tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155903102024-03-06T21:53:43.025-06:00The Word of the LordAn encouraging ministry newsletter to uplift and inspire Christians to serve God with all that is within them, fulfilling their ministry, growing in God, and loving others. This is an outreach of Word of the Lord Ministries Inc.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-8468109219990305822012-09-17T11:34:00.000-05:002012-09-17T11:34:14.762-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdUU8zxjmHpZKSOBHNi-Af_SCvzPtHpPQ3B-olLrvkf-y_hUfzNw5SGZG_Aigx9sUNHnOykymbcSCPZKmLN2X5Br0_MggC-QK-lKjS_LhEFjcUf27a1MzZ8bABJtamp8DWj3-yw/s1600/Sept+2012+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdUU8zxjmHpZKSOBHNi-Af_SCvzPtHpPQ3B-olLrvkf-y_hUfzNw5SGZG_Aigx9sUNHnOykymbcSCPZKmLN2X5Br0_MggC-QK-lKjS_LhEFjcUf27a1MzZ8bABJtamp8DWj3-yw/s320/Sept+2012+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: blue;"><span><span style="background-color: yellow;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Heroes and Zeroes</span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">He
was an unlikely hero! He and his family had been under oppression of the enemy
for seven years. It was a time of punishment for the Jewish people because so
many had strayed from worshipping God since they had come out of Egypt. They
tolerated and then participated in the worship of Baal and God wanted to see
change come. God put His finger on one ordinary man, a farmer—Gideon. The story
is found in Judges 6. God sent an angel to Gideon at Ophrah. Like you and me,
he questioned the call God was placing on him. Where was this place where God
sought out Gideon? Ophrah was a small community under Midianite control. Ophrah
means “dusty”. How often do we feel we are just sitting on the dusty shelves of
life, with no hope and no future. But God chose this ‘dusty’ place to seek out
a potential hero. Gideon did not think of himself as a ‘hero.’ He thought of
himself as a ’zero’. He was just trying to survive. He would take a few sheaves
of wheat, go down into this low place where there was a wine press, and there
try to beat the grain with a stick to winnow the grain so his family would have
something to eat. The Midianites would often raid any farm that had grain and
take it for themselves or completely destroy the crop. So Gideon, fearing the
enemy, hiding in this low place, prepared just a little grain at a time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was in this place of fear that God met with Gideon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How often do we find ourselves in a place of
fear that hinders us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is interesting
to note that God did not pick on Gideon because of his fear. Instead God called
him...</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">God</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> is with you, O mighty
warrior!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Gideon was in shock, “Me? A mighty warrior?” </span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Gideon replied, "With
me, my master? If </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">God</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> is with us, why has all this happened to us?
Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about,
telling us, 'Didn't </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">God</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> deliver us from Egypt?' The fact is, </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">God</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> has nothing to do with
us—he has turned us over to Midian</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Judges 6:13 and again he
questions this amazing call: </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Gideon said to him, "Me, my master? How and with
what could I ever save Israel? Look at me. My clan's the weakest in Manasseh
and I'm the runt of the litter." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Judges 6:15 Have you ever felt like that? You look at your skills, your
abilities and feel like there is nothing in you that God could use. But when
God calls us, he not only prepares us, but he enables us to do what he calls us
to do. He takes our weaknesses and makes them strengths. When we feel like
nothing...God makes us something special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though we are filled with insecurities, God wants to fill us with
Himself. You may feel like a failure in life but God sees your potential, and
He looks beyond your vision of yourself as the ‘runt of the litter’. He sees
you as a mighty warrior. God wants you to see Him as the Almighty God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we see God for who He really is, nothing
will be impossible for us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
Gideon built the altar God had instructed him to build, he names it (v24) “The
Lord is Peace” </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Then Gideon built an altar there to </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">God</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> and named it "</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">God</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">'s Peace." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">God’s peace is always waiting for the obedient servant of God. This peace
becomes the source of your spiritual strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While Satan throws at you all the chaos he can muster, when we rest in
God’s peace, there is nothing that can disturb or alarm us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants you spiritually strong. He tests us
emotionally, physically and spiritually. He is looking for our obedience, our
faith, our total reliance on God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
and you make a majority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the fear
comes, we need to remember, 2 Timothy 1:7 (Amp)</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7 </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For God did not give us a
spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but
[He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced
mind and discipline and self-control. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Gideon had such a mindset. When he had his encounter with God, it filled
him with a spirit of power, love and calm. He was well-balanced, disciplined
and filled with self-control. It enabled him to stand against his father, and
to gather a mighty army to fight the Midianites. God will enable you to fight
your battles too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t fear your
tomorrow. Be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and the peace of God. The
battle is already won. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now
the story goes on to tell us that Gideon’s father was a high priest of Baal. So
whatever God tells Gideon to do will be in direct opposition to his family and
his father. God tells Gideon to take his fathers prime seven year old bull and
offer it as a whole sacrificial burnt offering, using the Asherah pole to burn
the sacrifice. He was to tear down his Fathers altar, and build a new altar to
God. He took ten of his own servants to help him do what God told him to do.
The zero was becoming a hero! But fear was still in his heart so he did it all
at night and in the morning the people found the old altar destroyed and a bull
sacrifice burning on a new altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course this was the question of the day? “Who did this?” The answer came
back….”Gideon, son of Joash”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it was
Joash’s turn to accuse or defend his son. Instead, Joash chose to make Baal the
scapegoat. He told the people… </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">“</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If Baal is a god in fact,
let him fight his own battles and defend his own altar."</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Judges 6:31 From that day onward, Gideon had a new nickname...</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">They nicknamed Gideon that
day Jerub-Baal because after he had torn down the Baal altar, he had said,
"Let Baal fight his own battles." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">v 32 Every day we fight a battle against the enemy of our soul, Satan. His
desire is to draw us into his web of deceit and doubt. He attacks us when we
are down. He creates chaos in our homes and families. He steals our joy and
peace. But like Joash, we need to turn away from him and recognize that if he
has the power over us that he pretends to have, when we move into his territory
and go on the attack, we need to let him lose the battle and defend his own
‘altars’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to see ourselves as
the mighty warrior...the hero in the battles we face daily. We need to let
Satan fight his own battles and loose. He is a looser! With Christ on our side,
we are winners, victorious mighty warriors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But
God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side. Those who are after me will be sent
sprawling— Slapstick buffoons falling all over themselves, a spectacle of
humiliation no one will ever forget. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Jeremiah 20:11 We become mighty warriors because of the most fierce warrior
who stands at our side, who protects us on every side, who fights our battles
for us. Jesus in no wimpy Savior. We need to see Jesus the way John the
Revelator saw him….Revelation 19:11-16 </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white
horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war
in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns.
He has a Name inscribed that's known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe
soaked with blood, and he is addressed as "Word of God." The armies
of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow
him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then
rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of
God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings,
Lord of lords. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">This is no zero...he’s my hero!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>J.
Johnson</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-62356811120316768302012-08-03T10:08:00.001-05:002012-08-03T10:08:46.473-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzM8F9huEjTxMJegTXDlxY_kgQYyhUrqVh_xA2XK4NQFVs5cJofaRTapSmIfLTqMtejEs0GVzyX81pYSKHcTK7EziwpVnamjoOrYNCO3EM1cKbNh83wnEleNLOcF4JveUCgXgxg/s1600/Aug+2012+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzM8F9huEjTxMJegTXDlxY_kgQYyhUrqVh_xA2XK4NQFVs5cJofaRTapSmIfLTqMtejEs0GVzyX81pYSKHcTK7EziwpVnamjoOrYNCO3EM1cKbNh83wnEleNLOcF4JveUCgXgxg/s400/Aug+2012+pic.gif" width="400" />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Breaking Free! </b></span><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><b>Mankind has a universal problem.</b> It all began in the Garden of Eden when
the first man and woman sinned. Today, we don’t like that word “sin”. We refer
to it in abstract terms. We call it a ‘mistake’, or an ‘error in judgment’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Bible calls it SIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Bible, we learn that sin was violating
any of God’s laws. So as a result we think of the ten commandments. But sin is
really more than that. Paul teaches us in </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Romans 3:20, when he says, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Therefore no one will be declared
righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become
conscious of sin."</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Jesus came because the rule of Law was insufficient. Today, through our
understanding of the law, we become more aware of sin in our lives. When
preachers fail to preach the Word, the Law of God, society walks in ignorance
of what is right and what is wrong. It is like a parent who never tells their
developing child “no.” They tolerate misbehaving, overlook mistakes, and
distract them from problems, instead of telling them outright, “NO.” That child
fails to learn the boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tend
to look the other way, and those who sin, often have to discover the hard way
that there are consequences for sin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Consequences of Sin</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">There are numerous consequences of sin in our lives. If we fail to deal
with the sin God’s way, through genuine repentance, we will pay the price.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Sin puts a gap between
us and God. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Isaiah 59: 1-2.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Garamond; font-style: italic; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But your
iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face
from you, so that He will not hear." </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Sin makes you sick. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Our bodies react to sin. Our bodies react </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">very </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">definitely to what our conscience condemns. Stress through fear, anger,
resentment, or anxiety' produces a slow breakdown of our bodies. Disregarding
the temple of God and treating it carelessly will also result in sickness. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Believing prayer will save the sick man; the Lord will
restore him and any sins that he has committed will be forgiven. You should get
into the habit of admitting your sins to each other, and praying for each
other, so that if sickness comes to you, you may be healed.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Tremendous
power is made available through a good man’s earnest prayer.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">James 5:15-16</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Sin can kill you. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For the wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. </span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">(</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Romans 6:23 </span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">AV) </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">None of us are exempt from the sin problem. We all need repentance. Romans
3:23: </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"All
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Verdana; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Sin puts us into bondage </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Verdana;">while repentance sets us free. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Verdana; mso-default-font-family: Verdana; mso-greek-font-family: Verdana; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-latin-font-family: Verdana; mso-latinext-font-family: Verdana; mso-thai-font-family: Verdana;">(John 8:34-36) </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-armenian-font-family: Verdana; mso-currency-font-family: Verdana; mso-hebrew-font-family: Verdana; mso-thai-font-family: Verdana;">Jesus
answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is
the slave of sin..... "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall
be free indeed.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">The world around us who do not know forgiveness are bound just as a slave
is bound to his master. He has no rights of his own. He does what he is told
whether he likes it or not. Satan is a tough taskmaster. We must remember that
his sole purpose is to come against what God desires. The Word of God tells us
that Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy. But God is there to bring life in
abundance. John 10:10 Sin when unconfronted, unacknowledged, unconfessed, and
unrepented, will bring depression, sorrow, and pain. Confession and
reconciliation brings relief, happiness, joy, and peace (Prov. 3:1, 2, 8, 16;
4:20-22; 1 Pet. 3:10-12). Charles Spurgeon once said, “</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">a mind enslaved by sin
builds its own dungeon, forges its own fetters, and rivets on its own chains</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">There is nothing that you or I can do to break those chains of sin. Each
person must come to God for himself, seeking forgiveness and freedom from the
chains. The Christian’s responsibility is to point the way to freedom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">It is unfortunate that today, the word “sin” is rarely spoken. Yet when one
reads the Bible, and Romans in particular, sin is not only mentioned, but is
taught that it is man’s chief problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is because of sin that men and women divorce. It is because of sin
that homosexuality exists. It is because of sin that the church of Jesus Christ
is filled with compromise. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Sin produces a harvest
of greed, selfishness, lust, perversion, abuse, and anger. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Why do so many marriages fail today? It is because of failure to
acknowledge sin. Instead they count on feelings, and when the feelings go, the
marriage ends. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that husbands and wives are to
love each other. But they say, “We can’t do that”. Then you are to at least
love your neighbor...but they struggle loving each other even as a neighbor.
Yet the scripture still goes a step further and tell us we are to love our
enemies. Refusal to bring our lives into line with the scriptures is
sin—disobedience—rebellion. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Are you bound by cords of sin? You can be set free! There is no sin that He
can not forgive. Sin may have destroyed your home, your relationships, your
past, and left you with nothing but ruins. There is nothing that can stop you
from choosing to repent and allowing God to change your heart and make you into
a new creation in Christ Jesus. Let the Word of God bring freedom into your
heart today.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">When you were stuck in your
old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you
alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped
clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Col 2:14 The Message</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">So let God work his will in
you. Yell a loud </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: underline;">no </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">to the Devil and watch him
scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in
sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your
eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on
your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">James 4:7-10</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>J. Johnson</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 16.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;">Praise
reports and prayer requests…..</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for revival! </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray
for those whose lives are filled with arrogance, struggling with
forgiveness,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anger and doubt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new
place of full time ministry...a church that needs loving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>leadership. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray
as they interim pastor in Wisconsin churches.</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">for
grieving families who have lost loved ones</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">
(Aurora Colorado families). Pray for </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Evangelists, Missionaries,
and Teachers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> . </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for
US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio. Pray for the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">God Mobile </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">in
the county fairs!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for those needing a healing touch </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">in their bodies</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">: J.
Berens (cancer) Rosemary (chemo treatments) Joyce Johnson (healing her muscles
and feet —neuropathy and second round of chemo) Praise the Lord, Joyce’s tumor
is gone! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for
those who are in a famine of the Word of God. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for the nation, for the
President, for our service men and women,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for
Israel, for Christians in Muslim countries, for</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> the unsaved,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">don’t
forget to Praise</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> and thank </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">the
Lord! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> </span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dear friends, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Please continue to pray for us as we seek
God’s future for our lives. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful and so
appreciate each of you who take the time to pray and write. Your financial
gifts are so important and needed. Even though the tumor is gone, we continue
to face many added bills from the treatments for Joyce’s cancer. Your cards and
notes are so encouraging. God bless you all! God is faithful and we anticipate
great things in the future……Serving the Master!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">David and</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;"> & Joyce Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">Update</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">…..</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Joyce
is getting stronger each day. We rejoice in the Lords touch. She is having a
second round of chemo to treat two lymph nodes and to clean up any remaining
unseen cancer cells. Join with her in faith and prayer for complete victory!
God is able!</span><span style="language: EN;"></span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-80331037134328509062012-07-12T18:43:00.001-05:002012-07-12T18:43:58.381-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrYzkJtpdx78Osbm7i0J1j3wu-mBHI8j_MLa5D-0tFfY6Cra6PbC4rS63Xq-HWEa4CQu2zhf_0BRi0eeeFPF48Xd_7DwDgpuu3NRmpwr4gSGa8DkfuWUYxXjwHr39IgfQoqpFqA/s1600/July+2012pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrYzkJtpdx78Osbm7i0J1j3wu-mBHI8j_MLa5D-0tFfY6Cra6PbC4rS63Xq-HWEa4CQu2zhf_0BRi0eeeFPF48Xd_7DwDgpuu3NRmpwr4gSGa8DkfuWUYxXjwHr39IgfQoqpFqA/s320/July+2012pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">The Word of God is very clear here in Romans 12:2. We are to be
transformed—changed. We are not to be conformed to the patterns of this world,
but changed, different, unique. The Bible refers to believers as a ‘peculiar
people’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be peculiar,, means we are
to be distinctly different. We are not to do the same kinds of things others
choose to do. Why? Because we follow a leader who leads us in a different
direction for a different purpose. We are not just like everyone else. We
belong to God. We choose out of our love for Him to follow Him in obedience. We
are to do the things that please Him most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We recognize that as the people of God, as the church, we have a
different purpose. He has transformed us from darkness to light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we must discover what our true purpose in
life is. We need direction. That direction for our purpose is found in the Word
of God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Our Purpose:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">In a recent radio broadcast, a well known speaker declared our purpose<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as the church, to be one of declaring and
upholding the doctrines of God. We are to get into the Word, know what it says,
understand it, and proclaim it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
to hold the line theologically, in a world that wants to twist the Bible truths
to suit their own personal agendas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are many voices out there, and if we are not securely grounded in
the Word, we can be easily swayed by strong opinions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s generation wants to believe a
different gospel. They want to think that the love of God supersedes the
justice of God. They just cannot imagine that a loving God would send ‘good’
people to hell. The Bible clearly teaches us that our goodness is like a filthy
rag. In us dwells nothing good. It is only through the cleansing blood of Jesus
that we can become good, becoming like Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is nothing we can ever do that can make us righteous in the sight of
God. It is only what Christ has already done and our willingness to accept it
that can prepare us for eternity. God does not want to send anyone to hell. It
is not his desire. He sent us Jesus to change our direction and make a way for
not only the Jewish people, but us Gentiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He transforms us by the power of His cleansing blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Transformation means we are not what we used
to be, but we are totally different, a new creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a new creation, we have a whole new
purpose for being. It is not self directed, but God directed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the ‘church’ we are to be the ‘called out
ones’. We are to be called out of this godless world with all its humanistic
ideas and false teachings. The church—us—is to be holy. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">“...Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing
with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant
church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">”. Eph 5:25-27<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the many
emergent church leaders want to change the nature of the Christian church into
a new image suitable to the unsaved masses, the Bible declares a different
message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">All scripture is God
breathed and is useful for teaching correcting and rebuking and training in
righteousness. So that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work.. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">“ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must stick by the Book. It is our
foundation for a faith which cannot be moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Rob Bells of the emergent church movement want us to think that a
loving God would be welcoming to all faiths,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and that somehow He would make a way for good people everywhere to
escape the judgment of hell. They neglect to read the entire message that
declares the exclusiveness<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the gospel
message as Jesus presented it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did
not declare that He was one of many ways to find<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>faith. He said, “ </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">I am </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">way, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">the</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> truth and </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">the</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> life. No man comes to the
father but by me:” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">John 14:6 There is no other
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus also declared that it takes a
decisive choice on the part of each individual person. We all know John 3:16 “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">.” The word ‘whosoever’ lets us know that each person...each whosoever…
must believe. That is our choice if we want everlasting life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its not my goodness, or yours that will pave
our way to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is His goodness,
His righteousness, His love that is accepted by sinful men with repentant
hearts, that will bring us into eternal life and heaven. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Our distinct purpose as the people of God is to uphold these truths, to
declare an uncompromising gospel message. The church is not called to
compromise the truth to make it palatable to the sinner. It is to teach the
truth as Christ presented it in the scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we accept with open arms all other religions, such as Buddhists,
Hindus, Muslims, Taoists and Confucians because they have a small measure of
truth in their systems, we compromise the truths of the Bible. Peter said in
Acts 4:12 “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under
heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">It<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is an exclusive group...led by
Jesus Christ. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">We are warned in Scripture that in the last days of time, ‘perilous times
will come’ (2 Timothy 3:1). It states that people will not endure sound
doctrine but will have ‘itching ears’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and will heap up for themselves teachers who will lead them into fables,
turning them away from the truth. Our humanistic ways will lead us to disaster
if we let it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must instead choose
carefully, cautiously those who teach us the truth. Do they preach the
uncompromising message of the bible? Do they know sound doctrine? Are they
easily swayed by self-motivated teachers? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In a recent radio broadcast, one
Bible teacher clearly proclaimed the trouble the compromising church is in. He
warned us of pastors who follow the ‘trends’ instead of the Word. The message
of the gospel may be uncomfortable for the sinner, but if heeded it will bring
great comfort and cleansing from sin and a way to escape the promised judgment
of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">We are often awash in a sea of misinformation about what the Bible really
teaches us. It is time for believers everywhere to take a stand and boldly
declare the truth as Christ taught it to the disciples. We are called to
minister the truth to the lost and we must know what the Bible says to do
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us be truly transformed so we
can transform our godless world in the image of Jesus Christ!<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>J. Johnson</span></div>
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reports and prayer requests…..</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for revival! </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray
for those whose lives are filled with arrogance, struggling with
forgiveness,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anger and doubt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new
place of full time ministry...a church that needs loving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>leadership. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray
as they intermin pastor in Wisconsin churches.</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">for
grieving families who have lost loved ones</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> (R.
Janowski family, E. Yingling family). Pray for </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Evangelists, Missionaries,
and Teachers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> . </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for
US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for those needing a healing touch </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">in their bodies</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">: J.
Berens (cancer) Rosemary (chemo treatments) Joyce Johnson (healing her muscles
and feet —neuropathy and second round of chemo) Praise the Lord, Joyce’s tumor
is gone! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for
those who are in a famine of the Word of God. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for the nation, for the
President, for our service </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dear friends, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Please continue to pray for us as we seek
God’s future for our lives. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful and so
appreciate each of you who take the time to pray and write. Your financial
gifts are so important and needed. Even though the tumor is gone, we continue
to face many added bills from the treatments for Joyce’s cancer. Your cards and
notes are so encouraging. God bless you all! God is faithful and we anticipate
great things in the future……Serving the Master!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">David and</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;"> & Joyce Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">Update</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">…..</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Joyce
is getting stronger each day. We rejoice in the Lords touch. She is having a
second round of chemo to treat two lymph nodes and to clean up any remaining
unseen cancer cells. Join with her in faith and prayer for complete victory!
God is able!</span><span style="language: EN;"></span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-45882207049463982272012-06-16T15:14:00.003-05:002012-06-16T15:14:43.340-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;"> “Behold, the days are
coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a
famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. </span>
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos+8:11&version=NKJV"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Amos 8:11</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">There is a
famine in the land. We never<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tend to
think of a famine coming to the shores of North America, but there is a famine
none the less. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">As I traveled, I have gone to
many churches across the nation. I have seen and heard some surprising things
that you would not expect to see in the house of the Lord. As trends and fads
come and go, and as pastors and leadership seek church growth, they have
sometimes taken their cues of “how to do it” from the successful business world
around them. That is sometimes their first mistake because church is not a
business. It is so much more! In the business world, the highest goal is for
profits. Money motivates. While the church of God needs money to operate, it
should never be the chief motivator in how we do things. Pleasing God should be
our first agenda. We do not please God when we push our worldly agendas and
seek worldly favor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Recent trends in the church have
been to make the atmosphere more and more like a night club, with all the
flashing lights, dark sanctuaries, and although we do not serve alcohol, we
prepare gourmet coffees and snacks for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the presence of Almighty God is not felt in His house, making these
kinds of changes will not change God. It will however change us. I fear for the
next generation of believers who have not experienced the power of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God in a way that absolutely overwhelmed
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a carnal thing, but a
deeply spiritual thing. Yet we prepare the atmosphere around us so our carnal
flesh is impressed, while it is our spiritual man that needs to be addressed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Preach the Word!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">As our scripture has said, there will come a day when there will be a
famine for hearing the Word of God. What are you teaching your children? What
are you preaching to your congregation? What kind of spiritual nourishment are
you providing those you are discipling? Is it the philosophies of men, good
books, psychology or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘how to’ helps? It
may be good stuff, and it may be helpful, but are they getting the Word of
God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is well documented that most
Bible believing Christians do not take the time during the week to read their
Bibles. Today it is easier than ever before. There are special apps for your
electronic gadgets that can put the Word of God at your fingertips at any moment
of the day. But usually we are far too busy to read a verse, let alone a
chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preach the Word!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Learning to Listen</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How do we expect the Words God has
for us to penetrate our wilting souls?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to relearn what it means to listen. The scripture did not say it
was to be a famine of the Word of God, but a famine of hearing or listening…..
We are easily distracted! Did you know that the specific clause “hear the Word
of the Lord” occurs 32 times in the NIV?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So what are we listening to? You might remember how in Revelations 2 and
3 the phrase </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">“</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He who has
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">is frequently repeated. We are to listen with our spiritual ears to the
Word of God. But if we do not read it, or listen to it as someone else reads
it, we will be spiritually enduring a famine. God gives us His wisdom and
knowledge in many different ways such as through singing, counsel and
encouragement, but the chief way we are to hear his Words are from the Word of
God. When we neglect this, we suffer, as a church and as an individual. God has
given to every believer the Holy Spirit who is to teach us and make the Word
come alive in our hearts. But we still have to dig into the Word for ourselves.
Too often we have a church full a spiritual babies who rely on others to feed
them their daily portion of the Word of God. When this fails to happen, they
fail to thrive. Your spiritual diet will be no better than what those around
you give to you, unless you are mature enough to get into the Word for
yourself. A feast awaits the spiritually hungry man or woman of God in the Word
of God. J. H Keathly puts it this way</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We can play church and do a kind of “nod to God” routine putting in our
appearance physically while we are in essence absent spiritually. Result? We
don’t even come close to truly hearing the voice of God. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Why</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">?
Because we have removed our hearts from the Lord. We have become passive
listeners because we aren’t really prepared physically, mentally, and
spiritually to hear the Word of the Lord. Church attendance is often simply a
part of our plan to pursue life on our own terms. We attend church not to
really meet with God or listen in order to know, love, and serve Him, but to
feel good, have an experience, to hear beautiful music, to hear an eloquent
speaker, to see people or even to be seen by people. We attend church to soothe
our consciences and maybe earn a little of God’s favor. In this case, one’s
religious activity is a kind of insurance policy—a protection we think. But we
are dead wrong if we think this way because such reasons do not line up with what
God says to us in His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">If your pastor has become a passive listener, pray for him. If you have
become a passive listener, repent, and get back to the basics of reading the
Word of God, seeking your spiritual nourishment for each day. There is no
substitute for hearing the voice of God speaking into your own heart to your
own special needs. In your family, make it easier to focus on the Word of God
by removing distractions. Help your children to listen by keeping it
interesting and practical to their daily lives. When it comes to paying
attention at church, leave the coffee in the foyer, use the bathroom ahead of
time, and bring your own Bible to church. Mark sections that are particularly
meaningful. Pastors, make it possible for people to read their Bibles by
turning up the lights and clearly giving them references to scriptures. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If we are not prepared to listen so we can respond with
our hearts, let’s face it, we are simply playing church and we are withholding
our hearts from the Lord. Our religious activities then become an experiment in
futility. (H.J. Keathly) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what a person to do? We must
prepare to listen to the voice of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God still speaks to mankind today. He never changes. He spoke in ages
past and He will speak to you if you are willing to listen. Pastors, preach the
Word as God gives it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t give in to
the fads of the day. Don’t soft pedal the harsh truths God wants His people to
hear. Let the anointing flow unhindered in your life. It will change those who
are willing to hear!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J. Johnson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
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reports and prayer requests…..</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for revival! </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray
for those </span><span style="language: EN;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">whose lives are filled with arrogance, struggling with
forgiveness,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anger and doubt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new
place of full time ministry...a church that needs loving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>leadership. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray
as they intermin pastor in Wisconsin churches.</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">for
grieving families who have lost loved ones</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> (R.
Janowski family, E. Yingling family). Pray for </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Evangelists, Missionaries,
and Teachers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> . </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for
US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for those needing a healing touch </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">in their bodies</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">: J.
Berens (cancer) Rosemary (chemo treatments) Joyce Johnson (healing her muscles
and feet —neuropathy) Praise the Lord, Joyce’s tumor is gone! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for those who are in a famine of the Word of God. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for the nation, for the
President, for our service men and women,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for
Israel, for Christians in Muslim countries, for</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> the unsaved,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">don’t
forget to Praise</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> and thank </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">the
Lord! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dear friends, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Please continue to pray for us as we seek
God’s future for our lives. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful and so
appreciate each of you who take the time to pray and write. Your financial
gifts are so important and needed. Even though the tumor is gone, we continue
to face many added bills from the treatments for Joyce’s cancer. Your cards and
notes are so encouraging. God bless you all! God is faithful and we anticipate
great things in the future……Serving the Master!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">David and</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;"> & Joyce Johnson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">Update</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">…..</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Joyce
is getting stronger each day. We rejoice in the Lords touch. Together, on June
17th, we will be celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary. Praise the Lord for
so many wonderful years together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>PS...Daves birthday was June 2nd.</span><span style="font-family: Batang; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-armenian-font-family: Batang; mso-ascii-font-family: Batang; mso-currency-font-family: Batang; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Batang; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: Batang; mso-hebrew-font-family: Batang; mso-latin-font-family: Batang; mso-latinext-font-family: Batang;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-65616855406934781142012-05-23T12:39:00.000-05:002012-05-23T12:39:12.275-05:00Anointing of Humility<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I look through the bible at the many
heroes who served and loved God with all their hearts,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one thing stands out to me. They were men and
women of great humility. They often did not believe in their own ability to do
anything for God. But their total obedience to Him caused them to step out into
territories that on their own abilities, would cause them great fear and
trepidation. Joseph was such a man, even as a young boy. He was totally
obedient to his father, taking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>food to
his brothers. He loved his God and paid attention to the dreams God gave him.
He spoke those dreams to his family who mocked him and cruelly treated him like
a stranger instead of a member of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When accused wrongly, he humbly took the punishment in spite of the
facts. He continued to love his God, in prison, in rejection, though ridiculed
and later forgotten, by both his brothers and fellow prison-mates. He
acted<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with honor and integrity at all
times, as a representative of God’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Revenge was not in his
vocabulary. He could have imprisoned his brothers, withheld food, and had them
beaten. Instead he choose to take a higher pathway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved them<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in spite of their previous bad behavior,
throwing him down a well, selling him as a slave to a caravan,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and then lying to his father about his
whereabouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally. Most red-blooded
Americans would<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have taken the occasion
to rant and rave, then inflict punishment , imprisonment, torture or whatever
seemed appropriate. But Joseph loved God above all else. Though he arose to
great power in Egypt, he<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>remained humble
before his God. It is a picture of Jesus, who came before His accusers, having
done nothing wrong, nothing worthy of death or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>even punishment—-and who took all the pain, all the punishment, all the
inconvenience and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all the mocking
rebukes of carnal men. Even to the high price of dying on a cross. </span>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2:8&version=NIV"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Philippians
2:8</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">And being found in appearance as a man, he
humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Both Joseph and Jesus had an anointing of
humility that caused them to rise above the situations they faced, never
turning aside, never giving in to anger or vengeance. They were unusual in
every aspect. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Humility is often something we do not like to
talk about, because mere mention of it seems to point to the fact that we think
of ourselves as being humble people. Most of the time we are not. We are
however, learning and growing daily to be more and more like Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have noticed in the scriptures that talk
about humility, we have two basic choices. We can humble ourselves and reap a
reward and favor of the Lord, or, we can let God humble us as He punishes
or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>takes us through hard times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moses was a very humble man, yet the people
he led into the wilderness were not. God allowed them to experience hard times
to bring out the humility as they slowly realized who was really in charge of
their lives—God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Numbers+12:3&version=NIV"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Numbers
12:3</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble
than anyone else on the face of the earth.) </span>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+8:2&version=NIV"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Deuteronomy
8:2</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Remember how the LORD your God led you all
the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to
know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">All too often we have the arrogance of heart
that produces such irreverent pride, it is revolting to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe one of the reasons that He gave us
all the power of the Holy Spirit, was so that the Holy Spirit could convict us
of our sin of pride. The more time we spend in the presence of a Holy God, the
more we tend to realize that we are lacking in humility. Nothing we can do or
say can cause us to be righteous in His eyes. We need hearts that recognize the
greatness of our God, who<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>see God as the
answer to every shortcoming we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have all met some arrogant people in our lives. It tends to gag me when I meet
them in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ministry leadership roles. I
pray for them, praying that God will reveal Himself to them and that they may
realize that their pride and arrogance is objectionable to both God and men.
However, the spirit of humility, tends to attract us as we see them sharing the
love of God with transparency and love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Having gone through major illness this last
year, I have discovered many lessons in humility. I watched as the certified
nursing assistants did their job with servant hearts, cleaning up their
patients, not just because that’s what they got paid to do, but because it was
ingrained deeply in their hearts to be a servant to those in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took abuse, extreme discomfort,
criticism and a severe lack of appreciation. Yet they were stronger for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for their loving humble
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All they wanted was some kind
words and an occasional “Thank you!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we humble our hearts before God, we
become repentant, and repentance brings revival! We all want revival. We want
the next generation to experience intimacy with God and we want them to be able
to pass it on to their children. It can only happen when we allow the anointing
of humility to flow through our lives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lord,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>anoint us for humility, and deliver us all from the need for approval,
that we may only love you. Deliver us from the need for words of praise by men,
and instead seek your words of encouragement as you did for your Son, Jesus. </span>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3:17&version=NIV"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Matthew
3:17</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I
love; with him I am well pleased.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Teach us to praise you and appreciate your
loving heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let our spiritual beings
be anointed with the oil of humility that we may reflect Jesus to all we meet.
Its not about us...it’s about Him. It’s not about my desires,...but His. Lord,
keep me from the fear of being forgotten, ridiculed or wronged. May you be
glorified though my life and behavior!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>J. Johnson</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-59958048548800753992012-04-10T15:34:00.001-05:002012-04-10T15:50:54.418-05:00Sand Castles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if !mso]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;">“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a sensible man who builds his house on the rock. Down came the rain and up came the floods, while the winds blew and roared upon that house—and it did not fall because its foundations were on the rock. “And everyone who hears these words of mine and </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">does not follow</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> them can be compared with a foolish man who built his house on </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">sand. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Down came the rain and up came the floods, while the winds blew and battered that house till it collapsed, and fell with a great crash.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Matthew 7:24-27 (JBP)</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 2.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have you ever been to a sandy beach and built a sandcastle? I used to do that as a child and then watched the waves come in with the tide and wash away all my efforts until the beach once again was flat. God has called each believer to be kingdom builders. We are to build His Kingdom. However, we have been at play, building with the wrong materials and building what we want to build. God expects much more from each of us. He wants us building on the Rock, Christ Jesus, and He wants us to build something that will endure the storms and waves. What have you been building.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 2.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was recently disheartened when I read the facebook comment of a young Christian who has slowly become satisfied with the “freedom” she had found in the contemporary church. Coming from a traditional church, she later found herself in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>contemporary church with a worship team who led rocky music,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>coffee in the foyer, and the comfort of casual dress. She suggested “Close your eyes. God is in heaven rocking out too.” While we are so busy making ourselves comfortable in God’s house, God is grieving that we are building church sand castles. He knows the hard times ahead, the storms and the waves. While His desire is that we follow His commands, His suggestions, His divine agenda—we continue down our merry path of comfort with our sand pails and shovels in hand, totally unaware that change is coming. It is time we stopped pleasing ourselves and got on our faces seeking God with sincere hearts. If we find ourselves caught up in the thrill of entertainment, or the tradition of doing what everyone else is doing, we need to stop, repent, and find the altars once again. If we think we can bring revival on our own terms, we are wrong. Revival never comes because we have found just the right new song, or the new hip sound. It comes when God’s people suddenly see themselves as God sees them, and they are moved to deep repentance. Repentance is never fun. It causes us to root through the closets of our life and dig out all the junk we have hoarded there. Our lazy spirituality caused many of us to fill the rooms of our life one by one with junk we have called valuable and needed. We no longer have room for Christ. We want our way. We want our stuff. We want our comfort zone. God sees it all as trash. If we are to move to a place of sincere repentance, it demands we change, clean out our lives, and face the reality of what we have become. How many people who call themselves Christians, spend little time reading the Word of God, little time praying, little time at church, and little time serving God in their community. They may give as little of their time, talents and resources as possible. Do you refuse to tithe? Perhaps you’ve convinced yourself that this is an Old Testament concept, when Christ clearly taught us that we are to tithe. I suggest you restudy what Jesus taught in Matthew 23:23 He acknowledged that the Pharisees<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were busy tithing on the little things like their spices of mint and cumin, while neglecting more important things. He tells them tithing is important but so is justice, mercy and faithfulness. Hoarding what God gives to us is wrong. We need to be givers, not hoarders. James 4:17 tells us, “If anyone knows the good they ought to do, and doesn’t do it, for them it is sin.” In fact it is a form of rebellion. How often do we go to church, hear the Word of God preached, yet return home doing nothing about it. Our spiritual foundations are shoddy sand. We are about to experience great loss. Danger is ahead in our future. But when we build our spiritual foundations on the Rock, when we recognize our need for more than just comfort and beauty, and we dig deeply in the resources of God’s Word, we discover safety, security, strength and a future that lasts long beyond the wind and the waves. Sand castles may be fun to build, but they always end in ruin. Those of us who have built on solid foundations need to teach the younger generation how to build. Safety is not in size and numbers, not in music styles, not in the comfort of coffee or potlucks. It is found only in the things that will last. Even Solomon recognized the fleeting satisfaction of earthly pleasures after building and having all the things his heart desired—all was vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:11) Spiritual strength comes with Christ as our Rock, with repentant hearts, recognizing that in us dwells nothing good. God wants us to be His temple, and He wants to dwell within us through the power of His Holy Spirit. He wants our ears attentive to His voice and obedient to His commands. It may mean that we have to break with traditions. It may mean that we surrender our time, our talents and our resources to His will. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our opening scripture you may recall that two families were busy building their homes. They may have been equally beautiful, but something was seriously wrong with one home. It was in danger of falling flat at any moment. In the times we live today, we cannot waste our time and resources on building on a risky foundation. It is pure foolishness. We are neglecting the reality of the coming storms. God demands holiness, and he abhors neglect. We must assess the results of what we have built. In a recent programs “Holmes on Homes,” Mike Holmes inspected the shoddy work of a contractor who was adding an addition to an existing structure. There was so much wrong, he was forced to tear it all down and rebuild from scratch. When our foundation is wrong, we need to change, demolish the structure and rebuild with the plans of our Master Builder. Don’t build castles in the sand. Do it right! Your temple and how it is built is an example to the next generation. Build it on prayer, on the Word, on yielding all you have to the Master Builder. Matthew 7:24-27 </span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>26-27</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards. (TMB)</span><span style="font-family: GeeohHmkBold; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: GeeohHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: GeeohHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: GeeohHmkBold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: GeeohHmkBold; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: GeeohHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: GeeohHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: GeeohHmkBold;">J. J</span><span style="color: black; font-family: GeeohHmkBold; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: GeeohHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: GeeohHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: GeeohHmkBold;">ohnson</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-17423963397994740892012-03-07T10:47:00.000-06:002012-03-07T10:47:50.098-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEComyE9N4-mVzu8MmeOcWgER4gh3UA0_uJpCfh4M2boP8_AyuM_UTQpM1EFyyWoAU1HD0mtODy9MQA2iMQblLhzOpKGzbZXqNqjETWJRRiK9DmayhEsEZshqRGmA4QrB3AgzCIA/s1600/March+2012+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEComyE9N4-mVzu8MmeOcWgER4gh3UA0_uJpCfh4M2boP8_AyuM_UTQpM1EFyyWoAU1HD0mtODy9MQA2iMQblLhzOpKGzbZXqNqjETWJRRiK9DmayhEsEZshqRGmA4QrB3AgzCIA/s320/March+2012+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Joyce/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="height: 258px; left: 36px; position: absolute; top: 183px; width: 468px; z-index: 1;"></span> <span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love </span>1 John 4:18</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;">Every day we find ourselves face to face with frightening experiences. Sometimes it comes when we have to make decisions we are unsure of. We want to choose right. We want what God wants in our lives. Voices from every side come trying to redirect our steps and choices. We feel pressured to go one way or another. This brings us to be intimidated. Intimidation is one way Satan tries to strip us of our spiritual authority which is rightly ours through faith. Jesus overcame Satan’s of authority in our lives. Satan wants it back. It’s up to us to choose wisely, by recognizing the work of Satan in our lives. Jesus restored out authority and taught the disciples that divine authority was now our right. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>19</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;"> Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>20</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;"> and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond;">Matthew 28:18-20</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;"> Fear is a reaction to the things in our lives that may bring pain or punishment. Sometimes we experienced them once before and we don’t want to go through that again. The pain was too great! I have discovered that fear can push you to deeper depths in God. We know that the Word of God teaches us that there is no fear in love, and we do not have to be slaves to fear. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>15</span> <span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%; vertical-align: super;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 110%;">Rom 8:15 NIV </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;">When you are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell your human vessel, the temple of God. The Spirit makes us part of God’s family. When we find ourselves in trouble, we can call on Him….”Daddy, Father”… and He is always there to help us in our time of need. Children who live in a healthy home trust in the protective care of their father. We are part of God’s special family. When we love God perfectly, there is no need to fear anything that would come against us...not cancer, unemployment, the future, and even death itself. Love trusts and fills us with peace. There is no torment in love...only in fear. Sometimes it is guilt that causes fear to flood our emotions. Forgiveness takes away that fear. How often have I heard new believers say they felt like a huge load was lifted when they experienced God’s forgiveness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;"> What do you fear? If there is something you fear, you give power over to it. But, if you feed your faith, your fear will starve to death. How do we feed our faith? By spending time with the One we love—in the Word of God, in prayer, in fellowship, and by surrounding ourselves with other believers whose love for God results in positive living and a clear focus on who is really in charge. When we choose to fear God, being in total awe of Him, rather than fearing Satan and his tactics, we learn God is greater than anything Satan can throw at us. Spiritual leaders discover that there is no place in their lives for fear if they are to fully serve the Lord. Their lives are motivated by love and flows out to everyone they influence. Their love for God raises the faith level around them. If we are to believe the promises of God, we must trust His Word. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;">Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>37</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;"> No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 100%;">Romans 8:35, 37 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;"> Sometimes we allow the fear of possible failure to keep us from ever trying to do something challenging. Satan uses this fear to keep us from fulfilling the call of God in our lives, and keep us trapped in a cage of fear. We could lie down in frustration and fear, or we can claim our freedom in Christ. Taking that first step of recognizing what is happening, will lead us to spiritual freedom in Christ Jesus. Too many Christians discover at the end of their lives that the fear was just a ruse of the enemy to keep us from winning the lost to Jesus Christ. The moment we open our mouths and declare the powerful Word of God, the enemy is sent on the run...just like Jesus did against the attacks of Satan in the wilderness. We can go boldly forward without fear, in perfect obedience and walk in complete victory. Remember the promise</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 100%;">: </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;">So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;">John 8:36 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;">The Word of God teaches us not to fear. </span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+41:13&version=NIV"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 41:13</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;">For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;"> Thank God we can therefore walk in confidence, no matter what comes our way. We do not need to fear and in fact, we need to choose not to fear. There is One who is holding our hand, who sees the road ahead of us, who knows how to destroy dangers and who prepares the way. He has promised to help us...and His help is all we need. Our own efforts will fail, but His help will overcome, and take us to new levels of spiritual confidence. There will always be times of spiritual resistance. We can expect to come under attack, but God is faithful and He will enable us. He has given us weapons of spiritual warfare and we can go forward as good soldiers, in confidence, knowing who it is who stands beside us. There is no need for fear or cowardice when the King of Kings has already given us the victory over the enemy. We need not fear the challenges of life nor even the challenges of death. In either case, the Lord holds our hand. Are you afraid today? Has the enemy caused you to step back from being the bold Christian God wants you to be? </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;">In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! ….Give it everything you have, heart and soul…..Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;">God</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;">, your God, is with you every step you take." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;">Joshua 1: 7, 9 (TMB) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%;">J. Johnson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">Send us your prayer requests: email us your requests:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">wordofthelordministries@gmail.com</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14.0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">Dear friends, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">Please continue to pray for us as we seek God’s future for our lives. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful and so appreciate each of you who take the time to pray and write. Your financial gifts are so important and needed. We are facing many added bills at this time as Joyce fights her battle with cancer, your cards and notes are so encouraging. God bless you all! God is faithful and we anticipate great things in the future……Serving the Master! </span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">David and</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;"> & Joyce Johnson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">Update</span><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%;">…..</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Joyce is now finished with all cancer treatments. Thank you for praying. She still needs strength and is slowly getting back to ‘normal’. We wish all of you the blessing of the Lord and </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">lives filled with the unfailing love of God.</span><span style="font-family: Batang; font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-45820135399287612532012-01-02T16:33:00.000-06:002012-01-02T16:33:03.328-06:00The best Year of Your Life!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwr7bmUqstW42jr_6IH93RnH-PWVrkxJhy1eAVXp1f92fQoL3z8Ei5oGTkZh5v7dlygHcYvACDWLv3GV9AeXTG-ZBhZ1Oq8aMROHW3QKBDV5RVhWIV9epR9uuDCAEEkURdxwmFA/s1600/Jan+2012+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwr7bmUqstW42jr_6IH93RnH-PWVrkxJhy1eAVXp1f92fQoL3z8Ei5oGTkZh5v7dlygHcYvACDWLv3GV9AeXTG-ZBhZ1Oq8aMROHW3QKBDV5RVhWIV9epR9uuDCAEEkURdxwmFA/s320/Jan+2012+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <v:rect alt="" filled="f" href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=new+year+2012+images+church&um=1&hl=en&client=qsb-win&rlz=1R3GWYE_enUS338&biw=1424&bih=756&tbm=isch&tbnid=pIg01MJZ05-AmM:&imgrefurl=http://www.woodcrestchurch.org/LinkClick.aspx%3Flink%3D152%26tabid%3D38&docid=0-yHnnGke6tff" id="rg_hi" insetpen="t" o:cliptowrap="t" o:preferrelative="t" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" stroked="f" style="height: 196.84pt; left: 36pt; position: absolute; top: 137.25pt; width: 262.8pt; z-index: 1;"> <v:stroke> <o:left color="#12c" insetpen="t" joinstyle="miter" on="t" v:ext="view"> <o:top color="#12c" insetpen="t" joinstyle="miter" on="t" v:ext="view"> <o:right color="#12c" insetpen="t" joinstyle="miter" on="t" v:ext="view"> <o:bottom color="#12c" insetpen="t" joinstyle="miter" on="t" v:ext="view"> </o:bottom></o:right></o:top></o:left></v:stroke> <v:imagedata o:title="ANd9GcRIZrh-YXaXA73zegDDbdsabYSh0_bPIzj-u4F5fPebUoOyI9O3" src="file:///C:\Users\Joyce\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"> <v:path o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:imagedata></v:rect> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-font-kerning: 3.0pt; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">It’s a new year, with new opportunities and possibilities. Where is Your focus? What is important to you? What are your spiritual priorities in life? What are you doing for eternity? What are you doing now that will truly matter 150 years from today? What do you spend your efforts on? Will it last? What do you think about most of the time? God… or stuff…?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-font-kerning: 3.0pt; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">The enemy of our souls wants to distract us from what God would have us do. Some years ago, I came across this article that serves as a reminder to realign our priorities. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="color: #990099; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">The Devil's Convention</span><span style="color: #990099; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">by Richard J. Enrico<br />
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said, "We can't keep the Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from conservative values. But we can do something else.<br />
We can keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to church, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">steal their time</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">, so they can't gain that experience in Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, angels. </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Distract them </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"<br />
"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels. <br />
"Keep them busy in the </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">nonessentials of life</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;"> and invent countless schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">spend, spend, spend</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">, then, </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">borrow, borrow, borrow</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">. Convince the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work six or seven days a week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work."<br />
<br />
"</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">Over stimulate their minds</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;"> so they cannot hear </span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">that </span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">still small voice</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">. Entice them to play the radio or CD player whenever </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">they drive. Have them keep the television on at all times, and their computers going constantly."<br />
<br />
"Have the DVD and CD<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and MP3 players running. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-Christian music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."<br />
<br />
"Fill their coffee-tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards.<br />
<br />
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogs and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering, free products, services, and false hopes."<br />
<br />
"In their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead. And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotion. <br />
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">no time to seek power from Christ.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;"> Soon they will be depending on their own strength, sacrificing their health and family unity for the good of the cause."<br />
It was quite a convention in the end. And the evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy and rush here and there.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">Has the devil been successful at his scheme?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">It’s up to you to take control of your spiritual life. The Word of God teaches us that we are to be lights in the darkness. But too many of us are like the foolish virgins who were awaiting the marriage with their lamps and oil, but they carelessly failed to prepare for the long wait. They needed more oil. They needed to trim their lamps. They were at risk of being out in the darkness with no fire in their lamps. </span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Tahoma; mso-armenian-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: Tahoma; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hebrew-font-family: Tahoma; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-thai-font-family: Tahoma;">Fill your vessel with fresh oil. Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the scriptures. When a person is born again, the Holy Spirit draws us to Christ. He comes along side us to teach us and to help us be bold witnesses. He sheds light on the Word of God and helps us to understand it. In the parable of the 10 virgins, the wise ones had vessels filled with extra oil. The oil in the lamps was insufficient. As we move into a new year, we need to be sure our lamps are filled and we are also prepared with extra oil. If we only have enough oil for our lamp, we risk darkness and burnout. How do we get all this oil? By seeking the Holy Spirit’s fullness. Don’t be satisfied with just a little dab of oil. Bring your empty vessels. Fill them at the altar. Our failure to prepare for the midnight hour will result in sadness, rejection and darkness. We do not know what this year will hold for any of us. For some there will be job losses. Other may face medical crises. Some may lose loved ones. But when our vessels are filled and ready for the midnight hour of our lives, we will have light in the darkness and not be caught unprepared. When the times of trial and testing come, we can e ready to face tomorrow. We can cling to the promises of God: </span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Garamond; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path".</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 8pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">- Ps.119:105 <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> all have good intentions. So did the 10 virgins—but in reality only five were really ready. Only five went in to the wedding feast. Only five had made preparation. What are your plans for the coming year? Is your lamp filled? Is your extra vessels also filled in anticipation of the midnight hour? Have you trimmed your lamp so it will burn brightly in the darkness? This year can be the best year of your life or the worst. The choice is yours. Find your way to the place where fresh oil is found. For Jesus, it was Gethsemane, the place of crushing, For you, there is a place where you must also find the oil, and it may take a crushing to bring out what you need for the midnight hour. There you will find the anointing oil, and the enemy will flee. If you are a wise virgin, you will seek the Holy Spirit’s fullness in your life—your vessel. He will not fail those who are sincere and intentional. Those who just try to get by with the bare minimum will find themselves stumbling in the darkness. It was at midnight Jesus was taken before<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ciaphas. It was at the midnight hour that Paul and Silas prayed and praised God in jail. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Let your light shine brightly...</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>1</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.<br />
For the glory of the L</span><span style="color: #660033; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: italic small-caps bold 11pt/110% Garamond; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">ord</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> rises to shine on you.<br />
</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>2</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,<br />
but the glory of the L</span><span style="color: #660033; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: italic small-caps bold 11pt/110% Garamond; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">ord</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> rises and appears over you.<br />
</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>3</span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> All nations will come to your light; <br />
mighty kings will come to see your radiance. </span><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Isaiah 60:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">J. Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="language: EN;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;">Praise reports and prayer requests…..</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for revival! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for those who are struggling with forgiveness,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anger and doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new place of full time ministry...a church that needs strong leadership. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">for grieving families who have lost loved ones</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">....Pray for </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> . </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for those needing a healing touch </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">in their bodies</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">:) Jeanne Deike (cancer-stage 4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Barth (cancer),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joyce Johnson (healing from cervical cancer...radiation) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for those dealing with chaos, anger, abuse, temptations and carnal sinful habits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for the nation, for the President, for our service men and women,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for Israel, for Christians in Muslim countries, for</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> the unsaved,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">don’t forget to Praise</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> and thank </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Lord! </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Put on your armor! And get your lamps ready…..</span><span style="language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-39257569292464790172011-09-08T11:21:00.000-05:002011-09-08T11:21:15.507-05:00Come Holy Spirit !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv04gqo0GzIz1owIAQhtcuSnaUd70k5i-WghP0vu192Q4_3wARYZmEvV-OSJQhFfctmwyjaB9In4CwB3cFlS0pxTKr0BWKnICnA3dt2ISXmJkpwgDrs77LyGQ8GK_GrAtWBcgcQ/s1600/Sept+2011+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv04gqo0GzIz1owIAQhtcuSnaUd70k5i-WghP0vu192Q4_3wARYZmEvV-OSJQhFfctmwyjaB9In4CwB3cFlS0pxTKr0BWKnICnA3dt2ISXmJkpwgDrs77LyGQ8GK_GrAtWBcgcQ/s320/Sept+2011+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">In the Old Testament, the general population did not know much about the Holy Spirit. They knew about God, and they knew about the promised Messiah, but the Holy Spirit played a role that caused Him to hardly be noticed. His role was to come upon certain individuals, or circumstances at God’s direction to perform a miracle. He had an important role in creation. The Spirit guided Moses in leading the people though the wilderness. Numbers 11:17 </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> The Spirit came upon Gideon to destroy the enemy. Judges 6:34 </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Then the </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> of the LORD came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet,….. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7:22 </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> The Spirit came upon Saul as he was anointed to be King<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by Samuel. I Samuel 10:6</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">The Holy Spirit just came upon them for a moment for a temporary anointing. We know this because of the continual failures of men like Saul who eventually lost his favor and position because of his failings. We would all love to have a prophecy spoken over us as Saul had—to be a different person….to be able to do what every our hand finds to do and have God with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key here was to remain that ‘different person’—one under the holy influence of the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">In the New Testament, things began to change. At the coming of the ministry of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon Him at the river Jordon as John baptized Him. </span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=John+1:32&version=31"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">John 1:32</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">From that point forward, Jesus began to teach them about the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=John+6:63&version=31"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">John 6:63</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> and life.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> The 14th chapter of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John is full of teaching on the Holy Spirit. </span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=John+14:26&version=31"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">John 14:26</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But the Advocate, the Holy </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. </span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=John+14:17&version=31"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">John 14:17</span></a><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> For the first time here in Jesus teachings we see a changing role for the Holy Spirit. He had been ‘with them’ but now He will be “in them”. This speaks of a holy intimacy much like Adam and Eve knew with the Father before the fall. A Holy Spirit would soon live inside of any believer who was willing to let Him guide their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be a teacher, an<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>advocate, a helper, a guide, reminding the disciples of every word Jesus had spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus left them, they would not be alone. The Spirit would indwell them. With the presence of the Spirit in their daily lives, life would never again be the same. Like Saul, they would be ‘different people’. The Bible even calls believers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a ‘peculiar people’. As you read through the book of Acts you see miracle after miracle in the daily lives of the early church. Yes, they suffered persecution, death, and hardships of every kind, but the miracles flowed freely. When the people of God see the miracles of God, nothing else seems to matter. Miracles confirm the literal presence of God in the lives of ordinary people. As miracles flowed, the churches increased in number. When a fire burns, people come to watch it. They learned the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit freedom to guide both them and their activities. There is nothing more beautiful than to have the power of the Holy Spirit flowing freely in church services and in the everyday lives of believers. Come Holy Spirit!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Today, there is a vacuum in many churches. Just as the time in the Old Testament when the Spirit and glory of God lifted from the temple, He, the Spirit has been wounded by the frivolity and careless attitude towards the holy and the divine. I was thrilled to listen to a radio broadcast the other day, in which the guest speaker challenged the churches. He said we have done our youth a disservice by dragging video games and entertainment into the church instead of feeding them on the powerful Word of God. In school they can learn calculus, and trigonometry, but in the church we dumb them down and instead of teaching the powerful truths of Ephesians or James, we entertain them in the hope of keeping them in the church. As they mature, they leave. They leave the church, and they leave the faith in which their parents raised them. They declare themselves to be agnostics and atheists. How did this happen to a generation? They had questions of faith, but no one took the time, the energy, the prayer to give them the answers they needed. They don’t need more entertainment. They don’t need more video games. They don’t even need more fellowship. They need God. They need the power of the Holy Spirit filling their lives, leading and guiding and teaching them as the Word comes to life. I am calling all grounded believing adults, to build a bridge with some person in the younger generation, talk with them (don’t preach) about spiritual values. As them questions like “ How is your spiritual life today?” Let them talk. Let them know you care. Let the Spirit guide your lips and change a generation one person at a time. As a spiritual mentor, you will need an extraordinary relationship with God. Come Holy Spirit! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">We in America are such controllers. We want to have everything just right. Usually that is our pride showing. When we step up and try to do what we think is the right thing, we often discover we have failed to ask God what He wants. Both Abraham and David failed God miserably when they failed to seek God first before attempting to do anything. Abraham listened to people and ended up with Ishmael and Hagar. David failed to go off to war and ended up in bed with Bathsheba, and an unwanted pregnancy. Problems fill our lives when we listen to man or to self instead of seeking God. Henry Blackaby states “Why are Christian leaders burning out from overwork and exhaustion? Is God responsible? No. When people become overwhelmed by the commitments and responsibilities, they are operating on their own agenda.” There will always be more things to do. There will always be people telling you how and when to do them. But Jesus set the perfect example—He got up early to pray and seek the Father’s will. Maintaining that intimacy was mandatory. It should be no different for us all. Take time to invite the Holy Spirit into your day, to guide you and lead you and show you when to say “no” and when to do what demands your time and energy. The Holy Spirit will always be there to help you through each and every challenge. He is in you—now let Him flow out through you! Come Holy Spirit!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">We all face challenges in our lifetimes. Sometimes it is the loss of a loved one, or a financial set back, the loss of a job, breaks in family relationships, unexpected illness, or even the pain from church conflict. No matter what the challenge you are facing today, God is able to see you through. There is no mountain too tall, no valley so deep, that He is not there. As I personally face my own challenge this month, having surgery, and not knowing the end result, I have a deep settled peace in my heart that only the Holy Spirit can give. We don’t know what our tomorrows hold, but we can trust the One who holds us in the palm of His hands, who fills us with His Presence and helps us look to the future with hope. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Holy</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Spirit</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, will brim over with hope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Romans 15:7 TMB) We don’t know how God will meet our needs, but we know that He is the God who can, the God of the impossible, the One who sees the future, and the One who has a plan we can trust. We just need Him! Come Holy Spirit!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">The moment you gave your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit came into your life. You have all of Him you will ever get. He is a person and you do not get to enjoy little pieces of Him...you have ALL of Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now He wants ALL of YOU. He fills you to overflowing when you yield yourself fully to Him. Let Him use you as He desires. Walk daily in the Spirit. Listen to His voice. Learn from His guidance. But it is all up to you to allow Him to flow out freely. Don’t seek the guidance of man and then ask for God to bless it. Go to the top and ask the Spirit to guide you first. You will discover a blessed way of serving God. Make this your daily prayer:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Father, I yield all that I am to you today, that the Spirit may flow freely in my life. Lead me and guide me by your Spirit to those who need your touch. I give you all my tomorrows, and work through me today. Come Holy Spirit! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Invitation; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Invitation; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: Invitation; mso-greek-font-family: Invitation; mso-latin-font-family: Invitation; mso-latinext-font-family: Invitation;">J. Johnson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Invitation; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Invitation; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: Invitation; mso-greek-font-family: Invitation; mso-latin-font-family: Invitation; mso-latinext-font-family: Invitation;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Invitation; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Invitation; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: Invitation; mso-greek-font-family: Invitation; mso-latin-font-family: Invitation; mso-latinext-font-family: Invitation;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;">Praise reports and prayer requests…..</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: left;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="color: red;">Pray</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="color: red;"> for revival!</span> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for those who are struggling with forgiveness,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anger and doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: left;"> <span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new place of full time ministry...a church that needs strong leadership. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">for grieving families who have lost loved ones</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">....(L Gardner family, Elizabeth Hawes-Schulz family) Pray for </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> . </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for those needing a healing touch </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">in their bodies</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">:) Jeanne Deike (cancer-stage 4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Barth (cancer),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joyce Johnson (surgery for hysterectomy Sept 14th) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for those dealing with chaos, anger, abuse, temptations and carnal sinful habits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for the nation, for the President, for our service men and women,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for Israel, for Christians in Muslim countries, for</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> the unsaved,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">don’t forget to Praise</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> and thank </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Lord! </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Come Holy Spirit</span><span style="language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-84304416826244882112011-08-09T16:59:00.000-05:002011-08-09T16:59:52.481-05:00Empty Nets ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dRkhUFeYTuNej6v2Y4D7FG_EIStOmkBDwO3JFgVrnX2djH0I_346HMhP2Kcy0MlM_mOJkL00V5KkAdcZ2tDf45fmVnZgee1HrURAXLPxF6E830-wf-AHp7bIBKgma4GpaBxewQ/s1600/August+2011+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dRkhUFeYTuNej6v2Y4D7FG_EIStOmkBDwO3JFgVrnX2djH0I_346HMhP2Kcy0MlM_mOJkL00V5KkAdcZ2tDf45fmVnZgee1HrURAXLPxF6E830-wf-AHp7bIBKgma4GpaBxewQ/s320/August+2011+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; vertical-align: super;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 14pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; vertical-align: super;">Years ago, I lived in Newfoundland and made my home in the house of a local fisherman and his wife. I was teaching school. During the warm season, I watched them go out in their small fishing boat to catch cod, and later lobster. Sometimes they got a good catch and sometimes the catch was poor. Regardless, each time they returned home, they checked their nets. Some were damaged by debris in the ocean. Others were torn from lobsters or crabs or sometimes they were gummed up with seaweed. They needed repairs. The Jenkins men, would sit on the wharf, checking and mending their nets. They were a lot like the fishermen of Jesus day.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; vertical-align: super;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; vertical-align: super;">Luke 5:1-11 </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>1</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>2</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>3</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>4</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>5</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY546mD6M94IN7JYF-PSvFvvIGxOFkW39Z1hgeqp-_UGRYdFiif6XpLvfWG-vitrAJKbkIXVO4hHfeNM7Fqoz53zjF0H3YB4N1xoxV5kmbnQy3qVXsGa0Xu1B7r4poap_vri_bcA/s1600/August+2011+pic2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY546mD6M94IN7JYF-PSvFvvIGxOFkW39Z1hgeqp-_UGRYdFiif6XpLvfWG-vitrAJKbkIXVO4hHfeNM7Fqoz53zjF0H3YB4N1xoxV5kmbnQy3qVXsGa0Xu1B7r4poap_vri_bcA/s320/August+2011+pic2.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was a real stretch for bone weary fishermen! They had worked all night long. Now they had given up and were cleaning and mending their nets. They were done in. Now along comes this teacher—this land lubber—telling them to go out into deeper water and let down their newly cleaned nets. Fishermen were a tough lot. They worked hard for their living. Fishing information was shared between fellow fishermen. But here was something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It demanded respect and attention. So Peter says… “</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">because you say so, I will let down the nets.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">That took a step of faith. It demanded effort and action. The result was an immense catch of fish, so many that both boats had all they could do the haul in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the catch. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span dir="ltr"></span>6</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Simon Peter immediately recognized something supernatural had just happened. This was no ordinary end of the day fishing catch. He knew God was here….for in the presence of God, we suddenly see ourselves...sinners, needing a Savior. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>8</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">But Jesus had other plans. As hard as these men worked for fish, He wanted them working for the souls of men. He did not want quitters. He wanted those who would keep on working, even when the going got tough. He wanted men who would listen to his commands. He wanted men who were simple enough to recognize the divine. Sometimes it is a good thing to catch someone when they are at the end of their rope, when it is time to throw down the nets in frustration, and look for a glimmer of hope somewhere else. The old ways of doing things were not working. Night fishing was a popular way to catch fish...but it was not working. The fishermen would hold a basket of fire suspended out over the water and the light would attract the fish...but now, no fish were to be found—until Jesus came by. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>11</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">He immediate challenges their fears, and gives them a new purpose in life...fishing for people. They left behind the only work they knew. They were launched on a new venture—following the One who promised a new kind of catch—men! They left the massive catch of fish, the nets, the boats, the family and the old way of living. To find out what He meant, they had to follow Him. Today, Jesus still is inviting us to follow Him. It will mean change, sacrifice, learning new things, and lots of questions. Simon Peter was launched on a new mission...mankind. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The story does not end there. After the resurrection of Jesus, the angel told the disciples to go to Galilee...back to the old stomping grounds. What did they do when they got there? They went fishing again. But then, someone on shore asked them about their catch...and again they had caught nothing. Their nets were empty and their arms ached. And again some unsolicited advice…</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>6</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” </span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;">(John 21:6) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">and again a divine moment comes to these weary men.</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">It was a “deja-vous” moment for Peter. Three years before, Jesus and Peter had had such a moment. Then he had commissioned him to follow Him and catch men. Now, Jesus has a new mission...feed sheep—feed lambs—take care of the sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more empty nets!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where are you on your spiritual journey—at the beginning, or years into the walk with Jesus. Are your nets empty? You struggle in your walk, you do what you know how to do, but you continue to come up empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get on God’s agenda. Do what Peter and John did...listen to the Master and obey His commands. Man’s way results in empty nets. God’s way fills them to overflowing. Don’t be so busy counting the catch that you forget to continue the mission. Too often we tend to glory in the moment, wondering if we had anything to do with it. Let me assure you, we did not. When we look around us, do we see new converts? If there are a rare few converts, is anyone discipling them? Most new attendees come from other churches...and they have come looking for </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">more</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> than they had at their previous church. The </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">more </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">they need is not more entertainment, more friends, or more programs to busy their lives. They need more of God in their lives. They are looking for the presence of God in our services. They long for real revival, the kind that changes pastors, parishioners and whole communities. Too often they come but find once again ‘empty nets’...people going through the motions of fishing, but finding none.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What was Jesus answer to the problem of empty nets? He commanded them to do the unexpected...to go beyond the comfortable, to not give up, but to listen to the One who knew how to fill empty nets. One key thing I noticed is that Jesus spent some time feeding them spiritually….”</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">he sat down and taught the people from the boat.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> The Holy Spirit is our teacher...as He flows through human vessels yielded to Spirit and as He speaks to us from the Word of God. Are you listening? I like the way The Message Bible (TMB) puts in in Rev. 3:6 in speaking to the churches… “</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Are your ears awake? Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">It is always the desire of the Holy Spirit to blow through our churches, but too often we are too busy creating new programs to take time to really pray. Those who discover the power of prayer want to cease doing everything else and just pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disciples moved from Galilee and empty nets back to Jerusalem and the Upper Room. There they waited in prayer until the Heavens were opened and the Spirit was outpoured. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 1pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Take some time as you vacation and fish this summer to remember your higher calling, casting nets, discipling others and feeding the flock. If your net comes up empty—get back to the altar of prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 1pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">J.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-71486826802398747492011-06-01T13:55:00.000-05:002011-06-01T13:55:48.903-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxESQcle4NXo1E4_zB6A7jIatGsodnV727n_W8OfpSOOjaMuJqXDibuLeU76YpmFyO3jyR1Op1-s9tSIE690_kbxeZ5pkuzvIWceMc3moXl_6e-LJZgr4EC2G1GmIQpRdoTc-TuA/s1600/shaken+faith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxESQcle4NXo1E4_zB6A7jIatGsodnV727n_W8OfpSOOjaMuJqXDibuLeU76YpmFyO3jyR1Op1-s9tSIE690_kbxeZ5pkuzvIWceMc3moXl_6e-LJZgr4EC2G1GmIQpRdoTc-TuA/s1600/shaken+faith.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Has your faith ever been shaken? When we look around us at a world reeling in turmoil, it is easy to feel like God is somehow not there. We remember the past year and the pain it brought our world: earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wars, persecutions,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, life is tough and bad things sometimes happen to good people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we make bad choices and follow through on them with devastating results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have planted our seeds, and sometimes they fall into rocky ground. We read the Word of God and discover a beautiful promise, then we go with it and base our tomorrows on that promise. Sometimes that promise never materializes and we find ourselves in circumstances that shake our faith. Yet in the middle of it all, I am continually reminded of the heroes of faith found in Hebrews 11. Every single one lived lives of incredible faith. Yet we are reminded that they never lived to see the promises fulfilled. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing.</span><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Hebrews 11:13 (TMB) How did they accomplish this? The bible tells us they looked ahead by faith, realizing that life is more than the here and now. It is eternal for those who believe in God. They recognized that the plan of God is bigger than human sight, human life spans, </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth. (Amp). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How were those heroes of the faith different from you and me? They never ever allowed their faith to be shaken or moved. They believed God. They never came to the point where we often seem to find ourselves thinking or saying, “ How can I go on, I tried this faith stuff, and it is not working for me. It’s a waste of time and energy.” Too many today find themselves moved away from faith rather than towards God in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want faith to be a simple formula that always gives us what we want and makes life simple and easy. We expect God to be our ‘sugar-daddy’ who gives us everything we want and need in life. We don’t expect God to allow tough times,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>health concerns, natural disasters, and for our lives to be shaken through it all. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">When we look through the Bible, we see story after story of the people of God going through tough times. Moses started out with a life of ease and comfort growing up in the palace of pharaoh, but that was not the end of life for him. God wanted to teach Him about the harsh realities of life. So God took Moses on a journey, where he spend 40 years herding sheep in the desert, before he would be ready to lead God’s people for the next 40 years in the wilderness. It meant times of hunger, thirst, complaints, insurrection, rebellion, and all the while, because of the lessons Moses had learned, he looked forward by faith to the ‘land of milk and honey’...a land in which he would never dwell. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">[Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Heb 11:27 AMP What motivates you and your faith in God? Do you allow fleeting circumstances to shake your faith? What do you do when life does not meet up with your human expectations? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">If you want to be a hero of the faith, it means you will have to learn to look at life through God’s eyes. If you live to be one hundred years old, though your body fail you and your family turn on you, will you continue to love and serve God by faith, believing that His plan is longer that your lifespan? We must live our lives with any eye on eternity. We must see that the full plan of God includes the timelessness of eternity. We have a hope and a future that is much longer that life here and now. We must keep looking forward, by faith, anticipating the words of the Lord...</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">(Matthew 25:21 NKJV)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Battling the Enemy<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Sometimes we fail to recognize the source of the attacks in our lives. We forget that Satan is the one who is the aggressor, trying to undermine the lessons God is trying to teach us. Satan tries to get us to look at the circumstances, at ourselves, and then when we do, he takes full advantage of our moment of weakness. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">(1 Peter 5:8 NKJV) Those heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 had the same adversary, yet they remained strong. They had a different focus. They knew their God! They trusted their God! James 4:7-8 tells us how to overcome the seduction of Satan. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>7</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span dir="ltr"></span>8</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Notice it begins by our submission to God. When we put ourselves in God’s care, we are in the best place we can possibly be. If we resist God, we are asking for trouble. But when we resist Satan, there is an automatic response—he will flee! But we must first submit to God. For every step we make towards God, God moves towards us in equal measure. As we get closer and closer to God, we will suddenly be more and more aware of the sin in our hearts and minds. We must choose to be clean. If we think we want God, but we continue to dwell in sin, we are truly ‘double minded’. We are trying to run things in our own strength and power and at the same time give God His place...who is the One who really wants to run our lives. We cannot serve two masters. We must choose to follow God—all the way! We must put Satan in his place...send him on the run. The devil will do everything in his power to keep us from God, from intimacy, from obedience, from submission to God. The sooner we recognize Satan’s attack, the sooner we can draw near to God. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Shaken Faith<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">When I think of the energy it takes to make an earthquake, to cause the crust of the earth to tremble so much that everything on it is moved, I also tend to think of how God sometimes allows ‘quakes’ in our spiritual world to move us close to Himself. After every physical earthquake, there are often many ‘after shocks’ as well. They too, shake the world. They remind us of the potential for more earthquakes, and they cause us to think cautiously. They keep us ‘on the edge’ of readiness, and we learn to do things a little differently. Spiritually, an ‘after shock’ should serve to remind us of the potential attacks of the enemy, so we keep our guard high, and our spiritual man seeking after God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sometimes think of Jonah who ran from God, was swallowed by a great fish, then after repentance, was tossed on the beach, and he then chose to obey. He preach just what God told him to do and the people listened and repented. But Jonah felt like a fool. He had been through unimaginable trauma, a tiring march to Nineveh, a time of preaching and calling for repentance. He found himself sitting on a hillside waiting for God to pour out His anger on the city. He probably suffered from post traumatic stress syndrome. God had other plans for Nineveh. God forgave them. Meanwhile, Jonah had a valuable lesson to learn. God is the One who is in charge. He does what He wants and we are to learn from each experience. What is God trying to teach you today? Is He allowing your world to be shaken? Is your faith also being shaken?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the bigger picture that is in the mind of God. I like the words of Job 23:10... </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much of our world is wood, hay and stubble. God wants to bring out the best in you...increase your faith, cause you to grow stronger. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; vertical-align: super;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">1 Peter 1:6,7 TMB<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: EnglishScriptEF; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: EnglishScriptEF; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: EnglishScriptEF; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: EnglishScriptEF; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">J. Johnson</span><span style="color: black; font-family: EnglishScriptEF; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: EnglishScriptEF; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: EnglishScriptEF; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: EnglishScriptEF; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;">Praise reports and prayer requests…..</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Bazooka; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Bazooka; mso-default-font-family: Bazooka; mso-greek-font-family: Bazooka; mso-latin-font-family: Bazooka; text-shadow: auto;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for revival! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for those who are struggling with forgiveness,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anger and doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new place of full time ministry...a church that needs strong leadership. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">for grieving families who have lost loved ones</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">....(Bob Schallow family) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray for those needing a healing touch </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">in their bodies</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeanne Deike (cancer)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Barth (cancer), L. Gardner (cancer). J. Johnson (chronic cough and possible IBS) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for those dealing with chaos, anger, abuse, temptations and carnal sinful habits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">Pray</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for the nation, for the President, for our service men and women,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> for Israel, for Christians in Muslim countries, for</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> the unsaved,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";">don’t forget to Praise</span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"> and thank </span><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Beach Thin"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-default-font-family: "Beach Thin"; mso-greek-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Demi Cond"; mso-latin-font-family: "Beach Thin";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Lord! </span><span style="language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="language: EN;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dear friends, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: newspaper; text-kashida-space: 50%;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Please continue to pray for us as we seek God’s placement of our ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have completed our time of ministry in Tomah as their new pastor will arrive soon. So we now look forward to whatever God has for us to do for Him. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful and so appreciate each of you who take the time to pray and write. Your financial gifts are so important and needed. God bless you all! God is faithful and we anticipate great things in the future… …Serving the Master<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-default-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold; mso-latin-font-family: NotnorvalHmkBold;">Dave & Joyce</span><span style="language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";">Please address all donations and correspondence to this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>address :</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%;">Word of the Lord Ministries</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> Rev. <span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">David & Joyce Johnson</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">PO Box 655, Waupaca WI 54981</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: #333399; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%;">Thank your for your donations</span><span style="color: #333399; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: #333399; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Your prayers and gifts are deeply <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: #333399; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">appreciated</span><span style="color: #333399; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.</span><span style="language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-51869794478500818192011-05-10T13:34:00.000-05:002011-05-10T13:34:59.332-05:00Faith Vs Fear...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamILs-CoIXx5_hIax2iXN5cv07Sdq7bT0jNSTMJpCy6dvIJN9tTV86irirlDM-lxuswmBMQ1W18cSdXvFrtIUS6IU6RpIUJRnvvQkFbtcg741T_RqKwbufmWTSQj5vKYUfXPKfg/s1600/May+2011+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamILs-CoIXx5_hIax2iXN5cv07Sdq7bT0jNSTMJpCy6dvIJN9tTV86irirlDM-lxuswmBMQ1W18cSdXvFrtIUS6IU6RpIUJRnvvQkFbtcg741T_RqKwbufmWTSQj5vKYUfXPKfg/s320/May+2011+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div>We live in a fear filled world. You can hear it on the news every night. You can see it in the faces of folks as they go through their daily activities. What does tomorrow hold? More earthquakes? Financial meltdowns? Tsunamis? Wars? Unemployment? How will it all affect us and what can we do about it? The feeling of helplessness sends many into depression and despair. <br />
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I have some good news for you! A life of despair does not have to be the focus of your world! There is hope! My tomorrows are not limited to the world view of the media. I see beyond tomorrow! I see it with an eye of faith. That faith is based on something solid and sure. It is the Word of God. It is a hope based on the promises I find written for every believer. 11. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>The Fear Problem</strong></span><br />
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Fear of the future and what it holds often puts a person into a grip of fear that prevents them from doing anything for God. It looks ahead with fear and freezes. Think of Noah for a moment. He had heard from God that he was to build an ark to the saving of his family. He was given exact instructions. By faith, he obeyed God and began the awesome task of building something the world around him had never seen before. For 120 years they mocked him. For 120 years he worked on the project. At any time, he could have stopped, and given up. But he persisted because he had heard from God. Even after the boat was loaded with family and animals, he could have wondered, “Will the pitch hold? Will we all survive? What will the world be like when it is all said and done? Will we find food? ” But he kept his focus on God, not the problems. God speaks today to us as He did to Isaiah: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) In the middle of your moment of fear, God is with you...He will strengthen you...His hand will hold you! <br />
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One of the greatest weapons against fear is remembering the victories of the past. Just think for a moment of some of the wonderful things God has brought you through. For each person the history of victories will be different. Some will think of overcoming cancer. Others will think of how God helped with a bill. For some it will be the reconciliation of family members. What has God done for you? Make a victory file. Put in it all the things God has done. Then look back again and again at what God accomplished when you thought it was impossible and remember. Remember Jesus words in Matthew 17:20 I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. " and again...in Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>The Faith Factor</strong></span><br />
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All too often the problem is not what God can or cannot do, but our willingness to believe it. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23) There is nothing worse in a storm than to question and doubt the ability of the Captain. An old seaman once said: “In fierce storms we must do one thing, for there is only one way to survive: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” In the storms of our life, we must take our ‘ship’ and put it in a position of faith—facing the storm head on. “Jesus said, in this world you will have trouble. But, take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33) We can expect storms to come. It is part of life. God allows it so we will learn to look to Him and as we do, we will grow stronger spiritually. Faith sees the future through God’s eyes. What get’s God into a panic? Nothing! He see’s the whole picture….past, present and future. That’s why He is called the Alpha and the Omega, the A and the Z—the beginning and the end. There is nothing God does not see. If you are facing the possibility of death, it would appear that there are reasons to fear. But Jesus gives us hope even then to conquer our fear. “I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all.” John 11:25-26 (TMB) He spoke these words to Mary at the graveside of Lazarus. They give us hope even today as many face death.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Our Future</strong></span><br />
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The problems of this world are small compared to the eternity that awaits the believer. He promised us a hope and a future, but that future is not limited to the here and now. It is extended into eternity. Paul, the apostle who suffered so greatly in persecutions, shipwrecks, beatings, stonings, and other crises, learned to look at life with eternal eyes. His vision saw into eternity and life forever with God. Jesus told his followers, 1. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3) The future is always bright for the child of God. It includes time spent with Jesus. It includes a place He has prepared for each of us. It is a place that is out of reach of Satan’s schemes. It is a place where there will be no sickness or death. It is a future in which we can securely place our trust. There will be no fear in heaven or in the presence of Jesus. So we may as well choose here and now not to fear the present circumstances or the imagined ones we think may come our way. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7) We don’t gain anything by spending time worrying about everything. But we do gain the peace of God when we put it all in His capable hands. <br />
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So what are we to do in our moments of fear when our faith is down?<br />
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1. Pray. Take time to get alone with God and talk to Him about it all. Then listen!<br />
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2. Read the Word. By diving into the treasures of the Bible, you will find your faith growing in God in leaps and bounds.<br />
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3. Trust. Believe that God has a plan bigger than your problem.<br />
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4. Surround yourself with Faith. Share your need with people of prayer. Together in Christ, you are a tower of strength. <br />
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5. Hope in God 13May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. Rom 15:13 (AMP)<br />
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I don’t know your personal circumstances, but I do know the God who knows everything. When you throw up your hands in despair, saying ’There is no use going on” He is still looking down on you waiting for you to ask for His intervention. He is a God of the miraculous. He wants to demonstrate His wondrous power through you. He is not wringing his hands in anxiety over your problem. He has everything under control. He sees it all. Lift your vision above your circumstances and see as He sees. There is no fear in His eyes. He wants to see faith in yours. <br />
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J. Johnson<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-81126353708210851322011-04-13T11:29:00.000-05:002011-04-13T11:29:19.542-05:00Unashamed!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDa-J_z8TOWxUB5Bb5FkPRK6Gw_w4wGCaBUQvUmRCsBcs5As_F5jzBcwCmZe5WYz7GYu8Z4EwJ80a9ECEUvNRwu061fHhO1iO_1LTWNrJDT4gmCLRFerD53JtzrekeWljjdu2bQ/s1600/Apr+2011+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDa-J_z8TOWxUB5Bb5FkPRK6Gw_w4wGCaBUQvUmRCsBcs5As_F5jzBcwCmZe5WYz7GYu8Z4EwJ80a9ECEUvNRwu061fHhO1iO_1LTWNrJDT4gmCLRFerD53JtzrekeWljjdu2bQ/s320/Apr+2011+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><strong>What makes you embarrassed or ashamed?</strong> No matter what our personality, there is usually someone or something that causes us to be silent when we should be vocal, idle when we should be active, and as a result, we turn and walk away with nothing accomplished for the Kingdom of God. Consider this statement by Matt Stave of Liberty University School of Law : In a world of political correctness devoid of the rule of law, tolerance has come to mean total rejection of Christianity and moral standards. Modern tolerance redefines words like 'marriage,' 'discrimination,' 'equality,' 'morality,' and even 'absolutes.' The word 'tolerance' as it is used today never includes opposing arguments or competing worldviews. Tolerance has become Orwellian and decidedly intolerant." In our peer pressure driven world, the spirit man of the believer has been squashed into intimidation. We want to be ‘politically correct’ and not offend, yet when I look at the life of Christ, I see a man who took on His peers and the religious leaders of His day with a persistent drive to return them to the truth. He healed on the Sabbath despite their objections. He chased the vendors and money changes from the temple courtyard, not once, but twice. He ate and fellowshipped with sinners. He touched lepers, and He ministered to women. He chose as His closest associates crude fishermen, and a hated tax collector. While his disciples were politically motivated, He was driven to please the Father—a purely spiritual agenda. He never once backed down in fear, even when facing Satan following the forty days of fasting in the wilderness. He knew who He was and what His mission entailed. He let nothing come between Him and his mission. He was unashamed!<br />
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Adolph Hitler wrote, "Mental confusion, contradiction of feeling, indecisiveness, panic; these are our weapons." These were not just the tools of Hitler. They have been the tools of Satan for centuries. When people refuse to make decisions based on the truths found in the Word of God, they are easily taken advantage of by those willing to choose for them. The price in Europe was the death of millions of God fearing people. If we want to be spiritually bold, we must be imitators of Jesus Christ. What things did Jesus do that made Him unashamedly different than the spiritual leaders around Him? <br />
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He knew His Mission<br />
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Jesus came on a mission. He knew the purpose of that mission from day one. His mission was to do the will of the Father who had sent Him from Heaven’s glories to the chaos of a sin sick world. His mission included confronting Satan and taking a stand against Him. It also included taking on the task of dying. It was through His death and resurrection that sin, sickness, and death would be forever conquered. His mission was never to conquer the Roman empire, to make Himself the High Priest of the synagogue, or to just lead 12 followers until He died. The mission was much bigger and more eternal in its scope. He saw you and me in the future. His mission was to bring hope to the hopeless, joy to the depressed, and healing to the sick. When He stood up in the synagogue and read from Isaiah 61:1, he was stating his mission publicly. <em>“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD...”</em> He knew He was anointed for a purpose...to preach...to heal...to proclaim liberty...to bring freedom and hope at the right time to a people bound by sin and Satan. His time had come. It was the acceptable year of the Lord. Nothing side tracked Him. He was unashamed!<br />
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He knew His God<br />
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He clearly stated that He came, not to do His own will, but whatever His Father wanted Him to do. Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me (John 17:25) He took time from His disciples to go alone to pray and talk to the Father and get direction. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. (Matthew 14:23) This seems to be a hard one for many Christians, to get alone with God and spend time in prayer. We often arise in the morning at the last possible second, and rush off into our day of work and activities, rarely taking time to think about God, let alone get direction from Him. Yet we, like Jesus, are here on a mission, and we need to know the Father and what He wants to speak into our lives each day. We listen to the preacher sermonize each Sunday and think that is enough—after all, the preacher does hear from God doesn’t he? It is not enough. We need to know God for ourselves, and hear Him speak into our hearts. If we don’t know Him, how can we hope to speak for Him or even represent Him to our hurting world? Jesus made no apologies for knowing God...and he was unashamed!<br />
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He Knew the Word<br />
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It was very apparent that Jesus knew the Word. He, like most Jewish boys, learned first from His mother, all the basic principles of Jewish theology. They were obligated to memorize long passages of the Torah. When it came time for Jesus to come face to face with Satan in the wilderness, before His ministry really began, Jesus quoted at Satan, “ It is written”. Throughout His ministry Jesus is found quoting scripture. Some were prophecies from the Old Testament. Others were from the writings. He actually quoted from 24 different books of the Bible. He knew the Word. He was the Word. It flowed from Him freely to bring liberty to the captives. He was never ashamed to speak the Word to others to challenge, teach, or preach. He spoke it to Satan, to the Pharisees, to the disciples and to all who would listen. He was unashamed!<br />
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He Walked in the Spirit<br />
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Jesus knew that His boldness was not in his own human flesh, but that He required the supernatural boldness of the Holy Spirit flowing in and through Him. From the day He was baptized by John at the River Jordon, and the Holy Spirit came down upon Him in the form of a dove, He went forward in a holy boldness that amazed both the disciples, and the religious people of the day. They wondered how the son of a mere carpenter could speak and act with such authority. He knew the source of His authority...“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:17 It was heavenly endowed. He passed this authority on to those willing to serve him. He told the seventy he had sent out, 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 <br />
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Yes, we do not need to be ashamed. In fact, we need to adopt an attitude of boldness, given by the Holy Spirit, used with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, to challenge our culture today. There will be a price to pay. There will be persecution. But I am weary of watching our culture bow to the Muslims for fear of offending them and their religion while Christianity and the Bible are dashed to the ground as if Christians had no rights. I am weary of ‘offending’ gay rights. If I am ashamed of anything, it is the lack of responsiveness of those who call themselves Christians, to the attacks in our schools, our courts, our malls, and even in our stores. Christmas is more than Santa Claus and Easter is more than bunnies and eggs. It’s about Jesus, our resurrected Lord and I refuse to be ashamed of Him. He was not ashamed to die for you and me! How about you? Are you in the company of unashamed believers willing to speak what you believe? Let the Spirit guide you and walk tall and unashamed!<br />
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J. Johnson<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-60571474467658156552011-03-12T12:37:00.000-06:002011-03-12T12:37:45.166-06:00The True Measure of Greatness...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEdskFYj6x8QCPHBeoCb9VbrhyI6nfseeXPZg6XtUG3Se2HJwVreVMKzMm8rR-fL6_kzdt3LyMZOlLMBXhSDb1D5dznxcJxjQmEI4zrmIU8FHhY2fQj3fE6XCEZO4W499sLUSMA/s1600/Mar+2011+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEdskFYj6x8QCPHBeoCb9VbrhyI6nfseeXPZg6XtUG3Se2HJwVreVMKzMm8rR-fL6_kzdt3LyMZOlLMBXhSDb1D5dznxcJxjQmEI4zrmIU8FHhY2fQj3fE6XCEZO4W499sLUSMA/s320/Mar+2011+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div>Every year new officials are elected to positions of leadership in the government and in the church. We look to them to lead us and provide us with security and peaceful lives. But the standard we often use to measure what makes a person great is often not very Biblical. If a person is prosperous, we assume that he or she can provide financial prosperity and handle money with wisdom. If a person is young and handsome, we assume there is wisdom that goes along with those good looks. Yet we know that in each of these, prosperity and good looks, there can be deception and treachery. A prosperous person may have increased his goods by fraud, deception and greed. A good looking leader may have used his outward appearance to gain popularity while inwardly being immature and ego-centric. There is a saying we should pay closer attention to in selecting leadership. “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in their leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” (Anonymous). A great leader pulls out the best in you. The greatest spiritual leaders do even more…they help you put your confidence in God, reaching into the supernatural and into the impossible.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">True Greatness</span></strong><br />
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What does God say about greatness? Greatness means becoming a servant. Matthew 20:26-27 “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” In today’s modern culture, that is a hard concept to deal with for many. We despise the idea of slavery. We link it to the idea of racism. The modern American does not want to lower himself to a level of ‘slavery’, even by choice, for it goes against the idea of the ultimate American dream—being in charge, and leading the way with power. We want to be achievers and have a future filled with ambitions and dreams. A life of servitude just goes against the grain. But in reality, it is a failure to recognize who is really in control, and who is the true authority. The moment we do things our way, we wrestle away authority and control into our own hands, failing to see that God is always the ultimate authority. The world around us talks about a ‘service industry’, applauding those who choose to serve others for the public good. But true servant hood means even more. <br />
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Jesus set the ultimate example of greatness by his servanthood. Phil 2:5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of Himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of Himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. (TMB) His daily activities reflected this idea of serving. Remember how Jesus chose to wash his disciples feet? It was the job of the servant in the house, yet Jesus did it to teach servanthood as a way of life. John 13:15-17 I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Humility in Greatness</span></strong><br />
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Becoming great in God’s eyes is very different from becoming great in each other’s eyes. It demands a life of humility. Humility is not becoming a doormat, but choosing to walk in total humility in spite of the repercussions. Philippians 2:3-5 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Humility chooses to die to the desires of self. It chooses instead to look to the needs of others. What is the greatest need in others around me? How can I help meet that need? It never looks for an attitude of “What’s in it for me?” Instead to choose to submit for the greater good of others. Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” What does this mean on a practical level? It means that on the job, you consider the needs of your boss or the customer before your own needs. It means in the home, you work to meet the needs and desires of your spouse and children before you selfishly fulfill your own desires. In the church, it means giving of yourself to see that others grow spiritually, doing all you can to give of yourself to help the leadership, and if you are a leader, to sacrifice for those you lead. Isaiah 66:2 “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Those who tremble at His words must have ears willing to listen to God in the first place. They will have a reverent awe of the voice of God. Their lives will be ordered by His commands. They will never be ‘ladder climbers’ reaching for selfish ambition. They will be teachable, listening closely to the quiet nudges of the Holy Spirit. <br />
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We all seem to struggle with the Biblical concept of greatness. We are daily bombarded with the ideas of the world around us as to what greatness means. The media pushes the idea that you are great when you are famous, when you get lots of money and when others want to be just like you. Today, fame is fleeting. One day you can be the darling of Hollywood and the next day—nothing. You may be the leader of a nation with billions of dollars in your pocket, but as we have seen in Egypt’s turmoil, greatness was not in wealth. The people demanded true ggreatness, a leader that looked to the interests of others rather than self.<br />
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Today, we want to be like Jesus, but we struggle with the idea of humbling ourselves. Jesus told his followers we are to be like little children if we would be great. How are children great? They look to their Father for everything they need in life. They listen to his words, and mimic his every move. They want to spend time with their Father, sitting on his knee, learning and growing. They look at life with innocent eyes, seeing the best in everyone. They learn to speak what Father speaks and do what Father does. Is that not what Jesus did? As I said before, I do nothing on my own. My judgment of the world will be based on what I hear from my Father (John 5:30). For I have come down from heaven to do God’s will, not my own (John 6:38). Our struggle is for self-determination. We want to do what we want to do. We see it in our children and grandchildren when we take their hand to keep them safe, but they do their best to pull away and go where they want to go all by themselves. When we tell then “No” and hold their little hands, they object and cry and struggle to be free, not knowing that freedom can be dangerous and comes with great responsibilities. We do not like to hear the “No”. We want to go. We want to do. We want to be free. Soon we learn that growing up demands we learn to respond appropriately with maturity. We learn to submit for the greater good. God’s desires are always the greater good. Jesus’ need for self-determination was laid aside in favor of divine-determination. <br />
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What makes for great leadership today? It is the same as it was for Jesus. His greatness recognized the true authority as Father God and he made himself a servant to His Father. In spiritual combat, His authority was the Word of God. Jesus greatness was in his humility. He made himself nothing--His greatness was in his life of prayer, daily talking to the Father. His greatness was in his anointing--allowing the Spirit to flow through Him to meet the needs of others. His greatness was in his cooperation and unity with God. How can we be spiritually great? By doing the same as Jesus: become a servant of God, stand on the Word of God, walk in self-imposed humility, living a life of prayer, talking to God the Father, walking in the anointing, filled with the Spirit, living in harmony and unity with God and His plan. God has given us all the tools we need to do the job. When we stand in the authority of the Word, allow the Spirit’s anointing to flow through us, and humbly give the glory to God, Father will be pleased. Greatness begins on your knees, discovering the mind of Christ. There is no greater place to be than walking in harmony with the Almighty God.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">J. Johnson</div><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Praise reports and prayer requests…..</em></span></strong><br />
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Pray for revival! Pray for those who are struggling with forgiveness, anger and doubt. <br />
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Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new place of full time ministry...a church that needs strong leadership. Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones....(Fritz Ammeter family) Pray for Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers. Pray for US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio. <br />
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Pray for those needing a healing touch in their bodies: Theresa Johnson (still having pain from her heart problems) Jeanne Deike (cancer) Dave Barth (cancer), L. Gardner (cancer). Pray for those dealing with chaos, anger, abuse, temptations and carnal sinful habits. Pray for the nation, for the President, for our service men and women, for Israel, for Christians in Muslim countries, for the unsaved, and don’t forget to Praise and thank the Lord! <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-85430512142751884132011-02-01T13:36:00.000-06:002011-02-01T13:36:09.917-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_PyR5kLh_4hA58unGVEQ_yNvuwugTUZJm8RHEUrk1lp_WN28L9g5axwMJWYQb0B9oEHpwiwmPP5eSTV_7Vx8wWeAk1Ym000Yt_DEQtakBaGPSRMS-_tn1rcdiA5XZGOjxcdNYQ/s1600/Feb+2011+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_PyR5kLh_4hA58unGVEQ_yNvuwugTUZJm8RHEUrk1lp_WN28L9g5axwMJWYQb0B9oEHpwiwmPP5eSTV_7Vx8wWeAk1Ym000Yt_DEQtakBaGPSRMS-_tn1rcdiA5XZGOjxcdNYQ/s320/Feb+2011+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div>Like most people, I have made many promises in my lifetime. I have always tried to keep them to the best of my ability. But sometimes we fail to keep our promises. We usually despise those who make and break their promises. If it is a chronic problem, we see it as a character flaw—and one of choice. Yet we all have been there. <br />
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They tell us that in the Bible there are over 8000 promises that God has made to man. Because of the character of God, he can never break a promise. He cannot lie. If He were to lie it would make Him less than God. Let’s look at some of the wonderful promises of God. <br />
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The Promise of Hope<br />
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Man started out with God in the garden in a beautiful relationship, one of intimacy and fellowship. But that intimacy was soon to be destroyed by sin and Satan’s temptation. But in the midst of the sin, God made a promise: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) He was speaking to the serpent and Satan. This was the promise of God to bring the Messiah, Jesus into the world, the offspring of a woman. That offspring would crush Satan’s power. With Satan’s power crushed, man has hope in the future. Since Jesus came, that future is now. Not only do we have power over Satan, we also have a hope of Jesus promised return. “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13) There is also a promised hope of eternal life. “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7) That is the difference between Christianity and so many of the cults and false religions of the world. We have a promise made by God Himself of an eternal future. We don’t have to wonder if it is true or not. When God makes a promise, He keeps His Word! Numbers 23:19 speaks of the integrity of God and His promises. God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? (NLT) The moment we die, we can know for sure that God has a life waiting for us that we can hardly imagine. <br />
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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; John 11:25 We have the hope and promise that our eternal home is with Him.—that life does not end in a cold grave—it is just the beginning!<br />
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The Promise of Forgiveness<br />
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Forgiving is not always easy to do. Yet God has promised that if we ask—admit our sinfulness, we will be forgiven! If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Since we are born in our sin, we all desperately need forgiveness. If we continue to live under the weight of our guilt, Satan uses that to weigh us down with condemnation and feelings of inferiority. Many promises are conditional, and this is one of them. It requires that we do something on our part, and then God will do what no one else can do. He will clean our spiritual slate and make it like we had never ever sinned. If you keep looking backward at all the horrible things you have done in your life, they can be forgiven in a moment...the moment we confess them to God...not to man. He promises to make us clean and pure. It does not matter what sin you have done. He forgives them all.<br />
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The most difficult thing we often face is forgiving those who hurt us. Yet the Bible clearly teaches "Forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you" (Colossians 3:13). There is an amazing miracle that takes place when we choose to forgive. For real forgiveness to occur, a sacrifice is necessary. Jesus made the sacrifice for our forgiveness and when we choose by sheer will to forgive another, suddenly, the victim become the victor. There is a shift in the heavenlies and the power is ripped from Satan’s grasp and put into God’s hands where both mercy and justice reign. Healing begins with God in charge. Corrie Ten Boom, a former prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp one day came face to face with one of her brutal captors. She asked God to help her forgive. She later wrote in The Hiding Place : “We never touch the ocean of God’s love so much as when we love our enemies. It is a joy to accept forgiveness, but it is almost a greater joy to give forgiveness.” God so loved us...that He forgave!<br />
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The Promise of a Planned Future<br />
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Most people want to know what the will of God is for their life and future. They find it difficult to make decisions because they often lean on their own feelings or advice from others. But God has a better way. If we seek God, He will show us His plan. His plans for our life are perfect. Again they are conditional. But this is His promise for those who follow after God with all their hearts. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 But those who choose to follow their own path do not fall under this promise of blessing. Israel had to learn it the hard way, and often we do to. We think we know better. We try steering our ship through the storms of life, only to find we are continually crashing against the rocks and reefs. We need to have the mind of Christ, and when we know what He is thinking, what He is planning, and we follow His way, we discover a blessed hope and future that Jeremiah talked about. Our prosperity is not just in the things of this life, but in eternal things. It is your eternal soul He wants to prosper. You may value all the stuff of this life that you have accumulated, but He values your eternal soul far more. His plans take us into an eternal realm. <br />
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The Promise of a Helper<br />
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You may think you are down here struggling all alone. You are not! Jesus promised us that He would send to us someone to be our Helper...our Advocate...our Teacher. <br />
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But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 But if we want His help in our daily lives, we must be in the Bible, reading His messages to our soul. We must take time to pray and listen to Him speak to us. The Holy Spirit will never go against what the Bible teaches. He will never contradict the holiness of God. Satan wants to speak into our lives too and we must know the difference. We can learn the difference by knowing what the Bible says. For example, God would never tell someone to have an illicit affair with someone, because the Bible teaches us that adultery and fornication are sin. The Holy Spirit is always there in the life of the Christian believer to teach you what is right and what is wrong, and to remind you about what the Bible says on the issue. There are many things that the Holy Spirit does for us. He helps us in our weakness. (Rom 8:26) He intercedes on our behalf .(Rom 8:26-27) He leads us in the ways of God .(Gal 5:18) He strengthens believers. (Eph 3:16) He helps us to know that we are God’s children. (Rom 8:16) These are just a few of the things He does. When we step out of line, He convicts us of our sin. He also helps us produce good spiritual fruit in our lives (Gal 5:22,23) No, you are not alone! You have the Holy Spirit with you every day. Even when you turn away from God, He is still there drawing you back to Him. <br />
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We have not even touched on the many awesome promises of God, yet it is so easy to forget those promises when we find ourselves in the middle of a storm. All we see is the wind and the waves. Like the disciples, we forget the One who is in the boat with us who with just a word can speak “Peace” and the storm is over. You can know the peace of God when you choose to stand firm on the promises of God. He is waiting for you...and He will always keep His promises! Will you? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>J. Johnson</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-48609124252699300762011-01-03T15:52:00.000-06:002011-01-03T15:52:34.164-06:00Hunger and Thirst...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqxWrUisu77bbfpCrPJmEWbNPuzn0BUu2SexAZxrD7a2BspSAzepKaBnzK5R5zomegbO1-vrG84VTyuyhyphenhyphenKmZ8tMGnctEJuIuYJQX-9zIQa8pV5O2V4yvWFttIn3xZAo_3Y6Mgw/s1600/Jan+2011+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqxWrUisu77bbfpCrPJmEWbNPuzn0BUu2SexAZxrD7a2BspSAzepKaBnzK5R5zomegbO1-vrG84VTyuyhyphenhyphenKmZ8tMGnctEJuIuYJQX-9zIQa8pV5O2V4yvWFttIn3xZAo_3Y6Mgw/s320/Jan+2011+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size: large;">Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled</span></em> (Matthew 5:6)<br />
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Did you know that the human body often confuses thirst for hunger? As a result we sometimes eat when we should be drinking. Our bodies are made up of 70% water and it is necessary for us to drink frequently to remain healthy and living. We certainly know all about hunger and being filled. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, most folks put on lots of extra pounds. In fact, the very word ‘filled’ found here in Matthew 5:6 means...to be satisfied in the sense of being stuffed after a sumptuous meal. There are times when we get really hungry...most noticeably when we are young and growing and our bodies demand food and between meal snacks. When we go without eating, we end up with headaches and a sense of gnawing in our stomachs. Yes, we know all about physical hunger and thirst, but how much do we really know about being spiritually hungry and thirsty?<br />
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Jesus drew the attention of the woman at the well when He offered her a drink of living water that would so satisfy that she would never thirst again. <em><strong>The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”</strong></em> (John 4:15) She was apparently weary of coming to that well every single day, pulling up containers of water and then carrying them home on her aching shoulders or head. We know that Jesus was speaking of Himself as the ‘living water’. He was referring to a spiritual thirst that is in every person. It is as demanding on our spiritual man as natural thirst is on our physical beings. Just as Jesus taught the Samaritan woman at the well about water, He also taught His disciples about food. They had gone to town to get some food and they encouraged Jesus to eat some of it. “<em><strong>But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”</strong></em> (John 4:32) then He went on to teach them what spiritual food is all about… “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. (John 4:34) Walking in obedience to God, doing His will and accomplishing the assignment was an important part of spiritual hunger being satisfied. That’s what righteousness is all about—not doing what we want, doing it our way, whenever we want to do it—but rather seeking to do His will, His way! So often we think of righteous living as just being holy, and not sinning. But true righteousness is walking in daily obedience to God and His will and plan for our lives. If we are trying to live on the spiritual junk food of entertainment, busyness, and good deeds, trying to make ourselves look good, trying to fill the void in the human heart with activities in which God did not ask us to partake—we are dying a little each day as we begin to spiritually starve to death. What we need to ask ourselves is—”What does God want me to do for Him today?” We need to spend time in prayer, spend time in His Word, carefully listening to His voice speaking into our hungry souls. There He will give us just what we need—direction for life. Our part is to trust and obey. It’s just like the old hymn that tells us:<br />
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Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”<br />
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There are some people who are hungry but don’t know it. If they are ill, hunger sometimes fades into a distant memory. Some have to be placed on artificial feeding tubes to maintain their health. Those who do not know God are much like this in their spiritual lives. They are hungry for God, but don’t know it. They try to fill the hunger gnawing at them by filling their lives with the many seductions of this world, only to discover like the woman at the well—they just do not satisfy. They are hungry and thirsty, but in their lost condition, they don’t know what they are thirsty or hungry for. <br />
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We all know the old saying “You are what you eat.” In America, we just have to look around at any average crowd of people and we can see those who have overindulged on things that do not satisfy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that American men eat 7 percent more calories than they did in 1971; American women eat a whopping 18 percent more—an additional 335 calories a day! Our lives have become more sedentary, and our diets have been modified with fillers, chemicals and modified forms of sugar to make it all ‘taste good’. We may not be hungry physically, but we are not healthy either. Our spiritual lives are in much the same condition. When we feast on selfish indulgences in the church rather than fast, pray, and read the Word, our spiritual lives get out of balance. It’s time for a return back to the basics, both in our physical diets, (eating fruits, vegetables and lean meats) and in our spiritual diets (feasting on the milk and meat of the Word of God.) Anything else will bring disease and death. <br />
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Our main meal should be centered on the Bread of Life. <em><strong>Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty...</strong></em>Jesus taught us in John 6:35. It is our desire to eat and be satisfied, but what we eat is the key. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray he prayed...<strong><em> Give us each day our daily bread.</em></strong> (Luke 11:3) We usually think of this as getting enough food for our daily physical needs. I believe Jesus was talking about much more—our spiritual bread. We need our spiritual man fed daily with the Bread of Life. Jesus goes on in this same chapter of Luke 11 to describe a man who comes to the house of his friend at midnight asking for 3 loaves of bread. He persists until the man gives it to him. Then he draws an analogy with God—who gives to us the Holy Spirit<em><strong>—”If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”</strong></em> Luke 11:13 We need to be persistently asking and seeking God for more of Himself, more of the Spirit...and yielding more of who we are to His control. God wants to satisfy our spiritual needs, and He has provided all that is required—the living water of Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is ask! <br />
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What are you asking God for today? Too often we get caught up into the ways of the greedy world around us. We crave the best car, the nicest home, the biggest pile of gifts under the Christmas tree and when we don’t get what we want, we go buy it and charge it on our the credit card. America is swimming in debt. It is trying to fill its emptiness with “stuff.” Our closets and garages are overflowing. Goodwill stores are stuffed to the rafters. We “feel good” when we shop and bring home just one more bag full of goodies. It’s time to stop! It’s time to feast once again at <strong><em>His </em></strong>table. There He will satisfy the soul, fill our spirits with Himself, and make us into the righteous men and women of God He wants and longs for us to be. Look once again at the verse we started out with: <strong><em>Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled</em></strong> (Matthew 5:6) Here it is again in the Amplified Bible: <em><strong>Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be [completely satisfied! I don’t know about you, but I want that. I want to so hunger and thirst after God, thirst for His righteousness, that God comes through—completely satisfying my needs.</strong></em> This prosperity is a spiritual prosperity. I am rich when I rest under His blessing, and when I am in right standing with God. When that happens, everything else just falls into place. <br />
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Are you seeking happiness? Find it in God and His forgiveness and righteousness. Are you empty? Nothing but God can fill the empty place in your life! Where are you looking to satisfy your deepest desires and longings? Just look at your checkbook or bank statement and see where you have been spending your time and money. Our values reflect our diets. We do what we love. Do we love Him more? He sacrificed Himself for us, but are we willing to sacrifice for Him? Parents, the things you value are being taught to your children. Do you value spending time worshipping God at His house? Or do you sleep in, telling yourself, we’ll go next week or next month—and the years slip on by. Soon the kids are teenagers and have no interest in God or church. Your values have become their values. You feel it is important to give a good tip at a restaurant for good service—but in church, well, God does not need my tithes… And so the blessings fail to flow—for Jesus taught—”Give and it shall be given…” <br />
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Do you want blessings to flow in this New Year? Blessings come to those who hunger and thirst after God and His righteousness. Nothing less will do! Take some time to go pray at your church. Your pastor might go into shock, and it might just spark a revival! Spend time praying with your wife and your children. Make prayer an important part of your daily life. Let them learn that when there are needs, we must go to God. God is the One who hears and answers prayer. If there are no prayer meetings at your church, start one! Men, if you want to be the priest and spiritual leader in your home, take the lead and lead your family in prayer. Anything worth doing is work and it will take determination and consistency. The reward is in the blessings that follow...your hunger and thirst will be satisfied and you will be filled to overflowing in righteousness. <br />
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J. Johnson<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-26051460838180608482010-11-29T15:30:00.000-06:002010-11-29T15:30:29.212-06:00Someone...<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0yLfOgIpwhwlZUmfX90RS4UV9aWN-cAiNTdb5yKmo76L5fL467At3KPaKw4MrELdMXh2Q9gQgzEE9h_nNAbYOQ8_mTdSAvhreOSOx4VPme34UnOLcA6PHpQC0UGvhzTyQcOQ5Q/s1600/merry-christmas-tree-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0yLfOgIpwhwlZUmfX90RS4UV9aWN-cAiNTdb5yKmo76L5fL467At3KPaKw4MrELdMXh2Q9gQgzEE9h_nNAbYOQ8_mTdSAvhreOSOx4VPme34UnOLcA6PHpQC0UGvhzTyQcOQ5Q/s320/merry-christmas-tree-design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>There will always be ‘Scrooges’ in the world who don’t want to celebrate Christmas. There are even some Christians who ‘hate’ this season of the year. Even though there are many pagan concepts mixed in with the traditions of the season, it is up to those who are mature in the faith, to choose what parts we accept and what parts we reject. Why is it so important that Christians continue to celebrate this season? <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Someone is Watching…</strong></span><br />
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There is always someone who is watching you,—your children or grandchildren—your neighbors—your co-workers—even your family members. They are looking for consistency and reality in the lives of believers. Do your actions match your values and your theology? But even more important, God is watching! What does God think about the way you celebrate? Is your focus on Him or on the ‘stuff’ we fill our homes and lives with? What do you value most at the Christmas season? Is it the Christmas meal as family and friends gather around the table? Perhaps it is the opening of presents. For some it is going to a service on Christmas Eve. For others, it is taking the time to volunteer to help those in need. Perhaps it is the Christmas music you look forward to along with the special children’s programs at school and church. Who are we trying to please? If it is family and friends, then we buy lavish gifts, and celebrate just the way everyone else does. If we are wanting to please the Lord, then perhaps we need to take a little longer look at what we choose to value. We often ask each other, “What do you want for Christmas?” But have we taken the time to ask the Lord, “What do YOU want for Christmas this year?” What is He looking for in us? <strong><em>“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart”</em></strong> (Psalm 24:3-4) He is looking for actions that match the heart. What we do speaks louder than what we say. As we gather together with family, some of whom may not know the Lord, we need to be a shining light in the darkness, not pushy or obnoxious, not ‘holier than thou”, but loving and kind. Believers should never compromise their testimony. It is sometimes a temptation to ‘give ‘em a piece of your mind’ but when we fail to act like the Christ we represent—we fail. If you must preach a sermon, do it with your life...not your words. <strong><em>Keep your hands clean and your heart pure. But be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.</em></strong> (1 Tim 4:12 Amp)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Someone is Hurting…</strong></span><br />
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For some, this season of the year is the most painful of all seasons. It brings back memories from the past of gatherings with loved ones who are now gone. Sometimes those memories are of childhood abuse, rejection, and mistakes. Some spend the day alone...in a jail cell, in a nursing home, or in a lonely apartment. This is a time, an opportunity, to reach out to someone and be a light in their darkness. Help them make some new and healthy memories. Look around you and see who you can bring some joy and put a smile on their face! We often tend to look away from pain and suffering. We fear intimacy with situations we don’t understand. We want to help, but we all too often get the attitude—”let someone else doe it!” We need to learn to do things the way Christ did. He refused to back down from pain and suffering. He chose to touch the ‘untouchable’ in His path. I read a story recently of how one of the greatest fears of St Francis of Assissi was of leprosy. One day while walking, he saw in the distance a man coming towards him who was white with leprosy. His fear rose up within him. His hearts desire was to turn and to run the other way. But as he faced his fear, he made a deliberate choice to not only meet the man, but reached out and hugged his neck and kissed his cheek. As he went on his way, he decided to look back and speak a final word of cheer to the leper. But to his surprise, the man had disappeared. He was convinced that it was a vision of Christ himself and as he chose to reach out in love, God himself was the miracle in the road. We do not know what lays ahead of us, who will be walking on our path, who needs a loving hug or a cheerful smile. God will send you what you need. Who knows but you may be entertaining angels! <strong><em>Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.</em></strong> (Hebrews 13:2)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Someone is Weary…</strong></span><br />
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Perhaps you are the weary one. Today’s schedules often overwhelm us each day. We sometimes get too weary to take the time to do the most important things in life. All we want to do is crawl into a hole and hide from the stresses of life. As you grow older, weariness seems to become a way of life. You go to bed weary and wake up feeling the same way. What tends to lift the spirits of a weary person? It is a loving and caring hand, willing to step up and get involved, expecting nothing in return. Two hands make the work load lighter. Another thing that lifts the spirit is music. But the kind of music you choose to listen to is very important. Choose music that is happy, loving, friendly and that changes a dreary atmosphere into one of happiness, joy and expectation. Good music feeds the soul. Music that ministers to God, ministers to the heart as well. <em><strong>Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life!</strong></em> (Psalm 105aTMB)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Someone is Learning...</strong></span><br />
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We sometimes meet people who think they know all the answers to life’s dilemmas. But there are also those who are learning and growing. If we are continuing to learn and grow, we become much healthier people. Learning is a life-long process. We start out learning to walk and talk, learning the skills we need to make it through successfully. We go to school and learn about history, and math and science and learn skills to provide us with a way to make a living. As we then go through life, we must continually learn, especially in today’s world in which technology is always leaps and bounds ahead of us all. You are never too old to learn to use the computer, or other techno-gadgets. You are also never too old to learn new ways to get along with people who are difficult. If you have anger issues, you can learn new ways to channel that emotion and use it for God. You can learn new disciplines (daily devotions and prayer). We can learn how to share our faith with those who don’t know the Savior. We can decide to read the Bible from cover to cover. We can choose to memorize one scripture each week. Learning is challenging, but it keeps us growing and both spiritually and emotionally healthy. What have you learned this week?<em><strong> "True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for. If he tears something down, it's down for good; if he locks people up, they're locked up for good. If he holds back the rain, there's a drought; if he lets it loose, there's a flood. Strength and success belong to God; both deceived and deceiver must answer to him.</strong></em> (Job 12:13 TMB) Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; (Proverbs 1:7 TMB)<br />
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Someone has a need. Perhaps you have been so focused on your own needs that you have not looked around you enough to see others with even greater needs. This Christmas season, remember to reach out to others, and give from your heart. Remember this verse when you are tempted to withhold a blessing. <em><strong>Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”</strong></em> (Luke 6:38) Remember that God gave us His best gift...His Son. Can we do less than our best? Someone is waiting to hear...and you have the Words of Life! J. Johnson<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">*******************************</div>Dear friends, <br />
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We want to wish each of you a blessed Christmas filled with the Presence of God! Christmas is a time to refocus on what is really important—Christ! Please continue to pray for us as we seek God’s placement of our ministry. We are so thankful and so appreciate each of you who take the time to pray and write. God bless you all! God is faithful and we anticipate great things in the future… …Serving the Master <br />
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Dave & JoyceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-90954112948305072942010-11-04T11:45:00.000-05:002010-11-04T11:45:11.600-05:00The FORGIVEN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54DH2dlJ9DZjkwmWzk__fKn0ETNJJCDPFFhUcfz822yHMbkpOs3OP33GhLQter2dFuqNjZ5Uy4VCTw9Wwh9vHUMxySIbFQ1e6Zn4IkMmqYA0A_eN3ukmEp4xcDfTHt1hZIfx3wQ/s1600/Nov+2010+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54DH2dlJ9DZjkwmWzk__fKn0ETNJJCDPFFhUcfz822yHMbkpOs3OP33GhLQter2dFuqNjZ5Uy4VCTw9Wwh9vHUMxySIbFQ1e6Zn4IkMmqYA0A_eN3ukmEp4xcDfTHt1hZIfx3wQ/s320/Nov+2010+pic.gif" width="275" /></a></div>“I’ll never forgive him!” “I can’t forgive!” How often I have heard other people make these statements. They have been through some horrendous pain that has left a gaping wound and multiple scars in their everyday life. They somehow feel that refusing to forgive, refusing to put the pain into the hands of the only One who can really help them heal, will somehow justify their statement. We have all experienced some kind of pain in our lives. Some have experienced abandonment, while others have experienced abuse of the worst kind. Others have been bullied, and intimidated until their spirits were crushed. They want the pain to cease. They want the person who wounded them so badly to change. They stand alone, hoping, wishing, dying on the inside. But nothing ever seems to change. Even God seems not to notice. What’s a Christian to do?<br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">CHANGE</span></strong><br />
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One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in life is that I cannot change anyone. Only God can change someone’s heart, and He can only do that if they allow Him to do it. As much a I might want to change the behavior, the thought patterns, or even the future relationship—nothing that I can do will guarantee their change—except prayer. Even then, prayer has a way of changing us rather than others. Sometimes we want God to change. But God never changes. He is ever the same. His very nature is marked by His unchangeable character—His immutability. Malachi 3:6 tells us “For I, the LORD, do not change…” He is the One who will continue to be faithful, even if all mankind is faithless. He will continue to love, even when we feel unlovable. When we allow bitterness and anger to build in our hearts, He continues to love us anyhow. He does not love the sin in which we often choose to wallow. But He does love His child. Though God never changes, there is one person that can change—YOU. You can choose to change your attitude about those who hurt you, about the God who seemed to abandon you. Your attitude colors the whole world around you. Those with a wound often carry a boulder on their shoulders. It weighs them down, hinders everything they do. It influences everyone in their lives. That boulder is like a bag of rattlesnakes. They wonder where they can leave it, yet they continue to carry it into every day of their lives. Change must come. It begins with putting Christ in full charge of all of your life. We say we have given Him our heart, but we often don’t give him our mind, or our bodies. We hang on to just the parts we want to control. He tells us to give it all to Him, and we grip that bag of rattlesnakes a little tighter. We know that God wants to control all the uncontrollable things in our lives, yet we tend to hang on to the things we think we can change, as if we deserve the credit. We want to be right. We tell ourselves, “We deserve it!” But the tighter we hang on to our unforgiving attitudes, the more we deserve all the pain we get. God cannot and will not violate our strong and sometimes childishly stubborn wills. He is like the prodigal’s father, who knew the mistakes his son was making by taking his share and leaving home before he should. He knew that a hard lessons would be learned. But he stood there, gave the boy the money, and watched him go down the road while his own heart must have been breaking. He waited, and waited and watched and watched….and one day his faith was rewarded. He longed for his child, and that desire caused him to look longingly down the road, watching for the return of the wayward child. God is like that father. He did not scold the son...he did not lecture him. He did not demand repayment of the money squandered. He ran to him with open arms. He took his coat and put it around his shoulders, put his own ring in his finger and he called him “Son” again. Earthly parents who are at odds with their children do not always behave that way. They want to continue to parent them. They want to show the wayward one they were wrong. It’s silly how we do that. When we make mistakes and learn from them, we know we made the mistake. Forgiveness looks beyond the sins of the past, and accepts the individual just as they are. God does that for us. We don’t deserve forgiveness. We often can’t forgive ourselves. We tend to be hardest on “me.” But there are lessons to be learned, and the prodigal son while still in a far country, had a sudden revelation. Why starve to death, when you can go and work for the finest employer in the land...Father—not as a son, but just as a hired hand. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">HUMILITY! </span></strong><br />
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It is the beginning of forgiving yourself. It is the awakening to reality. Yet how often we want God to do the humbling. He can’t do it. We must humble ourselves. <strong><em>“Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.”</em></strong> (James 4:10) How do we do this? By sincere repentance. Real humility comes when we choose to do the very thing that we hate to do—submit. Submission to God means total yielding of every area of our lives—our past, our present and our future. We fight submitting because it means that we are no longer in control...God is. But what better place to be—in His hands. He knows the future. He knows the pain. He knows all about our relationships. He knows the deepest hidden secrets in our hearts that we have never told another soul. He knows how to fix everything that is broken and make it like new. He is the one who totally forgives, and acts like it never ever happened. But family—well, that’s another thing. The prodigal’s younger brother who now owned all the rights to his Father’s remaining wealth, was shocked by the forgiving Father. He was jealous of his brother. Family may not respond like God does to us. But how should we respond to them? How did Jesus respond to those who hurt Him? <em><strong>“Father, Forgive them, for they know not what they do….” </strong></em>(Luke 23:34) Jesus knew the wicked hearts of those who crucified Him. He was not like many of us who as children were sometimes forced to say “I’m sorry,” when in our hearts we knew we were not sorry one little bit. We were play acting to appease our parents. Sometimes we carry forward into our adult lives those little pantomimes, and we say we forgive on the outside, but inside we are just waiting for the right moment to seek revenge. Jesus never pretended. Jesus, from His wounded heart, chose to deliberately forgive. Why? He knew the consequences of unforgiveness—sin, separation and death. He would have failed in His divine mission. He did not fail—He forgave! <br />
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This year, as you meet with family and friends during the holidays, take a moment in the privacy of your home and kneel before the God who chose to forgive you. Then choose to forgive those who have hurt you. It demands obedient hearts. He will walk with you into the most painful moments and put peace in your heart. If there has been a wall dividing hearts, take the adult step of offering your repentance and saying those two little words “I’m sorry” and “Forgive me”. If you want to truly experience God in your life, forgive. You can chase revivals, seek out the prophets and evangelists, have others lay hands on you, but if you do not forgive, God can’t forgive you. Unforgiveness causes all kinds of grief, including sickness, unanswered prayer, and broken relationships with God and man. <span style="color: magenta;"><strong><em>“Don’t grieve God. Don’t break His heart. The Holy Spirit moving and breathing in you is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, back biting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”</em></strong></span> (Ephesians 4:30-32 TMB) J. Johnson<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><strong>Praise reports and prayer requests…..</strong></span></div><br />
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Pray for revival! Pray for those who are struggling with forgiveness. <br />
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Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new place of full time ministry...a church that needs strong leadership. Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones.... Pray for Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers. Pray for US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio <br />
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Pray for those needing a healing touch in their bodies: H Johnson (having back surgery Nov 1 recovering nicely) T Johnson (still having pain from her heart problems) J Deike (cancer) D Barth (cancer), J Brandon, (cancer) D Sherwin (cancer), L. Gardner (cancer). Pray for those dealing with chaos, anger, abuse, temptations and carnal sinful habits. Pray for the nation, for the President, for our service men and women, for Israel, for the unsaved, and don’t forget to Praise and thank the Lord! <br />
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</div>Dear friends, <br />
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We have enjoyed a ministry opportunities in October in southern IL. Had a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord. Please pray that more doors of ministry will open for us in the days ahead. Please continue to pray for us as we seek God’s placement of our ministry. We are so thankful and so appreciate each of you who take the time to pray and write. God bless you all! God is faithful and we anticipate great things in the future… …Serving the Master <br />
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Dave & JoyceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-19900235079893126882010-10-05T11:48:00.000-05:002010-10-05T11:48:18.694-05:00The Ignorant Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f3VmMTQSsvA0zBEukkUXqO8HbTPIGUwwPplu2_sY1PQCr7Tz0sGKFcAH6NAXRqoCcC6rU0PKub3HHSQOMW5-CV30mof0D-XhjpTcPgIJqodcJwgsgEuJNm-R437orlpAI0TgEw/s1600/Oct+2010+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f3VmMTQSsvA0zBEukkUXqO8HbTPIGUwwPplu2_sY1PQCr7Tz0sGKFcAH6NAXRqoCcC6rU0PKub3HHSQOMW5-CV30mof0D-XhjpTcPgIJqodcJwgsgEuJNm-R437orlpAI0TgEw/s320/Oct+2010+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong>There is no truth or mercy </strong><strong>or knowledge of God in the land…. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.</strong></em> (Hosea 4:1, 6) This was God’s message to Israel during the days of Hosea the prophet. I wonder what God would say to the church today? Israel lacked a knowledge about God. They were ignorant, and their ignorance led them into both spiritual and physical bondage.<br />
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A recent Pew research has come up with some challenging statistics based on their recent survey. In asking Christians, atheists, Mormons, Jews, and other religions, the results revealed where the church has failed. For example, the results state: Four out of ten Catholics (45%) do not know that their church teaches that the elements of communion, the bread and the wine, are not symbols, but actually become the body and blood of Jesus. It makes we wonder how many folks come to church on a Sunday morning out of ritual and tradition, but who do not know what they believe or why they believe it. If they were asked the reason for their faith, how would they answer? The Bible tells us that ‘<em><strong>as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”</strong></em> (Prov. 23:7) What is the church thinking today?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Ignorant Church</span></strong><br />
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The Apostle Paul wrote to the early church, challenging them because of their seeming ignorance, their need for milk and not meat. They were acting like small children instead of mature saints. <em><strong>For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.</strong></em> (Hebrews 5:12) Paul knew that if the church was going to survive, it needed to mature, grow up and challenge each succeeding generation to spiritual maturity. That maturity depends on our diet. What kind of spiritual food are we eating. Our natural man often demands that we feed it many kinds of things that are not good for us. Our cupboards are filled with junk food, foods that put on the pounds and destroy our immune systems. Somehow I wonder if what we tend to eat in the natural is a reflection of the lack of spiritual discipline and wisdom in our spiritual lives as well. It was a problem in the early church, so it is probably still a problem in the church today. <strong><em>Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.</em></strong> (2 Timothy 4:2-4) What a danger for any church to fall into! We can so easily fall into a trap of “not enduring sound doctrine.” The moment the church clamors for entertainment rather than sound doctrine, we begin the long trail to ignorance of the Word of God and solid teaching. When pastors and teachers fail to teach their congregations the basic doctrines of the Word, and clearly explain their importance for today, we risk being turned aside to fables. It is sad to say I have heard of some churches who no longer use the word ‘sin’ in their messages. In an attempt to not offend ‘sinners’, we tend to coddle them into an understand that God sees their ‘mistakes’ and loves them. They fail to get the sound doctrine regarding sin—that sin is an offence to a holy God, <strong><em>For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;</em></strong> (Romans 3:23) <br />
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Others have eliminated the Sunday School classes due to poor attendance or lack of teachers. When do we get to teach this next generation the basics of the Christian doctrine? Can it all fit into the neat package of 90 minutes most churches have for their Sunday morning Worship service? How will they learn what is wrong with the many cults and world religions clamoring for their attention today?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A New Generation</span></strong><br />
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The Millennium generation (ages 19-29) is one that is moving more and more away from the church and all formal religion. They most often claim to be atheistic or agnostic or have no affiliation with religion at all. How does the church reach this generation today? They are not moved to action or to allegiance by our institutions (home, school, church,) or by our buildings (mega churches) or even by our religious code of conduct. They become passionate about a movement, as every generation in the past. Christ came not to establish an institution (church) but a movement...a kingdom of believers who would carry the message forward with passion and commitment. A movement is alive, something you can believe in and feel part of, and whereby you can change the world. This generation has seen how a ‘movement’ led by Muslims is changing the face of the world for Islam. It has seen how a movement of political agendas has sent America into a pit of debt. But what are they seeing from the spiritual camp? In the past they have witnessed the disgrace of individuals who have fallen into sin. But they have not seen the rise of any strong spiritual leadership that can change the world for God. Spiritual ignorance coupled with sinful behavior has crippled the church and turned off a generation. It’s not the size of your church sanctuary, nor the money you spend on missions, nor the fame of your pastor that matters. What motivates you to serve God to the point of sacrifice and even death? It takes us back to the basics. Jesus prepared His disciples to become the apostles. He told them in John 14: 11-15 <em><strong>Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do.15-"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you.</strong></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Motivating a Generation</strong></span><br />
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What will motivate this generation to see and become a part of a powerful movement of believers who walk in the Spirit...who are not afraid to do the “greater works” Jesus talked about? It will take an honest demonstration of the mighty power of God at work in the lives of needy people. You may have heard the famous quotation by Rod Wolford—“A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument.” The church that is maturing today needs that fresh experience of the mighty power of God. It needs to see bodies healed, lives transformed, and the kind of ‘revival’ that changes people, cities and nations. When I experience something dramatic, I never forget it. It becomes a part of me. When the church experiences the revitalizing power of God, it too will never be the same again. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Walk in the Spirit</strong></span><br />
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Ignorance is swept away as we learn to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. His role is to guide us into truth, keep us from error and give us power to speak boldly to those who will listen. He wants to flow through believers to touch a hurting world. How does God want to use you? What part will you play in allowing the Holy Spirit to flow? It is tempting to sit back and let others do it—the pastors, the evangelists, the deacons. But we are all His servants, His ministers, His disciples. He has called us all to disciple others, to teach and repel the spiritual ignorance that surrounds the church today like a fog. His wind want to blow in, and sweep away the fog. His fire wants to burn up all the dross, the chaff, the things that cannot stand the test. We may be challenged in the fire, but it must come to cleanse us. <br />
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When the church of today becomes rigid and unmoved, unwilling to change and experience the presence of God, it becomes an ‘institution’ rather than a ‘movement.’ An institutional mindset breeds attitudes such as—be faithful but don’t rock the boat, do enough just to get by and then leave unchanged. That attitude will destroy the church and cripple the next generation. If your church has fallen into this trap, it is time to call the church to prayer, to challenge each heart to spiritual change and growth. As times get tough, and terrorism and elections shake our world we need to know and experience the God who shakes hearts and minds and who transforms people and churches from ignorance to conviction and commitment . What is our part? <em><strong>Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.</strong></em>” Amen (Matthew 28: 19-20) <br />
J. Johnson<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-40522750495579638852010-09-07T13:18:00.001-05:002010-09-07T13:21:47.715-05:00Why I Am A Christian!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ1fe6ZjK25OAOGdcD5nKiwiDgc0Ww5VLcaEftiAbSctNkTPi362GcjvCpmf1uLXkNkh-8dgID_Gh89TkWe7x8muMSQMuLpaWYTudGkbiecO9Dks3Yznq0l42VuTNYeErOtWfiw/s1600/Why+I+Am+a+Christian+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ1fe6ZjK25OAOGdcD5nKiwiDgc0Ww5VLcaEftiAbSctNkTPi362GcjvCpmf1uLXkNkh-8dgID_Gh89TkWe7x8muMSQMuLpaWYTudGkbiecO9Dks3Yznq0l42VuTNYeErOtWfiw/s320/Why+I+Am+a+Christian+pic.jpg" /></a></div>Do you know why you are a Christian? I am certain that I became a Christian for a number of good reasons, but today, people everywhere are beginning to question their faith in God, in the church, and in Christianity. Why? <br />
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We are a very self centered bunch of humans. If life does not always go our way, we tend to throw in the towel and try something different. We often tend to reject the faith of our parents, question the faith of our peers, and go on a journey of discovery, trying to find the answers to life’s troubling questions: Why do children suffer? Why does God allow pain and war? Is the devil and hell real? Does God really care? We set our minds to thinking it all through. Usually, we end up more frustrated than when we began our quest. Today, many people tend to shelve their faith, not because they don’t believe in God, but because the God they have seen modeled before them in the lives of other believers is sometimes inconsistent, and irrelevant. The message they hear from the pulpits does not give them the answers to the questions they are asking. Meanwhile the secular world continues to point an accusing finger at those who claim to be “Christian.” Soon Christians find themselves wavering on the fence of faith and Christian values. Let me raise a flag for you today…..I am a Christian because:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">1. God is real and never changing.</span></strong> He is the eternal existent God who transcends time, history, and our ever changing world. It is the consistent nature of God that keeps me serving Him. I change with every emotion, every experience, every pressure of life. But God never changes. He is consistently a God of love, who chose to love a sinful fluctuating mankind who continues to make awful choices. His love and consistency requires that He both reward and punish, much like any good parent will do for his own children as he brings them to maturity. So why do children suffer??—Usually innocent children suffer because of mankind and sin, not because of God and his anger. Sin always has consequences. Disobedience requires justice. All too often, we see the suffering faces around the world and our hearts go out for them. What does God want? When I look back in history at the social injustice of slavery, it often came into a culture because of greed, laziness, immorality and a culture that accepted it as the ‘norm’. It was the rise of faith in just a few men that began to turn the tide of slavery toward freedom. Men such as John Newton, author of ‘Amazing Grace’, William Willberforce, who took on the slavery issue with gusto, John Wesley who preached salvation and social justice—these men changed the moral values of nations, ending slavery within 100 years of their ministries. It is genuine Christianity that changes our world for the good where Christ is exalted and man is humbled in His presence. Of course, there are always those who are counterfeit, who pretend for selfish purposes. Some have political agendas, and others seek fame and glory through a stage and monetary gain. All will one day stand before the King of Kings and give an accounting for their motives and life. Though men may try to change Christianity, making all kinds of claims, the God of Christianity never, ever, changes! Yes, I am a Christian because:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2. God is love.</span></strong> To understand the real love of God, you must experience it for yourself. Love is a very intimate thing. It is a choice. We choose to love. God chose to love us, in spite of our ugliness and sin. God is pure holiness and love. Yet He chose to love us—sending His only Son to die for our sin. I have four fine sons. Yet I could not offer them up to pay for anyone’s sins. But God did! His ultimate gift of love bought freedom for all who would accept His free gift. His love is not conditional, choosing to love us only when we toe the line. Today, many couples choose to fall in love, only to walk away in a year or two because someone failed to live up to their expectations. God does not do that. He never divorces us….we are the ones who walk away. But like the Father of the prodigal son, He is always there, always looking for us to return home, always longing for us and loving us, even when we do selfish stupid things. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) He accepted us in our filthy condition, chose to love us in spite of our failures. His unconditional love sees us, not as we are, but as His ‘new creation’. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Yes, God is love—not the kind that is tarnished by sexuality or human frailty. His love is perfect! And I am a Christian because:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">3. God is the source of absolute truth.</span></strong> Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” and society today is still asking the same question. Either God is the source of all truth or He is not. If He is not the source of truth, then can it even be found? The secular world spouts the idea that there is no absolute truth. If they believe this statements is the bottom line, absolutely true, then the very statement itself (being an absolute statement) violates their stance. Making statements such as “Everything is relative”… “It’s alright to believe what you want, just as long as you do not impose it on others”… and “The material world is just an illusion” and “There is no such thing as truth”—all these statements are philosophies that are self-defeating, imposing their ideas on others, and in the real world, they just do not work. If the material world is an illusion….just don’t bother eating material food for a month. You will soon discover you have died. When Christians choose to believe the Bible, it is not some grand spiritual leap into mysticism. It is founded on the proven teachings found in the Bible, on historical evidences, on modern proofs that God still interacts today with His creation, changing lives. Scientists have proven the value and power of prayer. <br />
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Secular humanists do not like the idea that they must one day give an accounting to a God they spent their life rejecting and denying. Biblical evidence says that they will do just that. A desire to escape divine judgment through a man made idea is preposterous. We don’t make the rules. God does! This is His world! Eternity is also His. Where will you spend it? You have a choice right now. Failure to choose now will determine your destiny. Yes, I am a Christian because:<br />
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4.<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> I am forgiven!</span></strong> You may think of me as a very nice person. But I know the real me. I sometimes think things that are awful. From the day I was born, my human nature was bent on sinning. My parents had to discipline me. I was sometimes angry. I used to steal things. But today, I am free from my past. I am forgiven...just as if I had never sinned. Living under a cloud of guilt is a heavy weight to bear. You may have been abusive—in your behavior or with your mouth—God forgives it all if you ask Him. You may have been a thief or a drunkard. He wants to lift your load and set you free. You may have been a very good person, trying to do nice things all of your life, but still, you know the real you...The Bible tells us that all have sinned. None can escape it—except for Jesus and His forgiveness. But we must ask for that forgiveness. It is how he wants us to come to Him, humbly, in need of Him. He wants to forgive and make us a part of His wonderful family. Are you forgiven? Are you part of the family of God? Are you ready for heaven? It’s never the good things we do that gets us there. It’s only what Jesus did and how we respond to His gift that matters. Are there many ways to God? No...just One—Jesus. He said so Himself “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Yes, I am a Christian because:<br />
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5. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">God Gives Me Hope!</span></strong> As you look around you, you can see in the eyes of many people that there is not much hope in their lives. They look at the economy and the job prospects, at the retirement outlook and the world chaos. They see a world without hope. Politicians promise hope and change, but nothing ever changes and what they hoped for never comes to pass. But because of my faith in God through Jesus Christ, I have hope. My hope is not based on earthly things, but on eternal things. That glorious hope is spoken of in the Bible. “ The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11) We also look forward with great anticipation and joy to the moment we see Him face to face…. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as He is pure.” ( 1 John 3:2,3) <br />
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<strong>Where do you stand today with God?</strong> Are you ready to stand before Him? Are you trusting in your own efforts, or in what Jesus has already done for you? Have you asked for His forgiveness? Do you have any hope for your future in eternity with God? Have you discovered that God is real and that He really loves you? The enemy of the soul would try to discourage you, fill your mind with doubts and questions. It takes faith to trust God. You can try to trust the ideas of men, question the mistakes so-called Christians have made in the past, and turn away from the One who loves you. Or you can turn to God in faith, trusting that the God who made it all, knows all the answers and that He has a plan for your eternity. Will you trust Him today? Just as a child trusts its earthly father, we must reach up to God trusting He has everything under control. He knows the past, the present and the future. He knows your deepest secrets and He still chooses to love you. Will to decide to make Him the One who is in charge of your eternity—the rest of your life? If you made this decision, write me today and let me rejoice with you!<br />
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J. Johnson<br />
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PO Box 655, Waupaca WI 54981 <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ1fe6ZjK25OAOGdcD5nKiwiDgc0Ww5VLcaEftiAbSctNkTPi362GcjvCpmf1uLXkNkh-8dgID_Gh89TkWe7x8muMSQMuLpaWYTudGkbiecO9Dks3Yznq0l42VuTNYeErOtWfiw/s1600/Why+I+Am+a+Christian+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-14513012323637009622010-08-04T15:21:00.000-05:002010-08-04T15:21:05.521-05:00Paganism or Pentecost???<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJAjnhNSzMgjqRcQEDooIXwdiydCJNSlHMx9c6bkLubzUuluGcloe41Va3-dHsm1IfyMYmCIL7CopOaP6XLsK2Pu48w2FyFtXv7KBhySp40Rn8iYbeaLEF1dns40ie5QfKYEEMw/s1600/dove+on+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJAjnhNSzMgjqRcQEDooIXwdiydCJNSlHMx9c6bkLubzUuluGcloe41Va3-dHsm1IfyMYmCIL7CopOaP6XLsK2Pu48w2FyFtXv7KBhySp40Rn8iYbeaLEF1dns40ie5QfKYEEMw/s320/dove+on+water.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPo7Hv3Mks98H6faaCmnsIvVmev43OTRwKcOpuNqPBsM-CRu9msis7yawAejCfNaqzURxTPl4gwjQPgRD9lrKO9E7O7sWwwLrUEWdO7mCuhhIfyO9SAZgIW63aDWpwx2h9uy4gA/s1600/Aug+2010+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPo7Hv3Mks98H6faaCmnsIvVmev43OTRwKcOpuNqPBsM-CRu9msis7yawAejCfNaqzURxTPl4gwjQPgRD9lrKO9E7O7sWwwLrUEWdO7mCuhhIfyO9SAZgIW63aDWpwx2h9uy4gA/s320/Aug+2010+pic.gif" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We never gave a thought to how the church has been gradually changing over the past few decades, but recently, you may have noticed how church is just not the same as it used to be. Something has changed attitudes, behaviors and theologies. We have been warned over the years about the dangers of humanism, yet we have been helpless to keep our children from it’s indoctrination. Humanism glorifies the abilities of man to solve the dilemmas of the human race by looking within rather than to God. It is a new form of a very old Gnosticism. </div><br />
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But today, the problem goes even deeper as the church is being strongly influenced to adopt the practices of paganism. Paganism has always been looked at in a broad sense as anyone whose faith rested in any practice or ceremony that was not Christian. Some believe that a pagan is anyone whose religion is outside of Christianity such as Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam. Others see a pagan as anyone without any religion. Today, pagans are all around us. Some even worship with us side by side on Sunday morning. Their god is not our God. They have remade God into a god that suits their way of life. Pagans have always been worshippers of many gods. But today’s pagan are a whole new breed. They may call themselves “Christian” but their Christianity is far removed from the Biblical Christianity Jesus taught His disciples to share. How can we recognize paganism today?<br />
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Modern Paganism<br />
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Today’s pagans are often referred to as neo-pagans. One blogger described them this way: “neo-paganism” is becoming a favorite feint of the “spiritual-but-not-religious” crowd, a means to continue their undiluted worship of their own reflections while avoiding the inevitable demands a god would make on them. It often includes Wiccans and earth worshippers. While pagans often are polytheistic, believing in many gods, they often focus on just one god to worship, or none at all. In Christianity, we do not believe in many gods—there is just one God.<br />
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Paganism does not have a foundational book of writings on which to base their religion. As a result, what is believed changes from group to group, country to country, culture to culture. In Christianity, we have the Bible which keeps our truths consistent, inerrant and infallible. Our belief, when founded on the Word of God, never changes. <br />
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Pagans often recognize the beauty of the life of Jesus, seeing him as a good man. But Christianity sees him as the One God chose to send as a redeemer for the sin of all mankind. He was more than a good man, a prophet, and teacher. He was and is the Son of God.<br />
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Because of the beliefs of modern pagans, it is impossible to be a Christian and a pagan. Christianity is exclusive. That is one of its strengths. It keeps our faith pure. But today’s culture is demanding more and more that we become more inclusive in our acceptance of groups that are variant to Biblical Christianity. Some of our Bible translations have been watered down. A recent example I read about was how the Today’s New International Version (TNIV) has changed the attitude against homosexuality to only against “practicing homosexuals.” (1 Cor 6:9). Yet the term ‘practicing’ is never applied to other sins and is not in the Greek text.<br />
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Today, one of the facets of the modern church is the ‘emergent church movement’. It is a confusing multifaceted philosophy of doing spiritual stuff that is appealing to both Christians and non-Christians. When the church in the name of renewal, waters down the message of the gospel, and by its adoption of new philosophies and theologies commences redefining Biblical Christianity—we are walking a dangerous line. Their own web site defines the emergent church this way: “Emergent is a growing generative friendship among missional Christian leaders seeking to love our world in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” That sounds nice...but, what happens in practice? The many mega churches of our day have strongly influenced even the churches in small communities to become ‘seeker sensitive.’ It sounds nice to make the church a place where anyone can feel comfortable until you realize that it means not offending anyone who believes anything different from the Bible. In doing so, we end up offending the God we come to worship, failing to make Him our priority, we have chosen to make the sinner and his comfort our priority. It is as if God can not handle sinners, and conviction is too much for them. It’s as if the Holy Spirit and His vital role in the church just does not matter anymore. We become tolerant of all kinds of belief systems, and the idea of ‘belonging before believing’ often makes the church compromise its morals and values while ignoring the need to denounce sin and call it by its Biblical name, we endure it in order to keep the ‘seeker’. It is a method of religion that causes the church to conform rather than be transformed.<br />
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One of the greatest soul winners of a previous generation was D. L. Moody. When others criticized his way of doing things he said: “I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.” His witness transformed lives!<br />
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Today, instead of doing the work of the ministry, we love to read about it. Some are fascinated by books like Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership by Laurie Beth Jones—"Following the example of Jesus-a "CEO" who took a disorganized "staff" of twelve and built a thriving enterprise." Here Jesus is demoted from redeeming Messiah to a CEO. Others pick up “The Shack” and fail to see the subtle wrong teachings regarding the trinity, the character of God and sin. In it the author has ‘God” saying… “I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it" (p. 120). Yet sinners who continue to reject God will be punished for their ultimate choice. The only ‘cure’ for sin is Jesus and our making Him Lord of our lives. Unfortunately many will think after reading this book that God will overlook our sins and ‘understand’. <br />
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Another book that is fascinating Christians is “The Secret,” a book made very popular by Oprah and her book club. It is a book that deals with the ‘law of attraction’, a very ‘New Age’ or pagan concept of mind over matter. Wikipedia describes it this way:The tenet of the book is that an individual's focused positive thinking can result in life-changing results such as increased wealth, health, happiness and more. As a result of practicing what this book teaches, mankind supposedly rules the universe and what WE think is what makes a difference. But the Bible teaches us that in us dwells nothing good. We are lost, sinful, carnal, lusting, wounded people who need a Savior—the kind of Savior that Jesus is—One who can free us from our bondages, our sin, our hurts, our past, and prepare us for an eternal home with Him. Nothing I can do—good thoughts, kind words, positive attitudes—can make me into something different. But in Christ, I am a new creation. All the old is gone. He takes away the sin and the desire to sin. He frees me from addictive behavior. He heals my heart and helps me to forgive those who hurt me. If I want life changing results, I need divine forgiveness. If I need healing, I need the touch of the Master’s hand. If I need happiness, I need His transformational power in my daily life.<br />
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Paganism in Pentecost?<br />
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Is it possible that paganism has even seeped into the ranks of the Pentecostals? I was raised in a Pentecostal church. Yet the church I often see today is not the same as the one in which I grew up. How has it changed? The focus is changed. Instead of being concerned with what God wants to do in our midst, we concern ourselves with what WE want to do today. As a result, most believers attend church when they want to. They do not feel compelled to be faithful to His house of worship. Yet scripture clearly teaches “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb 10:25 Another change is in worship, a hot button in many churches. Worship has often degenerated into entertainment. When people are entertained, they do not participate—they watch and listen. I have been bothered by churches who used people who are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit, whose goal is to ‘perform’ rather than worship. Some use non-Christians and those with compromising habits. In Jewish temple service, cleanliness of heart, mind and body was paramount. How about today? <br />
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Another change I have noticed is in the preaching. Too often pastors are afraid to “preach the Word.” Because their church is compromised, they know such preaching will step on toes and jeopardize their salaries. It takes courage to be a genuine voice for God. I have heard too many ‘how-to’ sermons, and psychology lessons combined with a Bible story to make it palatable. There is a famine in the land for the Word of God. Paul commanded young Timothy “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;” (2 Tim 4:1-3) That time has come. Pastors—be bold in the power of the Spirit! Preach the Word. Convince and rebuke without fear. Exhort those who are standing strong. It is the only way we can keep paganism out of Pentecost! <br />
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J. Johnson<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Praise reports and prayer requests…..</span></strong> <br />
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Pray for revival! Pray for those who are the midst of their storm of chaos. <br />
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Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new place of full time ministry...a church that needs strong leadership. Pray for the Godmobile now in many country fairs. Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones..( Arleen Johnson and Lavern Brandon families).. Pray for Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers. Pray for US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio <br />
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Pray for those needing a healing touch in their bodies: Bernie Dargiewicz (recovering from heart surgery) Dave Barth (cancer), Jim Brandon, (cancer) Diane Sherwin (cancer), L. Gardner (cancer). Pray for those dealing with chaos, anger, abuse, temptations and carnal sinful habits. Pray for the nation, for the President, for our service men and women, for Israel, for the unsaved, and don’t forget to Praise and thank the Lord! <br />
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Please address all donations and correspondence to this address : <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Word of the Lord Ministries</span></strong><br />
David & Joyce Johnson<br />
PO Box 655, Waupaca WI 54981<br />
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Thank your for your donations…<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Your prayers and gifts are deeply appreciated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-29578174482353210352010-07-06T13:57:00.000-05:002010-07-06T13:57:04.290-05:00Calm In The Chaos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pG3JizSE4kNq_41UU7krkmNUuWN9OtcJz87YwFh8DAXtfMlhspJUve-Z8Vv16bs6DG6GI5MOK-DBBb__64AINgC1WMkvyssn6DtW0Clr_Jx3-fO6TCMY_05p2P0ZMUok2yF-fg/s1600/July+2010pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pG3JizSE4kNq_41UU7krkmNUuWN9OtcJz87YwFh8DAXtfMlhspJUve-Z8Vv16bs6DG6GI5MOK-DBBb__64AINgC1WMkvyssn6DtW0Clr_Jx3-fO6TCMY_05p2P0ZMUok2yF-fg/s400/July+2010pic.gif" width="331" /></a></div>How often do we find ourselves swept away by a flash flood of chaos that seems to turn our world upside down? Flash floods can be devastating catastrophes. In 1976, the Big Thompson River flash flood killed 143 people in Colorado when 12 inches of rain fell on just one area, sending a 20 foot wall of water down the canyon destroying lives, homes, cars and businesses. We sometimes say that the rain falls on the good and the bad, but sometimes it falls far away and still devastates those least expecting it. <br />
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Others find themselves caught out to sea in a boat when the storm of life strikes. Like the disciples, we all tend to panic. You may have been enjoying a beautiful day on the lake until the wind suddenly changed. The boat starts rocking and destruction seems certain. With Christ in the boat, there’s no need to fear. I like the song that says, “Sometimes He calms the storm, and sometimes He calms His child.” He can bring peace in the middle of any storm. But sometimes the kind of peace we want is not what we get. God has other plans for us. Sometimes life throws us a curve ball. We want it all to go nice and easy, but when the tough times come, we must be spiritually ready to face the storm. How do we do this? How do we find calm in the chaos?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s Viewpoint</span></strong><br />
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Remember the bigger picture—God’s view. God sees it all, and he knows how much we can take. He knows all of our tomorrows. He sees into eternity. He knows the lessons we need to learn. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes he wants to take our weaknesses and make them strengths. As you face a storm, ask yourself, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?” Perhaps we will suddenly see we have not been in the spiritual place He wants us to be. His desire is that we find our strength in Him, and we do that by feasting on the Word of God. Don’t count on your mate to feed you, or your pastor. Pick up your Bible and begin to feast as the Holy Spirit directs you to just the words you need to nourish your soul. As you read through the stories of the Old Testament historical books, you will discover that over and over again, God allowed challenges to come into the lives of the people of God. It was for one purpose—that they might come to God for help—that they might rely on Him to deliver them. Joseph needed deliverance from slavery and then from prison, and when God taught him to trust, God put Joseph in a place to deliver his own brothers (who had sold him into slavery) from starvation. God saw the bigger picture. It did not end there. In 400 years, the descendents of Joseph and his family became slaves and needed deliverance. God provided once again in Moses. Soon they were facing the Red Sea in one direction, and pharaoh’s army in the other. God used a man who had been forged on the anvil of God to lead them all, not to disaster, but to freedom and victory. God saw through the annals of time that a plan would be needed, a man who would listen to God and follow. It took faith, trust, vision, and blind obedience. From God’s viewpoint, it was all under control. But from Moses viewpoint, and the panicky throng, all they saw was water—then God stepped in and made a path in their chaos. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Eternal Plan</strong></span><br />
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God always has a plan. Usually we are too busy or too frightened by what is going on around us to seek His eternal plan. It is found in the Book. “Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor 2:9) In fact God has you on his ‘daytimer’. You are on his eternal schedule. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) We know that that wonderful plan and future includes eternal life for the righteous. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)<br />
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God’s plan does not end for man in the grave. It is the beginning of a wonderful new life with Christ. That new life in Christ is eternal. It will never end. The pain and sickness and death will end. The chaos and frustrations we have known in the earthly life will end, but our spiritual end will outlast everything we have known down here. And because we can know for certain that we are a part of His eternal plan, we can go through life here and now with peace and calm in the midst of chaos. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Family Chaos</strong></span><br />
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It’s not easy raising a family today. Demands pound on our doors. Expectations crowd out the ‘normal’ life of a family. What is so necessary is for a family to determine what should take priority. What do you value the most in your family life? In the parsonage, I determined that the needs of my family out-weighed the demands and expectations of those outside our four walls. God had given me a mission-field of four children and a spouse to care for, to see their spiritual needs, physical needs, and more were taken care of. If I chose to take care of everyone else’s needs and neglected the needs of my immediate family, I would have failed both God and my family. I wanted my children to know that God was more important than other people and their expectations, more important than a job or money or pleasure. Too many confuse God’s demands with church demands. When that happens it sends a silent message to our children that they are not important, and that God is an enemy who steals away vital time. In reality, it is not God stealing us away from our family, but our own choices. God wants us to live in a healthy balance, nurturing our family, creating a hunger for God, just as they hunger for food from the kitchen. It is sad to see families disintegrating, out of control, walking in rebellion, refusing to submit to the spiritual guidance needed to restore balance. Too many walk away from church altogether. The children, as they mature, adopt a new set of non-spiritual values and drift off into the attractions of the world around them. The chaos in the home spins them into the chaos of the world. <br />
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God’s plan is for a home centered in God and His love. I love what Erma Bombeck wrote in “If I Had My Life to do Over”: I would have talked less and listened more. <br />
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth….. <br />
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television -- and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." <br />
There would have been more "I love yous", more "I'm sorrys" ... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.<br />
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How we choose to respond to the chaos of life makes our life. I am amazed as I read how the apostle Paul faced the chaos of ministry life. In 2 Cor 11:24-28 Paul lists the horrible experiences he faced… shipwreck, beaten five times, stoned with rocks, adrift at sea, dangers of travel, bandits, sleep deprivation, hunger and thirst and all the troubles of the churches as well. Is there chaos in your life? Paul kept it all in proper perspective. He knew strength came from difficulties. <em>That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.</em> (2 Cor 12:10 NIV)<br />
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Is the storm of life tossing your boat? Remember the Master who is with you in the boat. He never leaves us alone in our chaos. He is there. <br />
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1.Turn to Him. Mat 11:28 <em><strong>Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</strong></em><br />
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2. Trust God and His Word. God makes no mistakes, and His eternal plan is working for our good. <br />
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3.Thank Him in the chaos of life. <em><strong>In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.</strong></em>1 Thess 5:18 Faith looks beyond the chaos to the coming calm.<br />
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Have you found your calm place in the chaos? Trust Him. Hold on. When peace comes, tell someone and let the glory of God shine hope into their circumstances. <br />
<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">J. Johnson</span></em><br />
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Praise reports and prayer requests…..<br />
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Pray for revival! Pray for those who are the midst of their storm of chaos. <br />
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Pray for the Johnsons as they seek a new place of full time ministry...a church that needs strong leadership. Praise the Lord for another great year at South Division High with Straight UP! Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones...(the Arleen Johnson family 7-5-2010). Pray for Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, and Teachers. Pray for US Army Chaplain Steve Maglio <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Pray for those needing a healing touch in their bodies: Bernie Dargiewicz (recovery from heart surgery) Dave Barth (cancer), Jim Brandon, (cancer) Diane Sherwin (cancer), L. Gardner (cancer). Pray for those dealing with chaos, anger, abuse, temptations and carnal sinful habits. Pray for the nation, for the President, for our service men and women, for Israel, for the unsaved, and don’t forget to Praise and thank the Lord!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-28477146607472553992010-06-04T14:33:00.001-05:002010-06-04T14:35:00.422-05:00For Such A Time....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYgdSWHROGSXpHKhITPzgz0DBp97PYY7bS7OB7jmvVIKCDAuVglB5mZSWCqs23-5gz-E0g96ntqszyLMDowcNu_q8p6N2PXy2V5JiWCDH09riJUiwTFIPDUfO7w4psBgf_yaWgA/s1600/June+2010+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYgdSWHROGSXpHKhITPzgz0DBp97PYY7bS7OB7jmvVIKCDAuVglB5mZSWCqs23-5gz-E0g96ntqszyLMDowcNu_q8p6N2PXy2V5JiWCDH09riJUiwTFIPDUfO7w4psBgf_yaWgA/s320/June+2010+pic.gif" /></a></div><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why are you here? What did God have in mind when He made you?</span></strong> What does He have planned for your destiny? These are all questions we often ask ourselves in various times of our life. As a teen, we often have no idea what the future holds, what God has planned for us. We ask, and we seek, and we knock...and when a door opens, we walk through. All too often we find our lives wrapped up in a seemingly endless parade of mundane events that flow from a day to a month to a year. Be fore we know it, life has seemed to pass us by. We wonder has there been a time when we have fulfilled that destiny God has had planned for us? <br />
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I remember singing a song at church when I was younger, and perhaps you know it too: “I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord, O’er mountain or plain or sea. I’ll say what you want me to say dear Lord. I’ll be what you want me to be.” I knew God had a plan for me. I just walked daily in His plan and He unfolded that plan one day at a time. <br />
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Too often today, we plan our lives, we make our schedules, we choose our path. We fail to consult the One who opens and closes doors. I sometimes wondered if Hadassah had done that, what would the world be like today? Who is Hadassah? You will recognize her other adopted name in the Bible, Esther. Young Esther found herself living in a foreign land, experiencing the first anti-Semitic persecution in history. She was an Jewish orphan, living with her cousin when the king called for all the most beautiful women in the land to be gathered for his selection of a new queen. She became a candidate. Her poise and beauty would carry her into the position of becoming the new queen of Susa, wife of Artaxerxes also known as Xerxes. Esther’s wise relative, Mordecai reminded her, that perhaps God had called her to this position “for such a time as this”. In that moment of crisis which demanded she risk her very life to save the Jewish people, she chose to stand by faith in the presence of the King, unsummoned, ready to die if he rejected her. Had she chosen anything else, not only would she have died, since she was Jewish—-but all the Jewish people would have been annihilated from Ethiopia to India. Today, there would be no Israel. A huge part of the population of New York, Florida, and California would not exist. You would not be wearing blue jeans which were invented by Levi Strauss in 1873. Ladies would not be able to carry lipstick which Maurice Levy invented in 1915. We would not have contraceptives, or the laser, or even a remote control, all of which were invented by Jewish people.<br />
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We’ve all seen the famous Christmas tale entitled” It’s a Wonderful Life” where George Bailey discovered what life would have been like if he were never born. He learned to rejoice over the little things in his life that made a huge difference. When you look at your life, you may wonder, “How have I made a difference?” Instead, I challenge you to think of someone who made a huge difference in your life. Write them a note and thank them! If God is the One who made a huge difference in your life, then take some time to thank Him for all He has done in your life. Tell someone about it. Give God glory! Perhaps your testimony now is —for such a time as this!<br />
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We live in trying days, to be sure. Oil is pouring into the gulf destroying the beautiful shoreline, and the livelihood of many who rely on the gulf waters for their income. Volcanoes are pouring out chocking ash, hindering air traffic. Mexico is drowning in the blood of drug trafficking wars. People all around us are in despair over the national economy, the immoral state of the nation, and the declining spirituality in the church. What are we as the people of God to do about it all? May I suggest we look again at Esther? How did she handle her crisis? Did she throw up her queenly hands in despair? Did she go hide in her royal palace? What does the Bible tell us? "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4: 16. So we see that her first response was to mobilize God’s people to prayer and fasting. She made sure that those in her ‘household’—her maids, also fasted and prayed. This was her destiny. She was called into the palace for such a time as this! She risked death to save herself and her people. For three days, prayers went up to God. God listened. Like any miracle God performs, it is filled with incredible timing. There was the building of a gallows on which Haman intended to kill Mordecai. There was a sleepless night in the bedroom of the king, and the discovery of the unrewarded Mordecai who had saved the Kings life. Then the banquet and the request...and for such a time as this Esther was there.<br />
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What is God calling you to do for Him today? Is it to call your family to prayer, or to lead your church into a time of preparation for revival? The enemy is out there, ready to kill, steal and destroy the people of God. The church is gasping for a fresh breath of heavenly revival. The community and the world is looking for a hero. Who will be Esther to them? Everyday you have an incredible influence on the people whose lives you touch daily. Your spouse looks to you for encouragement and spiritual guidance. Your children look up to you for an example and a reason to learn. Your neighbors are watching how you respond to life’s crises. Your co-workers will follow a leader who emulates the love of God. No matter what horrible experiences you are facing today, God has called you to the place where you are “for such a time as this…” If you are facing marital strife, face it with God at your side. If you are financially overwhelmed, remember that God is the source of all that we need. See Him for a solution. If your children are wandering from God, lay them at the foot of the cross in prayer and let God go to work on them. If you are overcome with fear, rest in the gentle arms of the Good Shepherd, who loves His sheep. You are not alone. Elijah the prophet thought he was all alone, but God has preserved a remnant of Godly people who, when the time was right, would once again stand strong for God. Elijah was chosen, for such a time as this. <br />
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You may feel too young, unable to accomplish much, or so old, that there’s not much left you can do. God still has a plan for you. He uses Daniel’s to stand strong in the lions den and David’s to stand before the giant. Old or young, it means nothing to God. God uses empty vessels who are willing to be used for His glory. Unemployed? God always has a job opening for those willing to be His servants. Look around you! What needs to be done? Who can you help today? What has been neglected for too long? Take on a new task, a new responsibility and serve the King. Esther did. She may have been afraid, but as she realized that her own life was also in the balance, she stepped up to the plate and risked it all. What are you willing to risk today?<br />
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Missionaries on the field are risking their lives to tell the story. In some countries Christians are being expelled and sometimes killed for their faith. Here in the comfort and ease of living in a democracy, we complain about the littlest things while others are risking it all to serve the Lord. What bothers you today? Is it the lost who do not know the Savior? Is it the church that has lost is focus and vision? Is it a family that has become so engrossed in carnal pleasures that they have forgot about God and eternity? Is it a neighbor who is filling his or her life with drugs and alcohol? These things bother me...and I want to serve my King for such a time as this!<br />
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J. JohnsonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-85658010452900266442010-05-06T09:59:00.000-05:002010-05-06T09:59:45.099-05:00Lost and Found!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t2vsj-hnjuRLEBv2DXysadJJkrQxyBoV__NjnnoILx9iuCJX0jZroMgqFx9P56vh7oYsgZlF_2l0bEepeOxFCzM5cJxCHu0Prpezbg1pLgw3PTgvAPsQbpaWajVJ-8x7UpDQlw/s1600/MAY+2010+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t2vsj-hnjuRLEBv2DXysadJJkrQxyBoV__NjnnoILx9iuCJX0jZroMgqFx9P56vh7oYsgZlF_2l0bEepeOxFCzM5cJxCHu0Prpezbg1pLgw3PTgvAPsQbpaWajVJ-8x7UpDQlw/s320/MAY+2010+pic.gif" /></a></div><b>Everyday we lose things we value</b>—the keys, a credit card, a cell phone, and we spend all kinds of time and effort searching all over the place, retracing our steps to where we last had the thing, hoping we will discover it tucked between the sofa cushions, or in a coat pocket. Sometimes we get to rejoice, for like the woman in the Bible who lost her coin, she was ecstatic to discover her lost coin was found. Likewise, the shepherd who noticed that one of his sheep had strayed and was missing—he left the 99 safe sheep and looked high and low until he found that one lost sheep. Then he came rejoicing. But do you know that everyday, horrible things happen because some of us lose a very valuable thing...our tempers. <br />
The Bible warns us about the dangers of anger. A quick-tempered man does foolish things (Prov 14:17) A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension (Prov 15:18) We are even advised not to make friends with a person with a hot temper. Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. (Prov 22:24-25) Our jails are filled with people who chose such a friend, and who soon found themselves involved in a violent crime. But there are times we simply cannot avoid being around someone who has a trigger temper...they may be your parents or your children. Often if the child has a trigger temper, they learned it by watching how a parent, grandparent, or teacher, responded to a moment of stress. In that moment a horrible lesson was imprinted on their mind.<br />
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What is ‘temper’?<br />
The Miriam Webster Online dictionary defines this noun to mean: “a high quality of mind or spirit” So in reality, we are saying that when we lose our temper, we are losing something very valuable—our minds...and not just any state of mind, but a high quality of our mind or spirit. Have you lost your mind lately? If we were to ask someone where we lost it...they would take us back in time to a moment where a wrong word, or a thoughtless act was responded to in the wrong way. Junior may have spilled his drink for the third time or a spouse may have cracked what they thought was a joke, only to have it taken wrong. Sometimes it is a sassy remark or a racial slur. Sometimes it is a genuine attempt by someone to push your buttons, and it worked! If you go back to that place in time in your mind, you know it cannot be undone, changed, or deleted. Let’s stop losing our minds so we can stop going back and regretfully reminiscing over something we can not change. Instead, let’s learn from our mistakes and move forward.<br />
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Living in Peace<br />
The world around us is not a very peace filled place. Turmoil and chaos abound on every front. Each evening as you watch the news, or read the paper, or check the stories on the internet, there is one event after another that tells us we live in a tumultuous world. But God provides a haven for the believer. You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (Isaiah 26:3AMP) When our mind is fixed on God, when we commit ourselves completely to God, and lean on Him, we can live the promise in this verse. God will keep us in perfect and constant peace. But if we lose our mind in a fit of anger, we nullify the promise. We put ourselves in charge instead of God. When we made God the one in charge, not only of our hearts, but of our minds, we yield to His Spirit. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses (Rom 8:26) He helps us to pray. He helps us to understand the truth. He helps us to focus on the Lord. He helps us be more like Jesus. He reminds when we forget the Word of God. He speaks to us daily, teaching us—but we must be willing to listen to Him. Our minds belong on God, in full attention mode. And when we are in the right mind-set, our tempers will also be in control—under His control. But are you listening? Listen to the tone of your voice? Listen to the volume of your voice. Can you hear His voice above the roar? Calm your tone and volume and start to listen once again.<br />
Too often we make excuses for our lost tempers. We tell ourselves, “It’s just an ethnic thing—I’m Irish—or Italian.” Or we blame it on our temperament… I’m sanguine or choleric or some other modern terminology. But in reality, each one of us does not wear those labels. We are children of God. We take after Him. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower us to boldly take on new temperaments because in Christ, we are “new creations”. We need to die to those carnal and fleshly ways and come alive in the Spirit of God. He wants to speak through us, and He can’t unless He is in charge. “ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:20) Just as the chains of abuse must be broken in our lives, so must the chains of anger, hatred and bitterness.<br />
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The Tongue...<br />
James specializes in the tongue. He gives us some great advise. 19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20) and he continues in v 26— 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Just being religious does not make you a good Christian. The fruit of your mouth tells the real story. We destroy our testimonies when we lose our tempers. Even worse, we use what God created for blessing to curse. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:9,10) We must be teachable. We must have listening ears. How dare we abuse the God who made us and who wants to help us. The Holy Spirit is waiting and longing for us to listen to His voice so He can teach us the things we need to develop the patience we need when those stress filled moments come our way. <br />
Those moments have a valuable purpose in our lives. God designed them to make us more mature—the Bible calls it ‘perfect’. And James teaches us how it works. 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4) Now we rarely think of those tough times as an opportunity for great joy! But when we look at the purpose for which God allows them in our life—to test our faith and grow our endurance—we can rejoice knowing that He is working on every area of our lives, making us both perfectly mature, and absolutely complete. When we reach that state of spiritual maturity, we will discover that we truly do not need all those things we were fighting so hard for. We already have all we need in God. He is our supply. He is our source. He is our peace.<br />
Tomorrow, if you think you lost your temper, and you feel like you have lost your mind, remember the One who specializes in finding lost things—Jesus, the Good Shepherd! <br />
J. Johnson<br />
TEMPER<br />
When I have lost my temper, <br />
I have lost my reason too.<br />
I'm never proud of anything, <br />
which angrily I do.<br />
When I have talked in anger <br />
and my cheeks are flaming red,<br />
I have always uttered something <br />
that I wish I had not said.<br />
In anger I have never done <br />
a kindly deed or wise,<br />
But many things for which I felt <br />
I should apologize.<br />
In looking back across my life, <br />
and all I've lost or made,<br />
I can't recall a single time <br />
when fury ever paid.<br />
So I struggle to be patient, <br />
for I've reached a wiser age;<br />
I do not want to do a thing <br />
or speak a word in rage.<br />
I have learned by sad experience <br />
that when my temper flies<br />
I never do a worthy deed, <br />
a decent deed or wise.<br />
(Author unknown) <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15590310.post-24744511290605431262010-04-06T15:21:00.001-05:002010-04-08T10:51:15.068-05:00Hand to the Plow......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBLR2J8zMg4Q8n2xI7xSbQRifwRcKpKwHNmUpxHAw5yBYxs859IcYORWOasvShm16PMFnUirYHgzNXAFgbsJj3aKeH5zcc5bB_ENz1MmtzvxiGcs09D35F0flIHLPVs8Zs8eFDQ/s1600/farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBLR2J8zMg4Q8n2xI7xSbQRifwRcKpKwHNmUpxHAw5yBYxs859IcYORWOasvShm16PMFnUirYHgzNXAFgbsJj3aKeH5zcc5bB_ENz1MmtzvxiGcs09D35F0flIHLPVs8Zs8eFDQ/s400/farm.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>It is spring time, and time for preparing the gardens for sowing the seed. I’m not much of a farmer, but my father grew up on the farm as did his father and his grandfather. It was their dream that he also be a farmer. Although he wanted to try his hand at other things, he ultimately continued to farm at least enough ground to feed his family. Many of our ancestors did the same. Each spring they would go into the barn and dig out the plow, sharpen the blade and take it out to the field. Some had a push plow which one man could push through the soil. Others had plows that were pulled by oxen, horses or mules. The original measurement of an acre was the amount of ground a farmer and his oxen could plow in one day. The knack of plowing a field had to be learned. <br />
First of all, it was necessary to till up the compacted soil before planting seed so the soil could ‘breathe’ and the seed could germinate. It was hard work, not for the feeble. Hands would become blistered and calloused as they guided the plow and the animal across the field. It was not a one day job. It took days and sometimes weeks to plow the acreage. Sometimes it meant removing boulders and stumps. We don’t appreciate what our forefathers did to prepare this country for the harvests we have had in the past. When someone has prepared the way before us, we tend to take it for granted. <br />
In the early years of the church, there were plows and planters too. They took on virgin ground, battling persecution from the religious critics of their day, but they persisted because of the words of Jesus Christ found in Luke 9:62 "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." We read these words but often fail to understand them. A good farmer would learn to plow a straight line by fixing his vision on a point straight ahead of him—a tree, a rock, or a fencepost. He would use that point of reference until he had crossed the field at least once. It would keep the row straight and make it easier for the animals to plow succeeding rows. If he spent all his time looking backwards to see how he was doing, the row would end up crooked and the job would be much more difficult to finish well. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaxHD29JIVZhpc7yH5Lbw-qjLqSyHYvpte-Lb1rnjVqajMYQloAFw-HdNB89hgeiDn_9iPBZrovxzoEECVDBmfba9XSaPEdf0mCy6PHA0rTNdfSuh3VI-qosh612kyE7kYYx9qw/s1600/April+2010pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaxHD29JIVZhpc7yH5Lbw-qjLqSyHYvpte-Lb1rnjVqajMYQloAFw-HdNB89hgeiDn_9iPBZrovxzoEECVDBmfba9XSaPEdf0mCy6PHA0rTNdfSuh3VI-qosh612kyE7kYYx9qw/s200/April+2010pic.gif" width="200" /></a></div>When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, they were walking along side Him making their boasts… <i>“I’ll follow you anywhere!” </i>(Lk 9:57) Early they were even arguing about which of them would be the greatest. (Lk 9:46)It was time for a valuable lesson. Following Jesus meant becoming like a little child. It meant not having a place to lay your head...no 5-star hotels for followers of Jesus. (Lk 9:58) It meant making sacrifices, and realignment of priorities. Following Jesus meant more than saying “goodbye’ to family and friends, to burying loved ones. Jesus had set the example. Jesus knew that His time of sacrifice was almost upon Him. <i>“ 51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”</i> (Lk 9:51) Jesus was focused on the task at hand. He was plowing a field. He had told them already about the field of the world...and the farmer who went out to sow seed in the field ( Luke 8:5-8) and he explained to them the importance of sowing seed in good ground. But some seed would fall by the wayside in hard ground, and other in stony ground and still other in the thorny ground with weeds. But it was the seed of the Word of God that was sown in good ground that would produce a harvest. So plowing that ground and making it good ground was very important.<br />
But there are a lot of folks who say they want to follow the Lord and put their hand to the plow until they discover the cost—the hard work, the sacrifices required of farmers. Some are lazy at heart. Others are drawn away by riches and comforts and family ties. They often struggle with indecision and focus. They often do not want to sever the old ties from the past, and choose the lonely walk behind the plow. But Jesus was very clear here. Where we turn our face is important. What we choose to face will determine our future. If the farmer is looking back, then his eyes are not on the goal, and though he may be plowing, he is plowing without focus and purpose. It brings disaster. How many have taken their eyes off the road for just a moment, only to discover that in that instant you had drifted dangerously into a wrong lane or even off the road. Texters today are learning this the hard way. The efficient servant of God will aim his plow and his vision in the same unswerving direction with the purpose of preparing a field for a great harvest.<br />
There is one little word that often causes us to swerve… “but”. “I will follow you but…” not until the time is right, not until the finances are secure, not until I’m older. Not today, but perhaps tomorrow. Other tasks are demanding our full attention today. We tell ourselves, we need to take care of business. We look back much like Lot’s wife. Redemption was ahead of her but she chose to look back at the judgment falling. She was tied emotionally to the things behind her in the doomed city of Sodom. She disobeyed and paid a price. There is a price to pay for looking back. The verse tells us that those who do are not “fit for the Kingdom of God.” To be ‘fit’ means more than just being physically strong. It means to be ripened, prepared, and competent, ready for service. Paul the Apostle learned this lesson for he says,<i> “One thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"</i> (Phil. 3: 13). He had it right, with not one backward look, Paul pressed forward, knowing the goal. His high calling took him to a martyrs death. He was plowing ground with a great harvest of souls in mind. Did it work? Can we learn from his example?<br />
How many today want to be followers of Jesus, but they just have a few issues they need to deal with. Jesus is calling us all to follow Him. But some delay because of procrastination. “Not yet...someday I’ll take care of that”. How often do we procrastinate just once and it suddenly becomes a pattern. We intend to write that letter to someone, but we put it off. Soon the opportunity to write is gone forever. We sometimes procrastinate in forgiving too. We hope time will deal with it and emotions will heal. In reality, we have just swept the dirt under the rug. When God calls, we must respond and do so immediately and decisively. There is no room for hesitancy. We are either admirers or followers. Admirers look on from a distance and say, “One day, I’ll follow too.” But followers get up on their feet and position themselves behind the plow, set their eyes on the goal, grip the plow firmly and follow the Master. They are not distracted by the past, the pain, or the people to call their name. They, like Jesus, have a purpose. <br />
Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem, knowing the cost. He was looking to Calvary, to the cross and to dying there for mankind. The purpose was clear. He could not just half die. It required total commitment. Death was the desired end. Why? Because He loved us! It was not a half-hearted love. It was complete, the love of a hero for someone who needed rescuing. How do you love someone half way? It’s impossible. Love means 100% commitment. It is unconditional. The only acceptable response is to love back completely and fully. We are either admirers, or followers. If we are followers, we must put our hand to the plow and follow Him without a backward glance.<br />
I always admired the tenacity and faithfulness of Anne Sullivan who taught Hellen Keller. Anne was born into a home of Irish immigrants, and she suffered from abuse at the hands of her alcoholic father and was forced to tend to the needs of her crippled brother. They both became orphans. She became blind herself at the age of 5 and went through many surgeries to correct the problem. In spite of her past, she demanded an education and graduated as valedictorian. She knew her life had purpose and she set her hand to the plow. Helen Keller was the harvest. <br />
As believers, we have a higher calling. Lost souls all around us are seeking guidance, wondering about life and death, heaven and hell. Angels cannot preach the gospel. Only man has the commission. But all too often we link ourselves with the stuff of the world. The Bible tells us that the plowman was forbidden to mix an oxen with a mule while plowing. They would be unequally yoked. (Deut. 22:10, 2 Corinth. 6:14) We must keep our lives pure and focused on the mission, the call, the purpose God has for us all. The plowman’s call is exclusive. There is no room for variation or experimentation. The seed must be sown in the field on time, or there will be no harvest, no time of reaping. There is already famine in the land? What will the people of God do? <i>"No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."</i> Luke 9:62 TMB<br />
J. JohnsonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022815791298677832noreply@blogger.com0