I was one of those who celebrated Halloween for what it really is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was involved in Witchcraft and recognized the moon closest to October 31 as Samhain (pronounced sow-en). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For 12 years I celebrated Halloween proudly as a witch, and was extremely annoyed by Christians who “stole” our holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends and I would mock them saying, “If they only knew what they were really celebrating, they would be horrified! (Hahahah)! What a bunch of idiots!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Imagine my surprise when I became a Christian and warned people about what they were really celebrating and THEY DIDN’T CARE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It is quite literally Satan’s holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wicca is an art, a science, and a religion. In the religion of Wicca, we were taught by tradition that we turn the “wheel of the year” by recognizing 8 Sabbats. The primary sabbat, or the new year, was celebrated at the moon (full or new) closest to October 31. Wicca teaches of a god and a goddess. During the year, 6 months are controlled by the god while the goddess is in the underworld, and 6 months of the year the god goes to rule the underworld and the goddess comes alive on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time of the goddess is spring and summer, while the time of the god is fall and winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are based on masculine and feminine attributes of these times. In the fall and winter, the god is the god of the hunt. Therefore, the god they worship is a god of the earth, and according to tradition, he is half-man with cloven feet and in respect for the animals whose life he takes in hunt, he wears their horns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It is argued by Wiccans that all similarity to the Christian satan is because as Christianity spread into Celtic areas, in order to villainize Wicca, the Church adopted the appearance of their god and called it the Devil. However, make no mistake; in every way, the Wiccan god is the antithesis of God. He is Satan and Halloween is his holiday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Further, witches believe that on this moon, the veil between the two worlds is at its thinnest. Therefore, on this night more than any other in the year witches and spiritualists contact the dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In short, Halloween is the night when satan is being worshipped, spells are being cast, demons are being unleashed and the dead are being contacted. What a delightful time for Christians to celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Over the next few weeks, I will focus my writing on why I am so adamantly opposed to any form of acknowledgement of this heinous holiday by Christians. In my humble opinion, the ONLY acceptable activity on this dark night would be to gather together and pray for those unfortunate souls who are stuck in witchcraft and are headed directly to hell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In advance, please forgive my tone as I will undoubtedly reveal my deep aggravation with the attitude of the church which remains one of acceptance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been speaking out about this for twelve years and have fallen on deaf ears. I have prayed over these 12 years that if indeed it is acceptable in the Lord’s eyes for churches to participate in “Halloween alternatives” that they would be wildly successful so I could see that He was blessing them, and that He would remove this burden from my heart. In 12 years, neither has happened. To my knowledge, I can only recall one salvation resulting from these. I would not consider that wildly successful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As ALWAYS, this forum is meant to be interactive. I would truly love to hear your response to this series of articles. Please feel free to comment. Remember, if you are reading this from an email, in order to respond you need to click the link to take you directly to the blog and comment there. If you are not on the blog when you comment, it will go to the email program not to the blog and will not be seen.</span></div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-63192983846053897082012-08-23T09:38:00.000-07:002012-08-23T09:38:30.256-07:00When Angry, Do Not SinI have just finished reading yet another article from a Christian source suggesting we need to confront conflict in order to resolve it. It said in short that if we don't resolve the conflict, it will fester and build up steam until we explode and someone gets burnt.<br />
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I would suggest another resolution to this situation. <br />
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Quite some time ago, early in my Christian walk, a book was suggested to me called, "Make Anger Your Ally." I was aggrivated with the book from the beginning, as the author began by describing the various methods by which people deal with their anger. He did not mince words while telling the reader each of these methods was rooted in selfishness. Then I read it. He said somewhere near 95% of the time we are angry it is because we are not getting our own way. How dare he?! I was so angry I threw the book and did not read it again for a very, very long time.<br />
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But it stuck in my craw, as they say. I began to examine the situations in which I was angry and ask myself, "Truly, am I angry right now because I am not getting my own way?" Indeed, the answer 95% of the time was, "Yes."<br />
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I could not escape the truth.<br />
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There are certainly times we should expect to "get our own way." For example, when we are dealing with our children, we are right to expect them to obey us. We are responsible for their safety and for teaching them and therefore, we must have first time obedience. If we are in a position of authority in the workplace, we should be able to expect our subordinates to comply with orders.<br />
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However, in every situation where we are the subordinate, we do not have the right to expect our demands to be obeyed. If we are cranky, it is generally because we are not getting our own way. And, one must ask one's self, "Why do I feel that I have the need or the right to impose my will in this situation?" <br />
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Generally speaking, these articles relate to marriage. Therefore, it seems to me the heart of the issue is whether one accepts their position in marriage. The Bible tells us clearly to subordinate ourselves to our husbands. (Ephesians 5:22, 24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1 among others) In other places we are admonished to submit to the Lord. If we are submitted to the Lord, we will live according to His Word, and His Word tells wives to submit to their husbands. Ergo, if we are not submitted to our husbands, we are not truly submitted to God.<br />
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I have not yet mastered this concept myself, however I do scratch my head in wonder at believing women who counsel other women that it is advisable to ignore the Lord in this. We have as example, the countless times the Israelites refused to submit to the authority of the Lord. We have in Jesus' own words that the one who loves Him will obey Him (John 14:15). He clearly takes authority and submission seriously. So who are we to dimiss this when we are angry about something? Could this be, at least in part, that to which He was referring when He said not to sin in our anger? "When <b>angry</b>, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down." (Ephesians 4:26)<br />
Pause in writing, because....<br />
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Quite literally, even as I write this, I am helping my children to resolve an interpersonal conflict because each wants their own way. I ask them each why they feel they should have their own way. I ask them why they feel they have the right to expect to get their own way. And then I remind them that we are instructed to esteem others higher than ourselves. Who is willing to be the kinder person? Rose relents, but is still angry. I remind her she is submitting but with a wrong heart and unpure motives, she needs to let the anger go. "HOW!?" she whines emphatically. ("Lord, give me the wisdom I lack in this moment, because I fail at this daily!" I pray quickly and silently.) And then the words come from somewhere within... "Whatever is kind, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, think on these things." So we go through the mental exercise of recounting things that make us happy. Satisfied and happier, she goes back to play.<br />
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Perhaps next time will be a bit easier for me, as well?<br />
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-56519639711717762822012-08-14T19:35:00.000-07:002012-08-14T19:35:28.807-07:00Love of the Brethren<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Throughout the Old and New Testaments we are called to holy living. (see Lev 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7&8; and 1 Peter 1:16 among others) We are told repeatedly that God expects this of us, if we call Him “Lord.” (1 Peter 1:17, for example)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hebrews 10 tells us that we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Here Paul tells us that “by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified,” thereby indicating that we are justified immediately, but that sanctification is a process.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We are to remain pure and holy once we have been cleansed. But how? Our instruction fills the New Testament. But, what I find interesting is that in the above referenced passages which speak directly to our living holy lives, these verses are followed immediately by exhortation to loving the brethren. For example, in the Hebrews 10 passage, we are told that because of our having been sprinkled with the blood, we may enter boldly to the Holy of Holies with a clear conscience and a body purified by living water. Immediately thereafter we are told to hold fast to our faith and to consider how we may stir up one another to love and good deeds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In 1 Peter 1 we are exhorted that as obedient children we should be holy in all our conduct since we have been redeemed not by corruptible things, but by the precious blood of Christ so that our faith and hope are in God. Immediately this is followed by, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, <sup>23 </sup>having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We are charged again and again to obey and to love. Three times in John 14 Jesus tells us that if we love Him we will obey Him. And we are commanded to love the brethren. By this outsiders will know that we are His disciples.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Taken together then, we are commanded to live holy and sanctified lives. We are holy because of the sacrificial death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. If we have accepted His redemption by faith, then we have been purchased by the incorruptible blood which has purified us and made us holy, sanctified to Him. If we Have been sanctified and made pure, then we are to live holy lives of obedience. And Biblical precident says that if we are to live holy lives of obedience, then we must love the brethren and consider how we may stir one another up to love and good deeds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So, I ask you, in what ways do we as born-again, Bible-believing Christians stir one another on to love and good deeds?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I was astounded recently, when a fellow Christian informed me that my child does not need to make a “project” of being friends with another child whom the adults assume to be a challenge. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We have been raising our children since they were toddlers to go out of their way to make sure others do not feel excluded. If they see a new person in class who might be shy, they have been taught to go say hello and introduce themselves, and perhaps introduce them to their friends. They are not allowed to leave out any of their siblings in games or play, including even the baby. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How would I explain to my child that it is appropriate for her to not care if this particular child feels left out of “the brethren” if it is a challenge to be their friend? Is that really what we want to teach our young people? Could it be that this lack of love for the “difficult” is what outsiders see when they look at us? "By this they will know that you are My disciples that you have love one for another." We are no different than the world when we tell our children they can choose to be obedient only when it is easy and sit out when becomes a bit more taxing.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This is a lesson for us all, not just the children. How often do we reach out to love the unlovely? I was challenged in this by the Lord through prayer at one point. Later, after I had made a half-hearted attempt, I held up my “accomplishment” to the Lord and was quickly brought down by the words, “You didn’t LOVE her. You tolerated her!” Ouch! But, sadly, it was true.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I cannot say that I love and obey my Lord and my Savior, if I do not truly love the brethren - ALL of them. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Note: I do acknowledge that this is not the sum total of our call to holy living. However, it is of great importance to the Lord, as seen by its placement in scripture.</span></span></div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-33533562192868120362012-08-10T10:36:00.000-07:002012-08-10T10:36:22.309-07:00Lessons for Us from Samson's Nazarite VowPart of the Nazarite bow was to not cut the hair! Why?<br />
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It was an outward symbol of the vow. It said to the world (physical and spiritual), "I am consecrated, set apart, and holy unto the Lord!" It was a sign of submission to the rigors of holy living to draw closer to the Lord.<br />
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Samson was to keep the Nazarite vow perpetually from his birth. In return he was given super-human strength, and with it the Lord intended to save the Israelites from oppression. But instead, he squandered his gift. He broke every part of the vow except the cutting of his hair, because he enjoyed his strength and he was aware that it was the key to it.<br />
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When the Lord calls us to holy living, He gives us rules to live by. If He could give Samson physical strength through not cutting his hair, is it no possible that He grants us spiritual strength when we commit to the same? Not because of any intrinsic natural super-power in our hair, but rather God-given, grace-granted power for our commitment to submission to obedience to the Word of God?<br />
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Could it be that our hair really is the key?<br />
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Just as Samson became vulnerable to attack when he began the slippery-slope of sin, don't we often do the same? He was to stay away from the defilement caused by death, and yet he killed a lion and tore out it's jaw-bone. Aren't each of us guilty of dead works? We do things for God and yet do them for the wrong motives and then have the unmitigated poor taste to wield them as a weapon of our pride.<br />
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He was to avoid alcohol and yet it was alcohol that caused his judgment to be impaired.<br />
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He was not to lie with foreign women. How often do we step out into foreign lands and flirt with the world out there? Once there do we not make unholy unions with the forces there and then bring them back into our home via television? Internet? Customs and practices? And then we make excuses for not keeping pure. But, all the while we keep the outward vesture of our strength.<br />
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How like Samson we truly are! Failures on and all, unable to keep even the smallest vow if it proves inconvenient, while making a show of our strength. What shame! In the end he was a blind captive.<br />
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And yet, God's Word proves him to be a man of faith. He didn't attain "first-tier" commendation in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), but Paul did include his name in verse 32, telling us that if he had time, he would have also extolled the virtue of Samson's faith.<br />
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This is encouragement to us! We fail over and over. We compromise with the world and with sin. We do not remain holy. And yet...God can use us in a mighty way!<br />
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<em>Thank You Father! Praise You, o Lord, for Your steadfast love and mercy. Thank you for chastisement for sin. Thank You for loving us through it and restoring us after it. Thank you Father for hidden strength and call to live holy and sanctified. Thank You for using even the most undeserving of us. Praise You God! Thank You for Your Word.</em>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-22079384967366272482012-07-06T00:17:00.000-07:002012-07-06T00:17:38.508-07:00Out of the Abundance of the Heart His Mouth SpeaksFollowing is our final discussion board for this class. The assignment was to read Proverbs 10, 12, 15, and 16 about the use of the tongue/words. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a chart of at least three topics (such as “Wise use of the tongue”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you believe is the key that determines what comes out of a person’s mouth? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discuss.<br />
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I have tried several times to attach the chart, but this site is not able to read the format. However, a quick reading of these chapters reveals the vast differences between the heart and words of a righteous and wise man compared with a wicked fool.<br />
Here is the remainder of my response:<br />
<div class="verse" style="margin: auto 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">In Luke 6:45 we read,</span><span style="color: #215868; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> “</span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">45 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.</span>”(Amplified)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is telling us in unambiguous language that what comes out of a person’s mouth is determined by what he has stored in his heart.</span><br />
</span></div><div class="verse" style="margin: auto 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Further, we are exhorted in Proverbs 2 to seek godly wisdom and to incline our hearts to it, to search for it, to hide his commands in our hearts, to “understand the reverent <i>and</i> worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.” (Prov 2:5) We are to not lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge Him so that He will keep our paths straight. We are to be filled with the abundance of God and His Word, His commands, His righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only then may we be assured that what comes forth from our mouths is pleasing to Him.</span></span></div><div class="verse" style="margin: auto 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">We must be continually filled with the Holy Spirit in order to bear His fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is the fruit of the SPIRIT, not the fruit of us. “<sup>16 </sup></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><sup><span id="en-NKJV-23334">17 </span></sup></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">” Matthew 7:16-17 </span>I do not wish to be known for my fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be pitiful fruit indeed. I would much prefer to be known for bearing an abundance of His fruit, and out of that abundance, speaking forth His knowledge and His wisdom.</span></span><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></div>(I apologize for the discrepancies in font and color. They were consistent in the original document, and I am not able to change them here.)<br />
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Again, this question was designed to be a discussion, so please feel free to comment here. If you are following this blog from email, you must click on the link in the email to bring you to the blog before commenting. Otherwise, your comment will be directed to the blog's website (blogspot), not to the blog (acts1315). I look forward to hearing your thoughts!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54866299024667135.post-41164812924449083972012-06-25T18:44:00.000-07:002012-06-25T18:44:54.720-07:00Is It Biblical to Pray for Vengeance?<div style="text-align: justify;">The last couple of wees we have been studying the Psalms in my Old Testament Survey class. One type of psal we have looked at are "imprecatory psalms," or the psalms in which the author is praying for a God's curse on an enemy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The subject of our latest discussion board is:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">In view of the New Testament teaching of “loving our enemy/neighbor,” discuss the role of imprecatory prayers (psalms) for today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we pray “against” people or things today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a view and defend your position (with love!) and use scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discuss.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">As promised, I am posting my responses here. (Feel free to comment, as it is a discussion question.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Though I have spent several hours studying this matter, I am still undecided. I have read not only outside of this board, but all of the responses and discussions within it. I believe there are strong arguments both for and against these imprecatory prayers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aside from all of the thoughts and information described within the discussion board, I have found another source which has some interesting and important points to consider. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In his sermon, “A Christian Manifesto – A Study of Luke 6,” Alistair Begg challenges us to the agape love Christ commands in both Luke 6 and Matthew 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He describes agape love thus:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Agape is the ONLY form of love that is not drawn out of the attractiveness of the merit of the one we love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is calling for a love of people that is in no way related to the lovability of those whom we are to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is precisely how God in Christ loved us. It was a self-engendered love for those who were His enemies.</span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Agape love is not blind to their offenses against us. We see them exactly as they are in all of their ugliness, in all of their spitefulness, in all of their cursing. </span><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Seeing all that, Jesus says, ‘I want you to love your enemies.’</span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“This love is intelligent. It is a love that is marked by comprehension and it is a love that is purposeful in its application.”</span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Further, Begg reminds us:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“This kind of love will not go unrewarded, but the essence of this kind of love is that it must never be the motive for practicing it… because it is an expression of the character of God, who is our Father and kids ought to be like their dads.</span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Indeed it is completely incongruous, if not impossible, for those of us who declare ourselves to be the Father’s children not to manifest the mercy of a merciful God and not to display a love for our enemies which is akin to the approach of Jesus that when He was reviled, He did not revile in return, but committed His cause to Him who judges.”</span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, he makes the point the Jews of the Old Testament had taken out of context Leviticus 19:18 (“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">one of your people</b> but love your neighbor as yourself for I am the Lord.”). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They took the phrase ‘one of your people’ and diminished it to define a group who they had to love and if it fell outside of that defined group, it was ok to curse them.”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And so, taken together, a complete picture emerges wherein we are to love as Christ loved us, not because we deserved it when we also were enemies of God, but rather because He loved us enough to suffer and die for us. We are to forgive because we are forgiven.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yet also, we do see in holy writ examples of godly men praying imprecatory prayers, not only in the Old Testament, but in the New as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to the many examples cited throughout this discussion board, we see a prime example in the final book, Revelation. In chapter 6 verses 10 and 11 we read, “<span class="text"><sup>10 </sup>And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood</b> on those who dwell on the earth?” </span><sup><span id="en-NKJV-30805">11 </span>” (NKJV)</sup>Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both <i>the number of</i> their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they <i>were,</i> was completed.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These tribulation martyrs were not chastised for their cry to the throne for vengeance; rather, they were given a white robe and told to wait patiently until the time was right for God to carry out the </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">retribution they desperately sought. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Consequently, I feel it necessary to conclude there are certainly occasions in which the Lord does not condemn imprecation. However, one must call upon the name and the power of God wisely and with great humility. It is wisdom to err on the side of love and forgiveness, for with the measure one uses to judge, one in turn will be judged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, let each man walk out his own salvation in fear and trembling.</span></div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978977820379489544noreply@blogger.com0