tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85993725642322894602024-03-13T14:24:46.937-07:00Rising High MinistryKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.comBlogger569125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-62358040368157468162013-03-21T21:15:00.001-07:002013-03-21T21:15:30.733-07:00Your ways or not My ways………… Part II
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt.5:7).<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The first four principles of the disciple's character are
related to one's inner life; the remaining five speak of the active side of our
character in its relation to others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, <i>love expressed as mercy
toward others</i> will be the evidence of such righteousness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mercy is a principle of conduct as well as
character in the life of the disciple. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sermon
on the Mount).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The wonderful promise to those who show mercy is that
"they shall obtain mercy" (Prov. 18:24; Matt. 7:2).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus states in
Matthew 7 the principle that we are to be judged on is the same basis of our
treatment of others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do you, for example, ask God to forgive you your trespasses,
while at the same time you have resentment or an unforgiving spirit toward
others? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then Jesus warns that "if ye do not forgive, neither
will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mark
11:25-26; Matt. 6:12). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”
(5:8).<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As being merciful speaks of our relation toward our fellow
man, purity of heart describes our relation toward God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If our Spirit life is anything, it is <i>purity
of heart, holiness,</i> and <i>godliness</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The term "purity" means "to be clean." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is, therefore, to have clean desires,
affections, thoughts, and motives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
contrast, it is said of the wicked that "out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication's, thefts, false witness, blasphemies"
(Matt. 15:19).</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
The promised reward to the pure in heart is that "they shall see
God." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin or impurity of heart acts
as a veil and obscures our vision of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Word is no longer illuminated to our
hearts, and our prayers remain unanswered (Isaiah 59:1-2; Hebrews 12:14). <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God” (5:9).<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This refers to <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the
manifestation of love in the daily conduct of Jesus' disciples in their
personal relationships with others</span>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a world filled with hate, riots, social
unrest, jealousy, greed, addictions, selfishness, strife, and war, the
spirit-led disciple is characterized as a man of peace, as well as one who
seeks to make peace with all with whom he comes in contact. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The New Testament clearly teaches <i>nonresistance</i> as
the <i>passive</i> side of Christian character (Matt. 5:38-39) and <i>peacemaking</i>
as the <i>active</i> side (5:9; I Peter 3:8-11). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The disciple who would follow Jesus and be like Him has
peace in his own heart (Isa. 26:3), follows after peace with all men (Hebrews
12:14; Romans 12:18), and seeks to promote peace between all men (Matt. 5:9;
Prov. 12:20; James 3:18). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The promise is that "they shall be called the sons of
God." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By virtue of this
characteristic, they shall be like God's Son, who is the Prince of Peace.<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The doctrine of nonresistance is not for the unregenerate,
nor for the “carnal” Christian who is weak in the faith and who feels he must
resort to force in order to assert his so-called "rights" and defend
himself at the cost of others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">All he indicates thereby is that he lacks the faith and
willingness to suffer persecution with Christ, and that he lacks the spirit of
humility to "turn the other cheek," but must avenge himself and
return evil for evil.<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">People are going to make us angry but we are not to let it
get the better of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must not let
anger cloud our thinking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Proverbs
29:22 says, an angry person starts fights and commits all kinds of sin.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Keep quiet and pray!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seek God for the right way to handle the situation and for a solution as
well as restoration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows the answer
and the hearts of all involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will
tell you when to speak and when to be silent, when to walk and when to wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sometimes it is smarter not to speak at all while we are
angry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should wait until we have had
time to calm down, think clearly and pray. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">James 3:5 tells us that what we say in the heat of the
moment can cause a great deal of harm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
word spoken in anger is just like a tiny spark that starts a forest fire. It
cannot be taken back once it has left your mouth.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Revenge doesn’t belong to me. (Romans 12:19-21) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This may be the hardest part of His Word because it involves
humility.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God produces supernatural results when we wait upon Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When we live lives that are pleasing to God, even our
enemies will be at peace with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Proverbs
16:7)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our thoughts and ways are not God’s, His ways and thoughts
are much higher than ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if we
will surrender our free will and do as He directs we will learn to walk deeper
in His ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will learn His heart and
have a greater understanding of His ways!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He desires for us to walk in humility which requires dying
to our flesh, emotions, selfish desires and pride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Through the fire we will burn off pride, selfishness and worldly
ways which will allow the true light of Christ to shine through us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will display the love of God beyond words!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our actions will speak love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In order to do this the first thing to die is our
pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obedience is the key to this way
of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the time comes and you
feel you want to strike out to hurt another, obedience is knocking on your door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you open it and obey or will you decide
your feelings are more important than another’s?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Will you use your razor sharp tongue to kill and destroy a
person’s heart and steal their joy or will you step out of yourself and make
the right decision?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Will love prevail?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The choice is yours…….who will you serve: Jesus or your
flesh?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">“</span></sup>My dear brothers and sisters,
take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow
to become angry,</span> <span id="en-NIV-30287"><span class="text">because human
anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.</span></span> <span id="en-NIV-30288"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>Therefore, get rid of all moral filth
and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,
which can save you.</span>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James 1:
19-21 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">“Those who consider themselves religious
and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their
religion is worthless.</span>” James 1:26 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">“With the tongue we praise our Lord and
Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.</span>
<span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NIV-30330"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></sup><u>Out of the SAME mouth come</u> <u>praise
and cursing.</u> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">My brothers and sisters, this should not be.</span>
<span id="en-NIV-30331"><span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>Can both fresh water and salt water flow
from the same spring?</span></span> <span id="en-NIV-30332"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>My
brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.</span>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James 3: 9-12 NIV</span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-75956623908390394022013-03-21T06:48:00.001-07:002013-03-21T06:48:54.298-07:00Your ways or not My ways………… Part I
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As you have seen I have posted some questions that cause us
step back and say, “Hmmmm.”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have recently been challenged by the Holy Spirit to walk
deeper according to Isaiah 55: 8-9; </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,<br />
neither are your ways my ways,’<br />
declares the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></div>
<br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
‘As the heavens are higher than the earth,<br />
so are my ways higher than your ways<br />
and my thoughts than your thoughts. (NIV)</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">At first I was curious why He was telling me to live deeper
by this passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I believed it
and was living by it but since He confirmed it through another person I decided
I had better seek Him more diligently to find out why?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It has been an interesting journey in finding the answer and
I would like to share a little portion of it with you. I have had the privilege
to write a few sermons from this adventure, as painful as it was, the reward
has been awesome. One of the amazing things was hearing me praise God for
allowing me to experience the pain and growth of this adventure.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It all comes down to being led by the Holy Spirit instead of
our flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Pride or humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Forgiveness or revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Wait on God or react.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Love or selfishness.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mercy and grace or malice.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">To believe the best in someone or act out our emotions.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You either live by the Word or you live by the world.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God is in control or Satan is in control.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So the previous post on the “Golden Rule” comes back to
either we walk by our feelings, emotions and are controlled by our flesh or we step
back and seek the Holy Spirit for guidance. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He has reminded me over and over to be still, calm down and
decide if I want to grow and increase my faith or seek revenge. We are
presented with the challenge to walk by faith and be changed in His likeness or
allow our anger---our temper to strike out in order to hurt another.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If we choose to hurt another we have only hurt ourselves and
usually find out afterwards it did not feel as good as we thought at the time
we annihilated them.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Most of the time we say mean things because we want the
other person to know we are mad, we are hurt, we didn’t get our way, or they
didn’t do or say what we wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we
strike out in hatefulness to ensure that they know we are mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What Jesus asks of His followers according to the “Golden
Rule” is to surrender the right to personal revenge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, surrender your free will.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Are you willing to give up your freewill to live according
to His Word?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Are your feelings more important than another’s?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Your actions will reveal the true answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There may be times we react in anger and
realize what we have done was wrong and it is at that point we should confess
our sins and apologize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But do we…………or
do we decide to live by our pride? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do we develop an attitude that they deserved it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better yet, when we realize we were wrong do
we immediately correct the hurt or do we enjoy the power of controlling them by
making them suffer a little while?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do you feel remorse and apologize for what you did or do you
find a way to make the other person feel it was their fault?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made you react that way because
……………..?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How long did it take before you to said, “I am sorry”?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What I learned was about the attitude we should have toward
those who wrong us. Rather than getting even, we should be willing to go to the
opposite extreme. We need to be ready to humble ourselves for the kingdom of
God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to understand that
vengeance isn’t ours, but the Lord’s (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nkjv/Romans%2012.19" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Romans 12:19</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The human tendency has been to seek the emotional
satisfaction of revenge for perceived injury. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our instinctive response to any kind of injury
is hatred and desire for vengeance. This is why Jesus made it so clear in His
Sermon on the Mount that not only outward murder but also inward hatred is
subject to God’s judgment (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nkjv/Matthew%205.22-23"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Matthew 5:22-23</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jesus implied that we must give up personal vengeance
altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a difference between
confronting evil and seeking personal revenge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible to confront evil with a desire
for the redemption of its perpetrator. We are called to love a sinner while
confronting his sin, but when we seek vengeance we are motivated by hatred—a desire
to make someone suffer for what they have done to us.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In Matthew 5:38-41Jesus is teaching us that we need to give
up any sense of entitlement to personal revenge, to be purged of the motivation
of personal vengeance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By asking them to turn the other cheek, Jesus
meant that His disciples should be motivated by love and a desire for the
redemption and forgiveness of offenders—even when opposing their actions.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br clear="all" />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You may submit to or resist the person who is opposed to you but there
is no place in "love" for "ill will". <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no room in "love" for the
desire to "hurt", or for the delight in destroying another person.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Several years ago when I wrote a sermon on careless words
the Holy Spirit showed me a brief vision of Judgment Day. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was a painful vision and one that I am sure many will be
stunned by, for all of the things we have done and we will give an account for,
I know I was.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will share a brief portion of what I saw and heard:<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“As we stand before Jesus we will give an account for our
words…..imagine what it will be like to stand before Jesus and He replays an
incident where you hurt someone. He allows you to see the hurt, the tears, the
damage you did and how it affected their lives. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He will also show you what He saw in your heart at that time
…..your evil intent, your malice towards them, your selfishness, your eagerness
to hurt them, your thoughts and your pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He will also show you how He tried to stop you and the very
moment you made the decision to follow your free will which was empowered by
your fleshly emotions. You will see what He saw to the degree of how much you
really wanted to hurt that person because you were angry, hurt or disappointed.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The biggest hurt and embarrassment will come when He shows
you how deeply you broke His heart. You broke His heart before you broke the
heart of your victim. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I watched this played out the remorse was too late and
the person was so fearful that they were going to hear, “Depart from me you
wicked servant, I never knew you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This person
was crying uncontrollably and trying to say, “I am sorry” but Jesus said, “It
is too late, I tried to stop you and I told you not to do it”. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then when you disobeyed and hurt them I told you to go and
say, “I’m sorry at the time but your pride prevented you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jesus allowed that person to see the hurt they caused the
other and the struggle they encounter to forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He allowed them to see the hurt the other
carried for the remainder of their life.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He showed them how pride had stopped them from being
obedient and saying, “I am sorry”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
had decided their feelings were more important than the other’s.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will never forget the fear on their face, the intensity of
trying to say they were sorry, and how they were begging Jesus to give them
another chance.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He lovingly told them, “It was too late.”” </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings
forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil
things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give
account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:35-37 NKJV</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Revenge is the act of intentionally harming others, through
harassment, assault, selfishness, jealousy or manipulation.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The purpose of hurting another is to wound the victim deeply
through malice hoping to make them feel dejected, depressed, and/or fearful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually this is followed by a sense of power
and the desire to let the victim know you have struck and you will punish them
in some way.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A person who tries to live and walk by the Spirit will use
Galatians 5:16-25 as a blueprint;</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will
not gratify the desires of the flesh.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>For the flesh desires what is contrary
to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are in conflict with each other, so that
you are not to do whatever you want.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>But if you are led by the Spirit, you
are not under the law.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>The acts of the flesh are obvious:
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>idolatry and witchcraft;
hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,
factions<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as
I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</span> <span class="text">gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.</span>
<span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>Those who
belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.</span>
<span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>Since we
live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NIV)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Living by the Spirit is total commitment to discipleship
(Luke 14:25-33) and it is crucifixion with Christ (Galatians 2:20).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-40750400782250520882013-03-07T19:01:00.001-08:002013-03-07T19:01:32.174-08:00Disposition to hate sin……
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and
Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord.
And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Acts 9:31 NLT</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Scripture text in Acts 9:31 describes the state of the
early church after the conversion of Saul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two conditions are described; they walked in fear of the Lord and they
walked in the encouragement (comfort) of the Holy Spirit.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Is it strange that such things be blended: fear and comfort?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Are we normally in such a state as this, as was found in the
early church? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Does fear dominate your conscience and are you comforted in
the midst of this fear?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Is the church of today in such a state…..a true fear of God?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It appears that the church of today prefers to dwell upon
the love of God, yet find no durable comfort in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The love of the world permeates the church,
instead of a hatred for sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fear of man prevails and God is a convenience for Sundays
and emergencies.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Many are persuaded today that the word fear really means
respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a type of superficial
respect to God that does not affect how one lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is not in all their thoughts; when the
world and their fleshly desires are gods of their heart: this is truly wicked
and glory is in their shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love
the euphoric feeling that they are getting away with their sin.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it
with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ's death on
the cross.<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going to
end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are proud of what they should be ashamed
of, and they think only of things that belong to this world”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Phil. 3:18-19 GNT</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How would those who know you describe you?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Would they describe you as one who walks in the fear of the
Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Is that, in truth how you do live?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What does a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>lack </u></i>of
the fear of God look like? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is when a person takes sin lightly, casually, carelessly,
obstinately, persistently and is either brazen or apathetic when confronted
with sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sin is unconcerned with being offensive to God and
unconcerned with His heart.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sin complains at exhortation, despises reproof and instruction,
refuses to submit, seeks its own way and justifies itself.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is so common…..just look around you…….or……maybe within
you?????</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What does the fear of God look like?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“The fear of the Lord is to hate what is sinful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate pride, self-love, the way of sin, and
lies” <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Prov.
8:13 NLV)</span>. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fundamentally, the fear of God is a disposition to hate
sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a hatred of sin that moves
one to depart from it: “…by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Prov.16:6
NKJV).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The fear of the Lord will NOT disobey God, regardless of the
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will seek to know God’s
will and follow after Him, no matter what the cost may be.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-4357327479732401502013-03-07T06:43:00.001-08:002013-03-07T06:43:42.933-08:00A "glorious church........
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ephesians 5:27, "That he might present to himself a
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it
should be holy and without blemish." </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jesus wants to present to Himself a "glorious church!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Learning God's ways produces this result in the people of
God as they are instructed on the lifestyle that is pleasing to the Heavenly
Father and how to be empowered to live it.<br />
<br />
God wants to present to the world, a people who are His and who will display a
quality of life that He produces in them, which the world cannot
duplicate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to present a people
who will demonstrate to the rest of the world what life is really like for a
people when God is their Everything! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">These people are those who submit to learn His ways and who
obediently walk in His paths.<br />
<br />
We need to learn the ways of God because when we come into the church as new
believers, we bear a striking similarity to the children of Israel when they
came out of Egyptian bondage. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Book of Exodus tells the story of Israel's deliverance
from 400 years of bondage and slavery in Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God had set them free and had taken them unto Himself as His people, but
they were a people with a major problem that God was going to have to deal
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the Israelites had been born
in Egypt.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Egypt's lifestyle had born into (molded) their lives. They
had learned Egypt's ways of life, their language and their patterns of
thinking. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">They thought like Egyptians, they ate like Egyptians and
they acted like Egyptians. They had an Egypt mentality and a slave mind set.
God had delivered them out of Egypt, now he was going to take Egypt out of
them. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The people of Israel needed their thinking changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was going to have to retrain and
reeducate them from Egypt's ways to His ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Israel must learn that they are what God says they are now and not what
Egypt said they were. It was important that they be introduced to the laws and
principles of God that He expected them to live by as His people in Canaan.<br />
<br />
When you and I were delivered from the Kingdom of darkness and brought into the
family of God, we came with a problem similar to Israel's problem. Still
clinging to us was a world mentality and a slave to sin mindset that was going
to have to be dealt with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Israel,
we too needed our thinking changed and we needed to be instructed in the ways
of God that He expects His church to walk in.<br />
<br />
It is important that everyone knows the way the government they live under
operates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is to our detriment if we
neglect to educate ourselves in the area of laws and regulations. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Are we to think that God would be any less specific in
giving to the citizens of His Kingdom the information that is crucial for them
to know how His kingdom functions and how the laws that govern it operate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think not! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God has given to us in His Kingdom a handbook called The
Bible with all the information about His ways that we need to know so we can
live successful, productive and victorious Christian lives pleasing to Him.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
We need to learn His ways because we come into His house like little children
that need training and discipline in the ways of God. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Many of us have thought that God's goal was to fill His house with as many
people as He can get into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">No, not true, He wants more than that. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God is out to get people who can take instruction and are
willing to be disciplined. He is looking for a people who will come into His
house and say, "Here I am, Father, instruct in Your ways." </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<br />
God wants to deliver us out of our empty unfulfilled existence that we had in
the world and bring us into His house to be instructed in His ways that will
lead us into paths of satisfaction and fulfillment.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of us may be
pleased with who we are now in our spiritual growth, but none of us are what we
could be if we continue to learn God's ways.<br />
<br />
<br />
God brings us into His house so He can write on us and stamp us with the Holy
Spirit's seal and send us to the world. It is God's intention that by the time
He is finished teaching His people His ways, every believer will become an open
expression of God and all will be telling the same story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I Corinthians 3:3, "We become your letters known and
read by all men."<br />
<br />
We are to be an expression from His heart.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can't help but
wonder: “What are people reading when they read you and I?”<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-53085210734581298282013-03-06T06:43:00.001-08:002013-03-06T06:43:22.612-08:00Believe or Not to Believe………. Part II
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are
your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 55:8-9</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is true God is the potter and we are the clay upon the potter's
wheel. The potter is busy working out of us all the impurities that would
hinder us being made into the vessel of the potter's choosing. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As we are instructed in God's ways, we are being changed day
by day, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Our motives, our values, our
ambitions and our priorities are being examined by the Holy Spirit on a daily
basis and brought into line with the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being transformed by the renewing of
the mind as the Holy Spirit re-educates us with the truths of God's Word.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God
transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will
know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and
perfect his will really is." Romans 12:2 NLT<br />
<br />
Have you ever wondered why God is so set against us wanting to walk in our own
ways after we become a Christian?<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When a person wants to continue in their own ways rather
than His ways, then that person is challenging the fact of what His Word says
in Romans 12:2, “….that my will for them is good, acceptable and perfect.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are openly rejecting His direction and
purpose for their life. They are saying they can run their life better than the
Lord can.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Part of Satan's strategy is to encourage us to continue to walk in our
own ways. He knows that as long as we keep doing our thing - we won't be doing
God's thing. We will never embrace the will of God nor walk in it. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Trying to live the Christian life outside the will of God
produces miserable, angry, frustrated, and unhappy people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only as we walk in the will of God that
we find His presence, His purpose, His provisions and His power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Satan can keep us from exchanging our ways
for God's ways, he can keep us deceived, lost, discouraged, and easily defeated
in our Christian walk.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I, ask you:
“Doesn't it really make sense for us to trade in our ways for his ways?”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We were not born into this world knowing God's ways, much less
understanding anything about them. They were not included in our DNA. They are
completely alien to man's thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
says this about it in Isaiah's writings.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so
are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
When we come to Jesus we come knowing a lot of things. The ways of God are not
one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brings His ways into our
lives as Isaiah said, "precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little
and there a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants us to know.
He gives truth to us as we are able to assimilate it. The more we desire to
know, the more He opens up to us.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-24382365212754829212013-03-05T06:39:00.002-08:002013-03-05T06:39:59.278-08:00Believe or Not to Believe……….
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Therefore I esteem as right all, yes, all
Your precepts; I hate every false way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Psalm 119:128<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AMP<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We should consider Psalms 119:128, and make a decision about
it: “Do we believe it or do we not?” </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This verse implies that God has given instruction in His
Word concerning every area of our life and these instructions are always the
right thing for us to do. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Always!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
arguing---no debate----no excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Never! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">At some point in our Christian walk, if we are ever going to
go anywhere in it, we are going to have to make a decision on what God is
telling us to do.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
“Do I really believe what God has said to do is really the right thing to
do?"</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sometimes it seems like the thing God tells us to do is
opposite of what it should be or appears to contradict His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good example would be when He told Abraham to
sacrifice his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s ways and
thoughts are not ours and in times like this, we must trust and obey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is being tested and stretched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Isa. 55: 8-9)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Will we believe Him when it looks “wrong”? <br />
<br />
If we will believe and obey what God says for us to do, we will eat the fruit
of all He has promised.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
If we refuse to believe and obey, we will eat the fruit of our own way. I have
experienced both and I can tell you that His fruit taste so much sweeter.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We need to know that as we learn the ways of God, divine
precepts and principles of a heavenly origin are being brought into our lives.
To our great joy, we discover that those precepts and principles are workable
in the 'here and now' where they are needed not in eternity. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If we receive, believe and obey them, we will find
ourselves....<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoying peace - where there is no
peace.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having joy - where there is no joy.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Receiving direction - where there is
confusion all around us.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having deep, growing relationships -
where so many around us are being polarized.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing our families being drawn together
- where others are disintegrating.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We need to know that as we learn His ways, God begins a work
in us that starts to produce some wonderful changes in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Philippians 2:13 says, "For God is working in you,
giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him."<br />
<br />
Philippians 1:6, (NIV) "And I am sure that God who began the good work
within you, will continue his work, until it is finally finished on that day
when Christ Jesus comes back again."<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-6548970085411405462013-03-03T16:28:00.001-08:002013-03-03T16:28:43.589-08:00The Glory of Mount Zion…………
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“This is what Isaiah the son of Amoz saw about Judah and
Jerusalem that was coming: <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>In the last days, the mountain of the
house of the Lord will be the most important of the mountains. It will be
raised above the hills. All the nations will come to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Many people will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the
mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. Then He will teach us
about His ways, that we may walk in His paths. For the Law will go out from
Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa. 2:1-3 NLV<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">To really appreciate what Isaiah is saying in these verses,
we must understand what the conditions were like at the time that he prophesied
these words. There was only one nation in the whole world that had any idea of
God at all. That nation was Israel, and even their knowledge had become
corrupted and polluted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All other
nations of that day were bound by satanic power and were blinded spiritually by
the God of this world.<br />
<br />
In the midst of this condition, Isaiah stands up and with prophetic anointing
burning in his soul and declares that there would come a day in the future when
people from every nation were going to come into the house of God to be
instructed in His ways and that they would walk in His paths.<br />
<br />
In the first chapter of Isaiah we were dealing with the consequences of Judah
and its fallen state, but now Isaiah is telling about the time when Jesus
returns.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Let’s stop for a moment and think about what will become of those that decide
to conduct themselves contrary to the Word of God?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How hopeless will it seem to those that are left behind when
the Lord calls His Church home? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The mountain of the house of God will be established as the
chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations
will stream to it. We are talking about the raptured church, and those nations
that are streaming to the house of God are the nations of the Gentile people that
have chosen to follow God’s will and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It does not include those that comprised Biblical standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not include those that thought they
were good enough. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not include
those that have interpreted God’s Word in such a way as to act in behavior that
is contrary to God’s Word and believe it is acceptable in the times we live in
now, when it was unacceptable previously. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s Word does not change and neither does
its consequences.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
As we look around us and see the rapidly deteriorating condition of this world we
are never to take our eyes off of the One who bought us from His place upon the
cruel cross. For those that remain faithful in the meantime, for those that
answer when God calls, for those that share the Gospel with others in need of its
hearing, regardless if they heed or not, there are high hopes ahead for each
and every one of us. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Lord took Isaiah away into a future place through the
Holy Spirit and showed him something awesome. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God showed him the glory of Mount Zion!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-3775688386458151162013-02-28T20:24:00.001-08:002013-02-28T20:24:51.978-08:00Spiritual Virgin…………..
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">Who may climb the mountain of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">?</span><br />
<span class="text">Who may stand in his holy place?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span class="text">Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,</span> <span class="text">who do not worship idols</span> <span class="text">and never tell
lies.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 24:3-4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NLT<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What is a spiritual virgin?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One who “follows the Lamb wherever He
goes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rev. 14:4<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As in the physical sense, a spiritual
virgin is one who is utterly and completely given to the one for whom he or she
is intended. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The spiritual virgin not only has known no
other, but longs for and desires no other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is a first fruit and is blameless in his loyalty to his one Master.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Spiritual virginity is a spiritual quality
that God greatly desires in all His people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has nothing to do with salvation because, in that case, who among us
could be saved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Nor does it have to do with service, for
the Bible is full of men and women who did exploits in the name of their God
who, nevertheless, showed the human weakness of sin and disobedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King David is an example.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A virgin is not a representative of a
certain class of elite, but the one who manifests a quality of spiritual
devotion to God that He finds enormously pleasing and delightful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Too often God has to deal with us as Hosea
dealt with Gomer, his unfaithful wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God graciously forgives our unfaithfulness, brings us back home, and
restores us to His service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How comforted I am by Your mercy, O God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lord, I covet spiritual virginity, the
quality of devotion that never tires, grumbles, deviates or adulterates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My example in this is He who never faltered
or hesitated but who in all things did Your will and followed Your way
perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He who has planted His virgin
life in me will propel me in the virgin way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">“Awake, north wind!</span><br />
<span class="text">Rise up, south wind!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span class="text">Blow on my garden</span><br />
<span class="text">and spread its fragrance all around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span class="text">Come into your garden, my love;</span> <span class="text">taste
its finest fruits.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Song of Solomon 4:16
NLT</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-84830665902165751292013-02-27T20:02:00.001-08:002013-02-27T20:02:31.561-08:00Sacrifice……… at what cost?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="woj">Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to
become great among you must be your servant,</span> <span class="woj"><sup><span id="en-NIV-24633"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></sup>and whoever wants
to be first must be slave of all.</span>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark
10:43-44 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Teach me, Lord, how to forsake without
being forsaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know You will never
forsake me, but I am not sure I can pass the test of forsaking what I should
forsake?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I greatly admire the decision of Moses, who “forsook
Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heb. 11:27<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He forsook the spirit
of Egypt, the wealth of Egypt, and the claims of Egypt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am fascinated by the fact that he did
all this while still in the land of Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have forsaken many things that did not
count for God’s sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was happy to
give up things that no longer had any meaning for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so easy to sacrifice what you no longer
desire!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But Moses sacrificed Egypt for God’s sake
while still surrounded by its immense charm and magnetism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lord, how hard it is to make a decision for
You when surrounded by wealth, popularity, position, charm, self-centeredness
and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">To see God then is to have the eye of faith
indeed; and to decide for God then is to forsake this world even as Jesus
forsook it when He denied Satan’s offer of its kingdoms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lot was forced to forsake the riches of
Sodom, while Moses gladly gave up Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lord, I know You will separate me from every
clinging thing in Egypt; but first You will ask me to do it voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is God’s intense desire to mole us into a
“man” of God and not a pampered “saint”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He wants to make us a steadfast believer and
not a warmed over replica of Egypt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Lord, please make me a voluntary forsaker,
not a forced one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-28107925031012825152013-02-21T17:32:00.001-08:002013-02-21T17:32:25.099-08:00Love is…………
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">“</span></sup>Love endures long <i>and </i>is patient and
kind; love never is envious <i>nor</i> boils over with jealousy, is not
boastful <i>or</i> vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it
is not rude (unmannerly) <i>and</i> does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love
in us) does not insist on its own rights <i>or</i> its own way, <i>for</i> it
is not self-seeking; it is not touchy <i>or</i> fretful <i>or</i> resentful; it
takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered
wrong].<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>It does not rejoice at injustice <i>and </i>unrighteousness,
but rejoices when right <i>and</i> truth prevail.<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Love bears up under anything <i>and</i> everything that
comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are
fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without
weakening].” I Cor. 13:4-7 AMP<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A person who truly knows love is selfless, a servant and
putting others above themselves.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The heart of “Abba Father” is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we really know His heart to the degree
that we can identify it so we can tell people they have “Abba Father’s” heart then
we would be less adapt to hurt others.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Love is actions. Our actions speak louder than our words. We
can say we love and yet treat others out of selfish emotions, anger, pride and
selfishness. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Father’s heart is love----- ““nonnegative”” love. That
means it is not controlled by emotions, anger, selfishness or
double-mindedness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either you love or
you don’t.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">James describes double minded as: “[For being as he is] a
man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and
unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].” (1:8
AMP)<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How can a person trust you with their heart if you
do not walk in love? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can say you
love, you can write it but unless your actions show it, love is meaningless. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">“With it (mouth) we bless the Lord and
Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span id="en-AMP-30328"><span class="text">Out of the same mouth
come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span id="en-AMP-30329"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">Does a fountain send
forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(James 3:9-11 AMP)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The depth of the Father’s love is revealed when
things go wrong, when you’re angry, selfish or controlling. This is when the
meter reveals how much of “Abba Father’s” heart is in you. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not selfish.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not control and manipulation.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not prideful.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not jealous.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not deceiving.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not rude or mean.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not judging.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is not vengeful. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This type of love is from the one who comes to
steal, kill and destroy. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have a choice: “Will I be the vessel that is
used by Satan to kill, destroy and hurt others?”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Will I be the one who reacts out of my emotions or
will I run to “Abba Father” to seek His heart in the matter?”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s love is:</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Consistent…….Never changing! Dependable!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Forbearing and forgiving……Gives mercy and grace!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Patient…..Not quick to strike out!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His love goes the extra mile…… Puts the feelings of
others first!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His love seeks the good in others………Looks at their
heart!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We too, should let the good outweigh the bad. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I want all who reads my post to know I love you and
appreciate you!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I understand my posts can be strong in words but I
share my heart with you out of love. I am the first one convicted when I write
them, long before you read them.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I spend a lot of time in prayer and fasting
regarding my posts and I share because I want others to know Jesus and have an
awesome relationship with Him.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes we can get off track and need a loving
reminder that we need to repent and return back to the Father.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Believe me, I could use this time for more fun
things and sometimes wish I had more time to do other things but I feel I am
doing what He ask.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I just wanted you to know, I do post with love and
prayers!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is speaking the truth even when it hurts.
Guess I could choose to be a phony and live my life as all holy on fb and
another way in real life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what you
see and read is who I am. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I apologize if I have hurt or offended anyone with
my posts.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kathy</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">“A brother offended is harder to be won
over than a strong city, and [their] contentions separate them like the bars of
a castle.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span id="en-AMP-16922"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>A man’s [moral] self shall be filled
with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be
satisfied [whether good or evil].</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs 18:19-20 AMP</span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-78632314712592661502013-02-20T06:41:00.001-08:002013-02-20T06:41:36.524-08:00You can run but you can’t hide………………
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When we fail to do what we ought, then we ought to expect
the consequences.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Consequences are a fact, and regardless of what we may think about them, at
some point “The Hammer” falls. The consequences are applied regardless of our
feelings about their fairness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A good example of delayed consequences can be found in
Exodus 32:33-35: “The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> replied
to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. <sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>Now go,
lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you.
However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their
sin.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>And the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron
had made.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NIV)</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
God may put off momentarily what we have coming, but oftentimes the delayed
consequences are far worse than they might ever have been if we would have just
taken them as originally prescribed. When we run from God we are engaged in a
futile flight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God does give us abundant opportunities to repent and turn
from our sins before He sends the consequences for our disobedience.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
With all of the wonderful blessings that have been bestowed upon us, why do we
always try to look beyond Him and to what man has to offer? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why is man’s approval, affections and accolades more
important than obedience to God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God delivered His chosen people from the Egyptian bondage in
such a spectacular fashion and yet within a short period of time, while Moses
was receiving the Law, they began the process of making an idol made by the
hands of men to worship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why, when we have the presence of God do we chose the
mediocrity of mankind?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I wanted to present a few thoughts to meditate upon as we
begin the journey of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah chapter two.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-9908429541344609612013-02-19T06:37:00.001-08:002013-02-19T06:37:30.136-08:00Fair or unfair?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Isaiah 2</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As we continue to look at the words of Isaiah we can say it is a book
that deals with choices and the consequences of those choices. It is
interesting that if the consequences are in line with our desires then we
usually proclaim the system that calls for those consequences as fair. If,
however, the consequences go against our desires, we tend to call the system
unfair.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Isaiah is proclaiming the message of God, who miraculously delivered His chosen
people, and the basis of this message only has their best interest at heart.
They defy God’s Word, they ignore His messengers, and they belittle His name
and His power. Isaiah is proclaiming that there are consequences for their
actions and those consequences will be upon them soon.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
In the prophecies of Isaiah are the foretelling of the hope of the future, the
birth, the life, the ministry, the death and the resurrection of their awaited
Messiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as the people during
Isaiah’s time failed to heed the message, so too did many during the earthly
ministry of Jesus. Now as we grow closer to the time of His returning, people
are failing to hear once again. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The consequences will be handed out and this writer
believes the time of this occurring is just around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we may not be able to convince
everyone of their need for repentance, however, we must do all, that God has
called us to do.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Quick question: “What is the main reason that we established
a relationship with God? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am going to say that for a good portion of us, we began
our walk with the Lord in an effort to pull our “behinds” out of the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">At the time we heard about the wonderful things that Jesus
had to offer and we chose to grab that for ourselves. We found ourselves in a
hopeless situation and in a last ditch effort we looked to God for the answer.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do not be ashamed of the reason for our initial contact with
Jesus, the important thing is how we have developed our relationship since
then. The problem is that many of us take that quick rescue and fail to go
deeper into our personal trust in Jesus and as a result loose what we had
attained in the beginning, regardless of how selfish the motives might have
been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We began hoping there would be
better times ahead.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
What were some of the reasons that we decided to seek Jesus? I am sure the fear
of an eternity in hell might be a motivating factor. Perhaps a certain hope of
mercy in regards to our consequences regardless of how guilty we might have
been. Perhaps there was a desire of better health or perhaps some blessings
that were unrealized. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We began with high hopes but few of us become actual
partakers. Many fall back into the old patterns of behavior and forget that the
only true peace is through Jesus.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
This is clearly the saddest ending to a relationship with Jesus. He takes us
regardless of how we came to Him. He is responsible for the forgiveness if we
honestly and earnestly repent of our sins. He is serious enough about wanting
us to spend an eternity with Him that He bled and died to pay the price in our
place. If we fail to grow in our understanding of God’s desires for each and
every one of us, our love for Him grows cold and where we once relied on His
direction for our lives we begin to take control of our own destiny and find
that the end of self-reliance is self-destruction.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-17425784347995164172013-02-13T21:00:00.001-08:002013-02-13T21:00:53.265-08:00Simply seek Him……….
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">O God, do not remain silent.</span><br />
<span class="text">Do not turn a deaf ear to me.</span><br />
<span class="text">Do not keep quiet, O God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Psalm 83:1 GW</span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is yet another way in which I may lose the presence of
Jesus, one that is difficult to understand and accept, but nevertheless true.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is the voluntary withdrawal of Jesus Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when He seems to withdraw
Himself from us without any discernible reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the reason may be suggested in the Song
of Solomon, where the Shulammite bride of Solomon complains twice about the
absence of her lover.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“I sought him whom my soul loves….but did not find him; I called
him, but he did not answer.” (Song of Solomon 3:1)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The bride had done nothing to offend her groom; yet he was
gone and could not be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, “My Beloved had turned away; he was
gone!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And again she sought him and
called to him, but he did not answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(5:6)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What is the Lord saying to me here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That the love of Jesus to me is discerned
in both the partings and the fellowship, in both His presence and His apparent
absence.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can understand how His presence enhances the love relationship
between us, but how can His absence do so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps we will never know all the answers, but His seeming absence
sharpens our awareness of Him and crushes the tendency to take Him for granted.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Very few, if any, of the disciples of Jesus enjoy the
continual, unbroken realization of His presence and power in their lives.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Many times we call but He does not answer; we seek Him but
He withdraws from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason is not
always due to sin, carelessness, or indifference, for sometimes He is hiding
His face to make us yearn all the more for Him; His absence should make our
love grow sharper and fonder.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If I lose Him for that reason, I must simply seek Him with my
whole heart until I find Him again.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I must do as the Shulammite did, “….seek him whom my soul
loves” and soon I will be able to say with her, “I found him whom my soul
loves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(3:2, 4)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">When you look for me, you will find me.
When you wholeheartedly seek me, </span><sup><span id="en-GW-19646"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></sup>I will let you find me, declares the <span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">……..”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jer. 29:13-14a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GW</span></span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-68194124367577324342013-02-12T20:28:00.001-08:002013-02-12T20:28:34.375-08:00I can lose……..
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">You have tested my thoughts and examined
my heart in the night.</span><br />
<span class="text">You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.</span><br />
<span class="text">I am determined not to sin in what I say.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 17:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>NLT<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I must
distinguish between my union with Jesus, which is secure, and my communion with
Christ, which is extremely fragile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I must not delude
myself into thinking that while my relationship with Jesus is secure, so is my
awareness of His presence and power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are
things I can lose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can lose
the presence and power of Jesus as easily as Mary and Joseph lost Him in the
caravan returning home from Jerusalem. (Luke 2:41-19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By neglecting
Him I can allow the weeds to grow in our relationship, choking out the fruits
of a close, sweet walk with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neglect
needs no overt action, no sharp disobedience, just a dulling of the finely
tuned relationship we once had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then He
is gone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or I can
lose Him as Mary Magdalene lost Him, in the mad chain of circumstances that led
Him to His death on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swirling
turn of events that snatched Him from her was beyond her understanding, but her
loss was just as real and painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So God can
send a series of devastating losses in my life, involving friends, loved ones,
opportunities, or whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I turn
my attention to my losses and take my eyes off Him, I will lose Him in the
flow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can also
lose Him by my sin and indifference, and hear Him say, “Your sin and iniquities
have separated…….you and your God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Isa. 59:2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Of all the
reasons for losing Jesus, that is the most reprehensible, because it indicates
a deliberate evaluation and a choice: “I want sin, not Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If I choose
sin, Jesus withdraws and I am left only with my immoral choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thank You,
God, that You will never be untouched by my tears of repentance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">The sacrifice you desire is a broken
spirit.</span><br />
<span class="text">You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 51:17 NLT<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">Let the joy of Your saving power return to
me. And give me a willing spirit to obey you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Psalm 51:12 NLV</span></span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-56778213889814521542013-02-11T20:01:00.001-08:002013-02-11T20:01:12.049-08:00A militant warrior……….
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">If you are censured <i>and</i> suffer
abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you—happy, fortunate,
to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation,
regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit
of God, is resting upon you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text"><i>On their part He is blasphemed, but on
your part He is glorified</i>.</span>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
Peter 4:14 AMP</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I must realize that Jesus is not only a great tension
reliever, but also a tension “bringer”. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If I expect Him to relieve all my tensions, I have a vain
expectancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merely, to know and follow
Jesus will create all kinds of problems for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mary, His mother, received that word when she gave Him
birth; “A sword will pierce even your own soul.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Lk 2:5)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have I felt the piercing of my soul because of my commitment
to Jesus?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have I lost friends, seen families divided or seen
increasing bitterness among acquaintances because I determined to make Him my
all?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mary must have gone through a thousand agonies once Jesus
was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must have been tension
in the home. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“For his own brothers did not believe in him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 7:5 NIV</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How did Mary manage to referee between her holy Son and her
other natural children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could she
stand their hatred of Him, knowing all the while who He was? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When Jesus later said, “A prophet is not without honor
except in his home town” was He referring to the daily snubs of His half
brothers and sisters?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matt. 13:57)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jesus said He “did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matt. 10:334)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to make mothers and daughters and
fathers and sons one another’s enemies. (vs 35) </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am a very poor disciple indeed if I cannot name one person
who has been offended because I chose to follow Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I must be careful that it is for His
sake that enemies are made, not for my own.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When my own rights and privileges are concerned, I must be
as harmless as a dove; but when His rights and privileges are concerned, I must
be a militant warrior.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lord, give me wisdom to discern when I must be militant;
then give me the assurance of Jeremiah: </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">But the Lord is with me as a mighty <i>and</i>
terrible One; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not overcome
[me]. They will be utterly put to shame, for they will not deal wisely <i>or</i>
prosper [in their schemes]; their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.</span>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah 20:11 AMP</span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-51155520366920636182013-02-11T06:38:00.001-08:002013-02-11T06:38:01.920-08:00A warning and a promise….
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span><span class="text">Wash and make yourselves clean.</span><br />
<span class="text">Take your evil deeds out of my sight;</span> <span class="text">stop
doing wrong.</span><br />
<span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>Learn to do
right; seek justice.</span><br />
<span class="text">Defend the oppressed.</span><br />
<span class="text">Take up the cause of the fatherless;</span> <span class="text">plead
the case of the widow.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>“Come now, let us settle the matter,”</span>
<span class="text">says the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">.</span><br />
<span class="text">“Though your sins are like scarlet,</span> <span class="text">they
shall be as white as snow;</span><br />
<span class="text">though they are red as crimson,</span> <span class="text">they
shall be like wool.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<span class="text"><sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">If you are willing and obedient,</span> <span class="text">you will eat the good things of the land…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa. 1:16-19<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NIV</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What a warning! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We can remove ourselves so far from God that we no longer
recognize Him, we no longer hear Him speak in fact we can reach the place where
we no longer even care about Him, or realize the heartache our rebellion and
disobedience causes Him. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That is a sad and desperate situation to be in: not able to
respond to the God who is the source of our life; without hope, without Jesus
we are lost and isolated on the sea of life.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Isaiah talks about the rebellion of God’s people, and their rejection of their
creator. In Isaiah 1:10 he even refers to them as Sodom and Gomorrah, two
cities famous for their wickedness, which were destroyed in the days of
Abraham.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have a people who have gone so far in rebellion and
disobedience to their God that they are no longer able to recognize Him or
respond to Him in anyway and whose sin is as great as that of Sodom and
Gomorrah. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is a sad picture and a dire situation to be in.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sadly, it gets worse. He even calls their worship of Him
sin, because they are offering Him sacrifices, but with rebellious hearts. They
were going through all the motions of worship, but they did not really mean it.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">They were offering sheep and goats, but not themselves,
still in disobedience and with a spirit of sin and rebellion. When that
happens, worship ceases to be worship, and becomes sin. God was not accepting
their worship or listening to their prayers.<br />
<br />
This is a horrible, solemn warning that we can create for ourselves, by our
rebellious hearts and attitudes……….. so alienated from God that we are
completely removed from Him and our worship of Him is worse than useless. <br />
<br />
But then, in verses 16-19, we have the promise. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Suddenly, in the midst of describing their hopeless state
God reveals His heart of compassion to give them a chance to repent. When final
condemnation looked like it was coming, mercy came instead. Though their sins
were scarlet, though they were guilty of disobedience and murder, He would
purify them. He didn’t just forgive them, but He cleansed them, made them clean
again, He restored the Father-Son relationship that they had deliberately and
wantonly broken. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Their repentance would bring pardon. It was God making the
initiative in restoring the relationship had come from Him. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Later in Isaiah we hear how this was achieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 53:4-6 looks ahead to the death of
Jesus, who took the blame for our sin and rebellion.<br />
<br />
The promise went on to say that IF they were willing AND obedient, they would
eat the fruit of the land and share in the good things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there came a further warning, death by
the sword if they persisted in their rebellion.<br />
<br />
All this applies to us as much as to the Israelites of Isaiah’s day. Our
natural state is to be in such open habitual rebellion and disobedience to God
that we are no longer able to respond to Him or to recognize Him or His voice. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But the promise is to us as well. He has made the
initiative, and no matter how filthy our sins are, He will purify them through
the blood of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the warning of
death also applies if we reject Him.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span><span class="text">If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I John 1:9 NIV</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-16448779658908620592013-02-05T20:06:00.001-08:002013-02-05T20:06:53.617-08:00The foes of God………
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">But wrong-doers and sinners will be
crushed together. Those who turn away from the Lord will come to an end. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>For
you will be ashamed of the oaks where you worshiped. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You will be ashamed of the gardens you have
chosen. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>For you will be like an oak tree whose
leaf dries up, or like a garden that has no water. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>The
strong man will become easy to burn, and his work also a fire. They will burn
together, and there will be no one to put the fire out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa. 1: 28-31 NLV</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
We live in a society that regardless of its outlook has an idea of consequences
for bad behavior.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Isaiah gives the Lord’s consequences to those who would
rebel. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For Isaiah’s people, judgment would be swift and it would be
sure. For those that were living in wealth and comfort and glory and honor at
the expense of others and in defiance of the Lord, those times would end. The
ending, as described by Isaiah is brutal by all accounts.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Let us take that warning of consequence and bring it into the context of the
world that we live in today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those
that pass from this life without repenting from the sins that they have
committed and failed to establish that relationship with Jesus, they will pass
into an eternity of torment. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is interesting when we look at the very last section of
this Scripture that those who are the foes of God will be undone at their own
hands.<br />
<br />
<br />
As we come to the close of Isaiah chapter one, we have all in one way or
another related to the words of the prophet Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all aware of the circumstances of the
world that we live in and how America has floundered in its relationship with
God. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In light of all that what are we to do as the body of
Christ?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
We are certainly commanded to bring forth the Word of God to those that we have
in our sphere of influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
includes those who dislike us as well as those that will and have done us harm.
It is how we bring the Word of God to them that can be of the utmost
importance.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
We must realize that as hard as we try in some situations, there will be those
that have their heart hardened through the many encounters with sin in their
lives and they will resist any further moving towards Jesus who holds the key
to their forgiveness. They know the choices that they are making – never allow
that disappointment to dull your hunger to lead others to the throne of grace.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-84074283997310787182013-02-04T19:55:00.001-08:002013-02-04T19:55:48.058-08:00A Painful Restoration……………….
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">And I will bring My hand again upon you
and thoroughly purge away your dross [as with lye] and take away all your tin <i>or</i>
alloy.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>And I will restore your judges as at the
first, and your counselors as at the beginning; afterward you shall be called
the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and
her [returned] converts with righteousness (uprightness and right standing with
God).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa. 1: 25-27 AMP</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Just as time for punishment came again and again for God’s chosen people, we
may well see a turn in our conditions, too. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Look at the description of God’s impending actions in the
above verses:<br />
• God will turn His hand against Judah<br />
• He will burn off the dross<br />
• He will remove the alloy or the impurities</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
This is a description of God taking the matters that should have been easy
decisions for His people and taking care of business Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of His hand of protection, He will
heat things up in an effort to purify His people. The description of the
purifying process can be frightening when we consider He is talking about His
chosen people that will be put through this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He is talking about our nation as well. It is through the
extreme heat that the impurities of an ore is separated and then at an
appropriate time scrapped off and discarded. The alloy can be seen as things
that are added in that seemingly add to the strength but are considered
impurities by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is contrary to
God’s Word then it must be removed from our lives.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
There is hope in this section of Scripture, and it is this hope that I wish for
us to focus in on. After the cleansing, as difficult and horrible as it may
seem, there is restoration ahead. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We know that at a time in the future Jesus is going to
return and the final restorations will commence, but in the meantime, we cannot
sit idly by and just wait. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We need to cry out in repentance and it needs to begin now
before the consequences of our separation as a nation from God becomes even
greater than it already is.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-21041548141110885722013-02-03T14:59:00.001-08:002013-02-03T14:59:08.771-08:00Friends Become Adversaries and Foes…………….
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There was a change occurring in Isaiah’s people and the
message that Isaiah was trying to bring to them hit on the mark. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Your rulers have turned against what is right. They are the
friends of robbers. Everyone loves to get pay in secret for wrong-doing, and
they run after gifts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not stand
for the rights of those who have no parents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they never hear the cry for help of the
woman whose husband has died.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>So the
Lord God of All, the Powerful One of Israel, says, “I will put an end to those
who fight against Me. I will punish those who hate Me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah
1: 23-24<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NLV) </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here are the charges that were being brought against the
leaders of Judah, and let me ask you to keep in mind the changes that have
taken place in America over the last half century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These words could apply to our nation and to a
lot of the Church leaders today.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
The rulers have become rebels. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The rulers were once the anointed men of God and now they
are rebelling against the very God that had placed them in power to begin with.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We look at the foundation of this nation, and those that
came to the New World, came here in search of the ability to freely worship
God. There was a predominant spirituality among those that founded our nation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The constitution set religious standards as
the basis of this Nations laws. It was because of the obedience to the God and
the things of the Lord that allowed this nation to see the wonderful blessings
that it had seen. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
We also need to realize that in Isaiah’s time there was a greater degree of
religious connection between the rulers and the Temple. It was the high priest
that was used to anoint the king as the chosen one of God. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We don’t have religious and spiritual leadership combined in
this nation however we can see the rebellion in some of the Church leaders. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We can look at all of the sexual improprieties that are
running rampant in the Church of today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are denominations that are diluting the Word of God so that the black and white
of righteousness has blurred to a grey area of personal choice.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
The leaders of Judah were being accused of being in the company of thieves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How many charges of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“fleecing
the flock” or sex scandals or promises of answered prayers or healings if you
send in a certain amount of money or send a specific dollar amount to buy junk
trinkets to support a T.V. ministry have been linked to our Church leaders? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost impossible to find anyone in a political
office who has moral convictions of their own and on their own?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lack of integrity is rampant in our nation!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Isaiah issues an outcry for the treatment of the orphaned and the widowed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice that this is a call by God to the
people of God to care for the less fortunate of God. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He is not some high profile personality calling on the
government to create another program that is paid for by tax dollars that are
largely eaten up by oversized staff salaries in order to care for the needs of
those that are less fortunate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not against
the government programs they have become needed because the body of Christ has
lost its focus on caring for the needs of its own.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When the Church cries out against the government and the way
that it gives handouts and in the process promotes unbiblical living, the same
church should look at what has happened to its very own programs of tending to
the needs of the unfortunate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
parallel between Judah and this nation grows more frightening with each
example.<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Judah had lived in contrary to God’s Word for so long that
the relationship between God and His people were about to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look
again at the 24th verse: “<span class="text">Therefore, the Lord, the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> of Heaven’s Armies,</span> <span class="text">the Mighty One
of Israel, says,</span> <span class="text">“I will take revenge on my enemies</span>
<span class="text">and pay back my foes!”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The words that the Lord gave to Isaiah in description of His
people are no longer the chosen people of God but “adversaries and foes.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">They have fallen from a “friend of God” to “adversaries and
foes” of God. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That sounds like a scary place to be. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Repentance and obedience is the only way out of this
situation!</span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-56123500383958236512013-02-01T06:41:00.001-08:002013-02-01T06:41:27.856-08:00Diluted wine……………
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text">“Oh! Can you believe it? The chaste city</span>
<span class="text">has become a whore!</span><br />
<span class="text">She was once all justice,</span> <span class="text">everyone
living as good neighbors,</span> <span class="text">And now they’re all</span><br />
<span class="text">at one another’s throats.</span><br />
<span class="text">Your coins are all counterfeits.</span><br />
<span class="text">Your wine is watered down.</span><br />
<span class="text">Your leaders are turncoats</span> <span class="text">who keep
company with crooks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span class="text">They sell themselves to the highest bidder</span> <span class="text">and grab anything not nailed down.</span><br />
<span class="text">They never stand up for the homeless,</span> <span class="text">never
stick up for the defenseless.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isa. 1: 21-23<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Message Bible</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Knowing the cycle of disobedience to God and the loss of
blessings that Judah and the people of Isaiah experienced time and time again,
it would not seem like much of a risk in predicting that the very same fate
awaits this nation of ours. There will be suffering ahead for all of us,
regardless if we are being obedient, because we cannot help but be affected by
the lost blessings of our nation as a whole.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I believe it is clearly made plain to us and the text out of
Isaiah is as applicable today as the day that it was brought forth to Isaiah’s
people.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is one thing to be said for Old Testament Scripture
reading, it does not mince words and it definitely falls outside of what we
would look at as political correctness. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Let’s read, again the words that describe Judah’s
relationship with God in verses 21 and 22:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<span class="text">Oh! Can you believe it? The chaste city</span> <span class="text">has become a whore!</span><br />
<span class="text">She was once all justice,</span> <span class="text">everyone
living as good neighbors,</span> <span class="text">and now they’re all</span><br />
<span class="text">at one another’s throats.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="text">Your coins are all counterfeits.</span><br />
<span class="text">Your wine is watered down.</span> <span class="text">Your
leaders are turncoats</span> <span class="text">who keep company with crooks.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Word of God pronounced to the chosen people, where you
were once faithful in your relationship to God Almighty you now spend your time
“whoring” around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, that is a serious allegation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is however, very fitting because they went
from a people that were dedicated to God to a people that worshipped in the
places of false gods. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of the greatest factors in some of the rituals in the
temples of idolatry were the services of the temple prostitute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people were told, “If you want a fertile
field for the crops – see the temple prostitute. You want a greater harvest –
see the temple prostitute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there
anything that you desire – see the temple prostitute.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Not only was there the running to false gods, they were
defiling their very bodies in the process.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
The chosen people were once righteous and now they are murderers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of being like silver, a very precious
metal, they are like the slag that is burned off of it in the purifying
process. You can see the concept of opposites at play in this text. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Isaiah goes on to describe their situation as diluted wine.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Let me put this into perspective for today –our communion
wine is diluted!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">False gods, disobedience and religious spirits can make us a
diluted vessel for God’s kingdom.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-88458643806094430622013-01-30T19:30:00.001-08:002013-01-30T19:30:38.057-08:00How do we obtain favor?......... Part II
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">If you are willing and you are obedient,</span><br />
<span class="text">you shall eat the good of the land.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<span class="text"><sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But if you refuse and you rebel, you shall
be devoured <i>by the</i> sword.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa.
1:19-20 LEB</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How can we walk in favor with God and man?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Appropriate and right words often generate favor from those around you.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs 18: 21tells
us that: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We can speak life or death over others or situations in our
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People like to be around those who
speak life and live as a light for Jesus.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs 16:13: “<span class="text">Lips that speak what is right and good are the joy of kings, and he
who speaks the truth is loved.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Humility is a great way to generate favor. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Proverbs 15: 33: “<span class="text">Fear of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> teaches wisdom;</span> <span class="text">humility precedes honor.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
God’s anointing creates favor! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Daniel 2:47-48: “The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God
is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you
have been able to reveal this secret.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave
him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of
Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Finally, repentance brings favor!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I Peter 5:6: “<span class="text">So humble yourselves under
the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”</span><br />
<br />
Favor increases when you associate with people of integrity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember Boaz had a great reputation for
integrity. Ruth gleaned in his field. That association brought blessings to all
involved!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Favor is an attitude of goodness towards you. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Remember, a wise heart will always look for opportunities to
sow favor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 1:19 tells is: “If you
are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.”<br />
<br />
There are many ways favor will come upon you.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here are several examples from the Bible of those who walked
in God’s favor:<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Daniel 2:12-13,16:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Favor comes upon you when you are sent to solve problems for others! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God will remind someone of something good you have
done!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Esther 6 the king was reminded
that Mordecai had not been rewarded for revealing the plot to assassinate the
king.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Psalm 5:12 is an awesome scripture that King David wrote of
God’s favor: “<span class="text">For You will make those happy who do what is
right, O Lord. You will cover them all around with Your favor.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Paying tithes brings favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Malachi 3:9-11: “<span class="text">You are cursed, for you are robbing
Me, the whole nation of you! <sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring the tenth part into the store-house, so
that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord of All.
“See if I will not then open the windows of heaven and pour out good things for
you until there is no more need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>I will speak sharp words to the
destroyer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground. And
your vine in the field will be sure to give its grapes,” says the Lord of All.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Uncommon achievement attracts uncommon favor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People desire to be on the winning
team!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 8:37: “Yet in all these
things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” <br />
<br />
A good attitude often influences favor!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God reveals His favor in you so that others see the
supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit operating in your life!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Remember Joseph and how God promoted him!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Obedience to God guarantees favor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-58070912162422527542013-01-29T19:08:00.001-08:002013-01-29T19:08:29.890-08:00How do we obtain favor?......... Part I
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">If you are willing and you are obedient,</span><br />
<span class="text">you shall eat the good of the land.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<span class="text"><sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But if you refuse and you rebel, you shall
be devoured <i>by the</i> sword.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa. 1:19-20 LEB</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You may ask, “How can we obtain favor?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do we need to do to walk in God’s
favor?”<br />
<br />
Notice, at the beginning, and ending of these verses there is a small but big
word. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"IF!"</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Remember favor is a deliberate design by God to reward you
for acts of obedience. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Favor is not a mere miracle but a reward for faithfulness!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of the ways that favor is unleashed in your life is by,
you’re desire for wisdom!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A wise hearts look for opportunities to sow favor.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
In Proverbs 8:32-35, God say’s, Listen, my children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are blessed if you keep My ways. Hear My
instructions and be wise. Don’t disobey Me in this! Blessed is the man who
listens to Me and who watches and waits at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells us whoever finds Me finds life and
obtains favor from God!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Diligence creates favor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Proverbs 13:4: “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has
nothing, but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NKJV)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Another way to obtain favor is to have an understanding heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listening with your heart to understand
people and their needs brings favor.<br />
<br />
Proverbs 13:15: “Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful
is hard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NKJV)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-20940062834449906442013-01-28T19:00:00.001-08:002013-01-28T19:00:39.537-08:00Walking in Favor………… Part II
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“If you are willing and obedient, you shall
eat the good of the land;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>But if you refuse and rebel, you will be
devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isa. 1:19-20<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AMP</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Gal. 1:10 presents us with a worthy question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only you can answer that question for
yourself but it requires total honesty from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you really want the raw truth ask
someone else to answer the question in relation to how they see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, don’t get angry with them if you
don’t like the answer, just work on changing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<span class="text">Do you think I am trying to get the favor of men, or
of God?...........”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NLV)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Favor comes as you fall in love with God and His word! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Psalm 1:1-6 tells us: “Happy [blessed] is the man who does
not walk in the way sinful men tell him to, or stand in the path of sinners, or
sit with those who laugh at the truth. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>But
he finds joy in the Law of the Lord and thinks about His Law day and night. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>This
man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the
right time and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for
him.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>Sinful men
are not like this. They are like straw blown away by the wind. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>So
the sinful will not stand. They will be told they are guilty and have to suffer
for it. Sinners will not stand with those who are right with God. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup>For
the Lord knows the way of those who are right with Him. But the way of the
sinful will be lost from God forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(NLV)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Favor will come as you begin to pray for others!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James tells us the importance of prayer,
confession and how it can affect those around us: “<span class="text">Confess
your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The
earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful
results.” (5: 16, NLT)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Favor will also come as you learn to bridle your
tongue!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, James gives us
additional insight to the conditions of receiving favor: “<span class="text">Understand
[this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener],
slow to speak, slow to take offense <i>and</i> to get angry.” (1:19 AMP)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We must remember God sees our attitudes, motives, thoughts
and heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows when we are
manipulating, controlling and/or lying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He sees the truth behind our words and actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, we must be aware that these
areas—negative or positive will determine favor with God and man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our confidence in Jesus, our daily witness and genuine
concern for others will bring God’s favor into our lives!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-52466628385314393992013-01-27T18:43:00.001-08:002013-01-27T18:43:57.338-08:00Walking in Favor………… Part I
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">“<span class="text">If you will only obey me,</span><br />
<span class="text">you will have plenty to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>But if you
turn away and refuse to listen,</span><br />
<span class="text">you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.</span><br />
<span class="text">I, the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, have spoken!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Isaiah 1:19-20<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NLT</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
We need to remember that with every good seed sown-eventually favor will come! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Paul said it this way, whatever a men sows that he will also
reap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Favor is like a current; it’s
either moving toward you or away from you. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Before we go any further talking about favor--- you may ask;
“what is favor?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Favor is a deliberate
design by God to reward you for acts of obedience visible or invisible to
others. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Favor is when God causes someone to desire to come along
side of you to help solve a problem in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Favor is an attitude of goodness toward
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Favor is the willingness, desire
and participation of someone to help you advance or obtain a deeper
relationship with Jesus. <br />
<br />
The divine purpose of favor is to enable you to achieve your assignment! Your
willingness and obedience toward God in everything will bring favor, but your
disobedience will make favor leave you!<br />
<br />
In Luke 2:52 this is an interesting verse in regards to favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reveals that Jesus had to grow in favor as
well: “<span class="text">Jesus grew strong in mind and body. He grew in favor
with God and men.” (NLV)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
This verse also seems to indicate that although Jesus was God, there’s not any
indication that He had all knowledge and wisdom from birth. It seems that even
Jesus had to decide to walk in the Father’s wisdom and knowledge to obtain
favor!<br />
<br />
<br />
Isa. 1: 19 tells us we have a condition to meet before we are blessed with
favor: “IF you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.”<br />
<br />
The first way to obtain favor is, to always obey God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Man usually gives favor that is designed to manipulate, but
God gives favor through obedience! </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599372564232289460.post-86073027841371629142013-01-24T20:50:00.001-08:002013-01-24T20:50:45.012-08:00Come now, let’s settle this……..
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>“Come now, let’s settle this,”</span> <span class="text">says the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">.</span> <span class="text">“Though
your sins are like scarlet,</span> <span class="text">I will make them as white
as snow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span class="text">Though they are red like crimson,</span> <span class="text">I
will make them as white as wool.</span><br />
<span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>If you will
only obey me,</span> <span class="text">you will have plenty to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span class="text"><sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup>But if you
turn away and refuse to listen,</span> <span class="text">you will be devoured by
the sword of your enemies.</span><br />
<span class="text">I, the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, have spoken!”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 1:18-20 NLT<br />
<br />
There have been many times that people have said to me they have sinned in a
way that God could or would not forgive them. I do not believe there is any one
that cannot be forgiven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It does not matter how bad you have been; it does not matter
what sins you have committed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is in
the business of forgiving sins and loving people. The passage above tells us
God can cleanse us from the stains of sin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what they are if we are willing to
repent and be obedient to Him. </span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
God wants us to come to Him, in Isa. 1:18a , He says, “Come now……”<br />
<br />
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:2,“For He says: In an acceptable time I have
heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the
accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.”</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is longing for His people to return
to Him.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own
sake; And I will not remember your sins.”</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Isa. 1: 18 (b) says, “…when we come to God, He will reason with us.” <br />
Please note here that the word reason means to demonstrate what is right and
true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will reason with
us what is true about Himself. One truth about God is: He loves you! </span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
Romans 5:8: "….. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us."</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not parish but have everlasting life."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is true that He
came to save us.<br />
<br />
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God will reason with us in regards to what is true about our sin.<br />
<br />
<br />
It is interesting that Isaiah uses two colors here in describing our sins:
“scarlet” and “crimson.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old Testament
scholars say that there is no distinguishable difference between the two as
they were found in ancient times. The dye for this color came from a worm. The dye
was absolutely colorfast and indelible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wouldn’t wash out, which was one reason why
it was so expensive. It went down deep into the very fabric, and wouldn’t come
out. It has been used to illustrate sin in our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also, the same
color as blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We cannot wash our sins clean. There is no new leaf we can turn
over, no self-help program we can launch, no amount of determination we can
acquire, that can take away the indelible stain of our sin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And when God says to us, <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman,Italic";">“</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman,Italic"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Though your sins be as scarlet<i>,” </i></span>He’s
trying to say to us that not only are we sinners, but our sins<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman,Italic";"> </span></i>cannot be
washed away by any human means.<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman,Italic";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Snow is used in the Scriptures as a symbol for whiteness,
for purity. When David prayed his beautiful prayer of confession in Psalm 51,
he said, <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman,Italic";">“</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman,Italic"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Purge
me with</span> hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter
than snow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">” </i>(v. 7).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Daniel had a vision of God, and in that vision he saw that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“thrones were placed, and one that was
ancient of days took his seat; his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of
his head like pure wool” </i>(Daniel 7:9).<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It has nothing to do with the color of your skin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has everything to do with the condition of
your soul before God. </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In spite of our scarlet sins, God desires to make us white,
pure, forgiven, and clean before Himself and He does it through the shedding of
the scarlet blood of His Son Jesus.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">
God can take our sins and clean them out in such a way that there is no
evidence and no stain of sin left in our life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The scriptures tell us that He casts the sin as far away
from as the east is from the west and He remembers them no more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can make us as white
as snow, as clean as washed and bleached wool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God is still calling to the unreasonable and the ungodly. He
will forgive and cleanse all who come to Him. His blood still makes guilty men
clean. It would take a totally unreasonable person not to respond to His call.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Whether a nation
is part of Israel or not, if they rebel against God’s authority and demand to
be judges of what is right and wrong for themselves, they will eventually be
called to account. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God does not wish to
condemn a nation, but God will not be mocked forever, and with a heavy heart He
will deliver a wicked nation to its merited judgment if they refuse His
repeated calls to repent and receive grace and mercy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">God delivered a
timeless message to all nations at all times, a message that is particularly
relevant to our own times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God speaks to
a wicked and rebellious nation seeking for them to reason with Him. He promises
them forgiveness for their sins, if they will repent, and for the imputed
righteousness of the Lamb of God to be on them rather than their own sinful
character. He promises blessings for repentance and obedience to His ways, and
judgment for disobedience and rebellion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How long until
the nations of this world take His call to repent seriously?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why do we not
repent?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God."<br />
<br />
<br />
1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive our
sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today I want you to understand that God loves you and will
not let you perish in sin if you would just come to Him and repent of your sin.<br />
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<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700522398405617810noreply@blogger.com0